The Spark That Never Faded

As a young boy, I can still picture myself sitting on my grandmother’s floor, absorbed by a book of nature photography. Each image opened a window to the wild, sparking my imagination with visions of vast landscapes and majestic animals. That early fascination never left me. While I spent years working in web and graphic design, the dream of leaving the digital world behind to immerse myself in nature only grew stronger, quietly encouraging me to one day make the leap.

The Turning Point

The decision to leave behind a stable career wasn’t easy. For years, I’d push the idea of becoming a wildlife photographer to the back of my mind, convincing myself it was too risky. The world of freelance photography felt intimidating, especially compared to the safety net of my design career. But as time went on, I realized that the longer I waited, the further away my dream would slip.

The turning point came during a trip I took to Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. I had always enjoyed photography as a hobby, but this time was different. I was completely immersed in the experience—waking up at dawn to capture the light breaking over the savannah, waiting patiently for hours to get the perfect shot of a lion in the wild. It wasn’t just the photography itself that hooked me—it was the feeling of being part of something much larger, something raw and untamed.

When I returned home, it hit me: this was what I wanted to do with my life. It was time to make the leap.

The Leap of Faith

Quitting my job as a web and graphic designer was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. It meant leaving behind a relatively steady paycheck, a clear career path, and a comfortable routine. But the pull of wildlife photography was too strong to ignore. I took a leap of faith, relying on the skills and creative eye I had honed over the years as a designer, trusting that they would serve me well in this new field.

The transition wasn’t easy. Wildlife photography is as much about patience as it is about technical skill. It’s a craft that requires an understanding of animal behavior, light, and the unpredictable nature of the wild. But it’s also a field that rewards persistence and passion. Every time I venture out with my camera, I feel a sense of purpose that I hadn’t experienced in my design career.

Lessons Learned

Leaving a stable career to chase a dream isn’t for everyone, but it’s been the most rewarding decision I’ve ever made. Wildlife photography has given me a new perspective on life. It’s taught me the value of patience, the beauty of unpredictability, and the importance of following your instincts.

Interestingly, many of the skills I learned as a designer have carried over into this new chapter of my life. Composition, attention to detail, and storytelling—all vital components of design—are equally important in photography. The ability to see things differently, to create narratives through visuals, has shaped my work behind the camera in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Living the Dream

Today, I’m living my dream as a fine art wildlife photographer, creating works of art for people’s walls. I’m also sharing my passion through Delaney & Siggesson Safaris, offering photography safaris that allow others to experience the wonders of the natural world. From capturing the majesty of elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park to photographing powerful lions on the endless plains of Serengeti in Tanzania, I’ve found my place in the world.

It’s not always easy, and the challenges are real. But the rewards—those fleeting moments of magic when you capture the perfect shot of an animal in its natural habitat—make it all worthwhile.

For anyone out there who feels stuck or who has a dream they’ve been too afraid to chase, I can only offer this advice: take the leap if you can. You never know where it might lead, but if you follow your passion, it will always take you where you’re meant to be.