We asked our Sony Artisans Of Imagery and Alpha Collective to submit their most meaningful images of 2024. See Part 4 below featuring nature and wildlife photography from Nancy Borowick, Tony Gale, Caroline Jensen, Matt Kloskowski, Andy Mann, Paul Nicklen, L. Renee Blount, Sapna Reddy, Shauna Wade and Charlee Wild. Stay tuned to Alpha Universe as we continue to countdown to 2025.

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We're counting down to the end of the year with a selection of the most meaningful images taken by our Sony Artisans and Alpha Collective in 2024.

Nancy Borowick

Photo by Nancy Borowick. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G + 1.4x TC. 1/800-sec., f/8, ISO 400

“Most winter mornings here on St. John in the U.S.V.I. start with a rain shower… and you always know that a rainbow will follow. It’s part of the magic of living in such a beautiful place and I always have my Alpha 1 at the ready. On this particular morning, we had three series of rainbows which felt like a true gift from Mother Nature and in this moment, with my 200-600mm and my teleconverter on, I saw a Magnificent Frigatebird dancing through the colors of the rainbow and couldn’t take my finger off the shutter.”

Tony Gale

Photo by Tony Gale. Sony Alpha 7CR. Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master. 2.5-sec., f/16, ISO 400

“This was through a rock wall. I had an idea in mind to play with perspective, and walked along the wall looking for the right size gap. Because the Sony lenses are so small I was able to fit the lens into a quite small space to create the feeling of peering out into the forest”

“I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and spent hours almost everyday wandering in the woods. So the forest is always a place that is calming and restorative to me. This is a place in Connecticut I am fortunate to be able to visit frequently and it always me re-focus.”

Caroline Jensen

Photo by Caroline Jensen. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/160-sec., f/14, ISO 50

"This was shot at Kando in Santa Barbara, CA. I love that it was shot right next to the pet potty station outside the hotel! I love to make fine art images everywhere and these little plumbago were just misted with a bit of rain. It shows that art is everywhere and you only need a macro lens to find it."

Matt Kloskowski

Photo by Matt Kloskowski.

“I was on a boat and we passed by some puffins. I had never really photographed puffins before, so this was a first for me. Plus, the way it was almost running across the water looked more interesting to me and they're just fun to look at on the computer because they have so much character.”

Andy Mann

Photo by Andy Mann. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 28-60mm f/4-5.6. 1/250-sec., f/5.6, ISO 500

“While free-diving off Canary Islands, Spain this year - I was lucky to super encounter a pod of pilot whales who got comfortable and stuck around, allowing me to photograph this tender moment between a mother and calf. A sweet and gentle embrace from the mother as the calf was about to surface for air was a moment I'll never forget. Family is a number one priority in my life these days and the mother/child connection is just such an awe of nature for me!”

Paul Nicklen

Photo by Paul Nicklen. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/60-sec., f/9, ISO 320

“I took this image while hanging out with a puma as we both sought shelter from a blizzard in Chilean Patagonia. The cat never once acknowledged my presence and instead continued to keep a watchful eye out for guanaco, a kind of wild camelid, while staying dry.”

“Experiencing a moment like this, lost in the muffled sound of a snowstorm just feet away from one of the most beautiful animals on Earth, was the greatest gift I could ever have hoped for. This moment was only possible because I was in an area where pumas are protected, allowing their populations to recover after years of hunting. When we give nature the space to rebound and thrive, we witness life on Earth as it was always meant to be: wild, raw, and beyond all imagination."

L. Renee Blount

Photo by L. Renee Blount. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 300mm f/2.8 G Master + 2.0x TC. 1/1600-sec., f/5.6, ISO 4000

“In the morning darkness, we departed camp for the bush in vehicles. Once deep enough, we set out on foot in the light with the Dinokeng Game Reserve Team. After a bit of time, the moment happened. A herd of impala loudly shrieked, redirecting our attention. Now in the vehicle for safety due to the defense of a potential kill, I see a cheetah panting. It is a young mother who made a kill. She called out for her young to join her. With labored breaths, she walked and called. And then a procession of 6 juvenile cheetahs paced toward her. And she walked them to the kill. I captured this as one popped their head up.”

“The experience with cheetahs on foot left me stunned. It was beautiful to witness this successful conservation effort. In addition to their endangered status, Cheetahs are often bullied by predators and killed by other big cats like lions. Furthermore, this expedition meant so much for me to go. I've come from the adventure world, and I've always wanted to get into wildlife.”

Sapna Reddy

Photo by Sapna Reddy. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/3-sec., f/13, ISO 800

“Exploring the world’s largest cave system, the Son Doong expedition in central Vietnam was an incredible adventure that took me about 250 ft below earth’s surface. With multiple river crossings, wading through in the dark, ascending and descending rough terrain with ropes and ladders we arrived at truly incredible locations on this multi day expedition. Illuminating the caves and photographing them was surreal and awe inspiring as I had never seen caves of this size before. To see clouds rolling through some of the larger caves, beautiful reflection pools, dramatic  mineral formations and the creatures that survived in the dark was an unforgettable adventure.”

“This year I made a commitment to become a full time professional photographer and to have adventures that would take me beyond the familiar, expand my perspective, foster resilience, help me gain new skills and inspire me. This particular adventure was the start of that creative journey. This image reiterates the message that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone. Opening oneself to new experiences, learning to be comfortable with fear, discomfort and uncertainty has been important for personal growth. It's a blessing to get up every morning excited for the day to begin. Having a lifestyle where I get to take my clients on  adventures around the world and teach photography is a dream come true.”

Charlee Wild

Photo by Charlee Wild. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/4000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 1600

"I like to go on what I like to call 'Arizona desert safaris.' Coyotes in Arizona love to hang around golf courses for the nice grass & water, so I hopped on a golf cart with some friends and this was the result. They move pretty fast, so you've got to be quick with your camera."

"Coming out of what has been the hardest two years I've experienced yet, coyotes are very symbolic for me right now. One crossed my path as I drove out & away from my home, Alaska this summer. & now many coyotes have entered my life since moving to the desert. I felt called to look up what the coyote can symbolize & here’s what stood out: The Shoshoni believe the coyote symbolizes endings—which make way for new beginnings."

"Coyotes can appear when you are being initiated into your next level of spiritual growth. Seeing a coyote may indicate that you need to tap into your own inner knowing & connect with wisdom that comes from within. Pay attention to any intuitive hits or gut feelings that cross your mind after a coyote sighting. The coyote could be telling you to lighten up and embrace more joy and laughter too. Spotting a coyote for the Navajo indicates a time of transformation is near. You may be on the verge of creating great things, but must also remain vigilant against forces of upheaval. Embrace the coyote’s adaptive capacity while also avoiding its trickery… seems very appropriate during this season of life."

Shauna Wade

Photo by Shauna Wade. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/10-sec., f/5, ISO 400

“I captured this photo on my most recent trip to Abu Dhabi, this was at an indoor SeaWorld. As we walked in the room I was excited as I knew right away how I wanted to capture the space. And one that was showing its magnitude with a subject in place.”

“After taking a break for a while, this trip just reconfirmed my passion to do what I love. Capturing people and moments in time that inspire memories of specific life occasions. And that’s exactly what this one photo is for me, a moment in time that reminds me I’m here to do what I love – photography!"