Talking with Shem Compion: Making Memorable Wildlife Photographs on Safari and Beyond

When it comes to African wildlife photography, Shem Compion has done just about everything. He is an award-winning photographer, naturalist, author, and pioneering hide builder who has spent more than 25 years exploring and photographing the wild landscapes of Africa. He is also a professional photo guide where he helps photographers experience Africa with the timing, access and creative guidance needed to come home with something truly special. In this episode, Shem and I dig into what separates a technically good wildlife photograph from one that stops people in their tracks. For Shem, much of it comes down to combining emotion with narrative. A photograph should make the viewer feel something, but it should also tell us where the animal lives, what it is doing and why that particular moment matters. We also explore the enormous value of photographic guides, the temptation to photograph every animal you encounter on safari and why harsh midday light is rarely your friend. Shem shares the fascinating story behind the underground photography hides at Mashatu Game Reserve, including the new overnight hide that functions almost like a wildlife photography studio, complete with controlled lighting, beds and, crucially, a coffee machine. From there, our conversation expands into visual storytelling, conservation photography, building a lasting body of work and organizing your image library so you can actually find those photographs 15 years from now. Shem also walks us through his current Nikon kit, his relatively light-handed approach to editing and the advice he wishes he could give his younger self: take more photographs, especially of the people, experiences and behind-the-scenes moments that make a journey memorable. Links and Resources Mentioned Learn More About Shem... Shem Images — Shem’s photography, books, portfolio and background Shem Images on Instagram C4 Photo Safaris — Shem’s specialist African photography safari company The Rift: Scar of Africa — Shem’s long-form photography project documenting Africa’s Great Rift Valley Purchase The Rift Photography Hides and Safari Experiences PhotoMashatu — Photographic experiences at Mashatu Game Reserve Mashatu’s Underground and Overnight Hides — Information about the ground-level Matebole Hide and Lala Limpopo Sleep-Out Hide C4 Photo Safaris at Mashatu Conservation Photography Wildscreen ARK — Wildscreen’s nature education and visual storytelling platform The ARKive Legacy — The original conservation image library referenced during the conversation. ARKive went offline in 2019, but its collection of more than 100,000 wildlife images and videos remains preserved by Wildscreen. Photo Books, Organization and Editing Shutterfly Photo Books — One option for turning a personal photography project into a printed book Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop Photo Mechanic — Photo-management software mentioned while discussing digital asset workflows Nik Collection and Silver Efex — The black-and-white editing software Shem uses for selected fine-art images Shem’s Primary Camera Kit Nikon Z8 NIKKOR Z 180–600mm f/5.6–6.3 VR NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S NIKKOR Z 70–180mm f/2.8 Court's Websites Check out my photo portfolio here: shop.courtwhelan.com Sign up for my photo and conservation blog at www.courtwhelan.com Follow me on YouTube (@courtwhelan) for more photography tips View my camera kit and recommended camera gear Sponsors and Promo Codes: MPB.com - Buy, Sell, or Trade Camera Gear ArtStorefronts.com - Mention this podcast for free photo website design BayPhoto.com - 25% off your first order (code: TWP25) ArtHelper.com - a photo community to learn, share and be inspired Arthelper.Ai - Smart tools to promo and showcase your art. LensRentals.com - WildPhoto15 for 15% off