An Interview With Alex Braczkowski

31 Aug

What To Expect From This Interview:

I got to know Alex Braczkowski when he was pitching a film to the Nat Geo Wild team about a project he was working on for National Geographic focused on the unique behavior of a pride of tree climbing lions in QEP, Uganda & the challenges they face. It’s always great to support a first-time filmmaker & his film premiered in 2018 & continues to be aired on Nat Geo Wild & on Disney + if you want to check it out & also check out his Instagram feed for more info on this evolving story. He’s a renowned Big Cat biologist, NG explorer & again someone who is passionate about bringing awareness to the issues around Big Cat conservation globally through his documentaries, magazine stories, scientific papers & fundraising.

In our conversation, we talk more about his In the field conservation work with big cats and where his fascination with these beautiful animals was born.

National Geographic Film - Mountains

alex_braczkowski_big_cats_jules_oldroyd_wildlife_photography.jpg

alex_braczkowski_conservation_jules_oldroyd_wildlife_photography.jpg

Follow Alex on Instagram

Share This Article

Collections

A series of photographic work, exploring wildlife from around the world. View the full collection here.

Leopard posing in tree - Jules Oldroyd Wildlife Photography.jpg

Want More? Follow The Journey @julesold

Available Prints

My top prints are available to purchase as limited edition runs of only 25 and 15 between 30” and 60” prints. View a selection below or the full collection here.

Featured

Lion

KING AT FIRST LIGHT

Lion

from £500.00

Masai Mara 2025

Available in:
Limited edition run of 25 - 30” print for £500
Limited edition run of 15 - 48” print for £1250

We had spent the previous afternoon with the River Pride including the all three male coalition- Lenkoe, Enkong’u & Saning’o. Most of that time the pride was asleep & by the time they did wake the light was fading.

So, we set out next morning in the hope of finding them, particularly the males. Luck was in our favour as we spotted two of the males whilst it was still dark.

By the time they started moving there was some pre-dawn light & I was able to capture this portrait of Saning’o, with his face & mane illuminated by this soft, subtle light. Just after this Saning’o & his brother disappeared into a close by bush & stayed there for the rest of the morning.

Saning’o & his brothers have formed a formidable coalition, taking on many of the males in other Mara North prides, so I like that this portrait presents a more ethereal quality to this Lion King.

For more details on printing, delivery and charity, click here.

Lion

SHE WHO DARES

Lion

from £500.00

Serengeti 2024

Available in:
Limited edition run of 25 - 30” print for £500
Limited edition run of 15 - 48” print for £1250

Whilst I was recently in Kenya on safari, I received some wonderful news. One of my images “She Who Dares” won Silver in this years World Nature Photography Awards in the Behaviour-Reptiles category.

This is one of the top awards that I won since I embarked on a full-time photography career, so I was really thrilled by this recognition & that the judges recognized the storytelling behind the interesting behaviour in this image.

I took this image whilst I was in the Serengeti National Park In February 2024. Whilst I was watching & waiting for this male lion to wake up I noticed a female agama lizard moving closer to the lion & to my surprise made contact with his nose as she tried to catch a fly on his face. Luckily the lion didn't react, but I was amazed at the chutzpah in what I had witnessed.

In the hope of trying to capture this behaviour if she returned, I put my 2x extender on my 400mm lens & waited. Again, the agama returned looking for an opportunistic meal. The agama inched forward moving closer to the sleeping lion and stopped inches away from the lion’s face. Unfortunately, this time there were no flies to feed on so she scampered off. It was fascinating & brave behaviour to witness. It might not have been the image that I was originally looking for but arguably this is a more striking image of one of the Kings of the Serengeti & the brave lizard.

I think it also shows how important it is to remain observant whilst in the field especially in those moments when you are waiting for something to happen- something more interesting may present itself & adapting quickly was essential to get this image.

For more details on printing, delivery and charity, click here.

