It’s a lifetime ambition, topping many a bucket list.

Out on safari and observing at close hand some of the planet’s most impressive creatures roaming wild in their natural habitats.

But for professional wildlife photographer William Fortescue, it’s his day job.

Not that the 26-year-old, who lives near Blandford, takes it for granted.

“If I had to draw up a specification for my dream job, I reckon I’ve pretty much got it,” said William.

William, on location in Tanzania, photographing the African wild dog, used as our main image above.

Based in Kenya’s Masai Mara, he’s the in-house photographer for the Governors’ Camp Collection, the specialist in classic safaris under canvas with seven camps in East Africa.

Six are in Kenya and one is in Rwanda.

William runs photographic safaris for guests and also creates the company’s marketing content.

His ‘workplace’ includes locations such as Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, known for its large elephant herds and views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

“It’s home to about 1,700 elephants and there’s currently a baby boom,” said William.

Last year he spent eight months, working in Africa.

This year the pandemic – and a resulting 90 per cent drop in tourism numbers – reduced that to five months.

But it also presented opportunities that would never have normally existed.

William, a former student at Sherborne School, said: “I have spent 90 days in the back of a Land Rover photographing the wildlife that, for once, is undisturbed.

“From a purely photographic point of view it has been an amazing three months, spending a total of 550 hours on safari.

“It’s been perfect because the cornerstone of my photography is to depict wild animals in their natural environment.

“My presence should in no way influence their behaviour.

“Of course, this has been a tragic time for the community and tourism.

“We’ve been having to run emergency food supplies to villages around the game reserves we operate in.”

Wildlife photography and conservation has been the only career William has known.

After leaving school he went to work in the Masai Mara, as an intern for Governors’ Camp Collection.

He learnt how to host safaris, run a lodge and began developing his first photographs.

For two years he returned to Kenya and Governors’ before deciding to fully pursue wildlife photography.

It led him to Falmouth University where he graduated with a first class BA Hons in Marine and Natural History Photography.

The specialist three-year degree was dedicated to teaching wildlife photography, film making and conservation.

William returned to Governors’ Camp Collection as its resident photographer in January 2019.

He is also a contributing writer to NatureTTL, a platform offering high quality photography tutorials, as well as a ‘Lens in the Wild’ for The Uproar, a global, mobile focused media platform enabling individuals to make a difference in the world.

William said: “As a wildlife photographer it is impossible not to be deeply affected by the destruction of the natural world.

“It is vital to me that my work is able to help not only raise positive awareness for what must be done but also make a financial contribution to its safe keeping.

“Each year I choose a charity to donate ten per cent of my print profits.

“For 2020 this has been Tusk, a charity at the forefront of effective, progressive conservation in Africa.

“I was also asked earlier in the year to contribute to Prints for Wildlife, a global print sale campaign involving 150 of the world’s leading wildlife photographers which raised $660,000 for African Parks Network.

“This, alongside Prints for Conservation, another fundraiser to which I contribute prints, provides critical relief to conservation organisations in East Africa where so much of my work is taken.”

 William, pictured left, is now back in the UK launching a new print collection for Christmas.

All are printed and framed in Dorset.

They comprise some of his most popular images from the last few years and are only available for a limited time, finishing on December 14 to ensure delivery before Christmas.

Each 45cm x 30cm print comes hand signed with a ‘buy one, get one half price’ deal available, also until December 14.

Images and details can be found by clicking here.

William said: “My images have raised just over £13,000 for vital conservation efforts this year, which is something I’m really proud of.

“I appreciate how fortunate I am to be so immersed in my work and surrounded by people striving to conserve the environment.

“I, hopefully, have a long time left in my career.

“I intend to make sure I spend it documenting how our relationship with the world around us changes, hopefully for the better.”

• williamfortescue.com