1. You know that kid that was forever drawing on his Mother’s walls, doodling in class and had that
expression of being in a far-off place when he should have been listening to his teacher; well that
was Stephen as a child. Stephen’s natural talent soon earned him the respect of his teachers and
peers alike and he completed his matric year with a distinction in Art. Wanting to take his need
for instant gratification to a new level, photography was a natural progression of his self-
expression. He thus completed a photographic internship with renowned South African
Photographer, Bob Binnell who specialises in historical photography. This mentorship led
Stephen to explore and further study the more practical application of fine art, that being Interior
Design.
One’s passion does not always play out as a profession and Stephen’s innate curiosity lead him to
pursue a more lucrative career by getting intensely involved in forensic investigation in the
hospitality industry. Finding this prohibitive of his adventurous nature, an opportunity to once
again broaden his horizons and use his creative abilities, presented itself and he became involved
in the IT industry. His success in this venture lead to him working his way up to the level of MIS/IT
Manager. A position he enjoyed with a select number of Blue Chip companies in South Africa.
With his camera never far from arm’s length, Stephen was always on the lookout for a
photographic opportunity. His keen eye for seeing beauty in the ordinary, his intense connection
with the natural environment and his intuitive approach towards embracing a simplistic life,
ensured that he continued his career as a photographer throughout his life, albeit be it on an
amateur level.
Stephen was then presented with a personal challenge that brought him to a crossroads in his
life and posed many questions regarding his future. He then decided to “get out of Dodge”, so
to speak and left the corporate arena for the more artistically inclined and unconventionally
intrepid lifestyle of a photographer.
Thus began his career as a professional photographer in earnest, and by all accounts, he has
never looked back.
Stephen’s areas of expertise cover many genres of photography, not limited to, but including:
 Commercial Photography
 Wildlife Photography
 Travel Photography
 Candid Photography
 Panoramic Photography
 Food Photography
 Product Photography
 Glamour/Fashion Photography
 Vernacular Photography
As an Independent Photographer, Stephen’s focus has now moved predominantly towards
Wildlife Photography and his future ideals will concentrate his efforts almost exclusively within
the field of Photographic Safaris and Tours. His deep rooted passion for Africa, its diverse

2. ecology, topography and cultures are not only seen, but evoke palpable emotions when one
views his work.
It is clear when listening to him that he is not only keen, but driven to share not only his work, but
also his knowledge of the plight of Africa. Stephen aims to create a platform for young artists to
become involved in the preservation and conservation of Wildlife, Fauna and Flora. Stephen is
determined to create even more awareness throughout the general populace as to correcting
the gentle balance between our fragile eco systems and the effect they have on society.
When asked what he gets out of his vocation, and I quote verbatim:
“My greatest satisfaction is seeing a person’s face light up when they have captured that one
special photograph transforming that moment into one of the most memorable moments in
their lives. I’ve been very fortunate to turn my passion into a way of life. It allows me the unique
opportunity of meeting people from all over the world and having truly unforgettable
experiences with them. There is a togetherness we share in the pursuit of our mutual hobby or
profession.”
The quote which Stephen finds most profoundly describes his work ethic is:
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do
what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you
haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when
you find it.”
~ Steve Jobs~
Written by: Imogen Faulkner – Independent Journalist