Mital Patel’s photographs of East African wildlife are vivid testaments to the untamed beauty and fragile balance of the natural world. Through a lens both reverent and raw, Patel captures fleeting moments in the wild: the silent poise of a leopard at dusk, the thunderous energy of an elephant herd, the majestic dignity of the last two northern white rhinos on Earth.
Each frame tells a story of the vast ecosystems they inhabit and the urgent need to preserve them. In partnership with the Ol Pejeta Conservancy based in Kenya, Patel’s recent work invites viewers to feel the heartbeat of Africa’s wilderness, and to reflect on humanity’s place within it.
In this conversation with Patel, he talks of his first camera and what came afterward.
Patron (P): What first drew you to photography, and how did your journey begin?
Mital Patel (MP): When I got my first camera at 12 to take on a trip to Asia, that was the first moment I felt empowered to capture moments of family and travel. Over time, I became the family’s de facto photographer—there was this quiet obligation to preserve the memories for everyone. Over the years I kept shooting, and my craft was shaped into what it is now.
P: Was there a defining moment when you realized this was more than just a hobby for you?
MP: It was probably the moment when I started licensing my work for Travel Alberta, one of Canada’s tourism agencies. They licensed several photographs which were used on their website, in different publications, and also in the Vancouver Airport. After that, more opportunities opened up, additional licensing, then print sales, and eventually gallery exhibitions.
P: Your work captures intimate evocative moments with wildlife—how do you approach gaining trust or proximity with animals in their natural environment?
MP: By not being purposely intrusive in their space. I use a variety of different lenses, and some allow me to capture those intimate moments from a distance. These animals are wild, so it’s not really about gaining their trust, it’s about respecting that we’re in their space. However, with the trust of my guides, who are much better at knowing the animal’s behavior, I’m able to get those evocative moments.
P: What gear and techniques do you rely on most when shooting in the wild?
MP: Typically, when I’m on a wildlife shoot, I’ll carry three camera bodies, each mounted with a different lens. This allows me to have at my side all of the different focal lengths ranges, so I can stay in the moment with the animals and not fumble with gear. With the new modern cameras, they can be set on silent shutter, so you don’t hear the obtrusive noise of the shutter curtain. There’s no distraction, and it allows me to hear all of the wonderful sounds in nature.
P: Can you share a story behind one of your most memorable or challenging photographs?
MP: One of my favorite photography moments happened in Amboseli National Park. My heart was set on photographing a large herd of elephants on the dry lakebed. We waited hours in the late afternoon for the elephants to walk across the dry lakebed to make their way to the swamps for water. Hours later, we saw elephants in the distance walking towards us. As they got closer, I set up the cameras and was ready. We were graced with over 100 elephants walking past us. It was one of the most magical encounters.
P: How did your collaboration with Ol Pejeta Conservancy come about?
MP: The seeds were planted well before my first visit. My link to Ol Pejeta came through connecting with James Mwendu, who was one of the caretakers of the last male northern white rhino, named Sudan. I had been following James through social media, and I reached out to him while he was visiting the US in early 2023. We had a great conversation, and later that summer I went with him to Ol Pejeta. After my visit, I sent Ol Pejeta an entire collection of photos for their use to bring more awareness of their wonderful efforts. A year later, while I was in London, I met with one of their fundraising managers for coffee and kept in communication and offered to be of any assistance. So, months later, she reached out and mentioned they were planning a visit to the US, so I jumped on the opportunity to host them and create an event for them.
P: What role does your photography play in supporting Ol Pejeta’s conservation mission?
MP: I hope that my photography will inspire people either to visit Ol Pejeta and/or take action by supporting wildlife conservation. When people saw the photographs at the exhibition, they were deeply moved. The photographs should spark a conversation and create a connection to us.
P: Are there specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on with Ol Pejeta that stand out to you?
MP: I recently held an event at the Christopher Martin Gallery, where we had a wonderful discussion with Justin Heath, the CEO of Ol Pejeta, and Zacharia Mutai, the head caretaker of the last two northern white rhinos. I also debuted my new colored wildlife collection featuring those rhinos.
P: What impact have you seen your photos have—whether in raising awareness, fundraising, or policy influence?
MP: I’m fortunate that my artwork has had a nice impact for the greater good. The ones that I have donated to different charitable organizations have raised over $20,000. Different wildlife conservation organizations use the photographs to tell their story further, such as WildAid, WildArk, Ol Pejeta, and many others.
P: How do you ensure your images reflect the ethics and values of conservation, especially when working with endangered species like the northern white rhino?
MP: That starts with working with ethical travel operators and guides. There are many companies out there that break the rules to get their clients “the shot”. The animals need space, so working with teams that value and respect that ensures we work in the most ethical manner.
P: How do you balance storytelling with accuracy and sensitivity, especially in situations involving animal distress or habitat loss?
MP: There are several components to this answer: dealing with animal distress starts in the field. If I feel the animals are getting distressed, we back away and move on. As far as storytelling, so far, my photography has been showing the animals in their majestic spotlight, taking their portraits in the wild. I am working with WildAid on a short documentary to highlight the threats now facing animals–habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. I have been working with WildAid to find ways to advance their production of their “smelly elephant” product, which has proven to reduce human-wildlife conflict with elephants and farms by 80%.
P: Do you ever face dilemmas in the field—moments where the right photograph might conflict with the right action? How do you navigate that?
MP: Yes, that can happen. Like chasing after a lion to get the best shot. You have to know when to self-regulate and know how to balance between chasing vs receiving the shot. That awareness comes after spending time with the animals, learning their rhythms, and being present in the elements. This creates the separation from a tourist to a storytelling conservation photographer.
P: Are there new regions, species, or conservation stories you’re hoping to explore in the near future?
MP: Yes, quite a few, actually. I’d love to spend time in India photographing tigers and snow leopards and bring their stories home to give them the spotlight they deserve.
P: What does success look like for you—not just in terms of photography, but in conservation outcomes?
MP: More conversations. The more conversations we have on the matter, the more importance it will gain. As the importance rises, more action can take place. I hope that my photography can serve to create more conversations and storytelling.