Into the Wild with Charlotte Arthun

An interview with Our Borneo Tour Leader

Wildlife photographer Charlotte Arthun didn’t set out to pick up a camera—at least, not at first. Her journey began with a fascination for ecosystems and a scientific curiosity about the natural world. But somewhere between tracking leopards in South Africa and an impromptu safari, something clicked—literally and figuratively. Since then, Charlotte has built a career out of capturing the moments many of us only dream of witnessing. In this conversation, she shares her photographic beginnings, her gear evolution, and the joy (and challenge) of shooting in wild places.

What sparked your interest in photography?

I studied Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at university because I was very interested in any subjects related to wildlife and natural systems. After graduating, I worked on a few wildlife research projects, one of which brought me to South Africa to study leopards outside of protected areas. We took a trip to Kruger National Park, my first official safari, and I had a basic camera with me. I couldn’t stop taking photos. At the end of the trip, I loved having the images to look back on and share. And that started it. I haven’t put the camera down since.

Find out more about our upcoming photo tour in Borneo, guided by Charlotte

What was your first camera, and what do you use now?

In college I had a little point-and-shoot. It had a cool retro look to it which is why I chose it. I knew nothing about cameras at that point in time. My first DSLR was the Nikon D500, then the D850. I loved the image quality of Nikon, but eventually switched to the Sony A9 because their mirrorless and subject-tracking tech was way ahead at the time. Now I mostly shoot with the Sony A1, though I also use Canon’s R series.

What are your main goals with your photography?

I think the easy and obvious answer is “to share.” Of course, I want to inspire people and show them wildlife and the beauty of their environments, especially as many of these animals only survive in protected areas now. Our wildlife is so precious and yet threatened by human development, so I think showcasing them has a lot of value. But in addition to sharing, photography also gives me purpose in the moment. It takes me from being an observer to a participant. I’m making decisions and creating something. It makes my time in nature feel even more meaningful.

Are there any destinations still on your wishlist?

The more I travel, the longer the list gets. I’ve been lucky to photograph most of the iconic wildlife destinations around the world, and I still return to those spots with guests because they’re accessible and consistently deliver great photographic opportunities. But for myself, I’m more and more drawn to the off-the-beaten-path places. Zakouma in Chad and Loango in Gabon are high on the list. Gorongosa in Mozambique, too. Actually, that could be an amazing future safari for Penda! And of course, I’m very excited to see what Borneo has in store for us.

Got any tips for aspiring wildlife photographers?

So many. A few that come to mind:

– Consider the risk versus reward. Find a way to best anticipate animal behavior, either through your own observation or intuition, or lean on the expertise of your guide! Once you’ve nailed the “document shot” (aka, proof you saw the animal), start playing with creative options. You might miss a few safe shots, but you’ll come home with a few really unique shots and perspectives. This will also help you improve your photography over time because you’ll learn to look for opportunities instead of just reactively shoot what is in front of you.

– Closer isn’t always better. A lot of guides want to get you as close as possible, but sometimes staying back 10–20 feet and using a zoom gives you better compression, a blurrier background/subject isolation, and a stronger eye level angle.

– Don’t underestimate post-processing. Most of the incredible wildlife shots you see out there have been significantly polished in post with selective sharpening, background blur, lifting shadows, and color corrections. It’s not cheating. It’s part of the craft.

– Don’t give up in low light, get creative. Low light is where many beginners get frustrated or put away their cameras. It’s true that there are real limitations with what our cameras can do in low light, but it’s a great time to experiment. If your subject is still, try shooting at 1/20 to 1/60 sec, especially if your camera is stabilized on something (not handheld!). Most shots might be blurry, but if you take a burst of 10, one will often be sharp. You can also try panning with a moving subject for artistic motion blur. If you don’t know what that is, join us on a photographic trip!

Keen to join Charlotte on a photography trip? Get the details on our upcoming Borneo Photo Tour