The Obsession That Fuels My Wildlife Photography
Wildlife photography has many ups and downs. Some days, I feel completely worthless. All I can think about are the shots I failed to take—the regrets, the missed chances, the things I could’ve done differently. It weighs on me, makes me sad, anxious... sometimes even makes me question if I should keep going.
There are days I come back with hundreds of strong images. And then there are days I come back with nothing. Birds are skittish, the angles are wrong, the camera locks focus on the wrong subject, the battery dies at the worst moment, the memory card fails, or I overthink everything and freeze instead of reacting. Sometimes, I don’t take the opportunity seriously—only to realize later that it was a rare and meaningful encounter. Sometimes I’m too generous, letting fellow photographers take the shot while I sit back… and that moment never comes again.
All of this circles in my mind.
But I also know that since coming to the UAE, I’ve done great work. I’ve captured thousands of images, documented over 150 species in just a few months, and photographed birds that even veteran birdwatchers here have never seen up close. Still, I don’t let myself dwell too long on the wins. Instead, I remember what went wrong—not to punish myself, but to stay hungry.
It’s this reflection, this refusal to settle, that keeps pushing me forward. That next photo will be better. That next shot might be the one that defines everything.
This mindset, this passion, this pain—that’s what will elevate my photography.
I think I have what you'd call Photo Hunger Syndrome. No matter how many great shots I take, I’m never truly satisfied. There's always this inner drive pushing me to find the next subject, the next rare moment, the next perfect frame.
I’m constantly researching—locations, bird behavior, seasonal migration patterns. I watch the light, study the habitat, and try to predict where something special might happen. I'm on eBird daily, scanning for new sightings, staying alert to what's happening around me.
My network keeps growing because I’m always reaching out, talking to locals, meeting new people, learning from fellow photographers, birders, and anyone with knowledge that could lead to a better shot.
It’s exhausting sometimes. But it’s also what fuels me. This hunger—this need to do more, see more, capture more—isn't just about the photos. It’s about chasing those fleeting moments that no one else might ever witness.
And maybe… just maybe… it’s this hunger that will lead me to my best work.
