About Alan Hewitt

Alan on the Lemek savannah photographing Topi (below) with the Fujifilm X-h2s & XF150-600mm, 3 legged Thing Alana Monopod & Trinity Airhed

I am a freelance wildlife photographer, filmmaker, writer, podcaster and private photography safari leader based in Northumberland in the United Kingdom. So, more about Alan Hewitt?

My appreciation and fascination for wildlife fuels my desire to document and share the natural world we live in. I have an enthusiastic obsession with fieldcraft – understanding wildlife behaviour, interactions with other species and habitat. I’m always looking to focus on photographing animals in ways that tell a natural history story.

From my favourite local patch, The Farne Islands to the birds and mammals of Sub-Saharan Africa, I am always amazed by our wildlife and natural history.

In 2020 I formally consolidated my photography tours with my friend and business partner Kaleel Zibe and created our dedicated African Photography Safaris brand. I also lead and guide photography safaris for Penda Photo Tours. For more information on wildlife photography safaris and tours, click here.

Throughout 2020 to 2023, I enjoyed the honour of being an official FUJIFILM X-Photographer. I continue to work with the UK team as an ambassador at events such as The Photography & Video Show, wildlife festivals and retailer events.

I welcome commissions for photography and filmmaking assignments, workshop / tour leading, written articles, guest speaking and media work. Previous and current clients include, FUJIFILM UK, Future Publishing, WEX, Park Cameras, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Durham University, Penda Photo Tours, Digital Photographer Magazine, Bird Watching, Practical Photography, Sunday Telegraph and many more!

What’s in the Bag? Cameras, Cables, and Chaos!

Packing a camera bag for a safari is a skill in itself!

Also known as, “about Alan Hewitt and his camera bag!”

I use Fujifilm cameras and lenses, the X-H2S, X-H1 and sometimes my old X-T2. My main lenses are the, XF150-600mm and XF50-140mm f/2.8. My XF100-400mm and XF 18-55mm get a look in too, plus the 1.4x teleconverter.

Over the years I’ve been working with Fujifilm I’ve also had extensive use of the X-T3, X-T4, X-T5 and XH2 plus the XF200mm and XF10-24mm lenses.

I’ve also enjoyed working with the the Fujifilm medium format GFX50s, GFX100s and GFX100sII with the GF500mm, GF250mm and GF32-64mm. Incredible gear, it must be said!

I use a 3 Legged Thing Winston 2.0 tripod and Alan or Alana monopods together with various heads but mainly the Airhed Trinity. All are incredibly lightweight but sturdy and very well engineered.

Like most photographers, I have a ridiculous collection of camera bags. Actually, I could write a blog on “About Alan Hewitt and his camera bags!”

When I’m travelling I now use the Wandrd Transit Carry On Roller as my cabin bag for most of my gear. I also use a ThinkTank Airport Commuter for travelling and a Manfrotto RedBee-210 ‘in the field’.

I like to pack a couple of Gardepro night-vision PIR trail cameras too. We’ve picked up some incredible footage of night time visitors around safari camps and lodges!

I also like to use an Atomos Shinobi field monitor. Sometimes for filming work, but mainly to share camera viewfinders in real time. This is a great aid to photography tuition back at camp and also out in vehicles. An Insta 360 action camera and a DJI Osmo Mobile 7p are usually squeezed in too. It is always good to collect some BTS / social media footage from behind the cameras!

About Alan Hewitt: Photography Ethics Statement

As a responsible and conservation-minded photographer, I am committed to a number of ethical standards in my photography.

First and foremost: The welfare of subjects always takes priority over the photograph.

The vast majority of my photographs are of wild subjects. Where this is not the case, I point out the circumstances surrounding the photograph.

I do not use live bait. It is morally wrong to facilitate the death of any species for photographic entertainment. Nor do I use any other bait which may harm or adversely affect the behaviour or well-being of an animal. I do not use sound lures to attract animals unless I am working under authorised, controlled and managed conditions.

I put a great deal of effort into learning about the the animals I photograph and the habitat I work in. This fieldcraft helps me avoid any actions which may cause distress or harm to the animals or place myself or those with me in any danger.

When processing my photographs, I enhance and ‘fine-tune’ only. I do not use any digital manipulation in such a way to misrepresent the subject or its habitat and environment. I believe wildlife photography should exist to form a natural history record and that carries an implicit expectation that the photograph is a depiction of a scene witnessed and experienced in nature by the photographer.