Amboseli’s dry lakebed is one of James Lewin’s all-time favorite places to photograph. The featureless, cracked surface stretches for miles, evoking a sense of being on the moon. He has spent weeks following elephants as they venture across the lakebed, but only on a handful of occasions has he seen a group of giraffes cross this vast, barren expanse where there is no food or water.

Giraffes are best photographed in groups and are notoriously complex subjects due to their cautious nature. Since it is crucial that Lewin’s work has minimal impact on wildlife, he adopts a “let nature come to you” approach - an often time-consuming method that demands hours of patience and frequently ends in disappointment. Giraffes are especially sensitive to movement and can be spooked even by slight shifts inside a vehicle. To avoid disturbing them, Lewin and his team positioned themselves far ahead of the group, only adjusting their location well in advance of the animals’ approach.

He knew that if the giraffes came within range of his 200mm lens, he would have a chance at capturing a remarkable moment. On two separate attempts, the giraffes veered slightly off course, moving out of reach. Undeterred, the team repeated their process - waiting further ahead - and finally achieved a head-on view. Lewin especially valued the moment when the two closest giraffes paused and looked directly at him. Their stillness created a tighter grouping, which proved critical for the success of the composition. Had the spacing between them been wider, the image would have lacked cohesion.

After watching the group disappear into the distance, Lewin reviewed his images. He was instantly thrilled with what he had captured - it conveyed the immense scale of Earth’s tallest land mammals. A low shooting angle had also been essential; the giraffes rose like skyscrapers, their seemingly endless necks and iconic patterns stretching high into the sky.