Without doubt one of my favourite lion images to date, perhaps of any I have taken. This was the shot I had in mind when first visiting Namiri Plains in 2023, something different to all the other lion portraits I’d seen - either closely cropped on a long lens or taken with a remote control camera, with the lion looking suspicious or unnatural, not something I like in my images.

The image comprised three key elements; proximity, achieved through eight patient days of watching a trio of lions to determine which was calm enough to attempt the shot. Storm clouds, providing wonderful atmosphere to the shot that a clear blue sky could never achieve. And a big mane. This was crucial above all else. The lion needed to be big and imposing to really complete the image.