We spoke to Johan to find out more about the man behind the lens.My name is Johan Siggesson, and I am from Sweden. I have been living in Malta since 2002. I am a fine art wildlife photographer who focuses on capturing the essence of wild animals in their natural environment. My goal is to show their beauty and character through my photos. I have a deep respect for nature and want to highlight the importance of protecting wildlife for future generations.
I do wildlife photography, though perhaps not in the traditional sense. Wildlife photography often focuses on capturing unique behaviours, rare animals, and is often used for scientific or educational purposes. My approach is more fine art-oriented, where I focus on creating a piece of art rather than simply documenting wildlife.
My aim is to produce visually impactful images using traditional photographic practices, images that people would want to hang on their walls.
From a young age, I was fascinated by animals, especially the iconic African species like lions and elephants. I spent every chance I got watching wildlife documentaries.
Later, I studied computer science, graphic design, and web design in school. Together with my wife, I ran a design studio here in Malta for many years. However, after a photographic safari in Kenya in 2012, I realised it was time for a change. Wildlife photography felt like the perfect fusion of my passion for nature and my love for visual storytelling.
From that point on, I gradually shifted my focus from design to photography, minimising design work until photography became my full-time job.
If I had to describe my work in 10 words they would be:
Artistic wildlife photography blending nature, storytelling, and visual impact.
I sell through my own website, through personal contacts and through galleries in Malta, Stockholm and Taipei.
One of my favorite images is a piece titled ‘Soul to Soul’. It’s a shot I had envisioned for nearly a decade before all the elements finally came together in a single moment. Like most wildlife photography, it may seem simple at first glance until you understand the story behind it.
The image captures a lioness drinking from a small waterhole in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Park. Seems straightforward, right? But in wildlife photography, things rarely go exactly as planned. Wild animals don’t follow scripts or take direction, making it nearly impossible to get them to do exactly what you envision.
For most wildlife photography, a low shooting angle is key, as it creates a more intimate perspective and allows for direct eye contact. However, working from a safari vehicle you are positioned high above the ground which makes this incredibly challenging. Since stepping out of the vehicle was out of the question, we had to find a location where the vehicle sat lower than the waterhole. That alone is rare, especially when an animal is drinking.
This time, luck was on my side. We found the perfect spot where my camera was nearly at water level. The waterhole itself was small, allowing us to get relatively close. But that was just the first step.
Now, I needed the lioness to choose the exact spot directly across from me for a straight-on shot. She had hundreds of other places to drink from. On top of that, I needed her to reach out far enough to get her face free of tall grass or shrubs that could obscure her face. And most importantly, I needed her to have her tongue out while making direct eye contact with the camera.
Eye contact in the animal world is a big deal—it’s often associated with dominance or aggression. Most animals instinctively avoid it, and to them, the front of a camera lens might resemble a giant eye, making them even more hesitant.
For years, I had watched countless lions drink, hoping for this exact shot. But each time, at least one crucial element was missing.
This time, without knowing, the lioness followed all my silent requests. She chose the right waterhole, she paused at the perfect spot, drank at the right moment, and, just as I had imagined for nearly a decade, looked straight into my camera. Soul to Soul…
I focused on African wildlife, but I am considering expanding it to include other iconic species from different continents. Tigers in India are at the top of my list. We’ll see if it happens.
People with a strong passion inspire me, and not just within the arts. I admire those who dedicate countless hours to something out of the norm and succeed against all odds. It could be someone solving a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded in seconds, an athlete who has sacrificed everything to become the best, or anti-poaching unit members risking their lives daily to protect endangered wildlife.
A similar story within the arts that inspired me is that of Vivian Maier. She was a nanny who spent decades photographing life on the streets of Chicago, New York, and beyond. She never shared her incredible work with the world until someone found her undeveloped negatives just a few years before she passed away.
Today, Vivian Maier is known as one of the greatest street photographers of the 20th century.
If I wasn’t an artist, I think I would have worked in marketing. I love how marketing connects with the human mind and influences ones decisions. I find it exciting how psychology plays a big role in why people choose certain products or brands. I think the mix of creativity and strategy is very interesting.
Apart from spending time with my family, there’s nothing like sitting alone at the back of a safari vehicle, driving through the wide open savannah, scanning the horizon for animals. I am convinced it’s a deep, natural feeling that many of us share, but few get to experience. This is one of my favourite feelings
Although I like colours privately, in my work I find it more of a distraction than an asset. In fact, most of my work is monochrome. Someone once said: “When you photograph people in colour, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls.” I know some will disagree but I just love this quote and of course I apply this to animals too. So if I have to choose a colour I would say black.
And Johan’s favourite indulgence?
Easiest question of the day with a straight up answer: Chocolate!
