About Me

Sebastian Kennerknecht
On assignment in Zambia in 2020.

Bio: Sebastian Kennerknecht is a wildlife and conservation photographer with over fifteen years of experience visually covering wildlife and environmental issues internationally, focusing in particular on wild cats. He has produced high quality editorial photographs, time-lapses, videos, and web content featured in and by the New York Times, Washington Post, BBC Wildlife, Smithsonian, The Economist, Science, and Conservation International, among others. Using highly customized SLR camera traps, along with conventional photographic techniques, he works closely with field biologists to both effectively and ethically capture photographs of some of the rarest cats on the planet while also highlighting the threats they face. Working for conservation organizations and on magazine assignments, Sebastian has photographed thirty-one of the forty species of wild felids, in twenty-nine different countries.

Sebastian graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution from the University of California – Santa Cruz, won NANPA’s emerging photographer award, and is an associate fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers.

Additionally, Sebastian owns and runs Cat Expeditions and Whale Expeditions with his wife Rachel, bringing people eye-to-eye with wild cats and cetaceans around the world through luxury photo safaris that have a direct impact on conservation.

Philosophy: My photography is my best tool for doing what I care about most, conserving and protecting wildlife in peril. I am also a strong believer of partnerships and I treasure all of the dedicated people and conservation groups I have had the pleasure to work with. I truly feel, that by working together, we can make the necessary differences for the wild animals we love so much.

Working with my good friend Waleed Al’Rail in Yemen for three months!
After a long day with the ‘forest guys’ as they like to call themselves in Borneo, Malaysia.
Phillip Henschel, who works for Panthera, was hugely integral into getting the leopard shots in Lope National Park in Gabon. With his help the park service will also benefit from the pictures.
Phillip Henschel, who works for Panthera, was hugely integral into getting the leopard shots in Lope National Park in Gabon. With his help the park service will also benefit from the pictures.
Working with Laila Bahaa-el-din and Arthur Dibambo was a huge honor and pleasure. By working together we were able to get pictures of Leopards in Gabon and other wildlife that will benefit the outreach potential of Panthera.
Working with Laila Bahaa-el-din and Arthur Dibambo was a huge honor and pleasure. By working together we were able to get pictures of Leopards in Gabon and other wildlife that will benefit the outreach potential of Panthera.
Andrew Hearn, Gilmoore Bolongon, and myself in lowland rainforest in Malaysian Borneo. All of us worked together to get photographs of the wild cats of Borneo to help both Andrew and Gil for their research as well as WildCRU and Panthera. You guys are the best!
African Golden Cat (Profelis aurata aurata) researchers, David Mills and Sam Isoke, walking through rainforest, Kibale National Park, western Uganda
Working together with biologist friends Alejandra Rocio Torrez Tarqui and Juan Carlos Huaranca was truly amazing.
Working together with biologist friends Alejandra Rocio Torrez Tarqui and Juan Carlos Huaranca was truly amazing.
Wow, working with Juan Ignacio Reppucci and Cintia Tellaeche was incredible!
Wow, working with Juan Ignacio Reppucci and Cintia Tellaeche was incredible!
It wasn't always just work with Stephanny Arroyo-Arce and Ian Thomson, but boy did we get a lot done in Costa Rica!
It wasn’t always just work with Stephanny Arroyo-Arce and Ian Thomson, but boy did we get a lot done in Costa Rica!
These two guys, Khalil Karimov and Shannon Kachel, are work horses and amazing people.
These two guys, Khalil Karimov and Shannon Kachel, are work horses and amazing people.
Cat in Thin Air Crew, could not do it without you!
Rahim, John, and Dan — the hands crew in Kyrgyzstan
Shannon Kachel, the biological genius!
Zambian all star conservation family!
Zambian all star conservation family!

In terms of what I am willing to do to get the picture, its easy, the welfare of the animal comes first, everything else is secondary.

Want to find out more and connect? I would love to chat! Just follow me on facebook, or instagram.