BRAINS MONEKWE SHOWCASES THE BEAUTY OF NATURE IN ITS SIMPLEST FORM

Brains Monekwe is an award-winning wildlife photographer born and bred in Mathathane, Bobirwa, Botswana. When he is not on a safari capturing magnificent nature and wildlife photographs, he plies his day trade as a scientist. He started as a self-taught photographer before receiving mentorship and training in later years. Brain’s type of photography inclines towards fine art and minimalism. He believes in showcasing the beauty of nature in its simplest form. It can be shooting straight into the gleaming eyes of a vicious lion, which shows its vulnerability as a species, instead of the conventional perception that it is a savage that needs to be hunted. What he tries to convey through his photography is to showcase nature as a friend, not as animals that need to be hunted down or forests that need to be bulldozed to make way for a parking lot. Through his photography, Brains tries to invoke wanderlust and inspire people to travel more, especially into nature, which is not only good for travellers but for nature too.

What sparked your interest in wildlife photography, and how did you get started in this field?

I have always loved nature, especially growing up in a village that is the gateway to the Northern Tuli Game Reserve. Growing up, my father had a subscription to National Geographic magazine, and I was always fascinated by those award-winning photos and curious about how they were captured. On that first safari trip I embarked on, I shared a boat with a professional photographer, who, upon noticing my curiosity, decided to offer me some insights and advised me to learn more on YouTube. I credit her for helping me take wildlife photography seriously. Unfortunately, I never asked for her name. Ever since that trip, I have never stopped going on photographic safaris.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a nature and wildlife photographer?

Top of my head, being in nature! That is the most fulfilling thing ever. Wildlife photography, by default, puts you deep into nature. It’s peaceful, it’s raw, untouched, and the oxygen is at its purest. Being able to capture the beauty of nature and convey it to those who may otherwise not be able to experience it makes one feel like the luckiest person in the world. The other most rewarding thing is being able to travel while executing and living your passion.

Can you share some memorable experiences or encounters you have had while photographing wildlife in Botswana?

It is a very hard question to answer because, over the years, I have accumulated a treasure trove of memories from my photographic safari travels. The most recent one that is etched into my memory was from my last safari in Mashatu Game Reserve at the end of October 2023. Before that trip, I had only ever photographed one leopard. On that 3-night trip, we spotted a total of 7 different leopards. But that’s not even the cream of the trip. On our second day, we spotted and photographed two mating leopards, one of the rarest sightings in the world. I almost broke the shutter of my camera that day. 

What challenges do you face as a wildlife photographer in Botswana, and how do you overcome them?

I wish it could pay. The majority of Botswana’s natural heritage story is still being told through the lenses of foreign photographers. My belief is that our story is better told by us; we would tell it better from our own perspective. The government, tourism operators, and corporate companies still use 100% foreign photographers when they market this country. I believe that as a photographer, I have advanced my skills and equipment to meet the standards of some of these foreign photographers; therefore, we should be given a chance, and content should be bought from us. A big challenge as a photographer is that no one wants to pay for your content. Wildlife photography requires highly technical and very expensive camera equipment, which we finance ourselves; therefore, failure to generate any income leaves us with huge losses and a lack of morale. I could say I try to market my work to overcome these challenges, but at the moment, the few responses I get are that people want to use my content free of charge.

How do you approach ethical considerations and responsible photography practices when photographing wildlife?

I am a nature lover, and respecting nature is second nature to me, no pun intended. Wildlife photography teaches you to respect the subject you’re photographing in order to get the most out of it. We only photograph animals in their wild, natural habitat. When photographing endangered species such as rhinos, we turn off the GPS on the camera and don’t update their location when using that content online in order to protect them from poachers. When on safari, we work with guides to make sure we photograph from a distance without coming into each animal’s radius of comfort. If an animal gets agitated, we step back. Places like Mashatu have strict rules, like only allowing three vehicles at a time at each animal sighting. We strictly don’t use flash photography when photographing wildlife.

Can you tell us about any conservation initiatives or projects you have been involved with as a wildlife photographer?

Directly, I haven’t done any conservation initiatives, but through Pangolin Photo Safaris in Kasane, I regularly enter their competitions, whose entry fees are used to finance the conservation of the pangolin species in Southern Africa. The pangolin is a highly trafficked wild species and is highly endangered.

Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring wildlife photographers looking to improve their skills?

Pick up a camera and get into nature. To learn the basics, go to YouTube; it’s a free university. From there, follow wildlife mentors, who are most likely to share valuable skills and view their work as inspiration. Don’t spend a lot of money on expensive equipment before acquiring the necessary skills; it will frustrate you, and you might end up giving up. On that note, make sure you have passion and a deep love for nature, because most of the time, it’s going to be the only reward, but your passion will keep you going. Don’t be afraid to spend money on travelling to national parks; it’s an investment. Can you tell us about any conservation initiatives or projects you have been involved with as a wildlife photographer?

Directly, I haven’t done any conservation initiatives, but through Pangolin Photo Safaris in Kasane, I regularly enter their competitions, whose entry fees are used to finance the conservation of the pangolin species in Southern Africa. The pangolin is a highly trafficked wild species and is highly endangered.

Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring wildlife photographers looking to improve their skills?

Pick up a camera and get into nature. To learn the basics, go to YouTube; it’s a free university. From there, follow wildlife mentors, who are most likely to share valuable skills and view their work as inspiration. Don’t spend a lot of money on expensive equipment before acquiring the necessary skills; it will frustrate you, and you might end up giving up. On that note, make sure you have passion and a deep love for nature, because most of the time, it’s going to be the only reward, but your passion will keep you going. Don’t be afraid to spend money on travelling to national parks; it’s an investment.

Finally, what are your future plans and aspirations as a wildlife photographer in Botswana?

Immediate plans are to focus on less-photographed areas of Botswana and try to give them some limelight. The Northern Tuli landscape and the Kalahari landscape. I have aspirations to acquire a drone on my equipment list and start doing more landscapes from that perspective. I aspire to have a better income as a photographer so I can dedicate more to it. I would like to work with BTO, Brand Botswana, on marketing Botswana. I would like to afford to spend a bit more time in the bush, because that is how to make the best pictures.