Meet The Admin Team
Founder
Gabby Sykora
I am a 16 year old young lady from Gauteng. My passion for wildlife photography & conservation led me to start the Young Wildlife Photographers group in June 2021. I am a SANParks Junior Honorary Ranger and have completed my FGASA Junior course.
My wildlife & conservation achievements, so far, include winning Overall Jnr Creative Arts (Photography) at Talent Africa in 2021, Overall Snr Creative Arts (Photography) at Show your Talent 2021 and most notably being a keynote speaker at the International Women’s Blaze Trails symposium celebrating women in science, exploration and conservation in February 2022.
I photograph wildlife because our wildlife is under enormous threat and I can capture moments in time while the animals are still alive and I can keep hold of and share the memories that others may never get to experience first hand. In doing so, I get to share the beauty of nature with others so that they are able to see it through my passion for photography.
Website Manager
Luca Tomlinson
I am 18 years old and from Gauteng. I have had a passion for wildlife my entire life and took up photography in July 2019.
Some of my other hobbies include golf, cycling and most importantly, birding!
My favorite animal to photograph is the leopard because of their unique mysterious personalities, beauty, as well as their elusiveness. My favorite destination without a doubt is the vast tract of diverse bushveld, the Kruger National Park, for reasons that could fill an entire book.
Our wildlife is under continuous threat, and so by photographing these animals in the wild, I can create everlasting memories as well as create awareness to hopefully make an impact on people by showcasing our beautiful wildlife especially to my peers.
I hope to carry this passion throughout my life and hopefully inspire many others along the way.
Admin
Juan van den Heever
I am 23 years old and from Gauteng.
Photography has been a way of life right from the start - from the time I could first hold a camera! Growing up as the son of a professional wildlife photographer basically meant that there was no escaping it!
Over the years, photography has taken me all over the globe, seen me meet some truly incredible people (Prince Harry for instance) and made me find a deeper connection to our natural world.
I have been fortunate to have placed in some prestigious wildlife photography competitions, with Winning the Overall Youth Category for the Nature’s Best Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and Runner up in the 51st Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s Youth Category as personal highlights.
My goal with nature photography is to cultivate a feeling of appreciation with the viewer. Photography serves as a method to show millions of people who cannot experience nature first hand the beauty thereof. People look after things they appreciate, and if they can appreciate nature, they will look after it.
I owe my successes to my mentor and father - Wim.
Head of Social Affairs
Justin Ponder
I am a 19 year old from the Garden Route region of the Western Cape. I was 7 years old when I first went to the Kruger Park, and since then I have been hooked on nature!
When I was 12, also on a trip to the Kruger, I picked up Birding and a few years later, botany, arachnology, herping, occasionally Lepidoptory, and most recently all forms of aquatic life. Birds remain my main interest though. I picked up photography to document my findings, which I upload to iNaturalist as a means of citizen science. I am a huge conservationist and help wherever I can with Birdlife South Africa and Botsoc (CREW).
In 2021, I was awarded the Owlet Award by Birdlife South Africa, and was a speaker at their Flock to Wilderness event in 2023. I recently finished up with high school, and am spending the year trying out different career options - including Surveying, Guiding, and Research - to find out what to commit to full time.
Admin
Megan Coetzer
I’m a 2nd year student from the Eastern Cape whose passion for wildlife photography began after a spontaneous trip to Addo in 2021.
I fell in love with the story-telling element of photography — especially with wildlife — and the fact that a single image may be more impactful in expressing a message than words.
My favourite destination is definitely Kruger Park — there’s nothing better than sitting at a waterhole, Salt-and-vinegar chips in hand, and watching the African sunset melt into the horizon.
Admin
Jaime Freeman
I am a 17 year old wildlife photographer from Johannesburg, Gauteng. I love all things nature, and I found my passion for wildlife photography in 2020.
I love photographing all wildlife, but I specialise in bird and mammal photography. Some of my favourite species to photograph include: African Elephant, White-fronted Bee-eater, Leopard, Drakensberg Rockjumper, and many more.
I am the proud winner of the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards in 2022 under the Youth In Africa category.
I joined YWP in June of 2021, and I am now one of the proud admins of the groups. My current photography setup is the Canon 90D and the Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary lens.
Admin
Amy Lloyd
I am 16 years old and from Johannesburg, Gauteng.
As a family, we have been going to the bush since I was very young but I only got into photography in the past 4 years or so. My cousins also partake in wildlife photography so I’ve learnt a lot from them on our trips.
I am part of the Junior Honorary Rangers for San Parks, along with a few other admin members.
My plan for the future is to hopefully study ecology at the University of Pretoria and work in the field of conservation.
Admin
Luan Otto
I am 18 years old and am from Pretoria in Gauteng.
We have been going to the Kruger Park at least twice a year since I was just a baby and with everyone taking photos, I wanted a camera of my own. When i was about 9 years old, my parents got me a small Canon Powershot A510 camera for my birthday.
My favorite subjects to photograoh are birds. The unpredictability of animals and birds adds to the sun and satisfaction of getting that perfect image.
My favorite place to photograph wildlife would have to undoubtedly be Kruger National Park and Thornybush Private Game Reserve.
The Kruger, because of its vast areas and variety of animals and Thornybush, where one can get up close and personal.
