For the love of adventure – 20 years across Africa. 

Sitting on the beach in Southern California, I reflect on the astonishing journey of the past 20 years spent capturing photographic adventures across Africa. Stepping onto the rich red soil, I was immediately transformed. The sights, smells, and sounds of those raw, untamed landscapes were nothing short of magic. Africa isn’t just a place you see in words or images; it’s an experience you must feel to truly comprehend.

I have been privileged to document the continent’s breathtaking landscapes, rich tribal heritage, and diverse wildlife. From the most exotic tribal areas deep in South Sudan, Southern Ethiopia, and Northern Kenya to the rainforest of Rwanda and Uganda, across the sweeping savannahs of East Africa, and through the wild wilderness of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia, each journey has been a tapestry of unforgettable moments frozen in time. These photographs are not just images; they are stories etched in light and shadow, reflecting the heartbeat of a continent that continues to inspire and humble me. They are also the footprints of my life. 

Overwhelmed by reckless beauty, the early years were captured in vivid color. As the world changed rapidly with technology, I turned to the powerful, sophisticated monochrome style of infrared, retracing my footsteps to create images that gave a powerful glimpse into the raw and wild lands I first experienced. I aimed to create a timeless body of work before the traditions and wild places melted into the fast-approaching modern world. 

The last 3-4 years have been filled with extremely unexpected challenges, one after another, which delayed a few projects. However, you can take a sneak peek at my new site, which is host to my fine art prints showcasing my infrared work—www.PiperMackay.com. The official launch, once all the corrections have been made, will be at the end of 2024. 

Speaking of the challenges, when my feet hit the pavement in Southern California about every six months, I take a big breath, loving my time back at the beach and visiting friends and family, and the break is always needed. However, once I catch my breath and feel normalized for a few minutes, something triggers the soul as it did this morning. I was scrolling while having my first cup of coffee and stopped on some photographs, recognizing the place to be the Congo, and instantly, my heart was racing with excitement as we will be there next year! 

Before the iPhone and Instagram ushered in crowds, commercialism, and modernization across Africa, those early years were the most exhilarating of my life. This motivates me to persevere through all challenges, knowing there are still a few hidden gems—wild, underexplored places brimming with authentic, unique, and rare experiences. However, these last places will soon become just another crowded tourist destination. I know this because I’ve witnessed precious, pristine places transform rapidly before my eyes, at a pace faster than I could have ever imagined.

Deep in the experience, surrounded by exotic wildlife or exotic tribes, is when I feel most alive. Visiting California always puts this in perspective.  In Africa, I am where I belong. My work feels incomplete. Not while I can travel to and capture these last remote rare places before the experience is forever changed! 

At the end of a journey, you can shake the dust from your boots, but Africa remains in your soul in a way no other place can.