About Ashley Visser's work:
Photo Theme:
Wildlife.
Photo Story:
16 February 2019 ‼️‼️‼️
A day I would relive over and over again. A heart-stopping moment, captured in a single second. That look. Those eyes that stared straight through my soul. A feeling that literally took my breath away.
If you’ve never been to a National Park, it’s an experience you should truly consider. There is something indescribable about it, a moment so special it settles deep in your heart. For me, it was the silent steps of footprints walking straight into my African soul.
You might think it was a bird flying its way into my heart, or a buck hopping across the road, but no.
It was the soft, silent footprints of a predator. A leopard.
That alone is enough to send my heartbeat racing in a split second.
On my very last day at Pilanesberg National Park, just before heading home, I kept asking myself, “Where is my luck?” Over and over again. Without thinking, I put my camera down, something I almost never do and reached for the Pilanesberg map book.
Then my dad tapped me on the shoulder and said,
“Ashley, look to the left.”
I looked up. My heart stopped. And I smiled. In that moment, I even forgot to lift up my camera. “Turn, turn, turn the car!” I shouted. The leopard walked confidently into the middle of the gravel road, his deep, powerful presence filling the space. "Oh no, I can only get the bum shot..." I smiled again, asking myself, “Where is my luck?”
And then, as if he is answering me, the Leopard turned around and looked straight through my soul.
I fired off ten shots instantly, just to make sure I captured the moment perfectly. When the first game-view vehicle arrived, he calmly slipped into the thick bushes. Everyone searched for him, but my eyes never left him. I followed his movement until the very last second. I knew I had to let someone know. I messaged my friend Johan, who had been hoping all day to see a Leopard. His reply came quickly:
“I’m right behind you.”
And just like that, the leopard walked off, minding his own business.
We turned around and drove straight to Johan. With the biggest smile of my life and sparkling eyes, I stopped next to him, picked up my camera, and showed him the shots. He was frustrated for the fact not being at the right place at the right time, but also genuinely happy for me, that I had seen the Leopard on my own.
This moment was unforgettable.
Thank you, Johan, for sharing your knowledge of where the Leopard possibly might roam. This feeling is truly indescribable. That was the moment a Leopard walked his footprints straight into my African heart. Without a second thought, I knew by that time, not even a boy could make my heart skip a beat like the way this Leopard did. Please note... I'm happily married now, and my husband makes my heart beat even faster. Sorry, back to my story... this is a feeling everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. Nature means everything to me. Photography is my passion and my talent. After this photograph was shared on social media, it got published in books and calendars. Something you guys must know, regarding the photographer (me)... On 16 February 2019, I was 16 years young. Thank you for reading my story.
How long has Ashley Visser loved photography:
8 years +
How they discovered their passion for photography:
21 May 2018. I drove with the legendary field guide, Rodney Xolile Nombekana. This guide inspires me in so many ways. Nobody wanted to take the time and teach me about photography, but Rodney wanted too. He took me on a game drive, and taught me how to aim my lens at wildlife. First predator that day, we came across a Leopard walking in the road. I took a photo with a small "press and capture" camera. Rodney saw the photo and turned towards my dad, sitting at the back on the game view vehicle. He said: "Ampie, if you don't get this girl a decent DSRL camera, you'll regret not buying it for her, cause this will only bring her success." So my dad listened to Rodney, and he bought my first camera for me - Canon 750D. And from thereon, it only got better. Since that day, my passion started and never ended since that day.
How to Vote:
i. Scroll up, fill the number of votes you want to buy for your contestant in the box that looks like this:
You can put any number in the box. There are no limits.
ii. After typing the number of votes you want to buy, click on the blue button to make payment.
You can also watch the video below to see how to vote.
NOTE: Votes are effected automatically and immediately. But if a vote is not effected immediately, then wait for 20 minutes, and it will be effected. And if you face any issues, feel free to contact info@masteratphotos.co.za for help and support.
