Since childhood I have been fascinated by stories of black panthers. For me, no animal is shrouded in more mystery, no animal more elusive, and no animal more beautiful. A photo of a black leopard under the stars would be both the rarest and most difficult wildlife photo I had attempted to date. My ambition was clear, but my chances of achieving my dream photograph were far from certain. Will Burrard-Lucas, 2021
British wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas has launched an exclusive collection of Fine Art prints that support the protection of endangered wildlife by raising awareness and funds for vital conservation projects in Africa.
In Kenya in 2019, Will used his own, pioneering nocturnal camera trap technology to capture an unprecedented series of photographs of the rare Black Panther, or African Black Leopard. Following the publication of his book The Black Leopard: My Quest to Photograph one of Africa's Most Elusive Big Cats in 2021, Will is offering a highly limited edition of these extraordinary images to collectors.
Each image in the collection is available as a carbon transfer print, a traditional handmade photographic process which predates gelatin silver printing and is favoured by art collectors thanks to its beauty, texture, deep blacks and longevity, carbon being incredibly stable over time.
The launch of these works offers collectors the opportunity not just to acquire images of such rarity, but to directly support efforts to protect and conserve Africa's most precious wildlife: 20% of proceeds from the sale of Will's prints is being used to fund donations of high-quality equipment for rangers and conservation organizations in Africa through Will's brand-new Escarpment initiative. Escarpment's donation of equipment direct from source means that funds will stretch to approximately double the donation of equipment compared to that purchased at retail by conservation groups.
Prints are available in a highly limited edition and only by private request, signed and numbered, direct from the artist via
www.willbl.com for between £2,000 and £15,000. For further information on Escarpment see
www.escarpment.com
African Black Leopard_Photographed at Laikipia Wilderness Camp Kenya 2019 © Will Burrard-Lucas
African Black Leopard_Photographed at Laikipia Wilderness Camp Kenya 2019 © Will Burrard-Lucas
African Black Leopard_Photographed at Laikipia Wilderness Camp Kenya 2019 © Will Burrard-Lucas
African Black Leopard_Photographed at Laikipia Wilderness Camp Kenya 2019 © Will Burrard-Lucas
Will has worked with numerous conservation groups, undertaking assignments with large organisations such as WWF and partnering with local NGOs on ambitious projects lasting many months. His images are used to raise awareness of conservation issues on an international level, to illustrate outreach and educational content aimed at local communities, and to raise funds for conservation efforts through print and book sales.
AWARDS
2022 - Winner, Living Planet, Travel Photographer of the Year
2021 - Winner, Animal Portraits, Nature Photographer of the Year
2021 - Highly Commended in the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year
2021 - Overall Winner of the Spanish MontPhoto Awards
2021 - Winner in the Book category, Communication Arts 2021 Photography Annual
2019 & 2020 - Siena International Photo Awards
2019 - Travel Photographer of the Year
2017 & 2021 - Sony World Photography Awards
2016, 2017 & 2018 - GDT European Wildlife Photographer of the Year
2021 TATE MODERN COMMISSION
In autumn 2021, Will was commissioned by Tate Modern, London, to collaborate on a major new site-specific work by conceptual artist Anicka Yi as part of the gallery's annual Hyundai Commission. Anicka Yi's artwork consists of artificial intelligence beings which interact with their environment, and as a wildlife photographer, Will was asked to photograph the behaviour and character of these beings for a book to accompany the exhibition.
PUBLISHED BOOKS
In 2019 Will's collaboration with the Tsavo Trust, aimed at documenting the last of Africa's Big Tusker elephants, culminated in the 2019 publication of his book Land of Giants, which raised awareness and funds in support of the Tsavo Trust. In Kenya in 2019, Will used his pioneering nocturnal camera trap technology to capture an unprecedented series of photographs of a rare African black leopard. The project was followed in 2021 by the publication of Will's book The Black Leopard: My Quest to Photograph one of Africa's Most Elusive Big Cats.
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All About Will Burrard-Lucas
The Black Leopard by Will Burrard-Lucas 
