Heartfelt Stories Photography Blog — Kathy Karn Photography

You never go wrong following your heart, you never go wrong photographing what you care about and what you are passionate about. Steve McCurry

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnApril 10, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Samburu Sunrise – a Guest Post by Ellen Newman

In the land of leopards and lions, hippos and rhinos, our wildlife adventures started small—remarkably small—with butterflies. Ellen Newman

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnApril 3, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Listen to the Children

“Why do they destroy our heritage?” Simayo, Maasai participant in CHD Conservation Kenya’s project in Amboseli.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMarch 27, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Worth More Alive than Dead. Say NO to Trophy Hunting.

Your help is urgently needed. Please sign and share this petition asking President Samia Suluhu Hassan of the United Republic of Tanzania to immediately ban all elephant trophy hunting within the Tanzania range of the Amboseli elephants.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMarch 20, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Three Big Tuskers Killed

Our vision is to create a world where conservation supports the people, so that people support conservation. Big Life Mission Statement

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMarch 13, 2024African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Come on Safari with Me - Meet Craig

Start with the wonder, or we won’t have the heart for the journey. Douglas Hine

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnMarch 6, 2024animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Nature's Best Photography Winners

What we have treasured over the years is the immediate and long-lasting affect a single image or film instills in the hearts and minds of children, adults, and families alike, inspiring discussions, imaginative perspectives, and most importantly, a greater understanding and appreciation of nature overall.

- Steve Freligh, Nature’s Best Photography Cofounder and President

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnFebruary 21, 2024animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

The Littlest Rhino

It’s not enough to love animals; we must actively protect and preserve them. It’s our duty and responsibility as custodians of this planet. Daphne Sheldrick

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnFebruary 14, 2024animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

Homeward Bound

In the end, everything works out. And if it isn’t working out, it’s not the end yet.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnFebruary 7, 2024animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Life is a gift of nature but beautiful living is a gift of wisdom. African Proverb

You can’t help but feel the love at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary where a team of devoted keepers care for orphaned animals until they can safely be reintegrated back to the wild.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJanuary 31, 2024animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Traveling is learning. Kenyan Proverb

Traveling is learning. Kenyan Proverb

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJanuary 24, 2024animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

A Smile is a Universal Connector

A smile is the strongest weapon in the battle of life. Ghanian proverb

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJanuary 17, 2024animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Safari Njema - Safe Travels

The Journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Lao Tzu

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJanuary 10, 2024animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Back Stage Pass to Safari 2024

Awe and wonder open our hearts and minds. From this place anything is possible. Happy New Year! I’ve hauled out my bags and am organizing my gear. For the curious, armchair travellers and safari dreamers, here’s my packing list.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnJanuary 3, 2024animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

A Time to Pause and Reflect

I have not gone away. The darkness of the season pulled me into its embrace. I am content to pause and reflect on the past year. I am grateful for so much in my life including you, my readers! Thank you. Your comments and support fuel my commitment to use my photography and stories to touch hearts and celebrate the beauty of nature. I appreciate hearing from you!

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnDecember 31, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, nature Comments

What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?

What’s the best thing that happened to you in 2023?

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnDecember 20, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

“When in your life did you stop singing?”

In indigenous culture when a shaman met an anxious or depressed patient, they often began by asking, “When in your life did you stop singing? When in your life did you stop dancing?” Singing and dancing are an integral part of Samburu culture. They sing to celebrate, they sing to heal the broken hearts of orphan elephants.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnDecember 12, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

It Takes a Village to Raise an Elephant

How do you care for an orphaned elephant? Patiently, because healing for a trauma survivor is slow at first. Lovingly in a community of safety, because without love and family elephants fail to thrive.

Africa, African Wildlife, Animal Stories, conservation, Wildlife PhotographyKathy KarnDecember 6, 2023animal games, African wildlife, Storytelling, on safari, conservation, climate change, natureComment

Return to the Wild

The orphaned elephants that are cared for by the Samburu at Reteti Elephant Orphanage, are symbols of a new wave of thinking about wildlife and the environment. It goes far beyond traditional conservation methods, and dives deeper into the core value of what nature represents. Reteti.org