Professional photographer Richard Bernabe has set foot in some of the most fascinating destinations on earth. Find out what drew Richard to Namibia, and why he's returning in 2014 with more photographers in tow...

All images © Richard Bernabe

Tell us about your most unforgettable moment while shooting in Namibia. 

There were so many unforgettable experiences that it’s hard to choose only one. However, having not been to Africa before, the first glimpse of elephants, herds of zebras, and giraffes wandering across the expansive pan at Etosha was one that gave me a serious case of goose bumps.

All images © Richard Bernabe

How does Namibia compare to other places you’ve photographed?

The primary reason why we chose Namibia over some of the other Africa destinations was the diverse photography opportunities. Namibia offers jaw dropping, surreal landscapes as well as the wildlife that most of us associate with Africa. It is truly unique in that regards. I’ll be leading a photography workshop and tour in Namibia in 2014 and I love how my students can photograph and learn how to capture a variety of subjects and techniques in the process.

Which photos shot in Namibia are you most proud of?  

All images © Richard Bernabe

I really like this particular image because it’s something very different than the other images you see from the Sossusvlei dune area. I also like its graphic nature and how it makes the viewer think and have to look deeply into the image.

All images © Richard Bernabe

This image depicts exactly how it felt to be in the quiver tree forest as the sun went down and twilight set in. The moon was out and the clouds raced across the sky overhead. It was an amazing evening to be sure.

All images © Richard Bernabe

This photo was created at the water hole just outside the Okaukeujo Rest Camp at Etosha National Park. The lights from the camp illuminating the elephants combined with the deep blues of twilight make this simply magical.

What is your equipment of choice for your Namibian expeditions?

I use Canon digital SLRs and a wide variety of lenses. For this past trip I used lenses from 16mm to 500mm and each was just as important as the other. The quiver tree forest, for example, required wide-angle lenses most of the time while at Etosha I needed long, telephoto lenses for the wildlife.  

For Namibia in particular, I would never leave home without sunscreen.

All images © Richard Bernabe

A photographer friend is desperate to capture the best of Namibia. What top 3 tips would you give them? 

#1: Plan the trip carefully to avoid too much driving time. Namibia is a big country and to see it all requires a lot of travel. By planning and prioritizing what you want to see and photograph, you can spend much more of your time behind the camera and not the steering wheel of a car.

#2: Be open to all sorts of photo opportunities and don’t go out with blinders on. You have coastal landscapes, deserts, dunes, mountains, birds, and large and small mammals. Be prepared for just about anything.

#3: Have fun. Photographers tend to focus only on “getting the shot” and sometimes forget about taking a deep breath, looking around, and enjoying the experience. Namibia is an amazingly beautiful country and it would be a shame to limit that experience to only what can be seen through that tiny viewfinder of the camera.

All images © Richard Bernabe

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