Shem Compion
Raised on a farm in the Bushveld, Shem grew up roaming the bush and consequently gained a solid grounding in the ways of the wild. This interest in Nature led to him studying a National Diploma in Nature conservation and Wildlife Management. With over 20 years of bush experience it was quite logical he was going to end up working in the natural world. A self taught photographer, Shem immediately combined his interest in photography with his love for nature. He worked across the globe on freelance and commercial projects till 2003. In 2004 he returned to Africa to set up C4 Images and Safaris. He photographs professionally working and travelling mainly in Southern and east Africa. His special interests are capturing action and interaction, mammals, birds in flight and infrared photography. Shem loves seeing the natural world unfold in its own time, without any bias or interference and then capturing those fleeting moments in a fresh manner. By capturing the small and short-lived moments between species, his images really come alive. Shem has guided clients and led tours to many countries in Africa and abroad. He uses his intimate knowledge of nature to get you in the right place at the right time and with his gentle nature he impart his vast photographic knowledge to his clients. The success of C4 Images and Safaris' lies in the high standards that Shem sets on your wildlife photography whilst on Safari. Professionally, his work is regularly published worldwide in magazines, calendars and books. He published his first book "A Landscape of Insects" in 2009. He presents photo workshops for organisations such as National Geographic, and has been invited as a keynote speaker to international photographic conventions.   You can see more or Shem's work at www.shemimages.com and his blog www.shemimages-blog.com   Shem runs the daily functioning of C4 Images and Safaris, making sure you get that personal touch which C4 Images and Safaris is all about.
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Born:	08/05/1976
Photographic interests:	Wildlife and nature, Capturing action, birds in flight. A special interest in infrared photography.
Languages:	English, Afrikaans, Zulu (basic)
Equipment:	Digital cameras
Publications:	CountryLiving Magazine South Africa, Getaway Magazine, Outdoor Photography UK,Photoglob Postcards Switzerland, FHM USA, Bentley car magazine, Octanemagazine, NZZ am sontag, Wiener mag, Mens health, Saab car magazine,Africa birds and Birding, Jumeriah magazine, Outdoor photography imagesof the year, BBC Wildlife, Travel Africa and Africa Geographicmagazine. Men's Health SA Outdoor photography images of the year 2004,    Africa Birds and Birding- Africa Geographic, BBC wildlife- UK,Tail wind in flight magazine Terre Sauvage- France
Awards:	2004 Animal behaviour, Top ten- Elephant Bull drinking. Fuji film Getaway awards 2004 Animal behaviour, Top ten- Elephant herd crossing plain. Fuji filmGetaway awards 2007 Animal behaviour, highly commended, Suricat slumber. Fuji film Getaway awards 2007: BBC Wildlife Photographer of the year, Category: Mammals behaviour, Specially commended- Suricat moment. 2008: Bird Category, Highly Commended - Sandgrouse Flutter, Fujifilm Getaway Wildlife Awards. 2008: Abstract, Highly Commended - Sand Dune Curve, Fujifilm Getaway Wildlife Awards. 2008: Peolpe in Nature - Sand Hike, Fujifilm Getaway Wildlife Awards. 2009: Winner bird's category Fuji Film Getaway awards 2009: 1st runner up reptiles Fuji Film Getaway awards

André grew up in the African bush with literally one hand on his binoculars and the other hand on the camera. He was given his first SLR in 1990 at the tender age of 13. It was a fully manual model that allowed him to grasp the basics of what was later to grow into his passion.

Being an avid naturalist and birdwatcher, most holidays were spent travelling around all the Southern African Game Reserves, enjoying the freedom of the African bush and continuously trying to capture elusive scenes on camera. The results of his pursuits with a camera have developed into a unique photographic style. It is one that emulates motion and speed into scenes showing glimpses of action,movement and behaviour not often noticed for its beauty by the human eye.2002saw André, together with Shem Compion, head off on a six-month photographic safari to East and Southern Africa. The result? The ultimate prize in wildlife photography: Winning the Mammal Behaviour category in the BBC wildlife photographer of the year competition 2003. André's hard work paid off due to his dedication, his love of African nature and the joy that he gets from looking through the view finder at the subjects that he loves.

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Greg du Toit is a wildlife photographer and specialist photographic safari guide whose focus has been the photographing and documenting of remote ecosystems in seldom-visited corners of Africa. As a result of endless hours spent in these remote areas, his images are raw and timeless and this 'rawness' allows audiences a rare glimpse into an age-old and vanishing Africa.Highlights in his experience include camping in the north of Kenya and an extensive undertake to photograph the remote region of Kenya's southern Rift Valley, home to the traditional Loodokilani clan of the Maasai Tribe. Here he was able to spend much time on the remote shores of Lake Natron.

