The process of shooting and editing this cheetah photo

I’ve been traveling to Tanzania for over a decade, and as I looked back on my photos, I noticed a significant shift in how I capture moments. Some might say it results from growing as a photographer, while others might point to advancements in my gear. But I believe the fundamental transformation lies in how I see the world—shaped by my experiences and the changes in my personal life.

With time, I’ve come to cherish each adventure more deeply. A decade ago, I never thought about the possibility that any given trip could be my last in East Africa. Now, every safari feels like a privilege. This shift in perspective has influenced the way I document my journeys. I no longer focus solely on capturing that one perfect image. Instead, I strive to tell a fuller story—showing animals in the context of their environment, their daily struggles, and their interactions with one another. I think about my family back home, who may never witness these wonders firsthand, and I want my images to bring them into these wild moments with me.

I want to share part of that storytelling approach by focusing on a memorable encounter—a mother cheetah with her cubs just after she secured a meal for them. This moment is part of a more extensive series that tells a complete story, but I want to zoom in on this particular scene for now. I’ll walk you through my thought process—what I was looking for, why I selected this image, and the editing steps I took to bring the final shot to life.

Here are the images I saw in real time, giving you a glimpse into this incredible encounter.

Why this photo?

A mother cheetah faces immense challenges in raising her cubs. She can give birth to one to eight cubs per litter, averaging four. However, in my experience, only two to four typically survive.

For approximately 18 months, she has dedicated herself to protecting, feeding, and teaching her cubs how to survive. Though they aren’t fully proficient hunters by the time they reach independence, male and female siblings often stick together for a few extra months to refine their skills.

Vigilance is key to their survival. While we see cheetahs as formidable predators, their young are vulnerable to threats from hyenas, lions, leopards, and wild dogs. This dual role of hunter and protector forces the mother to make difficult choices, such as leaving her cubs alone while she hunts. As observers, we experience our dilemma: do we stay with the cubs, knowing their vulnerability, or do we follow the mother, hoping to witness a spectacular cheetah chase?

In this particular image, I wanted to tell the story of a mother’s devotion. She had just secured a meal for her cubs—an essential part of their survival. My goal was to capture the act of feeding and her ever-present vigilance. Notice how she stands guard, scanning the horizon while her cubs eat. I needed to show this balance: the young focused on their meal while the mother remained alert to any potential danger.

Camera settings & gear

• Camera: Nikon Z9 (my go-to mirrorless camera)
• Lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR
• Aperture: f/8 – Since the cheetahs were moving around the carcass, I adjusted my aperture to ensure all three remained in focus at about 40–45 meters (130–147 feet) away. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend using PhotoPills to calculate the depth of field for your camera/lens combination before your trip.
• Shutter speed: 1/2000 sec – A cheetah can spring into action at any moment. I always keep my shutter speed high to capture sudden movements. If the scene is calm, I lower it to reduce ISO.
• ISO: 2000 – I usually set ISO to auto. Modern mirrorless cameras handle high ISO well, allowing me to focus on composition rather than constantly adjusting exposure settings.
• Focus mode: Wide Area (Large) with animal eye detection enabled.

Key decisions behind this shot

1. Capturing eye contact – I wanted a shot in which the mother acknowledged my presence. Her gaze adds an emotional connection between the viewer and the subject.
2. Including all three cheetahs – The cub in the background wasn’t always visible, so I waited for the right moment to frame all three together.
3. Conveying emotion – I sorted through my images to find one where the mother’s expression clearly communicated her wariness. Here, she doesn’t look impressed with how close we were—an important moment that tells a story.
4. Showing the kill – Positioning was crucial. I wanted to ensure the zebra pelt was visible to emphasize the reality of survival in the wild.
5. Photographing at eye level – In a safari vehicle, you have two choices: shoot from the top or through the side window. I opted for the latter, remaining seated to align my camera at eye level with the cheetahs for a more immersive perspective.
6. Stabilizing in a moving vehicle – Safari vehicles aren’t always the steadiest platforms. To counteract movement, I braced myself and used a beanbag (or a rolled-up jacket) to stabilize my camera.
7. Photographing in burst mode – Wildlife moments unfold in an instant. Instead of waiting for the “perfect shot,” I shot in burst mode, reviewing the sequence later to select the best frame. Digital memory is cheap; missing the moment is not.
8. Patience over impulse – Standard safaris rush from species to species, but an authentic photo safari demands patience. Instead of snapping a cheetah lying in tall grass, I waited for a meaningful interaction to unfold.

Post-processing: Bringing the image to life

1. Cropping for composition
I positioned the cheetahs slightly off-center, ensuring they weren’t cramped. I left negative space in the direction they were facing to give the image a balanced feel.

2. Enhancing the subject
Since the lighting was soft and diffused due to overcast skies, I made only minor adjustments:

• Lightened the mother’s eyes for a stronger connection.
• Lowered highlights to maintain detail.
• Increased contrast and slightly boosted luminosity to help the cheetahs stand out.
• Applied selective sharpening to enhance the fur texture.

3. Refining the background
There wasn’t much to adjust, as the soft lighting eliminated harsh highlights. However, I slightly reduced the clarity and texture in the background to subtly separate it from the subjects—just a personal preference.

4. Enhanced orange color
Why, you ask? Prey animals like Gazelle have dichromatic vision. This means they often see the color orange as green because they are “red-green colorblind,” meaning their eyes only have receptors for blue and green light, making them unable to distinguish between reds and oranges. This is particularly relevant to predators like Cheetah, whose orange fur would appear more camouflaged as a greenish hue to their prey, aiding in stealth. This adds to the story I try to tell when photographing on safari.

5. Keywording for organization
To quickly find and categorize this image later, I tagged it with relevant keywords: Cheetah, safari, Kevin Pepper, Kevin Pepper Photography, Akari Photo Tours, Tanzania, Serengeti, February 2022, cheetah cubs, zebra kill, Namiri Plains, safari vehicle, photo workshop.

A photo series depicting the life of a cheetah

During each safari, I capture a series of photos showcasing as many animal species as possible. My goal is to tell a visual story—a day in the life of these incredible creatures—so those back home who may never have the chance to visit these places can better understand the wildlife and their environments.

Final thoughts

As I’ve mentioned before, when photographing on safari, it’s important to remember the people back home who may never have the chance to witness these incredible moments. While photography is a deeply personal passion, approaching it as a storyteller allows you to create images that truly transport your audience into the experience. I didn’t always think this way—it was only after my grandchildren were born that I started seeing my photography differently, wanting to share not just images but the essence of these adventures. Hopefully, this perspective helps you refine your storytelling sooner than I did. 😉

If you’re inspired to experience an African safari firsthand, check out the safaris we lead with Akari Photo Tours. We’d love to help you capture unforgettable moments in the wild.