Capturing The Wild: A Q&A with Wildlife Photographer Kevin MacLaughlin

You may have seen some of the phenomenal wildlife footage on our socials, captured by wildlife enthusiast and photography pro Kevin MacLaughlin. His lens reveals intimate moments and breathtaking close-ups of some of Africa’s wildest and most elusive creatures.

Each month, Kevin spends dedicated time exploring the spectacular Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, home to Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp.

With incredible skill and patience, he creates visual stories that are nothing short of art, transporting us straight into the heart of the wild he knows so well.

Where did you grow up and what first drew you to the wilderness?

I grew up in a town called Tzaneen, which is roughly 2hours from Klaserie. I’d say it was my Dad who drew me to the wilderness, his passion for the natural world and his love for wildlife led to my brothers and I spending a lot of time out in the bush.

What’s your journey with wildlife photography/film been like? How and when did you start taking photos of wildlife? Did you start with a different subject matter? What led you to where you are now?

I started my career as a field guide for Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp at the age of 21, after a few years of guiding, the owners of the two lodges offered me a position with Sundestinations to be their in-house photographer/videographer. That was hugely beneficial in gaining experience as a wildlife camera operator. In 2018 I decided to go freelance and that’s where I am currently.

When did you realise that this was what you wanted to do? Any defining moments or shots?

The defining moment for me was my first shoot in the wildlife film industry. I was lucky enough to be the camera assistant on a film called, Man vs Puma. It may be the fact that Patagonia was so foreign or the fact that I had never seen a puma before, but I remember trying to comprehend the fact that I was being paid to be in such a wild place.

Did you have a breakthrough moment? A publication, recognition, or personal milestone?

I would say a breakthrough moment for me was COVID surprisingly, it opened the door for local camera operators to be looked at as more well known operators were restricted in travels. Also having a brother who was already established in the industry at the time helped a huge amount. I think for me, a personal milestone would be to complete my own documentary. This is what I am currently working on at Africa on Foot.

What’s the longest you’ve waited for a single shot and was it worth it?

That’s a tough question to answer. It will always be worth it I think, the problem that I have is that once you have got the shot, you could always use more time in getting a better shot.

African thunder storm by Kevin maclaughlin

Timing things to perfection

Do you have a favourite animal, bird or critter that you love to shoot?

I have a soft spot for all big cats. Wild dogs are also very much up there provided you have the right gear to keep up with them.

How has your relationship with wildlife and conservation evolved through your photography?

Wildlife filming has given me a much deeper understanding of the natural world. Spending hours, sometimes days, with animals in their natural habitats has allowed me to witness some incredible moments that few people ever get to see. When you see the challenges animals face up close, you realise how important it is to protect their world, and in turn, our own.

New life in the wild

What do you love most about your work?

I love wild places, the more wild the place is, the more I want to be there. This job is one of those jobs that takes you to those places.

What is special about the Klaserie?

Besides the incredible wildlife, Klaserie feels like home for me. It is where I started my journey as a young adult, the people I worked with and memories that are still being made all contribute to what makes it special.

Spots and stripes and juxtaposition

What’s the most rewarding aspect of sharing your work and story with others?

The most rewarding aspect for me is being able to share wild places and animals with the world. Nature has its own stories to tell, we just need to listen.

What’s in your camera bag? Who is your trusty steed?

I film with a Red Dragon 6K camera with a 60-600mm Sigma lens. For photos, my trusty steed is a Canon 5D mark IV.

What gear would you recommend to someone starting out? Any advice for aspiring photographers

A mirrorless camera would be a good starting point. They are great for both filming and photography. I wouldn’t say there’s much difference in brand names without being too technical. More important are the lenses, these can be really pricey, although you can find brands that make great quality lenses at a lower price, such as Sigma and Tamron.

Are there any changes you would like or hope to see in the wildlife photography industry?

For me, I’d like the general narrative to be more positive, we have incredible places and amazing people, yet the focus is generally the opposite.

It feels like an impossible ask but if there are highlights amongst the many spectacular moments you have had then please share!

I mentioned filming pumas in Patagonia, both in Chile and Argentina, that was definitely right up there. Another highlight was filming a pack of wild dogs for a few weeks in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Cape vultures in the Drakensberg mountains were incredible, filming leopards taking over a lodge during lockdown was also pretty wild, white lions in Kruger/Timbavati, they’ve all been really special.

And that’s a wrap! A huge thank you to Kevin for giving us a peek into the world behind his lens.

You can follow more of Kevin’s incredible work on our socials here and Kevin’s here. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes glimpses from the Klaserie.

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