Admin
Robyn Phipps
I am 17 years old and from Johannesburg, Gauteng.
I’ve had a passion for wildlife for as long as I can remember. From a young age I forced my dad to go out on night drives wherever we went to look for nocturnal animals.
Which is why I have been so lucky to have had the sightings and experiences that have shaped me into the conservationist and photographer I am today. My aim is to do a degree in veterinary sciences at the University of Pretoria to further my impact within conservation. I have always had the support of my family who have taught me to bird and learn about the bush.
I am an enthusiastic Kruger lover and will always be the first at the gate in the morning and last through the gate in the evening. I have and always will, love the bush.
Number: 0724057820
Instagram: robynphipps_photography
Head of Conservation
Robyn Smith
I am a 20 year old and from Cape Town in the Western Cape. Growing up as the daughter of 2 nature and wildlife loving vets, I spent a lot of time around wild animals and in various game parks from when I was very small.
I started photography at a young age, with very cheap kid cameras, and would always borrow my dad's camera on trips. I believe that capturing and showcasing our incredible wildlife allows us to be more aware of what we would lose if we continue putting destructive pressure on them. People are more inclined to feel the urgency if they see what stunning animals and birds are at stake.
I am currently studying environmental science, zoology and oceanography, and hope to do a guiding course at some point if I am able to. My dream job would be to work as a bridge between people and wildlife in preserving our beautiful environment.
I get my inspiration for conservation from various organisations (eg. WWF) and activists, especially documentary makers (eg. Sir David Attenborough), researchers and photographers.
Follow along on this journey, as myself and other members of YWP, endeavour to make a difference in the conservation of animals and environment within our incredible country.
Admin
Sian Redelinghuys
I am 19 years old, from KwaZulu Natal.
My passion for Photography started in 2019. Wildlife has always been a massive part of my life. If I had to describe where exactly home for me is, I'd describe it as a place with never-ending wildlife, long drives surrounded by endless views of gorgeous landscapes. My main focus in photography is wildlife. I absolutely love Birdwatching, it has formed part of my everyday routine! Being able to both Photograph and capture the pure beauty of animals and birds in their natural habitat means so much to me.
My favourite animal to photograph is the Leopard and Duikertjie, and I absolutely love photographing birds.
I'm an athletic person, so in my free time I am either at the gym, or on a run.
Admin
Andrew Rider
Hi there,I am Andrew Rider, a 24 year old originally from Johannesburg, Gauteng.
I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. When I was younger I used to travel to the bush all the time. As I got older, I realised I really had a true passion for all wildlife, not just the bush and started out doing my scuba diving instructors license and became a qualified yachtie.
I was supposed to leave for Monte Carlo in march 2020 and the day my flight left for Monte Carlo, Covid Lockdown began. I was trapped. Knowing Ive always had a true passion for the bush, I decided to do my field guide qualifications (FGASA) and haven't looked back since.
This is funnily enough where I fell in love with photography and it helped me finally realise what i truly want to be, which is one day to becme a well known professional wildlife photographer, videographer and cinematographer
I have a higher certificate in photography and videography and am currently working for a wildlife film company called painteddog.tv as a Guide and presenter, camera man, editor, and social media manager.
The African bush is my home and I wouldn’t change it for the world. You can follow me on my journey through the bush on Instagram @andyswildlife or contact me at andrewbrider30@icloud.com for prints.
Admin
Wade Lee
I’m 21 years old and live on Manyoni Private Game Reserve.
I am an avid birder and a novice photographer with a recent passion for reptiles and orchids. I've recently started a job at the prestigious Rockjumper Birding Tours and have started travelling the world, leading birding tours, having most recently done Cuba.
I've lived on Manyoni Private Game Reserve my entire life which means I've acquired a depth knowledge of all things wild, from studying ants and pangolins to working as a safari guide at a few lodges.
My favourite reserve to visit must be Reserva Ecoligica Antisana in the highlands of Ecuador.
I spend my free time birding with friends
Admin
Decklan Jordaan
I am 20 years old and from Durban in KwaZulu Natal.
My father has always been into plants and started birding shortly after i was born. Due to being severely colourblind he quickly bought a camera to help ID the birds he saw. I was always helping him correlate what was on screen to the book and decided to go out with him.
In 2010 I was convinced photography was for me and started stealing the camera off my dad. After awhile I was using it more than he was and in 2020 we bought a camera for myself.
From starting out with birds and frogs, I now love photographing almost everything I see. As a family we always travelled to St. Lucia and I've grown to love the place.
I've always been very hands on with wildlife and always prefer to be in the field, but still enjoy gaming or surfing!
Admin
Daniel Tomlinson
I'm a 15-year-old South African photographer and nature lover. My grandma ignited my love of the great outdoors by instilling in me a profound appreciation for the beauty of our natural surroundings from a very young age.
My passion for photographing South Africa's wonders has been stoked by exploring its varied landscapes, which range from lush forests to vast savannas. I enjoy capturing these moments with my camera, whether it's the vibrant colours of a dawn over the plains of Africa or the minute details of a fragile flower.
I'm excited to share my love of wildlife and photography through my involvement with YWP of SA, and I'm also looking forward to learning from other young photographers who are as passionate about nature photography as I am.