Acclaimed Wildlife Photographer
Bruna Mentrup
PSSA Masters-Multipal National and Local Awards
- National Geographic Photo of the year
About me
Born in Polokwane, North-South Africa, on the outskirts of town on a farm, we witnessed the most beautiful bushveld sunsets in the evenings, which I eagerly awaited for every evening. I will never forget, I asked my dad one evening still as a small child, where the sun came from, his answerer to me, the sun and the moon is made in a factory in Johannesburg. Looking at the sunset the following evening, I thought; it must be a giant factory. When I asked my dad where the stars came from, I was surprised to hear that even the stars came from that unique factory in Johannesburg. And that is how my love for the shades of nature started.
I could describe my childhood years as a creative dreamer and a quiet observer. I would find form in things like clouds and colour where no one else saw it, the domain of an imaginative child, so I was told.
My earliest memories are of the African Bush, her magnificent landscapes and the beating heart of any country privileged to have wildlife. My heart has always belonged to the great outdoors, and I am at my happiest immersed in capturing light as it plays itself out across the landscape and bathes my wildlife subjects, bringing them to life and showing their sheer perfection to my Lens.
I started my wildlife photography journey with nothing but a passion for capturing what I had seen unfold before me for years.
Determined I could achieve that, I set out with the most basic equipment, and eventually, my efforts were rewarded.
I, fortunately, love travel and being in my own company, so I spend months on the road in perfect partnership with the animals, great light, and the
landscape. My confidence grew, and my images started to speak for themselves, so too did my range of equipment, as did the awards.
My proudest moment was, being made a Licentiate by the Photography Society of South Africa. I take so much pride in the steps
I have taken, and it gives me such joy to see my work in magazines and hanging on walls of game lodges across Africa.
My philosophy is that anyone can acquire technical skills in photography. Still, you need heart, passion and a deep
connection with what is around you to capture the finest of what Mother Nature has on offer.
Our current Safari 105 Workshops - 2025
Wildlife 105 Photography
Safari Workshop
2025
Where:
Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, Thabazimbi, Bela Bela
When: Check-In: TBA
Check Out:
Cost:
Available on enquiry
Discount for DPC and camera club members.
For enquiries please contact us on WhatsApp +27 82 809 1918
Duration: 4 nights, 5 Days
Wildlife & Nature 105
Photography Safari Workshop 2025
Where:
Thaba
Bolayi Game Lodge
& Mapungubwe National Park
When: Check-In: TBA
Check Out:
Cost: Available on enquiry
Discount for DPC and camera club members.
For enquiries please contact us on WhatsApp +27 82 809 1918
Duration: 4 nights, 5 Days
Big Five Chobe River 105 Photography Safari Workshop
2025
Where:
Pangolin Chobe Hotel, Kasane, Botswana
When:
Check-In: TBA
Check Out:
Cost: Available on enquiry
Discount for DPC and camera club members.
For enquiries please contact us on WhatsApp +27 82 809 1918
Duration: 6 nights, 7 Days
Bush Fire Wildlife 105 Photography Safari Workshop 2025
Where: Pilanesberg National Park - Manyane Camping Resort
When: Check-In: TBA
Check Out:
Cost: Available on enquiry
Discount for DPC and camera club members.
For enquiries please contact us on WhatsApp +27 82 809 1918
Duration:
2 nights, 3 Days
Basecamp- 2024
Welcome to Photo Basecamp.
Basecamp is a place where we communicate and post images
of all our recent visits on Safri's and Excursions.
We aim to present information about our recent trip and locations
in a fun and informative way. We don't claim to know every
spot in every location, or to give you the only ideas for a shoot.
We do however promise to write about locations as we saw it,
with our personal experiences and tips we found that
we picked up during our travels. This may be a
recommendation to visit certain locations
or even advise to rather stay away.
You may also find advice on places to stay or to eat.
After all travel is all about a complete experience.
Photo Basecamp. Your source of premium photographic
location advice, tutorials and reviews.
