The wildlife photographer telling stories through a Zimbabwean lens (Interview)

As first appeared in Community Podium News in Zimbabwe, here. Written by Calvin Manika.

February 14 2023

Growing up near Hwange National Park inspired the young man to advocate for conservation through his photos

Nyasulu’s company name, Carmine Visuals, is inspired by the Carmine bee-eater bird. Image by Carmine Visuals.

When a boy from one of the indigenous tribes of southwestern Zimbabwe, Survivor Nyasulu, started photographing wildlife using a small Nikon camera, little did he know that he would go on to tell powerful stories through his lens.

Privileged by living in a village in the precincts of the Hwange National Park proximate to wildlife conservation organisations such as Painted Dogs Conservation (PDC), Nyasulu has built a local brand called Carmine Visuals.

Award winning environmental reporter Calvin Manika, reporting for Community Podium (CP) met up with Survivor Nyasulu (SN) to discuss the importance of photography in wildlife conservation from a local perspective. 

C M: Where were you born and how old are you?

S N: I was born in Dete, close to Hwange National Park in 1994.

C M: What really inspired you to be passionate about photography?

S N: My desire is to tell true authentic stories from an African perspective because in most cases foreigners tell our own African stories.

C M: How did you start photography?

S N: l started long back with my small Nikon camera capturing wild flowers and butterflies. It was intriguing and my connection with nature felt natural. I wanted a bigger and better picture of wildlife, so I purchased a Canon 600D camera to help realise my dream. Even though I am not yet there, I’m still growing as a photographer.

C M: Why Wildlife and Nature?

S N: Wildlife and nature is who we are as Africans. It defines who we are. That is why we have people who bear the last names of these animals because wildlife is a part of us. Most people in this part of the country, in fact almost the whole southern region uses animal names as their surnames. Animals like elephants symbolise our strength as Africans. So, wildlife photography helps in preserving nature, our heritage and emphasises the importance of protecting these animals.

C M: What does Carmine Visuals mean?

S N: It is a nature inspired brand. Carmine comes from a beautiful bird, the Carmine bee-eater. It is a beautiful colourful bird.

C M: What is the role of photography in wildlife conservation?

S N: Photography advocates for animals. We get to see the beauty of nature, the dangers that these species face, we get to learn about the lives of these animals through photography. Through photography, stakeholders that include communities can understand these animals better. It gives them an opportunity to understand the daily challenges and struggles of wildlife. Therefore, in my view, it promotes conservation.

C M: For many years we have seen foreigners dominating wildlife and nature photography. Do you think they are telling our story right?

S N: Not really. I think we are in a better position to tell those stories because we have a connection with wildlife. We share habitat with these animals. I think the challenge we have is lack of resources-skill and equipment to effectively tell our own stories. This is a gap I have been trying to close over the years. Foreigners are fascinated by the beauty of wildlife and that helps our tourism. But if you look closely, most of the poachers are local people, so my intention as a local photographer goes beyond beauty. I try to make people see the need to protect that beauty which gives locals a desire to keep the animals for future generations. It is about identity and connection. 

C M: What could be the missing elements in their work?

S N: Connection with these animals. That’s the missing element. We live with these animals in good times and in conflicts. Our relationship is natural, unlike foreigners.

C M:  Why do you think it’s important for a local like you to be doing wildlife photography?

S N: A local doing photography serves as an inspiration to the young generation. The locals can better relate to it when it’s done by a local. When people see a foreigner, they think it is about money and making profits. But, seeing me doing it and being part of the community, inspires locals to join the fight in preserving wildlife. Unlike a foreigner, I am easily accessible and people can ask questions in local languages and we can talk and educate each other. A local photographer creates a hub of accessible knowledge, promotes domestic tourism and curbs wildlife crimes like deforestation and poaching. 

C M: What are the conservation achievements of photography that you can point to.

S N: In my locality around the park, we have seen changes in people’s attitudes towards animals. Basically the love for animals like painted dogs has increased through photography and poaching of other game is at a low, though we can do better as photographers to educate communities.

C M: Tell us, how is your typical day like as a photographer, when you are in the wild?

S N: It is great; the feeling is unmatched. The breath of fresh air. Nature is beautiful, undiluted. Nothing beats capturing unique moments. I  always have an expectation to meet and capture wildlife including birds, animals, fish, trees and bushes whether in an idle position or in action.

C M: Are locals as fascinated with wildlife photography? 

S N: There is a fair reception. The challenge is we don’t have many local photographers. So, the area I cover is small. If we could have many photographers, we could see a much more evident change in attitudes towards wildlife photography. 

C M: Wildlife crime has been common in and around Hwange. What can you do about it using photography?

S N: I am already capturing the work done by rangers in trying to protect our wildlife, documenting the arrests done by rangers and helping other journalists write stories about it. 

C M: Do you have any collaborations with foreigners?

S N: Not yet, maybe in future. 

C M: What are the costs involved in wildlife photography?

S N: It is costly especially when one does not have proper support like me. One must have proper equipment to capture unique images that tell a better story. I try my best and my photos are used in many media houses locally.

C M: How is the safety like during photography?

S N: It is safe. You must first understand the behaviour of animals because it can be dangerous. I am privileged to know these behaviours because I am also a safari guide and a ranger. There are also big lenses that help in capturing animals from a distance to avoid any close encounters.

C M: Do you regard wildlife photography as a tool for conservation?

S N: Yes, 100%. Photography is powerful. There are some amazing photographers like Marlon Du doit and Shannon Wild. Just by looking at their images you immediately fall in love with the animal and  you can only think about protecting it.

C M: What can be done to empower locals in wildlife photography?

S N: Sponsor them in terms of photography equipment and teach them the necessary  skills to start telling these important local stories.

C M: Your last words to conservationists and environmentalists

S N: Let us continue protecting and preserving our wildlife for the future generations. Wildlife defines who we are. By protecting wildlife we are also preserving our culture because wildlife carries culture.

This article is reproduced here as part of the African Conservation Journalism Programme, funded in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe by USAID’s VukaNow: Activity. Implemented by the international conservation organisation Space for Giants, it aims to expand the reach of conservation and environmental journalism in Africa, and bring more African voices into the international conservation debate. Written articles from the Mozambican and Angolan cohorts are translated from Portuguese. Broadcast stories remain in the original language.