Thomas Vijayan
Architect, Wildlife Photographer and Conservation Storyteller
Thomas Vijayan has built a remarkable career by bringing the wildest corners of the planet closer to people through photography. An architect by training and a passionate wildlife photographer, Vijayan has travelled across all seven continents in pursuit of rare moments in nature. His photographs are not simply about capturing beautiful animals; they reflect patience, preparation and a deep concern for the future of wildlife.
Key Facts
Full Name: Thomas Vijayan
Birthplace: Bengaluru, India
Profession: Architect and Wildlife Photographer
Specialisation: Nature and Wildlife Photography
Education/Training: Architecture
Known For: Wildlife photography and conservation-focused storytelling
Notable Image: The World Is Going Upside Down
A Passion That Began in Childhood
Thomas grew up surrounded by photography. Coming from a family of photographers, he was introduced to the craft early and began taking photographs at around the age of ten.
Although architecture became his formal profession, photography remained a constant part of his life. His fascination with nature eventually led him to focus increasingly on wildlife, particularly big cats and other animals in their natural habitats.
For Vijayan, spending time in nature is as important as the photograph itself. He considers every image an experience and believes that patience, practice and observation are essential to successful wildlife photography.
From Architecture to the Wild
Vijayan’s professional background as an architect gave him a structured approach to photography, but his real education came from years spent in the field.
Wildlife photography often demands far more than simply carrying a camera into a forest. Some of his projects have required months of preparation, remote travel and long periods of waiting for the right moment.
For one of his projects involving the Amur cats of Siberia, Vijayan spent weeks waiting in the wilderness for rare opportunities to photograph the animals. He even learned Russian to make the journey easier and safer.
Such experiences demonstrate the level of patience required for the kind of photography he pursues.
The Photograph That Turned the World Upside Down
One of Vijayan’s most celebrated photographs is The World Is Going Upside Down, an extraordinary image of an orangutan climbing a tree in the forests of Borneo.
The photograph was created from an unusual perspective. Vijayan positioned himself high in a tree standing in flooded waters, allowing him to capture the orangutan, water and sky together in a striking composition.
The image went on to win the top prize from more than 8,000 entries at a prestigious international wildlife photography competition.
Beyond the award, however, the photograph carried a message close to Vijayan’s heart. Borneo’s forests face extensive pressure from human activity, including palm oil production, while orangutan populations continue to decline. Vijayan hopes that powerful wildlife images can encourage people to understand the importance of protecting these habitats.
Encounters That Cannot Be Planned
Some of Vijayan’s most memorable photographs have come from encounters that could never have been scripted.
During an expedition to Antarctica, he experienced an extraordinary moment with an emperor penguin chick. After trekking across sea ice with his group for several days, he encountered a young penguin that had apparently never seen humans before.
The chick approached him and stayed close for around half an hour, reportedly mistaking him for its mother. For Vijayan, the experience became one of his most emotional wildlife memories.
It was a reminder that wildlife photography is not always about the perfect frame. Sometimes, the encounter itself becomes the story.
A Career Built on Patience
Vijayan’s approach to photography is centred on quality rather than quantity. He believes that every photograph should represent an experience and that photographers learn by spending time observing nature.
His favourite subjects include big cats, but his portfolio extends across a wide range of wildlife and landscapes. From African wilderness to Siberian forests and the frozen landscapes of Antarctica, his work reflects a lifelong fascination with the natural world.
The photographer has also spoken about the importance of blending into the environment so that animals remain undisturbed. Some expeditions involve spending days or weeks in difficult conditions, with limited communication and basic living arrangements.
International Recognition
Vijayan’s work has received recognition from several major photography competitions around the world.
In 2016, his photograph Swinging Time won the People’s Choice Award in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition organised by London’s Natural History Museum. The image was selected from tens of thousands of entries from countries across the world and became part of the museum’s special collection.
His other recognitions include the World Nature Photography Award, Siena International Photo Awards, Moscow International Foto Awards, Tokyo International Foto Awards and the Windland Smith Rice Award.
He also won first place in the Bird Photographer of the Year competition in 2019.
Nikon Brand Ambassador
Vijayan’s reputation in wildlife photography also earned him a major professional association with Nikon. In 2015, he became Nikon’s first brand ambassador for the Middle East and Africa, a role that reflected his growing international standing as a wildlife photographer.
His work has since taken him to some of the most remote environments on Earth, while his photographs have reached audiences far beyond the places where they were captured.
Photography With a Purpose
For Vijayan, wildlife photography has always been connected to conservation.
He believes that photographs can help people develop an emotional connection with animals and their habitats. When people see wildlife living freely in its natural environment, he hopes they will understand why those ecosystems need to be protected.
This philosophy gives his work a purpose beyond awards and recognition. His camera becomes a way of documenting the beauty of nature while drawing attention to the threats faced by endangered species and fragile ecosystems.
Awards and Honours
• Wildlife Photographer of the Year – People’s Choice Award, 2016
• World Nature Photographer of the Year Award, 2020
• Siena International Photo Awards, 2020
• Moscow International Foto Awards, 2020
• Tokyo International Foto Awards – Gold, 2020
• PHOTO IS LIGHT – World Photography Contest, 2021
• Windland Smith Rice Award for Nature’s Best Photography, 2019
• First Place – Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers Bird Photographer of the Year, 2019
A Photographer With a Larger Mission
Thomas Vijayan’s journey is an example of how a personal passion can develop into a global platform. Although trained as an architect, he found his strongest creative expression in the wilderness.
His photographs capture rare moments, but his larger contribution lies in the stories behind them. Each expedition requires patience, preparation and a willingness to enter environments where few people venture.
Through his work, Vijayan continues to show that wildlife photography can do more than document nature. It can create curiosity, inspire respect and remind people that protecting the natural world is a responsibility shared by everyone.
