Wild Shots Outreach visited Loisaba in early September to work with local guides and community members to improve their photography skills and give them a different perspective on using photography as a tool for conservation.

WSO’s overall aim is to engage disadvantaged young Africans in wildlife and conservation through photography and by introducing them to the natural world, helping to nurture the conservationists of tomorrow.

Five guides from across Elewana properties in the Northern area of Kenya attended, as well as a community member who works on the leopard programme through the San Diego Zoo Research project in Loisaba.

The structure of the programme involved some 'classroom' training to learn the theory behind photography combined with game drives to put the knowledge gained into practice. Areas that were taught included freezing action, blurring motion, using natural light, depth of field and more - all critical for wildlife photography. Every morning included a review and critique of the previous days' photographs that were taken by the participants.

Participants shared their knowledge and experiences and were all inspired by each other as well as by the Wildshots team. At the end of the four-day programme, the participants were awarded a certificate from the course as well as a number of their favourite images in print format. This was made possible by a kind contribution from Canon Kenya through the loan of a photographic printer.

Elewana will be looking at future opportunities for partnership with this noble charity, so watch this space for more exciting photographic partnership updates!