ALISON MEES PHOTOGRAPHY
Sharing my love of the wild through small, personal photo trips
Hello, I’m Alison
I’m a wildlife photographer,
certified travel agent, and small-group safari guide.
I’ve spent many years living and working in Zambia, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Now I am also leading trips to Africa, India and Spain.
I enjoy slow, respectful time in nature watching wildlife in its own rhythm, without rush or pressure.
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I create relaxed, small-group journeys where we can learn, enjoy the landscape, and simply be present.
My first Landie
Safari Wedding
Zambia
My love for wildlife and photography began when I was young, and it eventually led me to Africa.
I spent many years living and working in South Luangwa in Zambia, where I was able to spend time in the bush,
learn from the people who live there, and begin to develop my photography in a very natural, observational way.
I also worked with the local community on a small project making elephant-dung paper and greeting cards using my images, and during my time there I qualified as a driving guide.
It was also where I met my husband Tom and we got married in a beautiful Ebony grove near the banks of the Luangwa River​​
Tanzania
After a couple of months in Malawi,
we moved to the Serengeti in Tanzania.
This is where my connection with cheetahs truly deepened.
The open plains made it easier to follow individuals, to learn their patterns, to recognise mothers returning to their cubs, and to notice the small daily stories that can easily be missed if you rush.
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I spent many hours simply sitting quietly and watching,
allowing the landscape and the wildlife to unfold in their own time.
It taught me patience, stillness, and respect for the rhythm of the natural world.
These were years of observation rather than pursuit, and they continue to shape the way I guide and photograph today.
Kenya
Later, we moved to the Greater Mara in Kenya, where I managed a small safari camp with my husband Tom
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I continued to follow cheetahs, often seeing the same individuals over several seasons.
With time, I began to recognise their personalities. The confident ones, the cautious ones, the new mothers learning how to raise their young.
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Alongside camp life, I spent time with local Maasai communities, supporting small conservation and awareness projects.
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Learning more about the relationship between wildlife and the people who share the same land.
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The Mara years were a blend of photography, conservation work, and daily life close to nature
Steady, grounded, and deeply connected to place.
Returning to the UK
When the pandemic came, safari camps closed and tourism paused, and I returned to the UK.
Even from a distance, Africa has never stopped feeling like home.
There’s a saying that has always felt so true to me:
“You can leave Africa, but Africa will never leave you.”
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I began volunteering with Cheetah Conservation Fund UK, supporting awareness, fundraising, and sharing stories and photographs through talks.
It became a meaningful way to stay connected to the wildlife and places that shaped so much of my life.
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During this time, I also achieved my ARPS (Associate of the Royal Photographic Society), reflecting my commitment to photography as a thoughtful, patient practice
How the Trips Began
During those talks, people often asked whether I would consider leading trips back to Africa.
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It felt like a natural continuation of everything I had learned in Zambia, the Serengeti, and the Mara.
Something I truly enjoy sharing with others.
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So I returned to Kenya with a small group, back to the Mara where so much of my own journey had grown.
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Being there again, and able to share that unhurried way of watching wildlife with guests, confirmed that this was the right direction.
Small-Group Journeys Today
I now lead small-group wildlife photography journeys to Africa, India, and Spain.
Before offering a trip, I always spend time in the location myself.
Getting to know the landscape, the guides, and rhythm of the days.
Making sure it feels right.
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These journeys are relaxed and unhurried. We take time to watch, listen, and understand behaviour, allowing wildlife to unfold at its own pace.
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My aim is to help guests feel comfortable in the field and return home with images that hold meaning, not just a moment.
Looking Ahead
I continue to explore new places at a gentle pace.
Before offering any journey, I visit the camps and spend time in the landscape myself, to be sure the experience feels respectful, unhurried, and genuinely connected to wildlife.
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I’ll soon be spending time in Zimbabwe to walk the ground, meet the guides, and understand the rhythm of the area.
If it feels right, I hope to share journeys there in the future.
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If you’d like to keep in touch, you’re very welcome to follow along on social media or just drop me a message to join my newsletter.
