Get to Know Anna Lusty

Our Humanitarian Photography Guide, in her own words

At Penda, we believe photography can connect people to the natural world, and to each other. Over the past ten years that belief has shaped the tours we design, the partnerships we choose and the initiatives we support. On our humanitarian photography workshops , you’ll do more than photograph. You’ll develop your documentary photography in a respectful, meaningful way while helping partner organisations tell the story of their work.

Nobody knows this work better than Anna Lusty, our photographic tour leader and guide for all our humanitarian workshops. This month, we sat down with her to talk about the projects, the people and the lessons that have shaped her as a photographer. (If you’d like the fuller story of how Anna got started, we asked her 8 questions about her path into humanitarian photography a while back.)

Our Conversation with Anna

“Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to work with non-profit organisations, humanitarian projects and communities across Africa, documenting initiatives that are transforming lives and telling stories that might otherwise go untold. Whether I’m photographing a conservation project in Malawi, an education initiative in Zambia, or community programmes closer to home in South Africa, I believe every person deserves to be seen with respect, authenticity and hope.

More than anything, it’s the extraordinary people I’ve met, the dedicated teams I’ve worked alongside, and the remarkable projects I’ve had the opportunity to document that have shaped my journey as a photographer. I’ve witnessed first-hand the passion, resilience and commitment of individuals working tirelessly to create lasting change in their communities. Those experiences have shaped not only the way I photograph, but also the way I see the world. They have taught me that the most powerful photographs are rarely about perfect light or technical excellence, they are about trust, connection and our shared humanity. Listening and witnessing before lifting the camera, earning trust, and creating images that honour the dignity and humanity of the people in front of my lens.

The most powerful photographs aren’t the ones that simply show us what someone looks like. They’re the ones that help us understand what it feels like to stand in their shoes. When we photograph with empathy, respect and curiosity, we don’t just capture images; we create connections.”

— Anna Lusty, Humanitarian Photographer & Penda Guide

Five Tips for Photographing Humanitarian Subjects

1.Build trust before you build your portfolio. Take time to introduce yourself, listen to people’s stories and allow genuine relationships to develop. A camera should never come before the person.

2.Focus on dignity not vulnerability. Avoid images that sensationalise hardship. Instead, look for moments that show resilience, strength and humanity alongside the challenges people face.

3.Learn to observe everything before photographing. Spend time understanding the environment and the rhythm of peoples lives. Often the most meaningful moments happen when you become part of the background rather than the centre of attention.

4.Keep your storytelling honest. A single photograph can shape how people perceive an individual or community. Ensure the images represent the truth without exaggeration or manipulation.

5.Remember every image has a responsibility. Ask yourself why you’re taking the photograph and who it serves. The best humanitarian photographer creates empathy, respects the subject and leaves a positive legacy.

Join Anna Lusty on a Humanitarian Workshop

In Northern Tanzania, Anna guides our Humanitarian Photography Workshops, Tanzania, documenting Maasai daily life and working alongside grassroots nonprofits, with a night camping inside a Maasai village and a conservation day in the Ngorongoro Crater. You can read more about the trip in our earlier post, Tanzania Beyond The Safari: An Immersive Storytelling Journey.

Anna also guides our Humanitarian Photography Workshop, Victoria Falls, based at Kamunjila Lodge, 800 metres from central Livingstone and 10 km from Victoria Falls. Participants work alongside local nonprofits addressing education, gender equality, food security and conservation, building a body of images each organisation can use to raise awareness and reach new supporters, with time to visit Victoria Falls itself, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.