What was the plan for this trip to the Mara?

“With my photography, the one thing that people really engage with are the predators – the lions, the leopards, the big eagles. They all create emotional reactions, so that’s what people get interested in. But at the same time, I really wanted to show the culture around that. Because out of every $10 that goes into the Mara for conservation, $9 goes to animal conservation and $1 goes to the community. And that’s a real problem. Because they’re still stuck in poverty.

Is that because people think of ‘conservation’ as ‘animal conservation’?

“Yes, and animal conservation starts with the community. It starts in the villages. It’s really important to see the symbiosis between the Maasai people and the wildlife, that connection into nature. Because they’re the guardians of the space. The wildlife will not be able to survive if they don’t prosper.”

How did you work on ground out there?

“We worked with the Maasai tribespeople, to work out what their issues and problems were, and work out how we could help them. I bought these big lights so we were able to set up a photoshoot in order to really show how amazing and beautiful these people are and get some amazing images around them. Later I’ll be able to sell some prints, in order to push some money back their way.” 

Does time seem different out there?

“It stands still. The indigenous people spend so much time in that ecosystem that they see things we don’t see. If you’re at one with another animal or the landscape, you don’t need to lead such hustle and bustle lives. They find it very strange to how much we rush.” 

Did that apply to your personal experience in the Mara?

“Everyone always thinks, what I do, as a wildlife photographer, is all action, action, action. It’s not like that, really. It’s a lot of just sitting down and waiting. And being patient and seeing what’s going to happen. So that’s another kind of example of slowing down and taking the time to just be present in thinking about what’s going on.”