What work have been you doing beforehand?
I’ve a background in journalism and communications.
Earlier than I modified profession, I spent a decade working as a PR Director for luxurious vogue journal manufacturers together with Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, ELLE, PORTER and The EDIT, based mostly in London. Previous to that I labored in comms for BBC World Information.
What are you doing now?
Largely photographing wild elephants.
I run my very own consultancy in Kenya, working as a content material and media specialist for Save the Elephants, the Elephant Disaster Fund and different shoppers. I spend numerous time in Samburu Nationwide Reserve in northern Kenya with wild elephants.
I additionally provide my companies as an area producer for worldwide movie crews, linking them up with native Samburu guides and expertise.
Why did you modify?
The change occurred on account of two horrible household tragedies.
They each made me realise how brief our time is on this planet and the way essential it’s to reside your finest life. I loved my work in vogue – the designer garments, the excitement, the journey – however I felt prefer it wasn’t fairly me. I felt I used to be destined for different issues.
I wished to inform tales and be inventive like I had throughout my journalism days, and tackle new challenges. I wished my life to have goal and which means. I wished to have adventures and I wished to encourage others.
I additionally wished to review pictures, a passion that helped me by way of the darkish days. By no means in my wildest desires did I think about it could develop into my profession, and I might find yourself working with and photographing wild elephants in Africa!
When was the second you determined to make the change?
There wasn’t actually a second.
It was a gradual realisation that I wasn’t doing what I actually wished to do, I solely had one life and if others might comply with their desires, why couldn’t I?
I used to maintain a scrapbook of tales about inspirational folks doing superb issues with their lives, and I wished to be considered one of them, however I used to be afraid to depart my consolation zone.
I didn’t actually know what was in retailer – I had a obscure plan – however I felt like I used to be on the proper path.
How did you select your new profession?
It form of selected me.
I began taking up odd jobs in charity PR in London which opened my eyes to infinite prospects and started to appease my soul. I used to be additionally finding out pictures at evening faculty and through the weekends.
The day I resigned from my vogue job, I received a photographic competitors within the Each day Telegraph. Per week later I used to be supplied the chance of a lifetime to intern as a photographer with Save the Elephants in northern Kenya. So it felt like doorways have been opening for me.
I used to be utterly blown away by Save the Elephants, Samburu, the tradition, the folks, and the elephants. I determined to make the leap and transfer to Kenya, carving out a profession as a comms skilled, content material creator and wildlife photographer.
Now I’ve a mission, a goal; I’m utilizing my expertise and creativity to assist defend wild elephants throughout Africa.
Are you proud of the change?
It’s one of the best factor I’ve ever carried out with my life.
I’m residing a dream. I really feel really blessed and I’m so grateful I discovered the braveness to make the leap.
What do you miss and what do not you miss?
Though I’ve made superb pals in Kenya, I do miss these family and friends who know me so nicely.
I don’t miss, nevertheless, the loneliness of residing in London. Regardless that I used to be surrounded by folks, I felt there wasn’t a way of group like there may be in Kenya. Kenya has area, wildlife and wonder, and the persons are tremendous pleasant.
They’ve an actual can-do angle and I do know who my neighbours are! It jogs my memory of New Zealand in some ways, minus the elephants and the giraffe and the lions …
How did you go about making the shift?
It took me seven months to make the leap.
I did numerous soul-searching, learn a lot of books and blogs, employed a life coach, wrote down infinite lists in regards to the ‘what ifs’ and even attended a course in Italy known as “F**okay It – Do What You Love’ earlier than I truly plucked up the braveness to resign.
I had no thought the way to drive a DSLR digital camera in order that was the very first thing I targeted on. I studied the technical aspect of pictures at evening faculty. At weekends I went to safari parks within the UK to apply photographing elephants and different wildlife.
I additionally did workshops with famend wildlife photographers within the UK and messaged all my pictures pals asking infinite questions. They have been all so affected person with me!
I felt a little bit of a fraud coming into pictures so late, however it additionally felt like a calling. It was one thing I needed to do.
What didn’t go nicely? What unsuitable turns did you’re taking?
I used to be most likely somewhat over enthuisastic, fast-paced and impatient once I first arrived in Kenya (a hangover of getting lived in London for 13 years).
However I rapidly learnt to flow.
What was probably the most troublesome factor about altering?
Forsaking every little thing I knew together with family and friends to start out a brand new life and a brand new profession, out of the country in my late forties.
On the identical time, it was probably the most liberating!
What assist did you get? 
Folks in Kenya – expats and locals – are so prepared to assist out and level you in the proper course.
I used to be actually grateful for his or her assist.
What sources would you suggest to others?
The e-book ‘F**okay it – Do What You Love’ by John C Parkin.
What have you ever learnt within the course of?
I’m much more resilient than I realised.
I undoubtedly belong in wild, open areas.
Once I lived in London I used to be at all times touring, I might by no means hold nonetheless, at all times had huge FOMO. Now I can spend hours looking at elephants in awe and silence in the course of the reserve.
What do you would like you’d carried out otherwise?
If something, I want I’d gone on this journey once I was a lot youthful.
However actually, every little thing got here on the proper time. I adopted the signal posts and I consider I’m the place I’m meant to be.
What would you advise others to do in the identical state of affairs?
It’s by no means too late to make a change.
It will likely be daunting however be courageous. Be sure you have a plan, do your homework, guarantee it’s the proper transfer for you and solely you, and ask for assist if you want it.
We caught up with Jane not too long ago to see how her shift was figuring out, one 12 months on. Here is what she’s been as much as, and the most important classes she’s discovered.
What’s modified for you in your profession since we first printed your story?
Whereas I am nonetheless doing the work I like, I’ve expanded my expertise and brought on new challenges.
In 2024, I visited the Republic of Congo, and in 2025, Tanzania, to create content material for Save the Elephants and its companions.
Seeing elusive forest elephants within the Congo was mind-blowing! I additionally helped handle the development of a brand new customer’s centre on the Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in northern Kenya, and labored as an area producer on a French documentary about local weather change.
This 12 months, I am taking a course on AI for content material creation to verify I keep forward of the curve and to maintain discovering new methods to inform conservation tales that matter.
How do you are feeling about your work now?
I nonetheless really feel blessed daily to do what I like.
Leaving my life in London all these years in the past was the proper resolution, and I’ve by no means regarded again.
I am always studying and creating, and I really feel deeply grateful to have a goal and mission.
Serving to to guard wild African elephants particularly and contribute to one thing so significant has been one of many best rewards of my life.
What challenges have you ever come up towards since making your shift, and the way precisely have you ever handled them?
Transferring from London to Kenya – and particularly to life within the bush – was an enormous cultural shift.
I needed to study to decelerate, settle for that issues work otherwise right here, and toughen up somewhat alongside the way in which.
However the expertise has taught me persistence, resilience, and the way to discover pleasure in simplicity.
How is the monetary aspect of issues panning out, and is that this what you’d anticipated?
I’ve needed to make a couple of sacrifices alongside the way in which.
However I’ve gained one thing far better – a way of goal and happiness that no wage might match.
After all, it isn’t at all times straightforward, however my life has been enriched in additional methods than I might ever have imagined.
What have you ever discovered, since making your shift?
I by no means realised I might really feel so fulfilled working in conservation.
Or that I might have the ability to use the talents and expertise from my earlier careers to assist defend elephants and make an actual distinction.
This journey has taught me that it is by no means too late to vary paths and reshape your life.
To search out out extra about Jane’s work, go to www.janewynyard.com
What classes might you’re taking from Jane’s story to make use of in your individual profession change? Tell us within the feedback under.