Interview with Alexandra Surkova | An Accomplished Professional Wildlife Photographer

My name is Alexandra Surkova, and I’m a professional wildlife photographer based in Madrid. Just four years ago, I was taking photos of my everyday life with my iPhone, working as a journalist, and my only connection to the animal world was through my five dogs.

My photography journey is almost unbelievable. During the pandemic, one of my few Instagram followers—someone I only knew online—sent me a gift. But instead of a postcard, I received a Sony 200-600mm lens. When I opened the box, I was in shock. A stranger, who had noticed something in my street photos, decided to take a chance on me, even though photography wasn’t even a hobby for me at the time. He told me he believed I could create magic with that lens.

Fast-forward four years, and now I’m guiding photographers from all over the world, of all skill levels, to different parts of the globe to share with them what has become my life, my obsession, and my profession: wildlife photography.

I’m self-taught. As I mentioned, I first held a telephoto lens during the pandemic, and I had no idea what to do with it. COVID was a challenging time, but for me, it opened a door to a new life. I live in the countryside, just 40 kilometres from Madrid, where you feel like the middle of nowhere. Suddenly, people vanished from the streets, but animals started to appear. Deer were crossing my path as I left the house, and the fields became full of birds of prey. It was the perfect training ground. I started researching the species around me, going out with my camera, and experimenting. At 34, I felt like a child discovering a whole new world!

I remember my first photo like it was yesterday—the first one I actually dared to share. It was June 2020 when I spent hours in a tent, sweating through temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius. Up to now, I can’t realise how I survived all that heat, the sweat, the lack of water, and the inability to move. That day, I managed to capture just three shots of a little owl. But the adrenaline from waiting and those few minutes when the bird was just metres away changed everything. I walked out feeling euphoric, stayed up all night, and the only thing I wanted was to experience it again. It was (and still is) like a drug—expensive, but incredibly rewarding.

Right now, I use a Sony A1 with a variety of lenses, depending on the trip I’m planning. I’d say the lens I use the most at the moment is the Sony 400mm f/2.8.

Not long ago I watched a short film called “Haulout,” created by photographer Evgenia Arbugaeva and her brother Maxim. This haunting piece reveals a world disappearing due to global warming. The documentary itself felt like a work of art, but having watched it, I realised my work is about more than just capturing beautiful animal portraits. I want to go deeper and help raise awareness about the critical importance of preserving our planet.

A couple of years ago, I received an email from a follower who confessed that he was a hunter but was so moved by my photos that he bought a camera and started photographing animals instead. Eventually, he gave up his rifle for this new kind of “hunting”—photography.

It was the most touching message I’ve ever received, and it made me feel incredibly powerful. For the first time, I realised that photography has a deeper influence than we often give it credit for. It can truly change the way we see the world.

The way my heart races every time I see a wild animal just metres away—the raw, untamed beauty that makes me feel deeply grateful to witness the wonders of our planet.

Elegant right moment.

Honestly, I’m not someone who actively seeks out contests. I usually miss the deadlines if I find the one that interests me—haha. But with The European Photography Awards, I got lucky: someone sent me a link, and I decided to submit a photo to this prestigious competition. I uploaded just one, and I won!

I’m thrilled and incredibly grateful for the award. While I believe that professional photographers or any professionals shouldn’t focus solely on winning awards, I have to say it’s a tremendous honour to be recognised by such a prestigious institution, especially by peers in the field.

The photo I submitted is one I’m particularly proud of for a simple reason: I saw it in my mind before it came to life. This is almost unheard of in wildlife photography since animals aren’t models you can pose as you wish.

I took the photo in February during a safari in Tanzania. That day, I only had one camera with a 400mm lens. Suddenly, an elephant appeared so close that I knew I couldn’t frame it properly. So, I focused on a tree in its path and waited for the moment when its trunk would emerge from behind. Fortunately, the elephant walked right behind the tree, and I captured the exact shot I had imagined.

What makes the photo even more amusing is how the elephant’s trunk, with its colour and texture, looks like a natural extension of the tree.

I’m not sure if the award will have a big impact on my career, but it definitely reassures me that I’m on the right track. When you’re doing something that makes you feel alive and truly happy, the rewards will come—sooner or later.

There are so many! Interestingly, most of them aren’t even wildlife photographers. I’m particularly drawn to the work of Alain Laboile (black and white child photography), Meg Loeks (family and child photography), and Michael Aaron Ulmer (self-portrait photography), among others. I follow them on Instagram, and their work inspires me so much.

No matter what happens, never compare yourself to others.

Don’t put off your dreams because of excuses, especially thinking your camera or lens isn’t good enough. Yes, the gear matters, but the biggest impact comes from you, the photographer. It’s your eye that makes your photos unique. So don’t wait—start right now.

My key to success is banal: I only have one life, and I don’t want to waste it. I do what I love, i.e. wildlife photography, and I strive to get better at it every day. I have goals I want to achieve, but it’s the process that truly excites me. I’ve found what makes me happy in the moment, what makes my hands tremble and my heart race with excitement. For me, that’s worth more than all the 'likes' in the world.

This is the best part! When you’re doing what you love and have the opportunity to keep improving—because there’s always something to learn—you’re constantly evolving. Staying open to new information and knowledge is what keeps the passion alive and the journey exciting. It’s not just about mastering the craft, but about embracing the process of growth and discovery. Every new piece of knowledge or experience adds another layer to your understanding and deepens your connection to your work. For me, this continuous learning and evolution is what makes the whole journey so fulfilling.

I would like to thank the European Photography Awards for the chance given to me to share my feelings and experiences with others.