I’m delighted to announce that I’ve won the Coast & Marine Category in the British Wildlife Photography Awards! It’s been a long time coming, I’ve entered every year for the last eight without making it into the book up until this point, and so I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk a little about some of my inspirations over the years that have led me to this point.
The first printed book collection from the British Wildlife Photography Awards back in 2010 was the catalyst that really set me on the path of wildlife photography. I remember pouring through the pages in awe. Marcin Zagorski‘s shot of a Mountain Hare bracing itself against a snowstorm in the first light of dawn. Craig Jones’ shot of a Barn Owl out hunting early on a frosty morning, the beautiful contrast of the warm rays of the sun in the foreground offset against the cool blue tones in the shadows. Yannick Dixon’s shots of a Starling murmuration in Blackpool. Ben Hall’s wonderfully composed shot of a Mountain Hare sheltering from the elements. Chris Elliott’s intimate shot of a pair of Great Crested Grebes feeding their young at close quarters. All these images set my creative juices flowing and I couldn’t wait to get out and try for myself.