An Interview With Shannon Benson
What To Expect From This Interview:
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.
Her passion for her chosen craft & the wildlife she strives to protect is clear to see, whether filming Komodo Dragons up close in Indonesia, or setting up her jewelry business “Wild in Africa” from her hospital bed to help support conservation.
I hope you enjoy our conversation & if you are keen to know more about Shannon & her work there are other links to see Shannon & her husband Russell out in the field & a link where you could purchase one of her gorgeous bracelets that help support various wildlife charities.
Red Collective-The Wilds
Bracelets for Wildlife
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A series of photographic work, exploring wildlife from around the world. View the full collection here.
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.
More Interviews with Jules Oldroyd
Masai Mara 2025
Available in:
Limited edition run of 25 - 30” print for £500
Limited edition run of 15 - 48” print for £1250
This evocative lion photo was captured in the Mara North Conservancy early one morning. I had spent the previous afternoon with the River Pride, including the powerful male coalition of Lenkoe, Enkong’u, and Saning’o, but most of the time had been spent watching the pride asleep, and by the time they stirred, the fading light had brought my encounter to an end.
At first light the following morning, I set out again, hoping to find the males. Fortune was on my side. While it was still dark, my guide located two of the coalition brothers. As they began to move, the first hints of pre-dawn light emerged, allowing me to capture this intimate portrait of Saning’o, his face and mane softly illuminated by the subtle glow of dawn.
Shortly afterward, Saning’o and his brother slipped into a nearby thicket, remaining hidden for the rest of the morning. Moments like this are fleeting, especially with male lions, whose lives are shaped by constant challenge and conflict and then resting.
Male lions face immense pressure throughout their lives. After being forced from their birth pride, they endure years of uncertainty, hunger, and injury before forming coalitions strong enough to challenge resident males. Even then, success is never permanent. Defending territory requires relentless vigilance, brutal confrontations, and the physical toll of repeated battles. Most male lions rule for only a short time before younger rivals arrive.
Saning’o and his brothers have formed a formidable coalition, taking on rival males across Mara North and securing their place among the region’s dominant lions. Yet in this lion portrait, the strength and aggression often associated with male lions gives way to something more atmospheric and timeless. This portrait reveals a quieter, almost ethereal side of a true Lion King which I hope will make it a compelling piece of lion wall art that speaks to both their power and vulnerability.
For more details on printing, delivery and charity, click here.