Contact Details
Bruna +27 82 809 1918
Leon +27 82 909 5577
bruna@dpc.co.za
Wildlife & Bird Photography Day Excursions - 2025
Online Wildlife 105 Photography Courses - 2025
Essentials to Become a Great Wildlife & Bird Photographer
2025 Online Zoom Courses
We are excited to announce our " Essentials For Great Wildlife And Nature Photography 105 presented by Bruna Mentrup. As a wildlife photographer, I'm always asked what equipment
I use and which accessories I rely on most in the field. I usually carry many odd bits and bobs that can help make life, easier.
In our sessions, we will discuss all aspects of what a wildlife photographer will need. I start with photography equipment and end with technology, pushing your images to the next level.
My philosophy is that anyone can acquire technical skills in photography. Still, you need heart, passion and a deep connection with what is around you to capture the finest of what
Mother Nature has on offer.
This course consists of a 5-day online Zoom training session.
Course - Available on demand
Cost Per Person: For the complete package of 5 sessions: R5000.00 per person
(You choose the dates and time that suits you to attend)
Presented by:
Award-winning photographer Bruna Mentrup presents the course.
Bruna is a professional wildlife photographer, traveller and adventurer.
Online classes for seasonal, professional, or absolute beginners
The most important aspects covered in the Course:
- A complete overview of the interfaces, menus and modules.
- Setting up Editing preferences.
- Importing, image culling and selections.
- Sorting and finding your images.
- Advanced workflow and backup.
- Managing and showing off your portfolio by using Lightroom Classic and Lightroom together.
- Retouching: Travel, Landscape, and Wildlife.
- White balance and working with colour.
- Creating and working with Lightroom presets.
- Preparing your images for output: Printing, and social media.
- Q&A session.
About the Online Course:
We are excited to announce that our Wildlife & Nature Lightroom course now consist of 2-Day online training, presented by by Bruna Mentrup-Nortje.
We cover all the most important aspects of editing wildlife, digital workflow and portfolio management, from importing, sorting, managing and retouching to exporting images for print and online applications. Lear how to edit different types of wild animals and bird species without making your image look artificial. ,
Course details:
Small classes with a maximum of 8 people.
Learn how to use Lightroom, from top to bottom, left to right on your own computer, step by step and under the guidance of an expert.
Course duration:
The course consists of two three-hour online sessions.
Presented by:
Award-winning photographer Bruna Mentrup presents the course. Bruna is a professional wildlife photographer, traveller and adventurer.
Her philosophy is that anyone can acquire technical skills, but the prerequisite for becoming a wildlife photographer is a deep connection with nature.
DATES 2024
13th November
14th November
Zoom Sessions @ 18h00 to 21h00
Cost: R 2100.00 incl. per person
International: USD 226
About the Online Course
The most important aspects covered in the Course:
- Ethics and philosophy of wildlife photography.
- What makes good wildlife photos.
- Visual storytelling in wildlife/nature photography.
- Photography equipment like cameras, lenses and tripods.
- Understanding and optimising your gear.
- Accurate exposure to wildlife photography in various settings.
- Depth-of-field for different focal lengths and subjects.
- Optimal camera settings for speed, focus in low light
- Focus point selection and focusing modes.
- Capturing fast action
- Panning and tracking techniques.
- Simplification in wildlife photography.
- Creative wildlife photography: Composition, impact, drama, action, storytelling and lighting techniques.
- Photographing wildlife with artificial lighting (Off-camera Flash)
- Creating pre-sets in-camera for moving and static animals, small, medium and large
- How to deal with busy backgrounds and dark shadows when capturing wildlife and birds.
- Gear, travelling and logistics.
- Essential digital workflow aspects for wildlife and nature photographers.
Learn How To Edit Wildlife And Birds In Lightroom
With a Proper Workflow - 2025
Online classes for seasonal, professional, or absolute beginners
The most important aspects covered in the Course:
- A complete overview of the interfaces, menus and modules.
- Setting up Editing preferences.
- Importing, image culling and selections.
- Sorting and finding your images.
- Advanced workflow and backup.
- Managing and showing off your portfolio by using Lightroom Classic and Lightroom together.