For the last twenty-four months, Greg has resided in a remote wilderness corner of Southern Tanzania, where he set out to document one of Africa's last true wildernesses. This two-year project lead to the first portfolio ever published representing Ruaha National Park in the March (2008) issue of Africa Geographic Magazine.

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Isak has always loved technology and in 2000  got the chance to take up nature and wildlife photography which combined a few passions in life -nature, technology and art. He enjoys photographing all aspects of nature, from the big to the small, landscapes to macros, but the real passion is for birds, and in particular trying to portray them as art.This led Isak to intensly study all the principles and philosophies of art, and today he has an obsession for using natural elements in the design of his images. His philosophy in photography is to portray common subjects in a refreshing new and spectacular way and Isak now spends every available opportunity at local bird sanctuaries or travelling to exotic destinations trying to capture that perfect photograph.

Nature and wildlife photography has provided him the opportunity to meet like-minded people from all over world, spending time with them out in the field, photographing and talking about all aspects of photography and travelling. This has led to him becoming involved in presenting workshops and leading photo safaris, of which he finds very rewarding.
Isak's knowledge of post processing is a great asset when on workshops-through sharing his knowledge about photography and also the post-processing side of digital photography he adds a very important aspect to any photo workshop or tour - which these days contributes a great deal in getting the most out of your images.
Isak's bird and wildlife images have been published in various magazines and calendars and he was thrilled to have received a second place and two highly commended places in the Bird category of Fuji Getaway's Wildlife &Environmental Photo competition 2008.

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Go Yamagata

With an upbringing as diverse as Go's, it's not hard to see why he is a man intent on returning to Africa time and time again.

Born in Japan, Go was quickly brought to Africa where he spent most of his childhood in Togo and Burkino Faso. When he moved to Tanzania to begin his studies, he realised an enjoyment of photography and was immediately struck by the beauty of Tanzania.

When out in the bush, his focus is based on composing images which capture those intimate, gentler sides of nature; rare fleeting glances that are so often overlooked by the casual observer. A testimony to the effectiveness of his style was winning second place in the Portrait category at the AGFA Awards 2003; A great inspiration for a man with so much dedication to his photography and to African wildlife.

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Albie Venter

Albie studied Nature Conservation in Cape Town, and has been involved in professional wildlife guiding, wildlife management and eco-tourism for the past twelve years. He has been a member of the Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) throughout his career, and holds both Level 3 and SKS-DA (special knowledge and skills - Dangerous Animals) qualifications in addition to Bronze Level Guiding Certificate of the Kenyan Professional Safari Guides Association (KPSGA). Albie is a registered Field Guide Assessor for FGASA and Bird life South Africa,and conducts regular guide assessments for these two organizations.

An avid Conservationist, he earned his stripes as a wildlife guide in the pristine Lowveld region of South Africa's Limpopo province adjacent to the internationally renowned Kruger National Park, later moving on to manage Game Lodges and Safari Camps in both South and East Africa with his wife Freda. Guiding has taken him to many Southern and East African countries and regions - from the rugged Cederberg Mountains of South Africa's Cape floral kingdom interpreting the ancient rock-art of the legendary Bushman, to leading walking safaris amongst the wildlife herds of East Africa in pursuit of big game.

Albie is a keen photographer with photographs published in several nature based magazines including Africa Geographic, Getaway, Southern African Country Life and East African Travel News, while several of his articles have appeared in Africa Birds and Birding. In addition he received a highly commended certificate in the 2008 Fuji Wildlife Photographer of the year competition - South Africa's premium wildlife photographic competition. He was also the winner of both the 2008 Africa Geographic 'Caught in the Act' photographic competition and East African Travel News's 'Expressions of Africa' competition.

As a photographer he is keenly aware of the effort required to create a great image, and with this in mind is able to anticipate the best possible photo-taking positions for his guests. He also hosts Africa Unlocked photo-safaris, demystifying the complexities of sophisticated digital cameras for their owners.

Albie nurtures an interest in all aspects of wildlife, from invertebrates to the big and hairies -but birds hold a special place in his heart.

Dr. Strat Liddiard

Doctor Strat Liddiard has been taking photographs with 35mm SLR cameras for many years but a decade ago he developed an interest in wildlife and nature photography. He has travelled extensively in pursuit of his interest. Amongst other destinations, the island of Madagascar has spurned a specific interest. And although he has photographed mammals, birds and reptiles, his interest in the last four years has turned to photographing smaller things particularly insects.

He is currently preparing a contribution on insects for a book on the non-mammalian fauna of Madagascar and is starting on a photographic guide to insect genera. Professionally he is a general physician with a special interest in cardiac ultrasound imaging; that is, making pictures of peoples hearts.


Minette Bolt