Lion

Leopard

CAT'S CRADLE

Leopard

£225.00

Masai Mara NR, Kenya 2014

This is one of my favourite leopard images taken whilst staying at Kicheche Mara North camp as majestic leopard Nalangu tenderly carried her tiny cub through a lush expanse of grass. This was the only time I have witnessed this behaviour in almost two decades traveling to Africa. You can imagine how thrilling it was!

The intricate patterns of the leopards fur, adorned with distinctive spots, create a captivating contrast against the vibrant greens of their natural habitat. Nalangu’s watchful gaze reflects a deep bond and protective instinct, while the cubs curious expression adds a touch of innocence and affection. This piece beautifully conveys the essence of nature's nurturing relationships, making it a perfect addition to any space that celebrates wildlife and the beauty of maternal love.

Available in open edition print runs

For more details on printing, delivery and charity, click here.

Leopard

View Print Store

More Interviews with Jules Oldroyd

WILDLIFE EXPERTS

Interviews

An Interview With Aishwarya Sridhar

Interviews

Aishwarya Sridhar is a National Geographic Explorer, wildlife filmmaker, award-winning photographer, presenter, and passionate conservationist. I first met Aishwarya during my time at National Geographic and have since come to admire her not only as a trailblazing talent but also as a friend.

I came across Aishwarya when we acquired her groundbreaking film “Queen of Taru” for National Geographic’s Big Cat Week. In a male-dominated field like wildlife filmmaking, it was both surprising and inspiring to learn that the film’s director was a 22-year-old woman.

Interviews

Interviews, Conservation

An Interview With Shannon Benson

Interviews, Conservation

Shannon is an award winning wildlife photographer & cinematographer & passionate conservationist who I had the pleasure meeting in India a few years ago. Better known under her brand name Shannon Wild she has had a fascinating wildlife journey which we explore in my interview with her. It’s not always been smooth sailing as you will hear, but Shannon has shown plenty of Aussie grit to overcome the challenges that have been thrown her way over the years.

Interviews, Conservation

An Interview With Dereck and Beverly Joubert

Interviews, Conservation

Beverly & Dereck Joubert are two of my wildlife heroes & have had the pleasure to get to know them & work with them over the last few years. I sat down with them recently over zoom in between their edit for an upcoming series for National Geographic, where they are busy updating & remastering some of their classic films.

Interviews, Conservation

Interviews

An Interview With Shaaz Jung

Interviews

I think Shaaz is one of the most creative & poetic photographers around at the moment & I am constantly in awe of the images he creates whether from the forests of Kabini or the Serengeti plains. It’s been wonderful to get to know & work him over the last few years, especially on “The Real Black Leopard” project for National Geographic.

Interviews

An Interview With Federico Veronesi

Interviews

Federico Veronesi is in my opinion one of the best wildlife photographers specializing in East Africa at the moment. If you are not aware of his work please check out his book “Light and Dust” & his most recent release “One Life” where his storytelling & photographs weave a compelling & stunning narrative.

Interviews

An Interview With Russell MacLaughlin

Interviews

Russell MacLaughlin is a world-renowned & in-demand wildlife cinematographer whose recent credits include “Growing Up Animal” for Disney + & “The Year Earth Changed” for Apple +. However, we first In India when he was filming “The Real Black Panther” with his wife Shannon Benson for National Geographic & we became firm friends.

Interviews

Interviews, Conservation

An Interview With Alex Braczkowski

Interviews, Conservation

Interviews

An Interview With Carl Donohue

Interviews

When I was researching doing my first trip to Alaska in 2014 to photograph Brown Bears one of the companies that I contacted was ‘Expeditions Alaska’ run by Carl Donahue. That was such as success I have now done 5 trips with Carl to photograph not only Brown Bears in Kodiak but also Polar Bears in Kaktovik which can be challenging but the results can be amazing.

Interviews

Wildlife PhotographerWildlife Filmmaker

Jules Oldroyd