Wildlife and Travel Photojournalism Speciality training

PHOTOGRAPHY

WILDLIFE & TRAVEL

Wildlife & Travel Photojournalism Internship

Upgrade from an enthusiastic amateur photographer to an aspiring professional. Learn how to make money from Wildlife and Travel photography whilst experiencing incredible photographic platforms in Africa. This internship program aims to provide aspiring photographers with the opportunity to ‘ break into and make it’ in the competitive world of wildlife and travel photojournalism. Over the course of a month, students will accompany professional photographers on safari expeditions throughout the Garden Route in the Southern Cape of South Africa, at the same time building their own professional photographic portfolio.

The program includes tutorials and practical training on such aspects of Wildlife and Travel photography, including setting up your own business; how to make enough money to start and keep going; how to market yourself and build your income streams in the field you love. This training, coupled with the practical experience of shooting within various wildlife and travel platforms, will enhance your career prospects.

PLEASE NOTE. This program is run by my company Africa Media. All links to continue to learn more about this program will direct you to the Africa Media website.

Participants travel throughout the Southern Cape of South Africa to various wildlife and environmental photographic platforms. Below are some of the photographic portfolios produced by past students.

Reflecting on Animals by Eman Kazemi

A month of wildlife photography by Marie Louise Toft

Shirley Rogers Fine Art Portfolio - September 2024

Horseback Safari - September 2024

Hilton Allen

BTS May

Shades of Light

Behind the scenes March 2024

Join Africa Media!

Behind the scenes September 2023

Chris Brodhead - Africa Media June 2023

Samantha Statchuk - Africa Media June 2023

Africa media June 2023 - Jack Mariani

Amanda Shaw - Captivating Focus

The colorful detailed world of Clare Conroy

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Louis Pieterse

GENERAL MANAGER

An established food and portrait photographer, Louis runs the daily operations and management of Africa Media whilst using his photographic skills to instruct both wildlife and underwater photography programs when required. He can be found pulling the team together and keeping everyone happy, even if we’re having a bad day. Everyone loves Louis!

Frikkie Kamp

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Frikkie built his career as a professional sports photographer. In recent years Frikkie has turned his focus towards wildlife and environmental photography and uses this medium to tell stories through his lens. Frikkie taught photography for Nikon for many years, and we were lucky to get him! He is a patient, fastidious teacher and many students have benefitted from the depth of his knowledge and his simple, easy way of explaining complex concepts.

White Shark Research Interns will stay at our luxury shark centre, located in Mossel Bay, South Africa for the duration of the program. The facility offers single-sex dorm accommodation or single private accommodation if you request. On occasion, the team will travel outside of Mossel Bay to our research stations at Plettenberg Bay and Scottburgh

Internship price

from

^$3600_/mo

Internship training
Wildlife expeditions
Accommodation
Catered meals
Local Transport

What do I get out of Internship?

This internship program is aimed at assisting in the development of students who are interested in running their own independent photography businesses that can survive financially and thrive in any economy. Through our strategic partnership with a shark cage diving operator, students also have a unique opportunity to take photos of the great white shark, one of the most charismatic marine animals in the world.

Check travel status of your country

Am I eligible?

Anyone can come on this course. It is ideally suited to: Current or graduated students enrolled in academic institutes and studying towards a journalism, conservation, photo, design major Aspirant photographers Photographers who want to improve

How long is the program?

Attendees will be asked to stay for a minimum of one month and maximum of two months (shorter or longer stays will be considered if special motivation is given). Each program runs from the 1st to the 28th of the month, with arrival and departure dates being the 1st and 28th respectively. If you require to arrive earlier or depart later, then you will be asked a food and accommodation fee

What is included and excluded?

Includes Transfer to and from the airport (only on the 1st & 28th of each month) Local transport to and from photographic platforms Dorm room accommodation (2-4 interns/room, gender separated). Food (3 meals per day) Snorkeling equipment for all course expeditions Macro lenses on the macro tutorial practical All practical and theoretical training instruction All the trips listed in the syllabus Internet Excluded (or optional add-ons) Additional days accommodation & food Flights from your home country into and around RSA Optional photographic / tourism expeditions SCUBA diving training (i.e PADI Open water) Top end dSLR Cameras and lenses rentals Laundry service Extra food and beverages

What equipment must I bring?

