Background

I first studied photography as part of my Design Diploma at College. I learnt how to develop film and prints in the darkroom, and this pretty much got me started. I got my first SLR as a present for my 21st Birthday, and shortly after I took a GCSE course in Photography. Upon passing I then went on to do an A Level. 

Influences

One of the earliest influences on me has been my friend Grant Pritchard. When he returned from a trip to New Zealand in 1994 and gave us a slideshow I was blown away. I resolved there and then to make it to NZ myself, it only took me the 9 years but I did eventually make it! New Zealand had a profound effect on me that has lasted to this day, and changed my perspective and outlook on life.

Without a doubt though, the single biggest influence in my early years was Joe Cornish. His book ‘First Light’ was like a Bible to me and I must have poured over those pages countless times over the years.

flickr played a large part in my ongoing development, and exposed me to a number of photographers’ work. Anthony Spencer has been a great inspiration to me, and I think he paved the way for many others. The work of David Baker, Finn Hopson, John Finney, Peter Hulance  and Alexandre Deschaumes have also shaped the way I photograph.

There are many wildlife photographers that are a true inspiration, but the greatest of all, without a doubt, is Vincent Munier. His atmospheric shots, placing as much emphasis on the surrounding habitat and conditions as the subject matter itself, have been a huge influence on me. Munier is one of a number of European photographers leading the way. Michel Doultremont, Marcel Van Oosten, Jan Van Der Greef, Tobias Gjerde, Rob Blanken and Felix Wesch are all producing ground breaking work that continually inspires.

Closer to home, the likes of Ben Hall, Craig Jones, Chaitanya Deshpande and Ben Andrew are continually producing great work.

My Equipment

During my years shooting film I was a dedicated Minolta man. When the time came to turn to digital I started with Sony, before later switching to Canon. I’ve stayed with them ever since, and have now gone mirrorless with the Canon R7 and the M6 Mk II. More recently I’ve developed a love of aerial photography, and inspired largely by the likes of Benjamin Hardman, Drew Simms, Denis Barbas and Stefan Forster, am now the proud owner of a Mavic Mini 3 Pro. Videography is definitely something I want to improve at, I have so much to learn but have a fascination for it that reminds me of my early days as a photographer.

Awards

I’ve won a few awards over the years, beginning in 2012 when I was Runner-up in the Landscape Photographer of the Year, Classic View. I also received Judges Choice from lead judge Charlie Waite, a real honour! In 2016 I was commended in the Outdoor Photographer of the Year, and again in 2017, both in the Water’s Edge category. The following year I won the Coast & Marine category in the British Wildlife Photography Awards. It was a four year wait before I received my last award, a Commended in the World Landscape Photography Awards.  

I’ve also been published in the BBC Wildlife ‘Wild Isles’ book that accompanied the television series, with my image appearing across a double page spread.