Tim - the world’s most famous and largest elephant - is an icon of our times. Like any icon, whether they be a politician, sports star or film star, there is pressure on the photographer to do justice to the subject in a portrait. Often these encounters fall down as the cameraman simply stands on the shoulders of the icon and does not impose himself on the situation. With Tim, I cannot have him passive - he must be ears flapping, dust flying and coming towards me. That is easier said than done, but if we put in the hours with the right local team, it is possible.

I think that this portrait of Tim does justice to his magnificence.