Benjamin James

Why I Do This

I didn’t get into wildlife photography for the awards or the recognition.
I do it because I’m obsessed with jaguars — with that electric feeling of being out there, camera in hand, heart pounding, waiting for one of the most elusive predators on Earth to step into the frame.

This is about more than photography.
It’s about connection — to wild places, to wild animals, and to something in ourselves that most people forget is even there.

I don’t do box-ticking tours.
I don’t do generic wildlife safaris.
What I offer are small-group expeditions that slow things down, tune your senses in, and teach you how to see like a predator — with presence, patience, and intent.

And this isn’t just a business.
I’m building a lodge upriver — not just somewhere to sleep, but a base built with purpose.
A home for serious wildlife photographers, adventurers, and nature lovers.
A long-term commitment to protecting this river, this ecosystem, and everything that calls it home.

Because I want the next generation — my children’s children — to feel what I’ve felt.
To sit quietly on this water.
To watch the forest hold its breath.
And to see a jaguar emerge from the shadows — not on a screen, not in a book, but here.
Real. Wild. Alive.

This isn’t your average photo safari. It’s not about ticking boxes or obsessing over gear. It’s about being out there — present, alert, and part of something wild.

Whether you’re a pro photographer, a passionate beginner, or just someone who feels at home around animals and nature, this trip was built for you.

You don’t need the latest camera. You don’t need to know every setting. What matters is that you’re curious, open, and ready to slow down and see — really see — the natural world.

I’ll be right there with you each day — in the boat, in the light, in the moment. Helping when you want it. Teaching if that’s your thing. Backing off when it’s not. My job is to make sure you’re in the right spot when the magic happens — and that you feel confident capturing it.

We’ll shoot incredible stuff — no doubt about that. But we’ll also have a laugh, enjoy the silence, ride the rhythm of the river. The vibe on this trip is relaxed, real, and unpretentious. There’s no ego in the boat, just a shared respect for nature and a love for photography.

If you’re after a technical checklist and someone to adjust your dials for you all day, that’s not what I do. But if you want to grow, explore, and come back with both stronger images and unforgettable memories — then we’re going to get on just fine.

And while yeah, we’re here for the jaguars… it’s the full experience that stays with you — the still mornings, the electric sightings, the sense that you were part of something real.

This isn’t a classroom. There are no slides, no jargon, no pressure.
We learn by doing — on the river, in the light, in the moment.
Ask questions. Try things. Make mistakes. Improve fast. That’s how this works.

This is how you learn out here. Instinctively. Naturally. Without pressure.

You’ll start noticing how the light hits the water — and how to position for it.

You’ll stop letting the camera decide — and start shooting in manual, with confidence.

You’ll learn how to steady yourself on a moving boat, fire fast, and still come out sharp.

You’ll understand why that shot feels off — and how to fix it, without overthinking it.

You’ll see behaviour before it happens — not because you read a guidebook, but because you feel it coming.

You’ll stop chimping every frame and start trusting your eye.

You’ll learn to edit with restraint — enhancing, not overcooking. Telling the story, not showing off.

You’ll build a rhythm: observe, anticipate, shoot, refine. Quietly, instinctively, and better every day.

And the best part? You won’t even realise how much you’ve grown until you look back on your shots at the end of the trip — sharper, more thoughtful, more you.

This isn’t a workshop. It’s an immersion.

No fluff. No pressure. Just real learning, in real time, in one of the wildest places on Earth.

What Actually Happens When We Edit…

We’re not sitting around doing tutorials.
We’re opening laptops, swapping ideas, trading “what ifs” and “try this.”
One minute you’re adjusting highlights — the next, we’re talking mood, color, emotion, intent.

You’ll start to trust your eye.
You’ll feel when an edit’s gone too far.
You’ll learn how to bring your photos to life without killing the vibe.

You’ll figure out what your style actually is — and how to make your work feel like you, not just another Lightroom preset.

We’ll talk histograms without geeking out.
We’ll use masks without overcomplicating things.
We’ll clean up shots without losing the wild, raw energy that made you take it in the first place.

It’s not about being perfect.
It’s about staying true to the moment — and learning how to guide the viewer’s eye, gently, without shouting.

🧘‍♂️ Chill Vibe. Real Progress.

You’ll learn more in a few nights editing together than you would in weeks of YouTube tutorials — because this is your work, your story, your experience.

And by the end of the trip?
Your photos won’t just look better.
They’ll feel better.
Because you’ll know exactly how to finish them — cleanly, naturally, with your own stamp.

📸 What Gear to Bring

You don’t need top-shelf gear or years of experience — just curiosity, a bit of patience, and something you’re comfortable shooting with. I’ll be there every step of the way to guide you, answer questions, and help you level up.

Even if you're a total beginner, we’ll have you shooting in manual in no time — and having a damn good time doing it.

📷 Camera Bodies

Use what you know.
Sony, Canon, Nikon — all good. Mirrorless or DSLR, doesn’t matter.

✔️ Most important? A camera you’re comfortable with. You don’t want to be learning menus while a jaguar strolls by.

🆕 Beginner? No worries. I’ll walk you through the key settings so you’re never lost.

🔭 Lenses

Reach = results.
Wildlife doesn’t always pose for portraits — and the closer you can get optically, the better.

Here’s what works best in the Pantanal:

• 🐆 400mm prime – My go-to. Killer sharp, perfect distance for jaguars and close birds.

• 🎯 100–400mm – A versatile zoom. Great for switching between close scenes and distant action.

• 🦅 200–600mm – Big reach, especially good for birds and far-off subjects.

• ➕ 1.4x or 2x teleconverter – Boosts your reach without swapping lenses. Just check autofocus performance.

🎒 Other Essentials

• 🔋 Extra batteries – You’ll shoot a lot.

• 💾 Memory cards – Bring more than you think you’ll need.

• 💻 Laptop + Lightroom – Optional, but great if you want to start editing each night.

• 💽 External SSD or hard drive – For backing up your images daily.

• 🌧️ Rain cover for your gear – The Pantanal can turn wild fast. Be ready.

• 🧵 Camera strap or harness – Long boat sessions = treat your shoulders kindly.

🙌 You’re In Good Hands

This isn’t some rigid, high-pressure workshop. It’s a relaxed, supportive vibe where we learn by doing, laugh a lot, and grow as photographers — no matter where you’re starting from.

If you're brand new, I’ve got you.
If you're experienced, I’ll challenge you.
Either way, you’ll go home with images you’re proud of — and the skills to take even better ones next time.