I have a 25-year career in environmental conservation, a passion for nature and a parallel lifelong love of photography. So, in 2019 I chose to turn my life upside down and develop my photographic skills, knowledge and experience through an MA at the Arts University Bournemouth. The theme of my photographic research and practice for the MA was rewilding.
Not only is rewilding quite new and has hit a contemporary zeitgeist, but it gave me a chance to start to make a difference in something that I feel passionate about; showcasing the importance and resilience of nature. To this end, I have used my combination of skills, knowledge and access to create a documentary-led digital storytelling platform about rewilding called “What if you just leave it?”, which comprises a website, a podcast, a touring exhibition and a book. This work is ongoing and is undertaken around my paid work in both photography and nature conservation.
Although nature photography is my focus, I have made bodies of work in sports photography, landscapes, still life and portraiture, with the “What if you just leave it?” body of work also featuring extensive location portraits of people who undertake the rewilding. I was also shortlisted for the AOP Student (2021) and Emerging Talent (2022) awards, both with different photographs from the same body of work.
I juggle my photography career with a role as Executive Director of a small rewilding charity, running and bringing up two boys.
