In 2024, Margie and I embarked on just two photography trips in Africa. The year began with three weeks in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, spanning South Africa and Botswana, in January. In August, we spent a month exploring the Moremi and Chobe National Parks in Botswana. The latter was an especially challenging journey, testing us mentally, physically, and in terms of our equipment, due to the tough road conditions between the parks. Nonetheless, the images we captured were, as always, incredibly rewarding.
In September we attended the annual Photo Festival (Congress) of the Photographic Society of America (PSA). It was a delight to meet so many people in person—individuals I had previously only connected with via email or Zoom in my role as Director of the PSA Portfolio Distinction Programme. Face-to-face communication is truly irreplaceable. Following the festival, we extended our trip by a week to revisit the stunning Saguaro and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monuments, with the latter located near the Mexican border.
I actively participated in 2024 in several prestigious international photography competitions, including the UK Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPoTY), Nature Photographer of the Year (NPoTY), Bird Photographer of the Year (BPoTY) and Smithsonian Magazine awards. I was thrilled to have some of my images reach the finals in all of them (details can be found in the Awards section of this website). Additionally, one of my photographs was selected to represent South Africa in the international Four Nations competition, a collaborative effort between South Africa, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Looking ahead, I’m excited about plans to revisit Zimbabwe’s parks in 2025 after many years of absence.
I’m also thoroughly enjoying my gradual shift from still photography to video. While the learning curve is steep and often challenging, the process is immensely rewarding.
Warm regards
Johan