What inspired you to work for Penda Photo Tours?
My safari trip in Tanzania inspired me. Back in 2020, I was immediately captivated and very touched by the breathtaking nature and the wildlife. It was a journey into another world that fascinated me from the first moment. The colorful charm of Africa, the nature, the wildlife and the cheerful, warm-hearted people enchanted me so much that the desire to live there one day grew even more.
Throughout my trip to Africa, I also developed my passion for photography. Photos are no longer just photos to me. They tell stories, evoke feelings and bring back memories.
I am very interested in tourism. In my opinion, marketing is an essential aspect of the tourism industry. As a creative person, I have a great interest in developing the right strategy for each client, presenting products and seeing innovative ideas become reality. It is important for me to create advertisements that appeal to the emotions of people.
Penda Photo Tours makes it possible for me to combine both my passion for travel & photography for my career. What I also love about Penda is the way they give other people the opportunity to find their own voice and speak up for themselves through photography.
Going crazy looking at that gorgeous sunrise over the glistening water in Zakynthos.
Why do you do what you do?
The internship is part of my studies. I wanted to do something different, not the typical 7 to 5 office job that everyone does. I love traveling and I wanted to try out what it's like to work remotely from a different country because I can imagine working abroad in the future, at least for a few months a year.
What is your favorite part of your job?
The favorite part of the job is seeing the happy faces and pictures from the photography tours and workshops, and turning them into inspiring content. It is always nice to get positive feedback from the participants, which strengthens your self-confidence and gives you the feeling that you have done everything right.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
I am always afraid of being on my own, because I am a shy person and I need time to open up to others. It is difficult for me to start a conversation with a stranger. I try to tell myself that in the worst case we had a nice chat and never talked again. However, best case scenario, I meet someone who is going to be a good friend of mine.
As an intern I am afraid of making a mistake because I’m not a native english speaker and I might misunderstand some things or I may not understand anything at all. After each task, I ask for feedback to make sure everything went right and to get suggestion for improvement.
G´Day mate! Cheers from Australia! Took a selfie with a kangaroo while is Australia.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
To my pre-travel self, I would advise not to plan everything in detail in advance. It's totally fine to inform yourself about the country, their culture, their way of life and habits about the security but there is no need to exaggerate it. You don't have to go crazy.
Once you have arrived, give yourself enough time to seattle in before complaining. Always remember life is different than back home. You will be able to learn and fit in quickly. There will be bad days or days when you´ll feel lonely, but that’s okay.
Try to be open minded, talk to locals and get advice. But the most important thing is to enjoy every minute and be grateful for the opportunity to live somewhere else.
What makes Penda Photo Tours special?
Penda Photo Tours is a tour operator that sells and runs photography tours all over the world, especially in Africa. We take photographers of all levels to the most inspiring places in the world and help them improve their skills with professional photographers.
Besides that, Penda Photo Tours also runs a nonprofit photography program. Photography is a tool that can communicate, transform and inspire and is understandable for everyone. They offer free professional photography to grassroots nonprofit organizations in Southern Africa. It gives the organization powerful visual tools to raise awareness for their social impact, environmental, or wildlife conservation causes.
We also organize photography workshops for kids from underprivileged backgrounds to encourage confidence and spark creativity. With Penda Photo Tours, you can improve your photography skills, explore the most breathtaking places in the world and give back to good causes at the same time.
Why should someone choose Penda Photo Tours over competitors?
We do not offer typical safari tours but unique photo tours far away from mass tourism. Experts, local guides, and trackers will ensure that you’ll have incredible angles for photography even when we go off-road.
Penda Photo Tours only work with exclusively selected photographers whom they know very well and trust. Each tour is accompanied by a professional photographer which will offer tutoring, both during lectures at your lodge, and while you’re out taking photos. Since we will have a maximum of six people, there will be plenty of time to work with everyone individually, making this an ideal trip for photographers of all levels.
It is hard to beat this view on top of lion's head in Cape Town, South Africa
What hopes do you have for the future for Penda Photo Tours?
One of the biggest hopes is that Penda Photo Tours will grow and get more attention from all kinds of audiences. With more reach, we would be able to offer different types of tours more often than once or twice a year.
Furthermore, we could add some new tours or combine them. Another hope is that Penda Trust will become better known and involve as many people as possible to convey more understanding of the impact photography can have.
What is Penda Photo Tours’ mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Penda Photo Tours mission is to run affordable photo tours, photography volunteer programs, and nonprofit photography workshops that all make an impact where it is needed. An impact on people’s lives, an impact on our planet, or an impact on wildlife conservation. It is always important to stay updated and to know how the consumer behavior changes over a specific period of time and to offer new deals accordingly.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
Great photography is our mission, so we hope that we could help them to improve their theoretical knowledge and technical skills. We hope that our participants will take away a unique experience full of new impressions that remain. And of course we hope that they will take away a lot of fun and have lots of laughs, possibly enough to join us on a tour again.
If you could participate on one of Penda Photo Tours’ programs, where would you go and what would you do?
I would like to go on the South African Photo Safari with Alan Hewitt. I already did a safari trip in Tanzania but it was a common tourist safari.
The photo safari with Alan in Timbavati’s Game Reserve is a unique experience far away from mass tourism. You’ll have private use to a lodge that is in the middle of the reserve, surrounded by wildlife and beautiful scenery. Alan, a professional wildlife and conservation photographer, helps with his expertise to get the best shots. This trip is a dream of every hobby photographer and a dream of mine.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
A basic understanding of a particular culture can increase your own cultural sensitivity. It can help you avoid misunderstandings and embarrassment. This is a valuable skill not only in the workplace, but also in everyday life. Learning about other cultures can broaden your horizons.
It's a great way to absorb new information and see things from different perspectives. You will probably become more open-minded. If you make an effort to understand others, you will find it easier to respect and accept their differences. I believe that we can learn a lot from them.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
A foreign language opens up new perspectives and allows you to understand other people better. You'll also travel more relaxed and have more fun if you can communicate at least in a basic way. Speaking another language also means that you can more easily make new friends with people you might otherwise never have come into contact with.
Windy hair and don't care. I enjoyed the windy breeze on the beach in Sardegna!
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
You should think about what kind of trip you are planning to do. For example, a business trip, holiday, work & travel, studies or voluntary work, because you prepare yourself differently depending on the trip.
You should also be clear about whether you are traveling alone or with others. Be open and curious about other cultures. Be respectful and fit in. Have a lot of fun but always remember there might be bad days too and that's okay.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel for me means that I get to explore different parts of the country, get to know the culture and probably learn the language (or at least some basics). I don't want to hang around in a holiday resort the entire time. I want to combine my trip with something meaningful like voluntary work and experience adventures that I will remember for the rest of my life.
