Photographing mountains and wildlife with Sophie Dunajev

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Episode summary

For Sophie Dunajev, photography is not an end in itself, but the extension of a visceral need to live at altitude. In this podcast episode, the 35-year-old professional photographer shares her vision of a practice where patience and respect for wildlife take precedence over the quest for performance.

A vital return to the top

Originally from Haute-Savoie, Sophie Dunajev grew up in a typical hamlet, surrounded by alpine pastures and landscapes. Although she discovered photography as a teenager, borrowing her parents’ film camera to immortalize chamois, her link with the mountains became obvious during her studies in Brussels. The remoteness of the relief caused her to become depressed, prompting her to return and settle permanently in Savoie, in the Haute-Tarentaise valley. Today, she combines her job with the Vanoise National Park with her passion for photography, which she sees as a bonus for her time spent walking and getting fresh air.

The art of transcribing majesty

Trained as a self-taught photographer by renowned names such as Alexandre Deschaux and Jérémy Villette, Sophie has developed a particular sensitivity to dreamlike atmospheres. She is particularly fond of mists, which bring out the relief and give mountains an imposing, almost mystical character. To avoid the “squashed” effect that a wide-angle lens can produce on grandiose landscapes, she prefers to use a powerful zoom. This technique enables her to capture distant details and play on the compression of shots, reinforcing the visual force of the peaks. She also stresses the importance of integrating an element of scale, such as a human silhouette or a chalet, to resonate the monumental dimension of the setting.

A non-negotiable field ethic

Sophie Dunajev’s practice is inextricably linked to a deep knowledge of and strict respect for wildlife. She refuses to see the mountains as mere playgrounds, describing them instead as “living grounds” for fragile species. It points out that winter is the most critical period for animals, as the lack of food and the difficulty of moving around in the snow deplete their energy reserves. Even unintentional disturbance by outdoor sports enthusiasts can be fatal. Sophie cites the example of the black grouse, which shelters in snow holes and whose survival can be compromised if a skier provokes it to take flight. She therefore advocates a discreet approach, avoiding systematic stalking in favor of chance encounters where the animal is never chased for image’s sake.

Fascination with the “mountain cleaner

Among all her subjects, the Bearded Vulture occupies a special place. This immense vulture, with a wingspan of almost three meters, fascinates the photographer with its golden plumage and astonishing habits. Nicknamed the mountain cleaner, it feeds mainly on bones, sometimes dropping them on scree to break them up and consume the marrow.

Unlike the more shy golden eagle, the bearded vulture is a curious bird that doesn’t hesitate to fly over humans at close quarters. Sophie now plans to devote a book to her adopted valley, combining landscapes and portraits of emblematic species. Her message to outdoor sports enthusiasts remains one of contemplation: take the time to stop and realize that we are not alone in sharing this space.