Capital Lifestyle Instagrammer of the Week: Paolo Parazzi

instagramer of the week - paolo parazzijpg

“The Culture in East Africa is really something that makes us stand apart from the rest of Africa as a safari destination.”

So says Capital Lifestyle’s very first Instagramer of the Week, Paolo Parazzi. As someone who’s had the pleasures of exploring Kenya extensively, I absolutely agree. The Culture of East Africa is magnificently captivating and diverse as you will see from Parazzi’s Instagram feed.

Together with his business partner Sam Stogdale, Parazzi owns and runs Africa Born Safaris, a company that specializes in privately guided safaris around Africa with a focus on East Africa. The duo is also partners of Ker & Downey – arguably the oldest safari company in Africa.

Parazzi specializes in experiential travel and aims to provide guests with as many new and unique experiences on his trips. As a result, showcasing destinations from a unique and compelling perspective, liken to his approach in photography.

On Parazzi’s Instagram feed it’s common to see many close encounters with wildlife and epic scenes of what the landscape in East Africa offers.

Capital Lifestyle hooked up with him to find out how photography and Instagram help him in his mission to showcase the many diverse destinations he often finds himself in.

What cameras do you enjoy shooting with and what do you like most about them?

I use a Cannon 5D and a GoPro for most of my shots. The 5D is such a great all round camera for capturing wildlife, portraits and scenery and having an assortment of good lenses really makes all the difference. I have also become obsessed with using a GoPro to capture images as not only does it allow you to leave the camera out in the path of wildlife without them noticing it (and preventing me from being squashed by elephants or scaring off the wildlife). It also alows you to get awesome action shots as you can stick it onto helicopters or airplanes or use it to capture images of extreme sports.

Where do you shoot most of your photos and what sort of photos do you like to take best?

Most of my shots are taken while out on Safari or while on adventures during my spare time. I am extremely fortunate to be able to experience and see incredible things while out on safari so documenting these is a real bonus. I like taking all sorts of shots but my favorite has to be of wildlife/culture or action shots using the GoPro.

What are your top tips for taking captivating Instagram photos?

I would say that my top tip when taking shots on Instagram is to make the most of each photo you put up. Take time to edit and crop photos and be selective as to what you put on there. Flooding Instagram with shots will also make people glance over your shots. I try out one good photo up each day rather than putting ten mediocre ones up.

Which three Instagramers do you recommend everyone to follow?

@Gopro (I like getting inspiration for adventure shots)
@natgeotravel (gives me inspiration of other destinations around the world)
@juansharks (takes unbelievable underwater photography)

How has Instagram influenced your profession and your business?

I have found Instagram incredibly useful for my business. For one, it gives me a platform to show the images that I take while out on safari- Without it I would just have hard drives full of photos with no way to show them to anyone! It allows me to keep my past guests up to date with my safaris and adventures as well as acting as a marketing tool for getting people to come on safari with me.

5 Favourite Paolo Parazzi Instagram Posts

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBT_CSki1D6/?taken-by=paoloparazzi This was taken on a recent safari to the remote Raja Ampat region in Indonesia. Coming from a marine background, this area totally blew my mind. It has the Richest and most diverse marine environment in the world and it is somewhere I am hoping to spend more time in the future. This shot is of thousands of Giant Fruit Bats flying from an island to the mainland to feed at dusk.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBT_CSki1D6/?taken-by=paoloparazzi
This was taken on a recent safari to the remote Raja Ampat region in Indonesia. Coming from a marine background, this area totally blew my mind. It has the Richest and most diverse marine environment in the world and it is somewhere I am hoping to spend more time in the future. This shot is of thousands of Giant Fruit Bats flying from an island to the mainland to feed at dusk.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/5_TAg4C1Al/?taken-by=paoloparazzi I love the intensity of this shot. I was under the car taking photos of this Cheetah to get a lower perspective and it started to stalk me as it didn't know what I was. Very exciting!
https://www.instagram.com/p/5_TAg4C1Al/?taken-by=paoloparazzi
I love the intensity of this shot. I was under the car taking photos of this Cheetah to get a lower perspective and it started to stalk me as it didn’t know what I was. Very exciting!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/wadhBQi1MD/?taken-by=paoloparazzi This is a really fun shot and shows the kind of exciting trips we can offer for those who are keen on adventure. Here we are heading fishing in an area near Kiwayu on the North Kenya coast using a helicopter.
https://www.instagram.com/p/wadhBQi1MD/?taken-by=paoloparazzi
This is a really fun shot and shows the kind of exciting trips we can offer for those who are keen on adventure. Here we are heading fishing in an area near Kiwayu on the North Kenya coast using a helicopter.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/rD86FOC1AH/?taken-by=paoloparazzi One of my favorite shots of a big Elephant Bull in Amboseli. I had been trying for months to get a shot of a big Bull walking over my GoPro camera and it finally happened. Really gives a perspective as to how huge these animals are-thankfully it didn't stand on my camera!
https://www.instagram.com/p/rD86FOC1AH/?taken-by=paoloparazzi
One of my favorite shots of a big Elephant Bull in Amboseli. I had been trying for months to get a shot of a big Bull walking over my GoPro camera and it finally happened. Really gives a perspective as to how huge these animals are-thankfully it didn’t stand on my camera!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/3wP1N5i1O9/?taken-by=paoloparazzi The Culture in East Africa is really something that makes us stand apart from the rest of Africa as a safari destination. Many of the tribes such as the Samburu and Masai live at one with nature as they have done for thousands of years. They are so incredibly vibrant and love spending time with them while out on safari
https://www.instagram.com/p/3wP1N5i1O9/?taken-by=paoloparazzi
The Culture in East Africa is really something that makes us stand apart from the rest of Africa as a safari destination. Many of the tribes such as the Samburu and Masai live at one with nature as they have done for thousands of years. They are so incredibly vibrant and love spending time with them while out on safari

 

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