Firstly, an enormous thank you to the 500+ people who attended 'Individuals'. Thank you for the fascinating conversations about wildlife and conservation, all the kind words, and to those of you who now have photographs from the exhibition on your walls at home. To have print heading off to Switzerland, The Netherlands, The US and various corners of the UK is truly humbling. The £2,000 raised for the Mara Predator Conservation Programme will make a genuine difference. If you didn't make it along, both the 'Individuals' photography collection and the film 'Karibu Nyumbani' have now been released on my website, so please do take a look!
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Exhibition Write Up - 'Individuals' - Maasai Mara Wildlife Photography Exhibition in London
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ABOUT INDIVIDUALS
‘Individuals’ focuses on telling the stories of the animals I spent time with in the Maasai Mara in 2022. Each character has their own personal story, unique history, and uncertain future. They have distinctive personalities, close bonds, feared enemies, and emotions as strong as your own. Visiting the same individuals every single day, I felt like I got to know them on a deeply personal level. By highlighting these personal stories, showing animals to be emotional individuals rather than just an anonymous statistic in a wider population, I hope to promote a desire to protect and care for this precious wildlife.
The solo exhibition was on from 22 June to 2 July at 19 Kensington Park Road, London.
WITNESSING THE POWER OF PHOTOS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
I recently wrote an article about the power of photography to make a difference in conservation for 'Eye For the Light', an online photography magazine run by Travel Photographer of the Year. I genuinely believe that photography and filmmaking are a great way to connect people to nature and saw this in action a number of times during the exhibition.
There is no greater pleasure than seeing people connect to the photos, and there were a few beautiful moments during the exhibition when I saw this in action. It was amazing to see people laugh out loud when looking at 'Kindred Spirit', having people tell me that they cried while watching 'Karibu Nyumbani' (the conservation film that accompanied the exhibition), and on one occasion having parents visit with their 4 year old for a second time because in their words 'our child is completely obsessed by the exhibition booklet and won't stop staring at it'. Seeing her sat on her dad's shoulders, face-to-face with Half Tail brought a smile to my face. It was moments like this that make the year working on the exhibition completely worthwhile!
RAISING MONEY FOR MARA PREDATOR CONSERVATION PROGRAMME
Through the exhibition, it is great to have raised almost £2,000 for Mara Predator Conservation Programme to support the vital work that they do in the Mara. This is enough to run one of their wildlife conservation clubs for a year and also purchase a few GPS cameras for monitoring predator populations. Their wildlife clubs help educate young people on the importance of conservation on the understanding that exposing children to wildlife in an engaging and compelling way will create positive long-term change. The GPS cameras are vital to understanding the movements of predators, particularly in areas where human-wildlife conflict is still prevalent. So to everyone who bought a print, thank you! You have made a real difference.
"Nomad"
Edwin is truly the definition of a gentle giant. Despite his impressive size, and perhaps because of it, he exudes a subtle confidence and complete disregard for me and the vehicle I am in. He strolls over inquisitively, towering above me as I lie across the front seats of an open-sided and open-top Suzuki. He appears almost proud of his stature, and looks me directly in the eyes as if to say in the most calm way possible, “I’ve got my eyes on you”.
"Half Tail"
Half Tail basking in the early morning sun. Half Tail is one of the most famous lions in the Masai Mara Ecosystem. After losing his coalition partner, Logol, he is now the sole leader of the Marsh Pride which makes it a very uncertain time for him as he tries to maintain control of the Marsh Pride. Prior to losing Logol he would spend a lot of time a long way from the pride, but in recent days he has been spending a lot more time closer to home so he can keep an eye on any encroaching males. He has a reputation for being very grumpy, and very powerful. When a lion like that stares directly at you, you feel it right to your core.
"Affection"
Two of the sub-adults in the Marsh Pride greeting each other in the early evening after waking from a nap.
