Why Coaching Matters
Most wildlife photographers don’t plateau because they lack information. They plateau because they lack direction.
Common patterns show up again and again:
- You shoot often, but your images feel similar from year to year
- You know your camera, but still struggle to create images that stand out
- You get “nice photo” comments, but rarely get honest feedback
- You feel stuck between good and great
- You want a clear plan for growth instead of trial and error
This isn’t a talent issue. It’s a structure issue.
Gerry explained that without clarity, feedback, and an outside perspective, improvement stays slow and inconsistent. Coaching helps you unlock the things you can’t see on your own.
The Four Pillars of Growth
Resilience
The ability to stay steady when things change, go wrong, or don’t unfold the way you expected. Wildlife photography constantly puts you in uncertain situations. Resilience helps you recover quickly, reset, and keep shooting with intention rather than frustration.
Agency
A sense of control over your decisions and your direction. Agency keeps you from drifting or reacting mindlessly. It helps you choose your approach instead of letting the moment choose for you.
Positivity
Not forced optimism, but the ability to stay open, curious, and engaged. Positivity protects creativity. It keeps you from shutting down, getting defensive, or falling back into old patterns when the conditions get tough.
Gratitude
A grounding perspective that keeps photography meaningful. Gratitude shifts your attention from what’s missing to what’s possible. It sharpens awareness and deepens your connection to the places and subjects you photograph.
Together, these four pillars strengthen your mental foundation so your photography can grow with clarity and purpose — not stress or guesswork.
Who This Is For
Gerry’s coaching is a good fit if:
- You’ve invested time and money into your photography and want your results to reflect it
- You feel stuck at a certain level and want to push further
- You’re ready for honest feedback that respects your experience
- You want direction, structure, and a plan you can trust
- You’re serious about improving and willing to do the work
If that sounds like you, the Pathfinder Session is the best place to begin.
What Is a Pathfinder Session?
- A one-on-one, 45-minute conversation with Gerry
- A look at where you are in your photography
- A conversation about where you want to go
- Help identifying what’s holding you back
- A clear sense of whether coaching is right for you
It’s not a sales call.
It’s a clarity call.
Meet Your Coach: Gerry van der Walt
For more than two decades, Gerry van der Walt has guided photographers through some of the most demanding environments on earth. From the plains of Africa to the ice fields of the Arctic.
He is a world-renowned expedition leader, wildlife photographer, and certified mindset and performance coach. He has helped professionals, athletes, and creators perform at their best under pressure.
Gerry’s background bridges two worlds that rarely combine:
- Psychology and human performance, with formal training in coaching and behavior science
- Real-world fieldwork, leading expeditions and teaching photography on every continent
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Journal member?
Is the Pathfinder Session really free?
What if I’m a beginner?
Do you review my images as part of the coaching process?
Can this coaching help me grow my workshops or teaching?
Will this help if confidence is my main challenge?
Can coaching help me if I want to sell my photos, publish my work, or move beyond Instagram?
Is this coaching only for wildlife photographers?
What if I mostly shoot locally and not on big trips?
Will coaching help if I feel stuck creatively?
Spots Are Limited – Schedule a Pathfinder Session Now