I have always had a deep passion and fascination for the natural world. From a very early age, I would spend my free time peering into ponds and exploring the meadowland near my parent’s home in north Cornwall. My mum and dad introduced me to photography when I was aged 10 - giving me a compact camera for Christmas. Immediately, I began photographing wildlife. The results were poor at first, but I was quickly hooked. I began using my parents SLR - a Zenit 11 - and a year later, in 1990, won ‘BBC Countryfile’s’ junior flora and fauna category in their annual photo competition – with a photograph of paired dragonflies. This encouraged me further and by the time I won the ‘Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ competition a few years later, I had already decided to pursue a career in photography.
Now aged 32, I am working hard to build a reputation as one of the country’s leading outdoor photographers. I’m a regular contributor to a number of magazines, including ‘Outdoor Photography’ and ‘Digital SLR Photography’. My work is published throughout the World and I am contracted to a number of picture agencies, including ‘NaturePL’. I have had multiple success in the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year' competition and in 2008 was on the judging panel for this prestigious competition. in September 2009 I was named 'British Wildlife Photographer of the Year' at the BWPA awards. I am also the author of six photography books, including 'The Digital Exposure Handbook'.
I am a macro specialist, so the majority of my wildlife images are taken of insects and wild plants. Over the past couple of years, I have spent an increasing amount of time shooting scenic images of the South West’s stunning landscape and coastline. This region, and its natural history, is a constant inspiration to me. Indeed, Cornwall will always be my home and where my wife, Fliss, and I look forward to raising our two beautiful, young daughters...
At the risk of sounding clichéd, I simply hope that my work will help highlight the beauty and importance of our natural history and the environment on which we depend…
Equipment
Camera: Nikon D700 & D300 SLRs.
Lenses: Nikkor 12-24mm, Nikkor 17-35mm, Nikkor 18-70mm, Carl Zeiss 21mm, Nikkor 24-85mm, Sigma EX 28mm, Sigma EX 105mm macro, Sigma EX 120-400mm, Sigma EX 150mm macro, Sigma EX 1.4x tele-converter.
Tripod: Gitzo Systematic GT3541LS legs & Manfrotto 405 geared head.
Speedlight: Nikon SB800 AF DX.
Backpack: Lowepro Photo Trekker AW II or Lowepro Vertex 200 AW
Accessories: Lee filter system x 2, graduated ND (hard & soft) filters, 0.9 ND filter, Heliopan 105mm circular polarizer, 10stop ND, Nikon PK-13 extension tube, Dome hide, remote release, Lastolite reflector & Wimberley Plamp.