2004
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.
Elephant Herd, 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
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 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
Elephant on Bare Earth, Amboseli
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 Against Sky, Amboseli
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 Mother with Baby Sleeping, 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 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
Elephants Walking Through Grass, Amboseli – Nick Brandt, Elephants, Photography
By Nick Brandt
Located in Zurich, CH
NICK BRANDT (*1966, England) Elephants Walking Through Grass, Amboseli 2008 Platinum print Image 58.42 x 106.68 cm (23 x 42 in.) Sheet 76 x 111.2 cm (29 7/8 x 43 3/4 in.) Edition of ...
Platinum
Elephant on Bare Earth, Amboseli – Nick Brandt, Elephant, Photography, Africa
By Nick Brandt
Located in Zurich, CH
NICK BRANDT (*1966, England) Elephant on Bare Earth, Amboseli 2011 Archival pigment print Sheet 177,8 x 142,24 cm (70 x 56 in.) Edition of 10, p...
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
Large Group of Elephants Walking in Kenya, Horizontal, Wild Animals
By Drew Doggett
Located in US
"Parade" In this timeless portrait taken in Africa, a herd of elephants marches forward. Elephants have incredible memories and each morning and evening for years will walk the same...
Archival Pigment
Large Group of Elephants Walking in Kenya, Horizontal, Wild Animals
By Drew Doggett
Located in US
"Parade" In this timeless portrait taken in Africa, a herd of elephants marches forward. Elephants have incredible memories and each morning and evening for years will walk the same...
Archival Pigment
