Photographers from around the world placed 20 winning images in a new book, with sales and crowdfunding intended to fund on-the-ground giraffe conservation projects
The latest volume in a long-running wildlife photography series brings together 20 selected images of giraffes to raise funds and awareness for these often overlooked giants. This project, titled Remembering Giraffes, gathers work from international photographers and pairs powerful imagery with a fundraising model designed to support practical conservation efforts.
Photographers entered a global photo competition that sought evocative scenes of giraffes in their natural landscapes. The resulting selections not only celebrate the species’ beauty but also document the threats the animals face, including habitat loss, poaching and the effects of civil unrest.
Proceeds from sales and associated campaigns feed into protection projects that operate across Africa and beyond.
The images and the stories behind them
The compilation showcases a range of scenes: intimate moments at a waterhole, dramatic encounters on the savannah and quiet parent–young interactions.
One notable contribution by Mark Fernley, called The Language of Touch, captures three bull Masai giraffes gently entwining their necks at a waterhole in Shompole Conservancy, Kenya. Fernley described the scene as an unexpected display of tactile social behavior, a softer counterpoint to the more familiar images of combative sparring among males. Such photographs reveal both the grandeur and the subtle social life of these animals.
From image to impact: how sales fund protection
The book is the 11th edition in a series that channels photographic sales into practical conservation. Since the series began in 2016 it has donated more than $1.64 million (about £1.2 million) to 82 projects across 35 countries. These funds have supported anti-poaching patrols, veterinary interventions and community-led conservation initiatives. The model is straightforward: powerful images draw attention, purchases generate income, and that income is directed to vetted projects working in the field.
Crowdfunding success and community support
A Kickstarter campaign launched in March to help produce the new volume saw rapid early backing, surpassing £107,000 within 48 hours. That early momentum demonstrated public appetite for conservation-focused photography and provided early capital to complete the book. The campaign offered tiered rewards for supporters and helped amplify the book’s message across social media and conservation networks.
Why giraffes need attention now
Giraffe populations have declined sharply in many regions; estimates indicate a drop of around 40% over recent decades in some parts of Africa. Because giraffes are generally quiet and non-confrontational, their decline often receives less public notice than that of more charismatic predators. The book aims to change that by presenting images that make the species’ plight visible and by channeling the proceeds to organisations that can implement tangible measures on the ground.
Examples of on-the-ground interventions
Projects funded by previous editions of the series illustrate the range of interventions: rapid veterinary response to treat injured animals, support for ranger teams operating in fragile landscapes, and community projects that promote coexistence between people and wildlife. One example cited in the competition highlights veterinary teams and local rangers treating a giraffe injured by a poison arrow, showing how combined field response and community engagement can give individual animals a second chance.
Contributors and curation
The 20 winners sit alongside images donated by leading wildlife photographers, including names such as Wim van den Heever and Daryl Balfour, who also served as judges for this year’s selection. Entries came from photographers across continents and encompassed all four recognized giraffe species. Organisers emphasize the dual goals of celebrating artistic excellence and directing attention and resources to conservation.
Margot Raggett, founder and producer of the series, noted that the competition attracted striking submissions and that the winning photographers deserve recognition for contributing work that supports meaningful action. The book will appear on October 12, 2026, with images intended to both document and inspire ongoing protection efforts for giraffes.
For readers and supporters who want to learn more or contribute, the project maintains an online presence where the public can find details about the book, the fundraising campaign and the specific conservation beneficiaries. The initiative exemplifies how visual storytelling can be converted into practical support for wildlife when audiences are mobilized around both art and purpose.
