Artist Statement

I utilize photography in an attempt to capture the beauty that I see in the world. Whether I’m witnessing a wry smile on a mountain gorilla’s face as it glances around its troop in Uganda, the character of a charismatic sea lion rolling and darting through the sea, or the sun breaking the shell of a new day over the wetlands near my home, my goal is to share that beauty with others through photography.

With wildlife photography, my desire is to capture images that create an emotional connection between the viewer and animal(s).  A connection that finds an overlapping shared feeling that is personified through the wildlife, such as joy, relaxation, stress, silliness, distress, or even pain.  Timing and luck certainly play a part in wildlife photography, but I find that my best images are captured through patience and seeking to understand the animal’s personality and temperament.  That understanding allows me to capture images that can ignite the viewer’s imagination; what was the animal thinking, why is it doing that, what caused that reaction?

With so many species under threat on our planet, it’s imperative that we create photographs, paintings, videos, or any other medium to inspire others to support conservation and help protect these amazing creatures. With limited funding, wildlife conservation is in many ways a popularity contest, with the most funding going to the animals with which people feel the most connected.  As artists, we have the ability to help nurture that connection and hopefully translate it into increased conservation efforts. 

In the end, I hope my photographs evoke a feeling of connection with viewers and the subject and potentially spark an appreciation that leads to them developing their own passion for the subject.

Plans for New Work

I am always looking for new opportunities to capture wildlife or interesting landscapes. After spending the past year traveling around the United States and Central America, I am excited to begin traveling more globally again. While planning is still difficult at this time, I do have a trip to Pilanesberg National Park in South Africa planned for November. Otherwise, I am in a holding pattern to see what international destinations open and what requirements they have for entry.

News of Interest

I became a father for the first time 2 years ago, which has really expanded the way that I experience travel and further heightened my appreciation for all things conservation.  While I am certain that my daughter didn’t really understand what I was showing her the first year of her life when I was pointing out black bears, moose, or big horn sheep, it did clearly open up a curiosity in her that continues to grow.  Most recently we were in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica and as a self-professed primate fanatic, it was heartwarming to see my daughter emphatically watch the monkeys swinging from tree to tree with the same enthusiasm and intrigue that I do.

See more of Brian’s work and get in touch with him, by clicking on the links below:

Website: https://brian-kamprath.pixels.com

Instagram: @travelkampphotography

Facebook: @travelkampphotography