Karamjeet Singh, a 31-year-old wildlife photographer from Ladakh, has captured some of the world's most elusive and endangered species. His passion for wildlife and photography has taken him deep into the Himalayas to photograph rare creatures like the snow leopard.
“I was thrilled to seize the opportunity to document that moment,” recalls Karamjeet about his first wildlife photograph. It was of a mother Himalayan brown bear and her cub playing in the snow in Huliya, near Drass, in April 2019.
Karamjeet's photos reveal the beauty of Ladakh’s wildlife. From snow leopards to Himalayan brown bears and Pallas’s cats, his sharp eye captures these charismatic animals in their untouched natural habitat.
Growing up in Kargil, Karamjeet developed a keen interest in photography while spending time at a local shop called Canon Photographer. There, he learnt the basics from local photographers.
After completing a degree in journalism, Karamjeet worked as a photographer with Kargil Today for three years. It was during this time that he shifted his focus to wildlife photography, driven by his passion for nature and his experiences with Ladakh’s wildlife.
Karamjeet started his journey with borrowed cameras and YouTube tutorials, gaining practical knowledge through trial and error. “The real learning happened in the natural landscape. I made many mistakes and gained a variety of insights from the people in my surroundings,” he says.
He credits his growth to mentors like Zaheer Bagh, a local wildlife enthusiast, and Baseer Ul-Haq Choudhary, former deputy commissioner of Kargil, who encouraged him to pursue his wildlife photography dreams.
“There is no big secret. I just grab my camera and shoot whatever catches my eye,” says Karamjeet. Wildlife photography, he explains, requires patience — spending hours scanning landscapes for elusive creatures and waiting for the perfect moment.
Karamjeet also works with local communities to raise awareness about wildlife conservation. “The biggest threat to Ladakh’s wildlife is the lack of awareness about the importance of wildlife in our ecosystem,” he shares.
Now a seasoned photographer, Karamjeet leads photography tours in Ladakh. “I regularly embark on wildlife explorations with friends and other photographers. We explore different locations and capture magical moments through our lenses,” he says.
With every photograph, Karamjeet hopes to inspire others to appreciate and protect the fragile wildlife of Ladakh, ensuring a future where these incredible species can continue to thrive.
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