Downpour
Price range: £250.00 through £1,150.002024
This photograph was inspired by a couple of shoots I did for the wild horse project — the rain brought the herd to life, and added another dramatic layer to the resulting photographs.
When I completed the project and returned to exotic species, I was excited to shoot in the rain again, and rhino seemed like a good subject — their rugged, pre-historic appearance suits the drama of a downpour.
I was aware of a heavy deluge that was due to hit us in the afternoon, and so I headed out to the field with a feeling of excitement. The rain came, along with some dramatic light — I was the only one crazy enough to be out in the rain other than the rhino, but it paid off.
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Titans
Price range: £250.00 through £1,150.002024
To work with elephants is always one of the most surreal experiences – they always make me stop in my tracks, in total awe of their enormity, but also of their remarkable gentleness. I love watching them plod along, going about their daily business and interacting with their family. They deserve our utmost respect, after all, they were here long before us humans.
It is always a challenge to photograph them, indeed my last elephant release was back in 2022. I have tried a couple of times since, and have had this idea sketched out for a while – it just takes time with these beasts, there is no rushing an elephant, but I am not complaining – there are worse places to be than in the distant company of an elephant living his life. I came close once in 2023, but his head didn’t quite lift high enough, meaning the tusks blocked his friend’s face, so I tried again, and again.
It all came together, finally, in October 2024. I thought ‘Titans’ was the perfect title – they possess strength, intellect and importance in abundance.
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On The Approach
Price range: £250.00 through £1,150.002024
The zebra is one of the most nervy and skittish species I have photographed, it takes a massive amount of time to gain their trust, and to get into a situation where there is a chance of getting the photograph I am looking for. But it is worth it, their stripes are so visually arresting.
I crouched down so that I was below their eye level, automatically a much less intimidating sight to a zebra than a six foot four inch man, and waited until her inquisitive side finally overtook her nervy nature. I wanted a head-on shot, something completely different to anything I have done before with a zebra – there isn’t, in my opinion, much in the animal kingdom that can claim to be as beautiful as the face of these iconic creatures.
To shoot these creatures head-on is perhaps the biggest challenge, if you are shooting side-on in search of an abstract composition you have a chance of being able to position yourself out of sight, but to capture the image I wanted, I knew I had to be in her eye-line. It was all about being calm, patient and slow in any movements.
Just look at those big, floppy ears, and that incredibly intricate facial pattern. I will never forget this moment – it was the first time myself and a zebra made eye contact, and probably the last!
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Heart Of Stripes
Price range: £250.00 through £1,150.002024
Over the last seven years I have grown to be proud of my diagnosis and the quirks and traits that come with it — it hasn’t always been easy, in fact there have been many days, especially during my time in education, where I hated myself because I was different.
My obsessions (a key autistic trait) with our natural world and with the art form of photography, have undoubtedly saved my life on many occasions over the years, and given me the most incredible voice and outlet for my emotions.
One of my favourite traits, is my incredibly vivid imagination. I have loved the camera for many years, and my subjects for many more years, and I often imagine new photographs that I’d love to take, sketch them out and then try to make them with my camera.
I imagine and sketch many more ideas than I take photographs in a year, but it is a challenge I relish — there are some sketches that I’m still trying to turn into photographs years after they’ve been sketched.
This photograph was based on one of those sketches, and I am so proud of it. It took me twenty-two months from sketch to photograph — all you need is 1/200th of a second, but it can take a lifetime to find that 1/200th. Especially when you need two zebra’s to position their heads in the shape of a heart!
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Razzle Dazzle
Price range: £250.00 through £1,150.002024
Those that have followed my journey and my work for a while will likely know of my obsession with the zebra – my diagnosis my autism means I am a great lovely of pattern, and I enjoy making black and white photographs, so the zebra is one of my favourite animals to work with.
I haven’t worked with them for a couple of years due to the horse project – they are nervous creatures and so it requires a good amount of time to gain their trust, but last month I had the opportunity to spend a few hours in their company. We were blessed with good light, and the dark backdrop provided a perfect opportunity to make a photograph that made their white stripes pop.
It felt wonderful to work with my favourite animal again.
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My Protector
Price range: £250.00 through £1,150.002023
Photographing a baby giraffe is always an enchanting experience, the awkward attempts to navigate their long legs and their large, innocent eyes always make me smile.
I wanted to capture the vulnerability of the baby, and the strong bond between mother and calf. The bond between mother and offspring has inspired so much of my work capturing the natural world – it is a bond that is so special.
Photographing this baby giraffe was an unforgettable experience, reminding me of the beauty and vulnerability of nature. It served as a gentle reminder of the preciousness of life and the importance of preserving these magnificent creatures for generations to come.
As always, this was take using Nikon’s incredible #Z9
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Tapestry
Price range: £250.00 through £1,150.002023
Much of my attention in recent months has been poured into the wild horse project, but it has been great to pepper the schedule with the occasional exotic shoot – not only does it refocus the mind when returning to the horse project, but it has also refreshed my creativity.
It had been some time since I last had the privilege of photographing a baby giraffe, but when the opportunity arose recently I knew I had to grab it – there is something so beautiful about a baby giraffe.
As many will know, I am obsessed with nature’s many beautiful patterns, and there is no better pattern than that of a giraffe. The light was perfect that afternoon, almost illuminating this little beauty, and when he walked in front of his mum I smiled from ear-to-ear. The giraffe’s patterns are definitely nature’s very own tapestry.
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A Giants World
Price range: £250.00 through £1,150.002022
I recently spent some time working on a special collaboration with @oxleybob to raise important funds for @thebigcatsanctuaryuk and our subject was their resident white tiger. When we departed the Sanctuary, I knew I had to work with a white tiger again – they are so enchanting.
On the train home I began to dream of photographing a white tiger again, and decided that the aim should be to create a portrait — it should be all about their unique beauty (they lack pheomelanin; the pigment that turns fur orange) and their should be no distractions.
I finally got myself and my cameras in front of this beautiful creature a few months after initially setting eyes in a white tiger, and knew immediately that I had to be at eye level – he was laying in some tall grass, and that would provide a beautifully simple background upon which I could justice to this most beautiful creature.
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The Otter II
Price range: £250.00 through £1,150.002021
It has been an interesting year, and certainly, one of the highlights for me has been working with some more varied species.
Two of those species are the meerkat, and the otter, both of which have proven to be such interesting subjects. It’s been a great challenge capturing a single frame of both species that does them justice and shows their personalities.
In July I shared the result of my time spent with the meerkat, and today, in November, I am delighted to share the result of my time with the otter.
I think the photograph works – there is personality in his face, and his damp fur hints at the otter’s love of swimming. My autism also draws me to the beautiful patterns created by the damp fur.
Looking forward to delving into the worlds of some more lesser-photographed species in 2022.
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