By the age of 9, I had already developed a deep love for wildlife. Watching the Australian Zoo episodes was my favourite holiday pastime for many, many summers.
My name is Shaurya Pratap Bisht and I turned 13, I am in grade eight and live with my family in Delhi. My journey as a wildlife photographer began when my father handed me his old, unused Nikon 3400 camera on one of our impromptu family trips to the jungle. At the time, I didn’t know much about photography, but something about the way the sunlight danced through the forest canopy and long deep silence stirred a sense of excitement in me. I never knew that, that one trip to the famous Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, India would be the start of a thrilling adventure as a wildlife photographer.
On that very trip I was naive at operating a big camera. I began experimenting, pointing, clicking, and capturing what I saw. My first decent shot was of The Ghetaro Wali Tigress in 2021. The image was not that perfect, but the feeling of freezing that moment in time was magical.
The jungle has since then become my second home. I frequent the National Park almost every month. Every safari is a new tale, every moment a chance to witness the raw beauty of Mother Nature. I have been lucky to see tigers, leopards, elephants and many other animals and birds in their natural habitat. Each encounter has deepened my respect for these magnificent creatures and the ecosystems.
What keeps taking me back is the unpredictability of wildlife photography. No two days in the jungle are ever the same. On one safari, the highlight might be tiger behind the tree against a fiery sunset. On another, it could be a bird ready to take off.
Photography has taught me patience and perseverance. Waiting for hours in the scorching heat or biting cold for that perfect shot isn’t easy, but the reward is always worth it. There have been times when I have missed a shot because the subject moved too quickly, or my settings were not right. Instead of feeling discouraged, these moments motivate me to learn and improve.
Being a Wildlife photographer has taught me to appreciate the delicate balance of nature and the importance of conservation. I hope my photography inspires many and gives them a sense of responsibility to protect nature and their natural inhabitants.
For anyone who dream of exploring the jungle with a camera, my advice is simple: start small, stay curious, and never stop learning. Every click of the shutter is a step closer to discovering the wonders of the natural world.
The equipment I use are
Nikon Z 8 with 400 mm lens
Nikon D 850 with 70-200 lens
