Vanessa Joy’s interest in photography was sparked by helping her mom with various shoots in and out of a studio as a kid. The photographer of more than 20 years says, “I fell in love with storytelling through black-and-white film photography in high school and never looked back,” adding, “I think I’ve always been seeing the world through a lens, even before I picked up a camera.”
While Vanessa is a renowned wedding photographer who met her husband Robert, a wedding videographer, while both were working at a wedding, it’s no longer her primary focus. “I cut my teeth on weddings and still do 15 or so a year, but now I do a great deal of corporate photography for companies like Canon and travel the world with Hilton Grand Vacations, photographing some of their resorts,” she says, adding, “I’ve always believed that great photography is about connection, whether that’s between two people starting their lives together or connecting a small business owner to their new best customer, the heart behind the lens doesn’t change.”
That connection also extends to nature and animals. Earlier this year, Vanessa took a trip to Kenya with a group of professional and hobby photographers and creators to document the beauty and wildlife of Kenya. “I couldn’t say no to expanding my creative and cultural boundaries,” she says, “and everyone shared ideas, editing tips, gear, and so much more.”
The group spent most of the 12-day trip in the Maasai Mara with some time in Kenya. “We did safari excursions in the mornings and evenings, and sometimes during the day too!” Vanessa says. During the trip she collected breathtaking photos, but more than that, she returned to Austin with a mission to give back to the place that gave her memories she’ll never forget, vowing to build a well in the town she visited so the people who were generous with allowing her to take their photos would be privy to the basic privilege of clean water.
Working with World, a nonprofit started in 1950 that has helped more than 3.5 million people in over 100 countries, Vanessa is selling the captivating photos she took on the trip and not only donating 100 percent of the proceeds towards the effort to build a well, which costs $15,000, but matching the first $15,000 in funds to build two wells. As of print time, Vanessa has raised $7,500, which she’s matched for a total of $15,000. The prints, including those pictured on the cover and in this feature, are still available for purchase. Vanessa is also donating her time for the printing and framing – with the help of a Canon, LexJet Hahnemühle, which provided her with a massive professional printer, ink, and paper for this initiative.
Here’s more inside Vanessa’s trip to Africa for anyone thinking about a visit themselves.
Where were you in Kenya? We spent most of our time in the Maasai Mara and a bit in Nairobi. The Mara was where the magic happened—sunrises over the savannah, elephants and lions just feet away, and communities who welcomed us with open hearts.
You got amazing photos and have been selling them to raise funds to build a well in Kenya. Is that something you wanted to do before the trip, or did the trip inspire that mission? The idea came to life because of the trip. Meeting people whose daily lives are shaped by a lack of access to clean water hit me hard. It didn’t feel right to just come home with beautiful images and leave it at that. Those faces, those stories—I knew I had to do something more.
How did you choose the charity to support? I’ve sponsored children through World Vision for over a decade. They’re transparent, innovative, and committed to long-lasting solutions for those in need while keeping operating costs low.
Water itself is such a basic need that it’s a no-brainer to fill because it affects everyone so deeply. I chose to support World Vision because of the incredible impact they have in providing clean water to communities in need. Every 10 seconds, World Vision is able to help another person get access to clean water, which transforms lives by improving health, freeing up time for education, and creating opportunities for a better future. Giving that time back to people by providing them wells right in their village gives them opportunity to do a whole lot more with their day.
What have been the most popular prints sold so far? The pair of giraffes and leopards have been the top two and the others pretty equal.
What kind of camera did you use? I used the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, EOS R1 with an RF 100-300mm 2.8 or 85mm 1.2 lens for most of the wildlife shots. It was the perfect combo—sharp, fast, and versatile enough to capture everything from sweeping landscapes to intimate animal moments.
How close did you get to the lions and leopards? Close enough to get nervous, especially when they look us directly in the eye or camera! We were in open vehicles, maybe 10–15 feet from some of them. It was exhilarating—your heart pounds in the best way, and we all got incredible photos.
Were you ever afraid being so close to the animals? Honestly, no. The guides are incredibly skilled and respectful of the animals. You feel their deep understanding of the land and its inhabitants and follow their instructions along the way, and that puts you at ease. It’s not about fear as much as it’s about reverence.
What was the most memorable part of the trip? Spending time with a local Maasai community, hearing their stories, and photographing them with their children having nothing but smiling faces. But, seeing the flies on their faces that they don’t even swat away because they’re completely desensitized to them, having lived with them and their whole lives, it’s something I couldn’t ignore. And, since I have the power to provide some kind of help and change through my influence, that’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
Any travel tips for someone going from Austin to Kenya? Layered clothing that’s water resistant as well as SPF-infused is an great idea; get your vaccinations early and definitely pack patience. It’s a long journey and waiting for the animals once you’re out on safari can be even longer. But once you’re there, the jet lag fades fast when you’re looking into the eyes of a lion and taking in the beauty of a sunset.
Would you recommend a safari in Kenya? Absolutely. It changes you. The wildlife, the people, the landscapes—it reorders your priorities and expands your heart in ways you don’t expect.
"It changes you. The wildlife, the people, the landscapes—it reorders your priorities and expands your heart in ways you don’t expect." - Vanessa on her experience doing a safari in Kenya