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My Journey as a Wildlife Photographer and Nikon Creator

byDeepak ShankarGlobal wildlife expeditions; Studio in Banashankari, BengaluruStarts from₹55,000 per person (double occupancy)View full gallery

It started with a simple curiosity for the wild, but it evolved into a lifelong commitment to documenting nature’s most intimate stories. Here is a look at my path behind the lens.

I am truly grateful and honored to be welcomed into the official Nikon Creator family. This recognition from Nikon India is a testament to my dedication to capturing the raw, untold stories of the natural world. It fuels my passion to continue this journey and share it with you.

About About Me & Recognition

Being a Nikon Creator is about more than just having the right gear. It means I have spent years mastering the technical limits of my equipment to ensure that when the perfect moment arrives, whether it is a leopard's eye contact or a bird in flight, I am ready to capture it without hesitation. This technical reliability is exactly what I bring to every workshop, helping you overcome the same challenges in the field.

Professional Wildlife Photographer & Nikon Creator — Approved by the tribe
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Deepak Shankar

Global wildlife expeditions; Studio in Banashankari, BengaluruStarts from ₹55,000 per person (double occupancy)

I am not just a photographer; I am a storyteller who spends more time in the brush than in front of a screen. My focus is on helping you see the wild not as a subject, but as a living, breathing neighbor that demands our respect and patience.

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Me on safari, ready for action with my cameras. I call them my bazookas! This is my happy place, out in the wild, ready to capture a story.7
A huge milestone! I am officially a Partner Photographer for Panthera, the global wild cat conservation organization. It's an honor to have my work support their mission.
The cover of my book, "Urban Birds of Juhu." This project started during lockdown and grew into a comprehensive field guide to the 121 bird species in my neighborhood.

Behind the Lens: My Journey in Wildlife and Conservation

S
Saloni TirodkarAvailable online
This is the 'Ghost of the Forest', a pseudo-melanistic tiger from Similipal Tiger Reserve. Capturing this incredibly rare cat required months of collaboration with the forest department and using my self-developed DSLR camera traps. This image is a testament to the innovation and perseverance that I bring to my fieldwork.8
A young polar bear pauses on a rock at the edge of the Arctic sea ice in Svalbard. We use small expedition ships to get close yet respectful encounters like this, allowing for clean, high-key portraits that highlight the stark beauty of the polar realm.
A male lion patrols the vast plains of the Masai Mara as the sun sets. On my tours, I teach how to use dramatic light and wide-angle lenses to create environmental portraits that tell the story of not just the animal, but its entire world.

Wildlife Photography: A Portfolio of Rare Moments

Y
Yashpal RathoreGuided tours across 5 wildlife destinations globally
A Pied Kingfisher emerges victorious, its beak holding a fresh catch. This is a high-speed action shot that freezes the splash and the crucial moment of the hunt, ideal for storytelling in wildlife documentaries or dynamic ad campaigns.10
An intimate, head-on portrait of an Asian Elephant stepping out from the dense forests of Karnataka. The detail in its skin and its direct gaze create a powerful connection, making this image suitable for conservation campaigns and impactful editorial features.
The elegant Indian Paradise Flycatcher, with its stunningly long white tail feathers, perches on a branch. Capturing this elusive bird is a matter of patience, and this image is perfect for book covers or fine art prints that celebrate natural beauty.
The vibrant orange and blue plumage of a Blue-capped Rock-Thrush stands out against a clean, bright background. This striking portrait highlights the bird's brilliant colors, making it a great choice for projects needing a pop of natural color.

Featured Wildlife Photography Collection

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JayAvailable across India
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A snapshot of my feature in the Mid-Day newspaper, which covered the annual arrival of flamingos in Navi Mumbai. Media coverage like this is crucial for bringing the story of these wetlands to a wider audience and building public support for their protection.
This high-key, minimalist photograph of the T.S. Chanakya lake was featured in the Mangrove Photography Awards. It portrays the serene, almost glassy surface of the water, a fragile peace that is threatened by plans to convert this vital wetland into commercial properties.

Published Wildlife Photography & Conservation Features

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Sreekumar KrishnanAvailable for filmmaking projects across India
A tiger finds calm in the middle of a heavy thunderstorm in Tadoba. I believe that even when the light is "bad," we can make art. This is what I teach: to see the wild as your canvas, no matter the weather.8
The Kenyan sky is a painting, and we are just there to frame it. Here, an elephant walks under a dramatic sky at dusk in the Masai Mara. This is a moment of pure silhouette magic, where gold and blue tell the story.
Beyond color, there is character. This black and white portrait of a lion from Masai Mara focuses on his soul. I teach my students how to use monochrome to reveal texture, mood, and the raw power of the subject.
A coastal brown bear leaps for its meal. Capturing action like this is about anticipating the moment and being technically ready. On my tours, we get you in the right place to nail these high-energy shots.

My Wildlife Photography Portfolio: Light, Motion, and the Wild

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Kapil SharmaField workshops across major national parks in India and Kenya
This is the kind of moment that makes all the patience worthwhile. I captured this extreme close-up of a tiger in Tadoba, focusing on its mesmerizing blue eyes which are a rare trait. For me, this isn't just a portrait; it's a window into the wild, untamed spirit of the jungle's top predator.10
In the pouring rain at Kanha National Park, I found this magnificent Barasingha, or swamp deer. He had been decorating his antlers with grass, a behavior seen during the rut. This shot captures his raw, majestic presence against the moody, atmospheric backdrop of the monsoon.
At Sambhar Lake, the evening light created a perfect mirror on the water. I photographed this flock of flamingos as they engaged in their courtship rituals, their pink hues creating a vibrant line against the deep blue of the water and sky. It’s a moment of pure symmetry and natural art.
This was a truly magical encounter. I framed this spotted owlet against a full moon to create a sense of mystery and wonder. It’s a more creative composition that aims to capture the silent, watchful nature of this nocturnal bird, making it feel like a character from a forest fairytale.

Featured Wildlife Photography Highlights

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Girish SinghShoots at wildlife reserves across India

More from Wildlife Photography Expeditions & Workshops by Deepak Shankar

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Fine Art Wildlife Prints
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