Heartfelt Stories Photography Blog — Kathy Karn Photography

We Change Through Delight

Nature is an unending source of delight for me. From an ostrich playing peek a boo to laughing cheetahs, there’s always something that captures my imagination and lifts me up.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, conservation, storytelling, Africa, Elephants, Animal StoriesKathy KarnNovember 2, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, Africa, climate change, Ostrich, CheetahsComment

We are all connected.

Stories about the power of nature to heal both ourselves and our environment, is one of the goals of my wildlife photography.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, conservation, storytelling, Africa, ElephantsKathy KarnOctober 26, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, Elephant, Africa, climate change Comments

Black and White or Colour? The photographer’s dilemma.

The choice to process an image in black and white comes with experimentation post processing. What is my intention? How can I best convey the mood, the emotion? Here’s the story behind my decision to choose black and white for this image of a magnificent bull elephant from Amboseli.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, conservation, storytelling, Africa, ElephantsKathy KarnOctober 19, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, Elephant, Africa, climate change, human wildlife conflict, black and white photography Comments

If you can sing, you can dance.

There is a visceral sense of joy and healing that comes with African singing and dancing. When I’m in Kenya and people begin to dance, I can’t help but join in. My feet tap, my head and shoulders bob to the music. I sing along even when I don’t know the language. It is contagious! It is joyful. It connects us to others. It builds community.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, conservation, storytelling, AfricaKathy KarnOctober 12, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, Elephant, trauma & healing, Africa, Singing, DancingComment

If Audrey Hepburn were an animal ......

If Audrey Hepburn were an animal, I think she’d be a giraffe. Giraffes win the prize for elegance, beauty and grace. Those big eyes, those long lashes, that neck and super long legs! The tallest mammal on earth, it amazing to see them grazing the acacia treetops in the wild.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, conservation, storytellingKathy KarnOctober 5, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, Elephant, Save Giraffes Now, GiraffesComment

A Heroic Rescue

Unfortunately, it has barely rained in northern and southern Kenya since 2020. The drought is devastating for wildlife and pastoralists alike. Animals are dying from lack of food and water. I was shocked when I visited Samburu country in the north and Amboseli in the south last June.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnSeptember 28, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, ElephantComment

Book Launch Report

The Wisdom of Elephants is officially launched! There was a steady stream of friends and newcomers on Saturday from 2:00 – 7:00 at Strand Fine Art Gallery in London. The youngest visitor was two and the oldest was 100!

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnSeptember 21, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, book, Book Launch, The Wisdom of Elephants, Art Gallery Comments

Dream Analysis and Photography

Do you have a favourite photo? Take a minute to think about an image you treasure. What do you notice? How do you feel as you look at the picture? Stay with it for a moment. Resist the urge to scroll on. I suspect there is a story that goes with your choice.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnSeptember 14, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, book, Book Launch, The Wisdom of Elephants, dreams, Elephant Comments

Book Launch 2.0

I’m on the home stretch preparing for the book launch of The Wisdom of Elephants. I hope my love of the iconic animals of East Africa will touch your hearts. I cannot imagine a world without elephants, giraffes, lions, leopards. When we take care of nature, nature takes care of us.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnSeptember 7, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, book, Book Launch, The Wisdom of Elephants, Prints Comments

Prints for Book Launch

I’m busy preparing proofs of prints for my book launch and photo exhibition. Memories of extraordinary encounters with the iconic animals of East Africa come alive when I see some of my favourite images in print. I hope to see you on Sept. 17th!

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnAugust 31, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, book, Book Launch, The Wisdom of Elephants, PrintsComment

Gratitude to my Kenyan Friends

I’ve had extraordinary encounters with African wildlife that renew and restore my soul, but it’s the who people deepen and enrich my experience. I treasure conversations with friends I’ve made and lessons I’ve learned. I am changed as a result.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnAugust 24, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, book, Book Launch, The Wisdom of Elephants Comments

Book Launch

Join me for my Official Book Launch and African Wildlife Photography Show on Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 5 to 7 PM at the Strand Fine Art Gallery in London, Ontario.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnAugust 17, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, Book, Book Launch, The Wisdom of ElephantsComment

Celebrate World Lion Day

Today is World Lion Day. The mighty king of the beasts is a personal favourite. I love their profile, their intense stare, their shaggy manes. The iconic lion is a symbol of power and strength around the world. Lions are currently classified as a “threatened” species by the IUCN Red List. There are less than 39,000 lions remaining in the wild.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnAugust 10, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, Lions, Lion ConservationComment

From Five to Two: The Famous Cheetah Coalition of the Maasai Mara

The Famous Five are reduced to two. Lebo, of the celebrated Maasai Mara cheetah coalition died last week. The cause of his death is unknown, likely he was killed by lions. Known as the Tano Bora (The Magnificent Five in Maa), they were a partnership of 5 male cheetahs who patrolled the Maasai Mara for over 5 years.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnAugust 3, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, cheetahs, tano boraComment

How to Feed a Safari Dream

Feed the dream of Africa with books, TV shows, National Geographic images and at least 3 trips to see The Lion King. It might take 50 years. Don’t give up, you’re never too old for Africa. Use your savings or get a job that pays for a business class air ticket to Nairobi, Kenya. It is a long flight you’ll appreciate the comfort.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnJuly 27, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, book, Lions, safari Comments

Elephants Heal With a Little Help From Their Friends

Elephants, like us, need community and friends to heal from trauma and loss. There’s proof. This week National Geographic published a study about the power of friendship and survival in orphaned elephants. Look at these orphaned baby elephants at the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Northern Kenya – does it look like they are having a good time?

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnJuly 20, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, book, Elephant, Orphans, Reteti Elephant Orphanage, loveComment

When Thorns and Twigs are on the Menu – a Lesson in Elephant Ingenuity

Watching Craig and his four young bodyguards browse on thorny acacia bushes was a fascinating lesson in elephant nutrition and etiquette.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnJuly 13, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, book, Elephant, Amboseli, Big Tusker, Craig Comments

Karibu – Welcome Home

I spotted dozens of dust devils dancing across the flat Amboseli plain as our 12-seater plane banked and turned to prepare for landing. Amboseli has been alive in my imagination since I left in January 2020. The elephants that call this region home transformed my life focus 2.5 years ago.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnJuly 6, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, book, Elephant, Amboseli Comments

A Return to Africa

I’m looking forward to meeting up with my Maasai and Samburu friends next month. Going on game drives with each of them is a special opportunity to experience their world through their eyes. Their Indigenous knowledge and unique perspective provide rich territory for learning and heartfelt cross-cultural conversations.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnJune 1, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Kenya, bookComment

Published!

I am over the moon. My first order of books arrived this weekend! Two and a half years ago I had an extraordinary encounter with the elephants of Amboseli. I returned home changed, committed to use my images and story to speak up for elephants and wildlife conservation. The Wisdom of Elephants is the result of this intention.

Heartfelt Endeavours, Wildlife, AfricaKathy KarnMay 25, 2022Sheldrick Wildlife TrustKathy Karn, Photography, Elephant, Kenya, book, The Wisdom of Elephants Comments

Stories by Kathy

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