Photography is one of Dirk Swanepoel’s passions. The other is Christine, who has been his wife for 36 years. Both have shaped his future since his primary school days in Rustenburg.

Since the age of ten, he started experimenting with his father’s Kodak Instamatic. “I think it was just in my blood because whenever I saw a camera, I wanted to handle and examine it,” says Dirk. In high school, he acquired his first proper film camera – a Yashica – which was his companion for many years, even during his service in the South African Air Force from 1985, where it had a permanent place in his shirt pocket. He even received special permission from his commanders to take photographs in restricted areas.

After he had left the Air Force, Dirk worked in the mining industry around Barberton while Christine trained as a registered nurse in Pretoria. The couple was eager to tie the knot, and in 1989, their special friendship from their primary school days, they were married. Amid the breathtaking landscapes of the Eastern Transvaal, Dirk wholeheartedly pursued his passion for photography. His career later brought him back to Rustenburg.

Advances in digital technology took the camera industry by storm with the introduction of DSLR cameras. Dirk’s brother, Chris, proudly showed off a brand-new Nikon D80 with an 18-55mm lens and a 70-300mm lens. During a visit to Mabalingwe, Dirk tried out his brother’s D80. From that moment, he was hooked and knew he had to get his own DSLR. His first digital camera was a Nikon D300, followed by a D700 Full Frame Sensor, and later the D500 and D4, along with a selection of lenses.

Dirk and Christine’s love for Africa has taken them to several neighbouring countries, where Dirk has had the opportunity to embrace his passion for photography. The couple was also blessed with a baby boy, Dirkie, in 1994.

When drones entered the commercial market, Dirk didn’t hesitate to add this technology to his growing camera collection. Over time, he has added four different DJI drones to his DSLRs and GoPros. This technology introduced yet another new dimension to his photography. In addition to capturing still images and video footage, Dirk also invested in high-quality audio equipment for video recording. “Photography, along with the advanced equipment at our disposal, heightens our awareness of nature’s wonders and allows us to capture them in countless ways,” says Dirk.

By the end of 2023, Dirk’s mining career of over two decades took a drastic turn when he was offered a managerial position at Fahad Private Game Reserve. Christine joined him as the hospitality and human resources manager at Fahad. That same year, the arrival of mirrorless cameras piqued Dirk’s interest, and he acquired the Nikon’s Z9 and Z6 III cameras. He especially enjoys the silent operation of the new Z-series cameras and lenses.

Fahad Private Game Reserve is located about 60 km from Ellisras, between the Groblersbrug and Stokpoort border posts. The untouched wildlife on Fahad’s 7,500 hectares, nestled against the Botswana border, is a paradise for photography. “The Limpopo and Mogol Rivers flow through the reserve. Here, you can easily disappear into the wilderness with your cameras. Fortunately, Fahad’s director shares a love for the bush and nature and encourages me to capture Fahad’s beauty on film.”

Dirk and Christine have now been married for 36 years. He feels particularly blessed to have his family with him at Fahad. Every day, he discovers new insects and birds and hears new sounds that intrigue him. “I share my passion for nature with visitors with a similar love for the bush and photography. What more could I ask for!”