Nature Photographer
In my early years film cameras often accompanied various holiday explorations, subconsciously adding to my natural appreciation of natures form. It wasn't till 2008 however, when I began a personal renaissance period with the digital camera. Since then my passion for photography has grown from strength to strength, taking me to diverse places, and allowing me to develop both technically and creatively.
As local artist Jacob Cherry once told me, "Interacting intimately with your subject matter is the key to creating a compelling image". By spending time in an area of land - perhaps in anticipation for a landscape shoot, or by closely following a particular species to better understand their behaviour, you will be able to portray a story within a photograph and not just create a beautiful image. It is with this motto that I set out on excursions with, trying to uncover a 'sense' or 'feeling' which is not obviously apparent at first glance.
My six month sabbatical deep in the wilderness of Finland, close to the Russian border, changed my perspective on nature, and taught me to respect the finer intimate details in the landscape. It was in Finland where I was fortunate to share close encounters with the largest predator in Europe, the Eurasian Brown Bear. I spent hundreds of hours living side by side with these creatures, and developed a thorough understanding of how they interacted within the local ecosystem. These moments gave me the opportunity to understand the subject matter in full, and as a result I was able to create compelling images.
