There’s something different about Johan Siggesson’s approach to wildlife photography. While thousands of photographers chase the perfect shot, this Swedish artist, now based in Malta, is after something else entirely. He’s not trying to control the moment. He just wants to be part of it.
“It’s not about the perfect photograph,” Siggesson explains. “It’s about time, patience, and respect for the wild.”
That philosophy has paid off. Over the past decade, Johan Siggesson has collected an impressive set of accolades, including multiple Gold Medals from the London Photography Awards in 2025, recognition from the Tokyo International Foto Awards, and features in competitions ranging from WildArt Photographer of the Year to National Geographic. But the awards aren’t why he does this work.
His childhood obsession with a large, fabric-covered nature book in his grandmother’s Gothenburg apartment started it all. A life-changing safari to Kenya in 2012 sealed the deal. That trip convinced him to walk away from a successful career in web and graphic design and pick up a camera full-time. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one.
“After that safari, I just knew this was what I wanted to do,” he says. “I’ve always been interested in both nature and art, so it was the perfect combination.”
Today, Johan Siggesson focuses on creating museum-quality fine art prints: large, limited-edition pieces that capture iconic African wildlife. His elephant prints and lion prints are particularly sought after by collectors, alongside his work featuring leopards and gorillas. He’s particular about how these images make their way into the world. Each print is signed and numbered, comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, and is printed with archival pigment inks on acid-free paper. These aren’t just photographs. They’re meant to last generations.
What’s interesting is his commitment to the physical print. Billions of photos never leave a screen these days, but Siggesson believes a photograph isn’t truly complete until it’s framed and hanging on someone’s wall. Most of his work appears in black and white, a deliberate choice that strips away distraction and highlights texture, composition, and emotion.
“Black and white captures the essence of a subject,” he notes. “It reveals true character and highlights the interplay of light and shadow.”
Living on a small Mediterranean island might seem like an odd choice for someone who photographs African wildlife, but Malta’s location actually helps. It’s a hub, close to both mainland Europe and Africa. More importantly, Siggesson credits his Scandinavian background for shaping his artistic vision. That Northern European sensibility of simplicity, timelessness, and purity runs through everything he creates.
The reality of his work is less romantic than people imagine. He’ll spend 10 days on safari and consider himself lucky if he comes home with one strong image worth printing. On a recent trip to Kenya, he spent the entire time trying to photograph a specific elephant with massive tusks in front of Kilimanjaro, with just the right cloud cover and lighting conditions. After 10 days of coordination with local contacts and waiting for everything to align, he didn’t get the shot. That’s wildlife photography.
“Weather and wild animals aren’t something any of us have control over,” he says. “If it was easy, everyone could do it.”
But when things do come together, when the light hits right, when an elephant flaps its ears at the perfect moment, when the composition aligns, that’s what makes it worthwhile. “I try to make images that feel real,” Siggesson says. “That remind people to slow down. To look. To feel connected to something bigger than themselves.” Those are the images that stop people mid-scroll, that spark conversations, that stick with you.
Conservation sits at the heart of why he does this. “I want my work to keep people caring about these animals and the places they live,” Siggesson explains. “If the photographs can make someone feel that connection, maybe they will also want to protect it.” It’s not just about creating beautiful images. It’s about creating images that matter.
Beyond his print work, Johan Siggesson leads photography safaris and tours, sharing his knowledge with enthusiasts who want to capture their own breathtaking images while respecting nature’s delicate balance. He’s also the author of “Where Wild Orchids Grow.”
His prints ship worldwide, and you can explore his full collection on his website. He’s also active on Instagram and Facebook, where he shares his work and the stories behind the images that make people stop and look twice.
