Featured Wildlife Photography and Conservation Stories
From the intense calm of a spectacled cobra to the secret life of village wetlands, this is a look at the wild stories I have captured and the conservation work that drives me.
This is the story of Charotar, the Crocodile Village of India, where people and mugger crocodiles have lived in harmony for generations. My films aim to capture these unique stories of coexistence, showing how respect and understanding can shape the future of wildlife conservation.
The Indian Spectacled Cobra, a snake that commands both reverence and fear. Through my photography, I aim to go beyond the fear and show the incredible beauty and importance of these reptiles, which are so vital to our natural world.
The Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, a flash of rainbow in the dense forests of the Western Ghats. Capturing this female with a skink for her chicks took hours of patience, but moments like these are what make wildlife filmmaking so rewarding.
This is what a typical monsoon night looks like for me in Mumbai. Responding to back-to-back rescue calls, from a Vine Snake on a footpath to a python at a construction site, shows how wildlife has adapted to our city and how we can help when our worlds collide.
A heartbreaking moment from my trip to Gujarat. This female fan-throated lizard, full of eggs, was killed by a speeding vehicle. It’s a stark reminder of the impact we have on wildlife and why my work focuses on raising awareness for these forgotten victims.
Did you know that India's 'Big Four' venomous snakes save more lives than they harm? Their venom is crucial for creating life-saving antivenom and medicines. This is the kind of story I want to tell, shifting our perspective from fear to appreciation.
On Nag Panchami, we worship the cobra, but do we truly respect it? I chose to capture this Indian Cobra in monochrome to focus on its form and presence, asking us to look beyond superstition and see the vital creature that just needs its space.
Getting the perfect shot often means getting low and close, always with respect for the animal. Here I am photographing an Indian Spectacled Cobra, using a diffuser to capture its intricate details. This is the dedication that goes into every frame.
About Featured
Every image in this collection is the result of hours of patience and specific fieldcraft. Whether I am tracking a cobra for a behavioral study or waiting for the right light in the Western Ghats, I prioritize the animal’s safety above the perfect frame. If you are looking for a wildlife photographer who respects the subject as much as the output, let’s talk about your project needs.
Behind the Lens
I believe photography is a tool for conservation. You will notice that many of these shots, like the one of the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, take hours of trekking and waiting. My goal is never to stress the animal for a photo. I use specialized gear—like macro diffusers for snake portraits—to get the shot while keeping the subject completely comfortable.
Why Coexistence Matters
My work often centers on the tension and beauty of human-wildlife interaction. The story of Charotar’s crocodiles, where locals and reptiles live in harmony, is a prime example of the coexistence I strive to document. We don't need to fear these animals; we need to understand them. My films and photos aim to bridge that gap, whether it's through explaining the medical importance of the 'Big Four' venomous snakes or showing how wildlife adapts to the Mumbai monsoon.
Working Together
If you have a project that requires a wildlife cinematographer or a photographer who understands ethical field techniques, I am ready to collaborate. I handle everything from scriptwriting for conservation documentaries to capturing high-retention vertical videos for social media.
Common project types:
- Conservation Filmmaking: Narrative-driven documentaries about local biodiversity or ecological threats.
- Educational Content: Breaking down complex wildlife topics into engaging, myth-busting Reels or Shorts.
- Wildlife Cinematography: Providing raw footage or fully edited sequences for research, awareness, or commercial use.
Let’s document the wild side, responsibly.
Karan Solanki
I started rescuing snakes at 8, and the camera came along later to help me tell their stories. I am not interested in staging shots; I want to show you the real side of India’s wildlife. Whether it’s a short documentary or high-end nature photography, I am here to help you document the wild.
Looking for specific wildlife photography?
Explore different aspects of my work from the archives.
More from Wildlife & Conservation Filmmaking by Karan Solanki