Professional photographer Alison Mees spent 17 years living and working in Zambia before returning to the UK during the pandemic in 2020. She now runs photo safaris to Africa and other parts of the world, whilst also volunteering for the Cheetah Conservation Fund UK. She has also just set up her own travel company. I spoke with Alison to find out more about her fascinating life and stunning images.
What got you into photography?
I fell in love with Africa at 5 years old, after watching Born Free. At that stage I decided I wanted my own lion cub and to live in Africa. From then on, I watched all the wildlife programmes possible, filmed in both the UK and abroad. I love wildlife, nature and the vast landscapes that come with it.
It was my dad that got me into photography, he bought me an Instamatic camera when I was 8 years old, and I would take it around wherever I went. This gave me the interest and passion for wildlife/nature photography. I studied O level photography at school and had my own darkroom in a shed in the garden. This gave me a good understanding on the basics of photography & settings.
From there, I took my camera wherever I travelled.
Before the pandemic, I was living ‘The African Dream’ and spent 17 years living and working in Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. I became a safari guide, which was a dream I had for many years, studying hard to ensure I passed the written and practical exams. With few female safari guides at the time, I was determined to succeed. I also ran safari camps with my husband, whereby I was involved with community and conservation projects in each country we worked.
Due to the pandemic, travelling was not possible, so I needed to return to the UK where I have been based ever since. During the lockdown I did my ARPS with the Royal Photographic Society and started to think about what I could do with some of my photos. I started to do online Zoom talks, where the money from the talks was donated to cheetah conservation. From this, I was asked if I run safaris to Africa – which at the time I didn’t.
Once we were able to travel again, I started planning and running photo safaris to the Masai Mara – I have developed the trips and now run safaris to different areas of Kenya. From 2025, I will also be going to India, including [time with] tigers and Spain for bird & lynx photography.
Obviously, your background is in wildlife photography. Do you have favourite animals to shoot or favourite locations?
I love nature and wildlife – it’s my passion. When I go to Africa, I feel it’s in my heart and I want to share the beauty that Africa has to offer with people that travel with me.
I always tell people not to rush around, but to spend time watching and observing, maybe you don’t take a photo, but you get to watch the interaction between animals and learn a lot from that.
My favourite animal is the cheetah – I’ve have admired the cheetah since I was a child. The smallest of the big cats; a single mum raising her family all by herself; and the early light with those amber eyes. Cheetahs are now endangered, with less than 7100 left in the wild, and I also see the numbers decreasing in Africa. It’s so sad to see, so since the pandemic I have become a volunteer for the Cheetah Conservation Fund UK. I raise awareness and fundraise through doing talks to groups on my time living and working in Africa.
A special moment for me was to watch a mum raise her cubs from four weeks of age to independence and then see them have cubs of their own. That is one of the most precious moments for me.
My favourite location is the Mara Conservancies, where the concept is wildlife and Masai communities living together. It’s low impact tourism – less vehicles and pressure on the wildlife compared to the National Parks. You get to spend quality time with the wildlife, flexible off-road driving and you are also giving back to the communities and helping to support them in schooling, jobs etc. I always take my photo safari groups to the conservancies and will recommend people to stay in a conservancy where possible.
What kind of influences do you draw inspiration from?
The Natural World inspires me, wide open spaces give me a clear mind. To sit and watch a family of elephants or lion cubs playing always makes me smile. To know that I can share that with people gives me inspiration.
Do you have any favourite photographers or creative influences that have informed your photographic style, and why?
Jonathan Scott was a big influence when I first started wildlife photography. I love his gentle nature and passion for the wildlife.
Paul Goldstein is a good friend, and I have learned a lot from him – not just photography techniques, but also how to believe in yourself.
What kit do you shoot with and what’s your favourite bit of kit?
I have two Canon R5s, 500mm f4 prime, 100-400mm (this lens is so versatile for wildlife photography and is my favourite bit of kit), 70-200mm f2.8, and a 16-35mm f2.8.
What are you working on at the moment?
Since the pandemic, I now run wildlife photo trips to Kenya & India. Some of my trips are just for women. I want to develop these trips by going to a few more countries. For me, it’s about the wildlife, conservation and communities in those countries – I want to share that with people.
Through these trips, I also support a girls menstruation project in primary and secondary schools in the Mara with a local NGO project. When girls start to menstruate, they do not always have access to pads and are therefore not able to continue their education. Alongside the NGO project we now provide reusable sanitary pad packs for girls. This enables them to continue their education.
What would you say is your goal with your photography?
I want to develop my photo safaris to other parts of Africa & India. To give women confidence in their photography so that they’re not too shy to ask questions and to try different things.
I also want to continue sharing my images and share the pressure the planet is under and how some of our species are suffering today and becoming endangered.
As a female photographer, do you feel that you face any particular challenges? Do you feel that the industry is favourable towards women, or would you like to see any changes?
Over 30 years ago when I wanted to get into photography as a career, it was very male dominated. Nowadays, I would say it can still be hard to be heard and taken seriously at times. However, it is getting much easier for women to be recognised as a photographer.
What advice would you give to budding photographers?
Don’t be scared to get out there and take photos, as with digital you can take as many as you want and delete loads later. Try different angles, I love the low angle shots.
Ask questions and ask for help & advice – don’t be scared to as no question is a silly question.
Join a photo club or group and share some of your photos. Getting feedback is a brilliant way of taking your photography to the next level.
You can view Alison’s gorgeous photography at her website or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
