profile


As a relative late starter in photography I was initially inspired by a love of nature and the tiny world of macro photography. I was amazed by the images on the web of butterflies, dragonflies and other bugs, so much so that in 2004 I bought a camera and set about learning how to capture similar shots. Macro and close-up soon became a passion as it opened up a view of the world that so many people will never see. I was inspired by professional photographers such as Ross Hoddinott and Robert Thompson, reading all I could on the subject and improving my shots in the process. Having never shot film, the dawn of digital photography opened up the possibilities further.

In 2005 I took possession of my first DSLR, the Nikon D70, and it proved to be a great tool for developing my photography. The bug had taken hold and what was once a hobby was soon becoming an obsession. The amount of kit in my bag was ever increasing as I experimented and developed my techniques. Landscape photography became an ideal project for Autumn/Winter as the bugs had long since disappeared in those seasons. This added a new learning curve as I strived to create shots as good as those I was admiring in books and magazines at the time. A Nikon D200 replaced my ageing D70, adding more professional level control and output. This was quickly followed by my current camera, the Nikon D300 which is proving to be an amazing tool for digital capture.

With a wife, 2 children and a full time job in IT, time to dedicate to my photography can be tricky. I am very lucky to have a very supportive family that understand my passion for photography. Fortunately I am an early riser and can often be found out on location as the sun rises. A dawn shoot before work is the norm during the Spring/Summer months as I hunt out opportunities to photography dew laden insects or misty landscapes. This helps to ensure that the best light of the day is not missed, not to mention having most locations to myself too.

My images have been used in various publications including Practical Photography, Outdoor Photography, Homes & Interiors and various local publications. I often donate images for use by charity organisations including Butterfly Conservation and the Polish RSPB equivalent. I have also been fortunate to have won or been commended in numerous photography competitions, both local and national. The highlight of which was a Highly Commended in the 2011 British Wildlife Photography Awards with my image of backlit Adonis Blue butterflies at dawn. You can now join me on a shoot as I offer 1:1 and group workshop tuition in both landscape and macro photography and also a photography 101 for the complete beginner. See the workshops pages for more information.

In the Bag
DSLR - Nikon D300

Lenses - Nikon 17-55mm, Nikon 18-70mm, Nikon 300mm, Nikon 1.4x Teleconverter, Tamron 90mm Macro, Sigma 180mm Macro, Sigma 10-20mm, Sigma 70-200mm

Speedlight - Nikon SB-800

Tripod - Feisol 3371, Manfrotto 190CXPro3, Manfrotto 410 Geared Head, Kirk BH-3 Ballhead

Rucksack - Lowepro Vertex 200AW & Flipside 400AW

Accessories - Lee Filter System, Lee Big Stopper 10xND, Canon Angle Finder, Nikon PN-11 Extension Tube, Wimberley Plamp, Nikon MC-30 Remote