- Retouching: Travel, Landscape, and Wildlife.
- White balance and working with colour.
- Creating and working with Lightroom presets.
- Preparing your images for output: Printing, and social media.
- Q&A session.
About the Online Course:
We are excited to announce that our Wildlife & Nature Lightroom course now consist of 2-Day online training, presented by by Bruna Mentrup-Nortje.
We cover all the most important aspects of editing wildlife, digital workflow and portfolio management, from importing, sorting, managing and retouching to exporting images for print and online applications. Lear how to edit different types of wild animals and bird species without making your image look artificial. ,
Course details:
Small classes with a maximum of 8 people.
Learn how to use Lightroom, from top to bottom, left to right on your own computer, step by step and under the guidance of an expert.
Course duration:
The course consists of two three-hour online sessions.
Presented by:
Award-winning photographer Bruna Mentrup presents the course. Bruna is a professional wildlife photographer, traveller and adventurer.
Her philosophy is that anyone can acquire technical skills, but the prerequisite for becoming a wildlife photographer is a deep connection with nature.
DATES 2024
13th November
14th November
Zoom Sessions @ 18h00 to 21h00
Cost: R 2100.00 incl. per person
International: USD 226
Bruna at Work
Our Services
Digital Photography Courses
This course is for wildlife enthusiasts who would like to make the most of their time in the wild and turn their snapshots into great shots.
Game Drives & Excursions
Learn how to photograph wildlife when you join Bruna for a wildlife photography Game Drives and Excursion.
Buy Prints
Display the natural essence of Bruna's magnificent wildlife photography, durable printed versions, in your home or office space.
Wedding Photography
Photographs' of your Wedding day will last for generations to come, and this is why choosing the right photographer could be one of the most important decisions you will make.
Digital Services
Digital Marketing is the Future! If you don't have a Digital Marketing Strategy you need to design and implement one.. yesterday already.
Lodges Styling
Changing your lodge appearance to suit the wildlife surrounding it, Bruna is the best person to capture the beauty of your wildlife and make your Lodge stand out from the rest.
My Accomplishments
I relish my time in lectures and out in the bush with students so eager to learn. My teaching leaves me feeling that the further I go, the more my students teach me. It's a wonderfully exciting moment for me.
As an educator at DPC, mentors and friends have taken my photography full circle, and teaching and mentoring have brought me into contact with such talented and fabulous people. I am watching someone start awkwardly and blossom into a confident photographer, proud of their achievements.
Save the Rhino
The fight against Rhino Poaching in South Africa - A Unitrans Volkswagen initiative
It is widely accepted that the overwhelming majority of the South African population, large and small business and a myriad of institutions, are deeply concerned with the current status quo regarding Rhino poaching. Without detracting from the many generous and selfless sponsorships and contributions made to Conservation and to Counter Poaching in particular, the Volkswagen Divisions of Unitrans Automotive felt that there was a need to get closer to the individuals at the coal face and to assist
them in delivering a more effective service. These Field Rangers are up against highly sophisticated
criminals and the need is for our Rangers to be equipped, at least, to an equivalent level.
SANParks and their Honourary Rangers along with the Unitrans Volkswagen Division have entered into an ongoing Sponsorship Agreement to address these imbalances with the belief that by equipping the Field Rangers to the level of sophistication of the Organised Criminals, we would greatly improve the chances of success. Unitrans Volkswagen will contribute an amount per unit retailed monthly to a
Trust to be administered by Trustees appointed by all the parties concerned. The Trustees will be voluntary and will not be remunerated in any way. All proceeds will therefore be
spent exclusively on Counter Poaching.
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Bruna Mentrup-Nortje
Thru My African Lens Photography
and Tours
Tel: 082 809 1918
Email: bruna@dpc.co.za
Our Courses:
- DPC Photography Courses/Workshops - More Information
- DPC Wildlife Photography Courses -
- Photography Safari Workshops
- Online Photography Courses
- Photography Day Excursions
Corporate Events
Malalane Corporate Event
Visual Journeys
Become a part of our Visual Journey, this will make you wanting more.
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