An Interview with Johan Siggesson
Tell us a little about yourself and how your passion for fine art wildlife photography began.
I am a Swedish fine art wildlife photographer based in Malta, although much of my work is created in Africa. Over recent years, my photography has focused heavily on black and white wildlife portraits, particularly of lions, elephants, leopards and other iconic species. My work has been exhibited internationally and featured in galleries and publications, but for me the most important part has always been the process of creating meaningful images in the field.
My passion for wildlife photography developed gradually through years spent outdoors and traveling. What first attracted me was not only the beauty of animals, but the atmosphere and emotion that can exist within a moment in the wild. Photography eventually became a way for me to translate those experiences into something lasting. Over time, my interest shifted away from simply documenting wildlife and toward creating photographs that feel more timeless and artistic.
Low Angle photograph of male lion
What first inspired you to focus specifically on wildlife as your artistic subject?
Wildlife offered something that felt completely honest and unpredictable. In the wild, nothing is controlled or staged. Every photograph depends on patience, timing, observation and respect for the animal.
I was especially drawn to the emotional presence animals can carry when photographed in the right moment. A lion resting in silence, an elephant moving through dust, or a leopard watching from the shadows can communicate something deeply powerful without needing any explanation.
As I spent more time in Africa and other wild places, I became increasingly interested in creating wildlife photographs that feel more like fine art than traditional safari imagery. Rather than focusing only on action or spectacle, I wanted to create images with atmosphere, tension and emotional weight.
How would you describe your photographic style, and what emotions or stories do you aim to capture in your work?
My style is strongly focused on atmosphere and emotion. Much of my work is photographed in black and white because it removes distraction and places more emphasis on texture, shape, expression and light. It also helps separate the photographs from the familiar look often associated with wildlife imagery.
I often use low angles and medium or wide-angle lenses to create a stronger sense of intimacy and presence. Instead of simply showing what an animal looks like, I try to capture how the moment felt while standing there.
Some of my lion photos focus on power and dominance, while others explore stillness, vulnerability or isolation. I think the strongest wildlife photographs are often the quieter ones because they allow viewers to project their own emotions into the image.
Wildlife photography often requires patience and unpredictability. Can you share one memorable experience from the field that shaped you as an artist?
One experience that stayed with me was while photographing a large male lion resting on a cliff in the Serengeti, an image that later became The Dreamer. There was nothing dramatic happening in the traditional wildlife sense. No movement, no confrontation, no display of dominance. Instead, the lion appeared completely calm and almost lost in thought as he rested above the landscape.
What made the moment special to me was that it revealed a very different side of a huge male lion than we are normally used to seeing. So often lions are photographed as symbols of aggression, power or control, but this moment felt reflective and almost peaceful. The silence, the elevated position on the cliff and the lion’s expression created an atmosphere that stayed with me long after the encounter ended.
The image later went on to receive a number of awards, but what matters most to me is that it captured something emotionally honest and unexpected. Experiences like this have shaped the way I approach photography today. I spend less time chasing dramatic action and more time searching for moments that reveal character, mood and atmosphere.
The Dreamer – Serengeti 2024
How do you balance the technical side of photography with the artistic vision behind each image?
Wildlife photography demands strong technical understanding because conditions constantly change. Light, movement, weather and behaviour can shift within seconds, so technical skill becomes essential in order to react quickly when important moments appear.
At the same time, technical perfection alone is not enough. A photograph can be perfectly sharp and correct according to all the rules of photography and still feel emotionally empty. For me, the artistic side begins with observation and patience. Understanding behaviour, anticipating movement and waiting for the right atmosphere often matter more than camera settings.
How you develop your photograph also plays an important role, especially in black and white fine art photography, because it helps shape mood and consistency across a body of work.
What advice would you give to aspiring wildlife photographers who want to develop a unique fine art perspective?
I would encourage photographers to spend less time focusing on equipment and more time developing personal vision. Many people become too focused on copying trends or chasing dramatic action because that is what performs well online.
Instead, I think it is important to photograph moments and subjects that genuinely affect you emotionally. Personal connection is often what gives a photograph lasting impact.
Patience is also essential. Strong wildlife photography rarely comes from a single encounter. It comes from repeated time in the field, learning behaviour, understanding light and slowly refining your own visual language.
Most importantly, try to create photographs that feel personal rather than simply impressive. Technical skill may attract attention initially, but emotional authenticity is what people remember.
