Mother and cub, Serengeti Photograph

Swedish artist and photographer Pekka Järventaus was born in Gothenburg in 1976. Järventaus originally had a background as an artist in the video game industry. But during an African safari some years ago, he discovered his deep passion for photography and for wild animals. While his subject is the lions themselves, Järventaus also injects his artistic vision into the images. He strives to go beyond documentation and to convey the magical, mysterious quality of lions that speaks to him most strongly. In order to maximize the effect he is seeking, he shoots mostly in black and white and mostly during stormy or rainy weather. As Järventaus continues to photograph his subject, his appreciation for both the medium and the animals has deepened. Besides perfecting his own aesthetic vision and communicating the beauty of what he has seen, Järventaus hopes his images can help inspire a future in which wild animals are still able to roam freely in the world's unspoiled landscapes. Honors & Awards 2016 Fine Art Photography Awards 2016, Second place winner, wildlife category. 2015 Monochrome Awards 2015, 3x Honorable mention, wildlife ND Awards 2015, First place winner, nature, wildlife category plus 1 honorable mention. International Photographer Of The Year Awards 2015, 1 honorable mention, wildlife category Black and white Spider Awards 2015, 3x nominations Moscow International Photography Awards 2015, Third place winner, nature, wildlife category. International Photography Awards 2015, 6x Honorable Mention wildlife, 2x fine art category other. Fine Art Photography Awards 2015, Third place winner, wildlife category plus two nominations. Siena International Photography Awards 2015, Finalist, wildlife category. PX3 Prix De La Photographie Paris. First Prize winner, nature, wildlife category plus 6 honorable mentions and third prize people's choice award. Golden Turtle Awards 9, Finalist, Nomination Animal portrait. 2014 AX3 American Aperture Awards 2014, Winner, Landscape/Seascape/Nature Category. Monochrome Awards 2014. 5 X Honorable Mention, Wildlife. ND Awards 2014, 2X Honorable Mention, Fine art other. Moscow International Photography Awards 2014, Honorable Mention, self promotion. International Photography Awards 2014, Honorable Mention, fine art category other. LensCulture Emerging Talent Awards 2014, Editors Pick.