2007
Nick Brandt is an English contemporary photographer who has primarily worked in Africa. The themes in Brandt’s photography often relate to the destructive impact that humans are having on the natural world and how future generations will inherit the remnants of a once-vibrant planet. Brandt prefers not to use zoom lenses because he feels the animals he photographs are best captured up close.
Brandt studied painting and filmmaking at the Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in his hometown of London. In 1992, he moved to California, where he became a successful music video director, working with artists such as Michael Jackson, Jewel and Moby. In 1995, while filming Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song” video in Tanzania, he was overcome by the beauty of the wild animals. In 2000, he embarked on a project to document the struggles of East African wildlife living in a landscape that is being overrun by exploding human populations and exploited for its natural resources. He filmed animals in the wild using an approach similar to studio portrait photography, reinforcing that animals are sentient creatures not so different from humans.
Brandt has frequently returned to Africa throughout his career. His acclaimed 2004 book, On This Earth, was followed by two more successful books, A Shadow Falls and Across the Ravaged Land, in 2007 and 2011. During work on the last in this trilogy, in 2010, he co-founded the Big Life Foundation, which fights to protect the animals and ecosystems of a large area of Kenya and Tanzania.
In 2019, Brant published This Empty World, bringing to light the ever-increasing destruction of the East African wilderness, where animals can no longer survive in the wake of human progress. It was his first time using color photography. His 2021 book, A Day May Break, captures the impact of climate change and environmental loss on humans and animals.
On 1stDibs, find Nick Brandt’s photography, prints and more.
Sitting Lionesses, Serengeti 2002
By Nick Brandt
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Nick's exquisite photographs arouse deep emotions. They inspire a sense of awe at the beauty of creation and the sacredness of life. It's almost impossible to look through his work without sensing the personalities of the beings whom he has photographed. JANE GOODALL...
Platinum
Elephants (The Two), Amboseli 2012
By Nick Brandt
Located in Sante Fe, NM
There is perhaps something more profoundly iconic, mythological even, about the animals of East Africa, as opposed to say, the Arctic or South America). And there is also something i...
Archival Pigment
Elephant Exodus, Amboseli 2004
By Nick Brandt
Located in Sante Fe, NM
There is perhaps something more profoundly iconic, mythological even, about the animals of East Africa, as opposed to say, the Arctic or South America). And there is also something i...
Platinum
Elephant Mother and Two Babies, Serengeti
By Nick Brandt
Located in Sante Fe, NM
There is perhaps something more profoundly iconic, mythological even, about the animals of East Africa, as opposed to say, the Arctic or South America). And there is also something i...
Platinum
Lioness on Mound, Maasai Mara
By Nick Brandt
Located in Sante Fe, NM
There is perhaps something more profoundly iconic, mythological even, about the animals of East Africa, as opposed to say, the Arctic or South America). And there is also something i...
Archival Pigment
Lion Before Storm II – Sitting Profile, Maasai Mara
By Nick Brandt
Located in Sante Fe, NM
Very few photographers have ever really considered the photography of wildlife, as distinctly opposed to the genre of Wildlife Photography, as an art form. The emphasis has generally...
Platinum
Sitting Lionesses, Serengeti – Nick Brandt, Lion, Lioness, Africa, Animals, Wild
By Nick Brandt
Located in Zurich, CH
NICK BRANDT (*1966, England) Sitting Lionesses, Serengeti 2002 Platinum print Image 69.5 x 88 cm (27 3/8 x 34 5/8 in.) Sheet 76.5 x 99 cm (30 1/8 x 39 in.) Edition of 25; Ed. no. 16/25 Framed Nick Brandt is a contemporary English photographer. His work focuses on the disappearing natural world. Since 2001, he has photographed the changing African continent and established a style of portrait photography of animals...
Platinum
Elephant Group on Bare Earth, Amboseli– Nick Brandt, Africa, Animal, Elephant
By Nick Brandt
Located in Zurich, CH
NICK BRANDT (*1966, England) Elephant Group on Bare Earth, Amboseli 2008 Archival inkjet print Sheet 88.9 x 215.9 cm (35 x 85 in.) Edition of 8, plus AP's; Ed. no. 8/8 Framed Nick Brandt is a contemporary English photographer. His work focuses on the disappearing natural world. Since 2001, he has photographed the changing African continent and established a style of portrait photography of animals...
Archival Pigment
Elephant Mother and Baby at Leg, Amboseli – Nick Brandt, Africa, Elephant, Art
By Nick Brandt
Located in Zurich, CH
NICK BRANDT (*1966, England) Elephant Mother and Baby At Leg, Amboseli 2012 Archival Pigment Print Sheet 142 x 178 cm (55 7/8 x 70 1/8 in.) Edition of 10; Ed. no. 4/10 Print only Nick Brandt is a contemporary English photographer. His work focuses on the disappearing natural world. Since 2001, he has photographed the changing African continent and established a style of portrait photography of animals...
Archival Pigment
Elephant Cathedral, Maasai Mara, 2007 – Nick Brandt, Animal, Africa, Documentary
By Nick Brandt
Located in Zurich, CH
NICK BRANDT (*1966, England) Elephant Cathedral, Maasai Mara, 2007 Archival Pigment Print Sheet 109,2 x 96,5 cm (43 x 38 in.) Edition of 15 (#12/15) print only Nick Brandt is a cont...
Archival Pigment
Lioness Holding Cub in Mouth, Maasai Mara – Nick Brandt, Lion, Africa, Animals
By Nick Brandt
Located in Zurich, CH
NICK BRANDT (*1966, England) Lioness with Cub in Mouth, Amboseli 2012 Platinum print Sheet 71,12 x 88,9 cm (28 x 35 in.) Edition of 15, plus AP's; Ed. no. 2/15 print only Nick Brandt is a contemporary English photographer. His work focuses on the disappearing natural world. Since 2001, he has photographed the changing African continent and established a style of portrait photography of animals in the wild. – Photography, Documentary Photography, Animal, Africa, Wildlife, Nature, Lion Baby...
Platinum
Lioness Holding Cub in Mouth, Maasai Mara – Nick Brandt, Lion, Africa, Animals
By Nick Brandt
Located in Zurich, CH
NICK BRANDT (*1966, England) Lioness with Cub in Mouth, Amboseli 2012 Archival inkjet print Sheet 101,6 x 127 cm (40 x 50 in.) Edition of 15, plus AP's; Ed. no. 15/15 (last available edition) Nick Brandt is a contemporary English photographer. His work focuses on the disappearing natural world. Since 2001, he has photographed the changing African continent and established a style of portrait photography of animals in the wild. – Photography, Documentary Photography, Animal, Africa, Wildlife, Nature, Lion Baby...
Archival Pigment
