The Wild Shots Wildlife Photography Symposium is all geared up to take this weekend and we thought we’d introduce you to a few more of the featured nature photographers who will be speaking at the event. Photographers and nature enthusiasts of all levels are invited to register for the event at the official Wild Shots website. The cover charge includes entry to the event for the day, refreshments, lunch and delegate pack.
Clement Lawrence
A natural raconteur and entertainer, Clement Lawrence joined Wilderness Safaris in 2006 and is currently the General Manager of the iconic Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp. Clement began his ecotourism career as a guide and despite being camp-bound in his day-to-day work, takes every opportunity to escape to the spectacular desert environment of the surrounding Kaokoveld and Skeleton Coast where he has long attempted to capture the nuance of his habitat on film. It is in this stark and impressive wilderness of north west Namibia where Clement has spent the better part of the last nine years and where he has got to understand the ways and whims of the Namib – whether the behaviour of desert-adapted black rhino and lion, the secrets of the white lady spider and tenebrionid beetles, or simply the majesty of ancient geological formations. Clement believes that his passion for, and knowledge of, northwest Namibia is the basis for capturing interesting photographs and is what drives him to continue his photographic experimentation.
Clement’s topic for the event is: Namibia in Focus – an insider’s guide from landscapes to macro.
Wim Vorster
After finishing school in Pretoria (South Africa), Wim undertook his National diploma in Nature Conservation at the Tshwane University of Technology. He did his “in-service” training in the Natal midlands, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and the National Zoological gardens of South Africa. Keen to continue with his studies, Wim then completed his B-tech degree in Nature Conservation. Intrigued by the secretive brown hyaena (Hyaena brunnea) he chose its social structure and feeding ecology as the topic for his research project.
Starting work at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve bordering the world famous Kruger National Park as a field guide, Wim was further promoted as Head ranger at Earth Lodge. During his stay at Sabi Sabi, he completed his FGASA level 1, 2 & 3 qualifications and discovered a true passion for predators & wildlife photography. As well as a qualified and experienced safari guide and wildlife photographer, Wim started doing freelance photographic safaris to various wilderness destinations in Southern Africa.
With a great love for wildlife films & documentaries, he decided to follow his dream and enrolled in the NHU Africa’s ‘Wildlife Filmmaking’ course that was held, for the first time, in the Okavango Delta of Botswana. Shortly after completing the film course, he was sent to Tswalu Kalahari Reserve to film a family of meerkats in 3D for WildEarth.TV. The meerkat project ended in July 2013 and Wim started at Aquavision TV productions as wildlife cameraman filming mostly in 4K and slow motion in various wilderness areas in southern Africa.
Wim’s topic for the event is: Movie Maker, Stills Taker – knowing the differences.
Nicky Silberbauer
A field and photographic guide running intimate photographic workshops and privately guiding groups to Africa's wild and iconic places. After specialising in wildlife photography at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography, Nicky spent six incredible years as a field and photographic guide in South Africa premier lodges including &beyond and Singita. More recently, she set off on a five month overland adventure through Africa with the goal of getting to know the dark continent personally. She hope to inspire her guests with a passion and love for Africa though photography and guiding.
Nicky’s topic for the event is: Boys toys – where are the female photographers.
Gerry van der Walt
Co-founder, specialist guide and lecturer at Wild Eye, Gerry Van der Walt shares his passion, energy and enthusiasm through unique wildlife and photography experiences. A unusual combination of qualifications ranging from a degree in Sport Psychology to FGASA Level 3 trails guide and photographic diplomas combined with work experiences which includes lodge management, field guiding, fitness education and competitive international gymnastics means that when heading out into the field with Gerry, you can expect a fun, educational and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Gerry’s topic for the event is: Why we do what we do – before, during and after.
