Photography Spotlight With Zewild.photo

We featured Herman Nkusi, AKA @Zewild.photo, in the December 2024 issue of Nomad Magazine under Hot Shots. His journey from community guide at Akagera National Park in Rwanda to a wildlife photographer truly inspired us, and we just had to know how it all came to be. Read on for our special interview with him. 

How did your journey from being a community guide to a wildlife photographer unfold?
When I started as an Akagera community freelance guide, I focused on learning about birds but struggled to remember all their details. To solve this, I invested in a camera to capture their features and identify them later with help from professional birders. Over time, photography became a passion, and I began taking close-up shots of other wildlife, including lions, leopards, snakes, and more, deepening my connection to Akagera’s incredible biodiversity.

Were there any specific animals or moments in Akagera that sparked your fascination with wildlife as a child?
I grew up on the periphery of Akagera Park and saw a lot of wildlife in my village! There was a time when I was charged by a hippopotamus—we were chasing them away from our crop fields when I was young. That experience always brings back memories. Every time I spot a hippo at Akagera, I share that story with visitors.

Do you remember the first photo you ever took? What was it, and how did it make you feel?
The very first photo I took was of a Northern Gray-Headed Sparrow with a caterpillar in its bill. I felt like, wow, this is the very beginning of an exciting journey into the wild.

Did you teach yourself photography, or did you have mentors or resources that guided you?
I taught myself photography through YouTube tutorials and guidance. I also made my own adjustments along the way, and slowly grew into the process of self-teaching photography.

Does your connection to Akagera or your local community inspire certain themes in your work?
My connection to Akagera and my local community shapes my work around themes of connection to nature, sustainability, and resilience. I’m inspired by the way people and nature come together, supporting each other through challenges, and how life finds a way to thrive. It makes me want to create work that reflects that beauty, tells those stories, and encourages people to protect what we have.

What mindset or values do you think are crucial for someone working at the intersection of nature and creativity?
Respect for nature and a commitment to sustainability are essential to ensure our work doesn’t harm the environment, but rather helps protect it. We should always think about how our work impacts the world and strive to leave it better than we found it. My working environment is someone’s home, and I have to respect and protect it at all costs for future generations. Also, understand that meaningful creativity takes time and that setbacks are part of the process.

What advice would you give to someone looking to turn their passion for nature into a career?
It’s never too late to make a move. Try to find the part that interests you most, learn about it, and connect with people who have been there before you. Learn from them and be open to their guidance. Make judgments, identify the weaknesses, and work to overcome them.

We first met Herman on a trip to Rwanda. If you're looking for a unique experience with a professional photographer, hit us up to book your session! Or let us curate an amazing trip to Rwanda just for you.