In terms of photographic gear, students usually bring their own camera, lens’s and tripod. There are additional lenses supplied by Africa Media for tutorial work only. ‘Top-end” lens’s and camera bodies are available as rentals should a student require additional equipment.

What is the daily work?

As an attendee on this internship you will receive tuition in both basic and more advanced stills photography and in software: lightroom and to a far lesser extent, photoshop and other applications. You will attend ” in the field” trips with our staff. We enjoy a good relationship with various environmental organisations along the Garden Route and this offers a once in a life time opportunity to participate, not only in learning how to survive and make money in todays markets but, also how to prepare for a shoot and work professionally “in the field”/”on location”. Daily work will be split between tutorials and practical work in the field.

Do I need a visa?

For most countries no. You will not be employed by Africa Media nor paid. As a photography student you are entitled to enter on a temporary visitors permit (e.g. tourism permit). Tourist visiting visas are usually issued for three months/90 days upon entry in South Africa. However, we do recommend that you contact the South African Embassy or Consulate in your country and confirm this fact. Some countries, e.g. India, New Zealand and China, require that you apply for the visitors permit before departure from your home country. If your application period is for a period longer than three months, or if you plan to travel in South Africa prior or after your internship for a period extending 90 days, you will have to apply for a Volunteer VISA application through your home embassy.

Do I need insurance?

Yes. When you are accepted into this program, you agree to our liability, copyright documents, as well an agreement that you are knowingly partaking in potentially dangerous activities. You will not be covered for accidents or illnesses, so please do organize your own medical and health insurances. You may apply for a normal travel insurance policy. Chances that you will be injured by a predator are very slim if you follow the safety guidelines, and do not try anything foolish of which we would not approve. However, you will be working on a game viewing vehicle in conditions which can, on occasions, be less than comfortable. Accidents may occur, so it is important to be covered in case of an emergency or accident. Be sure to have an insurance cover for your entire stay in southern Africa.

Must I bring extra money?

The info provided in the costs section should give you a good foundation from which to work this out. If you need to do a SCUBA course then R10 000 would take you up past advanced level, plus extra for off-course dives if you wish (approx. R400 per dive). It is probable that you may wish to do a weekend trip or two, and many activities are available on such trips including diving with sharks for example. We recommend you have around R4000 extra per weekend trip you wish to go on. Please note you do not have to go on any of these extra trips. This is simply for your information and you can join in should you wish to.

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Alumni Testimonials

I learnt a lot here, ranging from different camera techniques to how to set up new cameras that were alien to me. The staff were always friendly and lovely to talk to. They make you feel very welcome. The food was always very nice and you leave the table with a full tummy.
- William Mangan
My month in the wildlife filmmaking course was absolutely life changing. I started the program with no knowledge of the documentary production process, and I had never shot a video on anything other than my phone. By the end of the month, I had written, filmed, edited, and produced a short documentary about the wildlife in South Africa. There was a massive learning curve, and it pushed me to grow exponentially.
- Amanda Shaw
'd definitely recommend the Wildlife Filmmaking Programme to anyone interested in developing their camera and editing skills! Having previously worked in the client and agency side of production I never really had any hands-on experience with cameras before, let alone filming wildlife.
- Kayleigh Hutchinson
We absolutely loved Schotia, BOE, the elephant walk, and Monkeyland! We had such a blast at the beach braai and the sailing trip we did with everyone. Johnny was personable and we enjoyed our time with him. We were so thrilled to have been the only students in the class so we could get such a personalized experience, especially at Schotia.
- Jeannine Thompson

Start your Adventure

The team from Africa Media represents many of the region’s top wildlife and media experts. Join this program to gain experience as a wildlife and travel photographer whilst exploring the wilds of Africa