About Peter Delany | Wildlife Photographer
My Artistic Vision
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"Through the timeless elegance of black-and-white photography, I capture the untamed spirit of Africa, transforming raw moments into museum-quality fine art prints that tell stories of the wild."
An Irishman in Africa: Capturing the Wild
Born and raised in Ireland during economic hardship, I left my homeland for London’s fast-paced financial district, where I spent 14 years as a money broker. It was a life of adrenaline and high stakes, but a single moment changed everything.
St Pauls Cathedral
During a lunch break, I wandered into a bookshop and picked up a photography book by Don McCullin. One image—a portrait of a homeless Irishman—stopped me in my tracks. I was struck by the raw emotion it evoked. That moment ignited something in me: a deep appreciation for the power of photography to tell stories beyond words.
Retrospective-Don McCullin
This Photograph changed my life….
I immersed myself in photography, devouring books, attending exhibitions, and studying the greats. But it was the 1995 BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition that set my course. Among the breathtaking images, Cherry Alexander’s Blue Iceberg stood out. It wasn’t just a photograph; it was art. And I knew then that I wanted to create images that transcended documentation—images that moved people.
This photograph “Blue Iceberg” by Cherry Alexander inspired Peter to choose the Natural World as his genre.
In 2001, I left my career behind and embarked on an adventure I had dreamed of for years—driving across Africa in a Landcruiser. From the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to the snow-capped peaks of Kilimanjaro, from kayaking in Malawi’s crystal-clear waters to floating over the Kalahari dunes in a hot-air balloon, I experienced the untamed beauty of the continent in a way that changed me forever.
One night in a remote tented camp, I picked up a book by Frans Lanting, and it all became clear—I wasn’t going back to finance. My future was in fine art wildlife photography.
From Ireland to Africa: A Unique Perspective
I sold my home in the UK and settled in South Africa’s Garden Route, fully committing to my new life. With no formal training, I took a leap of faith, and in time, my work gained international recognition. I’ve had the privilege of being published in National Geographic, winning the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year award three times, and exhibiting my work worldwide.
But beyond the accolades, what I cherish most is the life I’ve built here with my wife, Nicolinah, and our three sons, Neo, Lerato, and Shay.
My Irish roots and African experiences have shaped my vision. Through my lens, I aim to capture not just wildlife but the soul of the wild—images that resonate on a deeply human level. Whether it’s the power of a lion’s gaze, the intricate textures of a landscape, or the quiet connection between animals, my photography is an invitation to see the world with curiosity, reverence, and wonder.
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Moments & Achievements
"My passion for black-and-white fine art photography has been recognized globally—from features in National Geographic to multiple awards in Wildlife Photographer Of The Year—and drives my collaborations with leading conservation organizations to protect the wild places I photograph."
Award-Winning Wildlife Photography
Peter Delaney |Award-Winning Wildlife Photographer
With multiple prestigious awards, including three-time Wildlife Photographer of the Year (WPOTY) winner and IPA winner, Peter Delaney is recognized as one of the world's finest wildlife photographers. His work has been published in National Geographic and leading international publications, a testament to his mastery of the art. Each print embodies the highest level of quality, ensuring collectors own a world-class piece of fine art photography—the very best there is.
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Naturescapes Wildlife Photo of the Year 2010
Natures Best Photography 2010
Spyder Black and White Awards 2011
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2011
Natures Best Photography 2012
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013
IPA Photography Awards Wildlife Pro 2014
Sony World Photo Awards shortlisted 2014
Spyder Black and White Awards 2015
MML Awards Landscape 2015
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017
Spyder Black and White Awards 2018
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National Geographic
Geo Magazine, Germany
Geo Magazine, Spain
Departures Magazine
Sunday Independant UK
Irish Independant
Daily Mail UK
Digital Photo Magazine
FujiLove Magazine
Medium Format Magazine
Bifall Magazine Norway
Geo Saison Germany
Vivre Paris Magazine France
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Books
Outdoor Photo Book
Wildlife Photographer of the Year x 3
Remembering Elephants
Remembering Rhinos
Remembering Great Apes
Animal Mind
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World Bank-Nairobi Office
Banana Republic-GAP
Sachs Media Group
WPOTY Natural History Museum, London
Fujifilm South Africa
Arrowtown Drinks
Publica Coffe Roasters
Cambridge University Press
Born Free Foundation
Australian Rhino Project
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation RSA
Medi Clinic South Africa
FujiFilm Japan
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Czech Nature Photo Center in Prague, Czech Rep 2016
Solo Exhibition Czech Nature Photo Center in Prague, Czech Republic 2020
Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibitions Natural History Museum and Major Cities Around the World, 2011. 2013. 2017, 2021
Nature’s Best Exhibition Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History
Remembering Wildlife Exhibitions London
Big Foot Winner Nature in Black and White Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2011
Bonds of Love Shortlisted Peoples Choice Awards Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021
Chimpanzee Dreaming/Contemplation Winner Animal Portrait Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017 Spider Black and White Awards
Dune On Fire MML Awards Landscape 2015
The Gladiator/Showdown Winner IPA Photography Awards Wildlife Pro 2014 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013
The Godfather Sony World Photo Awards shortlisted 2014
Black and White Art Of Cityscape of St Pauls Cathedral Spider Black and White Awards 2018
Zebra Dance Spider Black and White Awards 2019
Black Rhino Charging Nature’s Best Photography Highly Honoured 2010
Two men posing at an exhibition; photographs of wildlife, including a lion, are visible in the background. Text mentions a Prague exhibition at Czech Photo Center.
