About Me

I grew up in the Scottish Borders, surrounded by rolling hills, forests and lochs. Wildlife was part of everyday life, and some of my earliest memories are of exploring the countryside with my father whilst he took photos.

He introduced me to looking closely at the natural world. I became fascinated by birds and mammals, spending hours immersed in books and studying the illustrations and photographs of species I hoped one day to see for myself.

Photography came into my life professionally much later.

During my time in the British Army, I was issued a Nikon D200 and a 600mm lens for surveillance work. I took the equipment home and tried it on a Robin. I was still very much at the beginning of my wildlife photography journey, but it made me realise that this was something I wanted to pursue further.

I went on to spend more than 14 years as an Army Photographer, working across military operations, combat, press, public relations and documentary photography. The experience gave me a strong foundation in observation, composition and working under pressure, while wildlife photography continued to develop alongside my professional career.

Photographing the real world

My approach to wildlife photography is rooted in what happens in the field.

I believe the photograph should be created through an understanding of light, behaviour, composition and timing, rather than relying on extensive manipulation afterwards. I want my images to represent the real moment I experienced.

That doesn't mean I don't process my photographs. I use digital techniques with much the same philosophy as a traditional darkroom, enhancing what was captured rather than creating something that wasn't there.

You'll find no sky replacements or AI-generated backgrounds in my work. For me, the reward comes from getting as much right as possible before I press the shutter.

From photographer to guide

One of the most significant developments in my career was the opportunity to work alongside wildlife photographer Andy Rouse, guiding wildlife photography tours across Africa and India.

Working in the field alongside Andy broadened my understanding of professional wildlife photography and, just as importantly, taught me how to help other photographers get more from their time in the field.

Today, photography is about more than creating my own images. I enjoy sharing what I've learned and helping other photographers develop the ability to recognise and capture those opportunities for themselves.