GLAM / AMOUR

In a world where art and nature rarely find shared language, Preeti and Prashant Chacko have carved their own dialect—one spoken in black and white, shaped by light, and echoing with emotion. Based in the opulent, cosmopolitan heart of Dubai, this husband-wife duo has become synonymous with soulful wildlife photography. Under the banner Composing the Wild, they invite the world to meet the untamed not through spectacle, but through soul.

Their images are not just pictures of animals; they are Portraits of feeling, reflections of empathy, and moments suspended in stillness. Through an evocative monochrome palette, Preeti and Prashant tell stories that make the wild feel hauntingly close.

A Journey That Began with a Lens and a Leap

Rewind to 2010. Newly relocated to Durban, South Africa for work, the Chacko’s were city kids with an unremarkable wildlife resume—mostly zoo visits and textbooks. But something stirred during a safari to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park. With a humble Nikon D90 and a Nikkor18-105 lens, they attempted to capture a world that felt astonishingly real and, until then, unreachable.

That trip planted the seed, but it was a photography tour to Zambia with friends—and under the tutelage of professional photographer David Rogers—that transformed interest into obsession. Prashant had intended to shoot the trip on a Blackberry, but a last-minute shift to a hired Nikkor 200-400 f/4 lens was, in his words, “life-changing.” It wasn’t just about better gear; it was about better seeing.

Durban-based landscape photographer Emil von Maltitz would soon become their coach, teaching them the fundamentals—composition, light, post-processing. The duo’s travels became more focused, their safaris more intentional, and the quality of their images began to match the quality of their experiences.

Their turning point came not with a roaring predator, but with a moment of quiet grace—a baby langur cradled in its mother’s arms, captured during a safari in India. The image, later titled Innocence, didn’t roar—it whispered. It wasn’t the expected tiger or lion, but a delicate portrait of vulnerability and connection. When Innocence won an Instagram competition judged by the legendary David Yarrow, it was more than a win—it was a revelation.

Being handpicked by one of the world’s foremost wildlife photographers signaled a profound shift: their art had graduated from casual admiration to critical recognition.

Beyond the Frame: Capturing the Emotion of the Wild

The Chacko’s style isn’t dictated by species, but by sentiment. They are seekers of moments, not trophy subjects. Preeti, drawn to the gentleness and grace of the animal kingdom, often captures the soft, quiet drama. Prashant, on the other hand, is the master of drama—sunlight piercing storm clouds, wide-angled landscapes breathing around a solitary subject.

Though they shoot the same scene, often from the same vantage point, their interpretations are startlingly distinct. It’s not a matter of whose image is better; it’s a celebration of perspective, a visual duet where harmony emerges from contrast.

While one photographed the elephants’ approach, the other got the retreat.

“Photos are the sum of all our life experiences,” they reflect. And in Composing the Wild, those experiences converge seamlessly.

Their art is as much a reflection of the wild as it is a commentary on how we perceive it. “Too often, wildlife is portrayed as ferocious,” says Preeti. “But we want to inspire love, not fear. People protect what they find beautiful.”

This ethos is deeply inspired by the work of legendary wildlife photographer Nick Brandt, whose black-and-white portraits of African wildlife redefined the genre. “He catalyzed a change in our mindset—from taking photographs of wild animals to creating art.”

The Art of Innocence and the Glory of Hallelujah!

Among their most celebrated pieces is Innocence, the image of that baby langur—an unassuming yet profoundly emotive portrait. “It’s about the curiosity in the child’s eyes, the safety of the mother’s arms. That was the story we wanted to tell.” It’s Accolades are numerous:

Another masterpiece is Hallelujah!—a symphonic moment when three ox-peckers took flight as a mother reunited with her calf, swaying grass and cotton clouds composing an almost divine setting.

Other award-winning pictures include:

Each award is a stepping stone, but for the Chackos, they are also reminders of purpose—to move the needle on how wildlife is perceived and preserved.

Guided by Greatness: The Mentors Behind the Lens

While Composing the Wild is the visible tapestry of Preeti and Prashant’s artistic journey, the threads have been lovingly interwoven by the mentors who shaped, sharpened, and inspired their craft.

“In this journey, we’ve been fortunate to cross paths with remarkable individuals whose guidance has left an indelible mark on our work,” the Chacko’s reflect.

In their early years, it was seasoned photographers Andrew Schoeman, Brendon Cremer, and Neville Bulsara who helped them refine their skills. Their mentorship not only deepened Preeti and Prashant’s understanding of wildlife behavior and composition but also gave them the confidence to pursue their vision with clarity and commitment.

As their artistry evolved, so did the nature of their mentorship. Today, they continue to refine their expression under the thoughtful guidance of Dileep Anthikad , Remya Warrier, and Gurcharan Roopra — mentors who challenge them to dig deeper into emotion, form, and narrative.

These names may not be present in every frame, but their wisdom echoes in every shadow and shimmer. Their influence is a testament to the collaborative spirit behind even the most solitary art.

Dubai: A City of Contrasts, A Cradle for Creativity

Operating from Dubai, a city where futuristic luxury meets age-old tradition, has amplified their global reach. “The multicultural art scene here is electric,” they say. “With so many international collectors and art festivals, it’s the perfect confluence for artists like us.”

Dubai’s influence is palpable not only in their exposure but in their evolving themes. It has also opened up new avenues—wildlife within the UAE is now a subject of interest for the Chacko’s, a way to ground their global sensibility in local soil.

At World Art Dubai 2025, Composing the Wild was honored with the prestigious Best Photographer award — a milestone that affirmed not just their artistic merit but the emotional resonance of their work.

Yet for Preeti and Prashant Chacko, the true reward came through their interactions with viewers. One visitor shared how the titles of their pieces—each chosen with care—added depth and drew her further into the story behind the frame. Another remarked that their images captured “feelings, not just faces.”

It’s that kind of feedback that fuels their passion, to create more art with their cameras

Looking Ahead: Stillness, Stories, and a Love Letter to the Wild

This year, Composing the Wild unveiled their latest series An Ode to Stillness – Part 1, an exploration into the quiet power of the animal world where their exploration is not limited to one or two species. To do this theme justice they aim to continue this exploration, with An Ode to Stillness – Part 2 later in the year.

In addition, they are turning their lenses to the UAE’s wildlife — a journey both personal and pioneering.

Their long-term vision?

To keep bridging the emotional divide between humans and animals. “We want to create art that makes people feel—really feel—the beauty, vulnerability, and worth of the wild.” But for Preeti and Prashant Chacko, feeling isn’t enough.

Through Composing the Wild, they’ve committed to giving back—pledging 12.5% of every print sale to support the ecosystems and communities that make their art possible. It’s a tangible way to protect the very spaces that have given them—and all of us—so much wonder.

In a fast world obsessed with spectacle, the Chacko’s are slowing time down—one photograph at a time. Their work reminds us that the wild is not just a distant ecosystem or a news headline. It is a mirror, a muse, and a meditation.

Through Composing the Wild, they are doing more than documenting nature—they are composing love letters to it.

And in every frame, we are invited not just to look, but to feel.