“I want to go someplace where I can marvel at something”
Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love
I found my Safari on Instagram. Yes, the online mobile visual-sharing and social newtworking service you might have on your phone right now. My friend Kari Pricher, Editorial Producer for CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, mentioned uber-talented photographer Christopher Michel — along with me and others — in the same Instagram post last September. She got to know Christopher during a story she was working on. I looked up Christopher right away. He was on a Great Migration Safari with Wild Eye, a top photographic travel company in Africa run by Gerry van der Walt, Andrew Beck and Jono Buffey.
Seeing his photos and Wild Eye’s amazing offerings inspired me to book my safari. An added treat was following the work of others including Susan Portnoy, an avid photographer (The Insatiable Traveler) and travel writer based right here in New York. Her work is extraordinary. I was hooked.
By the time you read this I’ll be on the plane to Amboseli and the Masai Mara in Kenya. I’m taking off two weeks from my Public Relations business to immerse myself in my amateur photography hobby.
I am sharing with you some of the wildlife photographers I have engaged with on Instagram, Facebook and Google+ over the past year. Some photographers I now know in person, and two Wild Eye guides I will be meeting in a few days — Morkel Erasmus and Marlon du Toit.
Also check out wildlife photographer Andy Biggs who also leads his own safaris (Andy Biggs Wildlife Safaris) and writes smart articles that I have read over and over again. He spent three hours with me in New York City over lunch and gave me generous suggestions for my upcoming safari. We own three of his photographs that are now being framed. You will love all of their work. Soon, I will have some of my own safari images to share and I just can’t wait.
Christopher Michel
Susan Portnoy
Morkel Erasmus
Marlon du Toit
Andy Biggs
My Mom, Elizabeth Kramer
I’ll likely be on instagram from time to time, so if you want to see my images, you can go there.
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Stunning images. Oh instagram! It really is the door opener to so many amazing beautiful experience. I love your camera Nancy, and can’t wait to hear of your amazing wild journey. Incredible!! xx
Yesss! So happy for you. Can’t wait to see what you produce!
You go girl! I am so proud of your spirit of adventure…all the possibilities…can’t wait to see the results. xo kerry
This is amazing, Nancy! And check out the lens on that camera. I love that social media has inspired you to see other parts of the world and connect with such interesting people. Can’t wait to see ALL of your photos–both those on instagram and elsewhere! Will be staying tuned… 😉
I’m so glad you chose to travel with us, Nancy! You had so many firsts on our safari and it was a real adventure. I am looking forward to seeing some of your images…
I love your Mom’s photo the best….so real life with that blue shirt in it, your Dad? xoS