Mentor Portfolio

Shantanu Shivajirao Somwanshi is a passionate wildlife photographer based in Pune, Maharashtra, who balances his career as an IT Engineer at HCL Technologies with an untamed love for nature. Behind his lens is not just a photographer, but a patient observer of life in its wildest, most unfiltered form.

Since 2015, Shantanu has journeyed across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Kerala, capturing the raw essence of India's forests. Whether it's the quiet gaze of a bird at dawn or the elusive movement of a mammal through the undergrowth, Shantanu has an instinct for documenting rare species and fleeting moments. With his Nikon Z8 and Nikkor 500mm f/4, he brings wildlife stories to life with both precision and passion.

His work has been recognized and published by prestigious platforms like NatGeo and FIP, showcasing his ability to turn natural moments into impactful visual narratives. But for Shantanu, photography is more than just art, it's a voice for conservation. He believes great wildlife imagery doesn’t just inspire, it starts conversations that matter.

Beyond the wild, Shantanu is a family man who cherishes simple moments at home with his wife and child. He finds balance in quiet family time, outdoor adventures, and exploring biodiversity in all forms. His deep appreciation for India’s wilderness is not only reflected in his photos, but in the values he brings to the Wild By Nature community: respect, curiosity, and responsibility.

As a mentor, Shantanu offers more than just technical guidance. He helps emerging photographers connect with the soul of the wild to see not just through a viewfinder, but through a deeper lens of understanding and empathy.