Born to Lead

In the forests of Central Africa, in the shadows of the volcanoes lives an impressive figure. He walks with his fists as he cuts through the thick foliage. He moves forcefully but quietly. Always marching forward, paving a path for his troop. When challenged, he stands on his legs, flashes his sharp teeth, and beats his chest. When the challenge subsides, he keeps to himself. He eats, he rests, he observes. He calls to his family when they wander too far. He embraces his young when they come to his side. He cares for those around him. There is a softness to his rugged eyes that shows far too much awareness for him to be called a beast. He is powerful yet poised. He is a leader. Silverbacks are often photographed. Their impressive figure makes them an appealing subject. In the buildup to my first trip to Rwanda in 2021, I found that so many gorilla images were either very zoomed in on the animals or used a black background to isolate them. In conversations with the park warden over two years, I expressed a desire to photograph the silverbacks in a different manner. One that would showcase both the stature of the animals and the unique landscape in which they live. This would require a wider lens to capture the setting, but also proximity to the subject for an impactful presence in the image. While I learned some helpful techniques in photographing the gorillas over the course of several treks, I could not have walked away with any of my silverback images without the incredible help of the individuals who helped bring my vision to life. For the warden, my guides, trackers, and porters in Rwanda, and of course for these magnificent animals, I will always be grateful.