RAJA KHAYRAT
Morocco – Photographer Saida Bouna captures birds in nature reserves and around holiday resorts with a childlike passion, yet with the sharp eye of an expert. In each frame, one can feel her admiration for nature and her dedication to art, as Saida Bouna reveals not only the birds but also the elegance of the environment in which they live. Distinguished by her ability to capture the finest details of nature, Saida Bouna works as if embarking on a journey to discover the unique secrets of each bird. By reflecting these moments in her photographs with aesthetic and emotional subtlety, she brings the enchanting aspects of nature to the viewer. In Saida Bouna’s work, there is a powerful language of expression that goes beyond documentation. Combining her interest in nature with an artistic perspective, the artist offers the viewer both a visual feast and a heartfelt experience.
Passionate about photography
Photographer Saida Bouna began her professional career in wildlife photography in 2019. However, her relationship with photography goes back much earlier. Saida Bouna says, "My relationship with photography began years ago, in 2004, when I got my first camera. In general, I was passionately devoted to photography. Wildlife photography requires a process of specialization. A wildlife photographer must certainly pass through previous stages of the art of photography, because before going to protected areas and natural environments to search for living creatures from photographic perspectives, one must master the necessary experiences and techniques."

Stopping the moment
Wildlife photography involves not only photographing animals and birds in their natural habitats, but also observing their behaviors such as searching for food, mating, and caring for their young. Saida Bouna says that this kind of photography means capturing details of their lives by following them from a distance, carefully, and without interference. For her, this process is like 'immortalizing moments' and recording them by stopping time from a certain perspective. Saida Bouna emphasizes that what distinguishes a photographer’s style from others is precisely this approach.

‘A journey full of discovery’

"Photography, beyond being an art form in itself, is a spiritual and discovery-filled journey," says Saida Bouna, adding, "The secrets and beauties of this journey can truly be understood only by someone who shoulders a camera, ventures into the wild, searches for living creatures in nature, and endures all the risks and challenges that come with it."

Touching upon photographic techniques, Saida Bouna explains the importance of professional equipment and preparation as follows:
"You must have a high-quality, professional camera and take photographs with zoom lenses of 300 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm, and above. You must also be familiar with professional photography techniques and how to camouflage yourself, because animals sense approaching danger from a distance."

Dedicated years to this work
Continuing her words by saying, "Wherever they may be, I cannot live without a camera by my side and without following birds," Saida Bouna adds, "This journey, to which I have dedicated years of my life, is not just a passion for photography; over time, it has evolved into a process of discovering the secrets of the universe around us and finding healing. When I am alone, I listen to the pulse of nature and return with an elevated spirit. Women form a deeper bond with nature, and this bond provides the energy we need to continue living in a world that is becoming increasingly fast-paced and noisy."
Also protecting the environment
The process of photography involves inevitable dangers, such as falling from high places. Photographers focus on their goals while ignoring their surroundings; this is common among all professional wildlife photographers. Saida Bouna believes that wildlife photography gives meaningful and educational messages to young people. In this way, young people become familiar with living organisms, natural ways of life, and the requirements for survival in environments free from pollution. Saida Bouna does not see the mission of wildlife photographers as limited to capturing the beauty of nature; she emphasizes that they also carry the great responsibility of protecting the environment and defending the right of living beings to exist.

"While I was in a reserve in the Souss-Massa region (southern Morocco), I saw a ringed flamingo with a symbol on its leg and took its photograph, says Saida Bouna. ‘After doing some research, I learned that the flamingo was 44 years old and that the symbol on it came from France, thus providing information about the bird’s history and age. I contacted the relevant authorities in France. I sent them the photo of the flamingo and the information I had obtained. The authorities said that the flamingo had not been seen for thirty years and was believed to be dead. This led to me receiving an invitation to participate in the ringing work of young flamingos in France. I believe that such details I encounter in nature make an important contribution to experts and researchers in tracking birds, their livelihoods, and their migration routes."
Defending the right of living beings to life

Saida Bouna is compared to a wildlife photographer. In particular, she shares similarities with hunters in terms of clothing and camouflage methods. However, there is an important difference: unlike the hunter, Saida Bouna, as a guardian of beauty and life, defends the right of living beings to live in a safe and healthy natural environment. Unlike the hunter who carries a rifle, with her photographs she immortalizes the existence of living beings. For this reason, she sees wildlife photographers as creators of beauty and life, who reveal the hidden secrets of nature and take on the mission of protecting it against environmental dangers. Saida Bouna says that what unites her with other female wildlife photographers is her passion for photography and her sense of responsibility; each of them captures different details of wildlife with their own unique touches and perspectives.