Wildlife photography is often perceived as an exclusive pursuit — defined by expensive equipment and distant destinations. Through Wild Shots Outreach (WSO), Mike Kendrick and his wife Harriet are rewriting that narrative, using photography as a gateway to conservation, inclusion, and opportunity.
“We’re making photography, wildlife tourism, and conservation more inclusive and diverse,” Mike explains.
Originally from Bristol, England, Mike’s background is in education. After moving to South Africa in 2011, he and Harriet recognised a troubling disconnect between local communities and the wild places surrounding them.
“I kept visiting protected areas and wondering why I only saw white tourists,” he recalls.
This question deepened as they ran the Wild Shots Photography Conference in Cape Town and struggled to find black wildlife photographers to present — a striking absence in a country rich with talent and proximity to wildlife.
The turning point came after moving to Hoedspruit. “I was shocked that many local children had never visited the reserves just kilometres from their homes,” Mike says. “How can we expect future generations to protect wildlife if they feel no connection to it?”
Wild Shots Outreach was born from this realisation. By placing cameras in young hands, the programme invites participants to see wildlife — and themselves — differently. Since its first workshop in 2016, WSO has taken over 1,400 young people on their first game drive, many of whom had never entered a protected area before.
Beyond photography skills, the programme builds confidence, life skills, and environmental awareness. One of its greatest success stories is Programme Director Rifumo Mathebula, a former participant who has since won prestigious international awards and now leads workshops across southern Africa.
Through its Bursary Fund, WSO has supported over 35 young people into employment, education, and training — including safari guides, filmmakers, and pilots.
Natural Selection has proudly supported WSO for many years, hosting workshops across Botswana and Namibia. These experiences culminate in game drives where participants put their skills into practice, often seeing wildlife up close for the first time.
“Conservation is about people as much as it is about wildlife,” Mike reflects. “And when people feel included, extraordinary things can happen.”