Poster for Czech Nature Photo 2020 Jury Members Exhibition featuring a black and white image of a roaring lion with event details and website link.
A group of people sitting in a dark room watching a presentation. A large screen displays an image of zebras with the text 'Shape, Lines, Form, and Textures.' The presenter is pointing at the screen while the audience watches attentively.
Group of five men reviewing photographs on a table, in an art gallery setting.
Two men wearing hats, sitting in an outdoor setting, with one man smiling at the camera, and a blurred figure in the background holding a camera.
Group of people wearing Fujifilm shirts posing indoors with a giraffe backdrop.
Person in cold weather gear taking a photograph in snowy outdoors
Group selfie of three people outdoors on a sunny day, each wearing casual outdoor clothing and smiling at the camera. The person on the right is wearing sunglasses and a cap.
Three men posing indoors, with one sitting and two standing behind him. They are wearing outdoor or safari-style clothing. The room has wooden floors, pendant lights, and wall art.
Two smiling men indoors, one holding a drink.
A smiling man and woman taking a selfie indoors with a stone wall backdrop.
Two men taking a selfie together indoors, one smiling and the other with a surprised expression, wooden ceiling background.
Person holding a camera with a large lens, looking to the left, outdoors.
Two people smiling and holding a book titled 'Remembering Rhinos' by Wildlife Photographers United.
Two people smiling in front of a black and white photograph of a gorilla at an indoor event.
Two men smiling and holding paper cups indoors.
Three men sitting at a restaurant table, smiling and gesturing peace signs, with food and beverages in front of them.
A person in winter gear hiking through snow with trekking poles, wearing a camera around their neck.
A large photograph of an elephant raising dust in a dry landscape is placed on the floor. Behind it, a person holding a child is standing, partially blurred due to depth of field. The scene appears to be in a studio setting.
photo of greg du toit and peter delaney at bbc wpoty awards 2013
photo of peter delaney and parnter Nicolinah standing outside NHM
peter and wim bbc wpoty awards 2013
peter delaney standing in front of BBC wpoty winning photo
photo of peter and jasper doest
photo of peter and hannes bbc wpoty awards 2013
greg du toit and peter delaney at bbc wpoty award cermonies
Magazine cover showing a black and white photo of a gorilla, titled 'Contemplation' by Peter Delaney, published in December 2017 by Fujilove, featuring contributors' names on the side.
Black-and-white magazine spread featuring close-up photography of elephants, highlighting a baby elephant surrounded by adults. The text "Black-and-white Revival" and a description about the photograph and photography tips are included on the right page. Published in January 2020.
Cover of "Medium Format" magazine, January 2020 issue, featuring a black and white image of an elephant's face with prominent tusks. Includes names of contributors like Andrew Latreille and Robert Clark. The cover highlights an article titled "The Matriarch" by Peter Delaney and an interview with Ming Thein. Website link and release date are also visible.
Open book with bird illustration and National Geographic magazine cover
Peter Delaneys photo of zebra on front cover of digital magazine
Book cover featuring a close-up of a lion's face with the title 'The Animal Mind: Profiles of Intelligence and Emotion' by Marianne Taylor.
"Every photograph I create is a love letter to the wild—a reminder of its beauty, fragility, and the urgent need to protect it."
-Peter Delaney