African giraffe photography tips — David Lloyd Wildlife Photography

A young African giraffe leans up to his mother

Although often overshadowed by Africa’s more famous ‘Big Five’— lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino— giraffes offer something entirely different to observe and photograph.

With their calm grace and distinctive silhouettes, giraffes in Africa are always a joy to encounter on safari.

Each year, World Giraffe Day is celebrated on 21st June to draw attention to one of Africa’s most iconic wildlife species. To coincide with this, I’m sharing my thoughts on why photographing giraffes in the wild is so compelling and sharing photography tips you can apply in the field.

The joy of photographing Africa’s giraffes

Giraffes are gentle giants and truly fascinating subjects for wildlife photographers. Seeing a giraffe in its natural environment in Africa is a breathtaking experience, and they offer endless creative potential.

Their unique body proportions, patterned coats, and social behaviour make them visually fascinating, whether framed in vast African savannah landscapes or photographed up close.

But giraffes are typically difficult to photograph. The sheer height of a giraffe adds a challenge and a creative opportunity. Attempts to get them in frame can often mean unattractive and distracting backgrounds. Perspective becomes everything.

An African giraffe photograph on a wildlife photography calendar

Giraffe photography tips

1) Minimise the background

In my own African giraffe photography, I’m often looking to balance their towering presence with the landscape. It’s about composition and contrast, whether capturing lone individuals or small groups of giraffes.

2) Focus on the details rather than the whole body

My view is that giraffes are so instantly recognisable that you don’t need to capture the entire animal to produce a powerful giraffe photo.

No matter how you choose to photograph them, you can achieve striking giraffe photography if you focus on fine details rather than trying to cram the whole animal into a cluttered composition.

Focusing on smaller details, like the curve of the neck or the silhouette of their ossicones (the horn-like protrusions), can result in striking, fine art imagery, especially when framed against a soft or neutral sky. These close-up compositions offer strong graphic appeal.

3) Use overcast weather to your advantage

One of my favourite techniques is to photograph giraffes against a neutral sky on overcast days. This helps strip away distractions and allows their distinctive form to take centre stage.

By closing in and isolating detail with a blank sky, it’s possible to get a result with accentuated pattern, line and shape.

A gallery of giraffe, zebra and elephant black and white photographs by David Lloyd

4) Black and white can work particularly well

I like to create black and white photographs of giraffes to highlight contrast. It allows the graphic patterns of their coats to shine without distraction.

It’s a style that works beautifully for fine art wildlife prints, giving them a timeless, graphic quality that suits both modern and traditional interiors.

5) Maintain your distance

Finally, as when photographing any wild animals in Africa, lighting, patience, and maintaining a respectful distance from the animal are also key to success.

Giraffes are naturally curious but cautious. Letting them move freely and observing their behaviour over time often results in the most authentic and characterful giraffe photographs.

Importantly, while African giraffes make slow, deliberate movements and appear to have a peaceful demeanour, they are strong, powerful and can defend themselves surprisingly well if needed. Never attempt to get too close.

Always seek out an African safari tour guide who will observe, not chase your animal subject.

View my giraffe photo print collection

Ultimately, my approach to African giraffe photography focuses on pattern, line and shape, captured with simplicity and intention.

If you’re as enchanted by giraffes as I am, you might enjoy my giraffe photo print collection, which includes:

Neck and Neck

Pattern, line and shape, paired with minimalism, make for a compelling combination in framed wall art.

‘Neck and Neck’ contains all of those attributes, and a black and white treatment makes it more so.

A Flick Of The Tail

A Flick Of The Tail was awarded in 2011’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year and chosen as the cover image of that year’s portfolio book.

It prints crisp and sharp, and it remains so even in large sizes. It's proven to be a seminal picture, not knowing where it would take me at the time. If I could credit where I am today to one picture, this is that picture.

A flick of an African giraffe's tail featured on the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio 21 book cover

Limited edition giraffe prints

The limited edition and open edition fine art prints of giraffes, available in my print store, are ideal for wildlife lovers, safari-goers, or anyone looking to bring a piece of Africa into their home or workplace.

Ultimately, the aim of my ethical safari tours to Africa and my photography is to play a part in highlighting the beauty of the African giraffe and other African wildlife. Any purchase from my book, calendar or print collections also helps support conservation.

Giraffe conservation matters

Sadly, giraffe numbers in the wild have dropped significantly over the past 30 years. Habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict have taken their toll, so much so that conservationists have coined the term “silent extinction” about the giraffe’s plight.

World Giraffe Day, which takes place each year on 21 June, aims to shine a spotlight on this. It’s a reminder that even the most visible animals aren’t always safe from danger.

Supporting giraffe conservation through awareness, ethical tourism, and contributing to wildlife conservation charities can help safeguard their future.

A few fascinating giraffe facts

Giraffes are full of surprises. Here are a few lesser-known facts you might enjoy:

If you’ve spent time on safari or browsing wildlife galleries, you’ll know there’s more to giraffes than meets the eye. Here are a few facts that might surprise you:

There are four distinct giraffe species in Africa, not just one, as was previously believed
Despite their height, giraffes only have seven neck vertebrae, just like humans. Each one, however, is elongated
Giraffes have the same sleep cycle as prey animals. They nap in short bursts, often standing, and rarely sleep for more than 30 minutes at a time due to the need to stay alert to predators
A giraffe’s heart weighs over 11kg
Their unique coat pattern not only helps with camouflage but also plays a role in thermoregulation.