Lions may have a reputation for being ruthless hunters, but they are also deeply affectionate. Their emotions are truly heartfelt and plain to see in their interactions. After spending time apart, waking up from sleeping, or joining forces before heading out on a hunt at night, they often greet each other with a head rub or similar form of physical affection.
"Crane I Help You?"
A male Grey Crowned Crane in Mara North Conservancy.
For all the excitement of photographing the big cats of the Maasai Mara, spending a couple of hours lying on the ground photographing a pair of Grey Crowned Cranes courting was undoubtedly a highlight.
They are such striking birds. Their faces are full of expression and the way they interact with each other is fascinating. They have the most beautiful courtship dance, head-bobbing, leaping, bowing and fluttering their wings.
"Scratch"
Every tusk is unique. Each scratch, mark and chip hints at a story in Flopsy's past. This is where ivory belongs.
"Education"
Two of Kweli's cubs watch on as their mother hunts in the early morning sun. For once they are following their mothers command to stay behind so as not to ruin the hunt. Although not particularly subtle, their spot on top of the termite mound provides the perfect vantage point from which to observe and learn in preparation for their upcoming separation from their mother. At 13 months old, it is just a matter of months before they will be out on their own, fending for themselves.
"Kindred Spirit"
Lola's two cubs play with one of their mother, Lola’s cousins (Kito's daughter) on top of a termite mound at sunset.
These two cubs are absolute terrors, never missing an opportunity to find a high vantage point, climb on their mother, or stalk the tail of one of the other pride members as they look for a place to settle down for the day.
Sadly, during the month I spent following them, the young male cub disappeared. There was a noticeable closeness among the pride in the days after, but it wasn’t long before the final remaining cub was back causing mischief. Lola’s final cub is still going strong and will no doubt be a future leader in the Marsh Pride.
"Nosey"
A baby elephant wanders the plains of Mara North.
This herd of elephant, and in particular this baby provided hours of entertainment. It was always inquisitive and often playful, clearly desperate to let its adventurous side out and explore. Being so young though, it didn’t quite have the confidence, remaining close to the herd under the watchful eye of its mother.
Moving with, and photographing a herd of elephant as they wander across the plains of Mara North leaves a deep feeling of acceptance and trust. This herd was always incredibly relaxed, and almost welcoming. At times it felt like they had an understanding that I was there to there to observe and appreciate their existence.
"Nadala"
Nadala resting on a branch in an Acacia Tree in the early morning sun.
Nadala is a rising star of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, having recently moved into the area after crossing the border from the Serengeti in Tanzania. She is playful and confident, spending her time climbing trees and searching for good vantage points from which to get to know her new surroundings. At around two years old, perhaps she is also on the lookout for a mate to have her first litter of cubs with.
Nadala was the last of the individuals I photographed for this collection having already spent time with lions (Marsh Pride), cheetah (Kweli) and elephant (Edwin). I was desperate to include a leopard too. After hearing about Nadala, I set off to the main reserve to search for her. Some photos take days of preparation and patience and others happen in an instant. Not ten minutes into my drive, Nadala makes an appearance. She puts on a mesmerising show, shooting straight up this tree to assume her position in the early morning sunlight.
"Awakening"
Nadala resting on a branch in an Acacia Tree in the early morning sun.
Nadala is a rising star of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, having recently moved into the area after crossing the border from the Serengeti in Tanzania. She is playful and confident, spending her time climbing trees and searching for good vantage points from which to get to know her new surroundings. At around two years old, perhaps she is also on the lookout for a mate to have her first litter of cubs with.
Nadala was the last of the individuals I photographed for this collection having already spent time with lions (Marsh Pride), cheetah (Kweli) and elephant (Edwin). I was desperate to include a leopard too. After hearing about Nadala, I set off to the main reserve to search for her. Some photos take days of preparation and patience and others happen in an instant. Not ten minutes into my drive, Nadala makes an appearance. She puts on a mesmerising show, shooting straight up this tree to assume her position in the early morning sunlight.