About Me
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's Educational Advisor & Teacher of PE / Geography
The sun has set and as the air cools, the distance roar of a lion meanders its way across the plains, hyenas cackle and hippo acknowledges the coming of night. A fire burns in front of me and the opportunity to be close to wildlife gives me a warmth from the inside, that complements that from the fire outside.
For me wildlife photography is an opportunity to express my love for nature and is has put me on a journey that has seen conservation become a passion and through teaching it is hopefully inspiring others to full in love through knowledge and understanding.
My first significant wildlife expedition occurred in 2001, when I joined Mike Ladley on a Great White Shark research expedition. A year later we teamed up with Dr Tristan Guttridge in South Africa to continue the work. My underwater experiences expanded thanks to PADI’s Project AWARE and Marco Giovannini’s work with Turtles in the Red Sea. Opportunities also arose on land thanks to the influence of Maritte Nel, whose knowledge and love for the Africa has been invaluable to me. Then thanks to Emily Lamb became involved in the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, a charity I am very proud to be part of and have formed close working relationships with Georgina Lamb and Rachael Murton.
I now return every year to Africa as either an expedition guide, an Educational Advisor for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation or expand my adventures to other parts of our beautiful planet with my amazingly supportive partner Libby or close travel friend Seb.
Qualifications & Awards
- ZSL Wildlife Photographer of the Year - Runner Up 2016
- Global Canvas Speaker - 2012 & 2013 (Natural History Museum)
- Wildlife Matters Front Cover - Autumn 2011 & 2016
- DSWF Wildlife Matters Featured Photography
- DSWF Website Imaging
- Cycled Across Zambia (first to do so through Kafue NP with Seb & Dom Loarm)
- Wanderlust Web Page front cover – Tiger Eyes
- Weird World – Bradt / Wanderlust with Gorilla Dance
- IFAW Underwater Wildlife Trade – Diving Turtle
- Canterbury Mayoress Photography Highly Commended Award - 2012
- Pilgrams Hospice lead Christmas card – Whitstable Boat 2012
- Southern Africa Expedition Leader 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2014 / 2016
- BBC Africa / Getaway Magazine Africa Shortlist 2013 – Bezi Tree
- Safari Interactive Readers Choice 2013 – 1st, 3rd & 7th
- Africa Geographic blog writer
- BA (hons) Sport Science & Geography - 2000
- PGCE PE - 2001
Working Together
Over the past few years I have been supported by and worked with some amazing people...
Seb Loram a skilled photographer and raptor expert, who has recently worked with the BBC's Natural History Unit on the critically acclaimed Planet Earth II. Together we have travelled in Asia, Europe and throughout Southern Africa. He is a great travel buddy and his knowledge of animal behaviour is excellent.
Emily Lamb is a hero of mine and introduced me to her grandfathers foundation back in 2009. She is an amazingly talented artist and passionate conservationist. It continues to be a great pleasure to work for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, where I have the honour to work closely with her sister Georgina Lamb.
Rachael Murton is the head of Game Rangers International's Elephant Orphanage Project and a very close friend. The opportunities she has given to me have been amazing and allowed me to be actively involved in elephant conservation. My work with her inspired me to write "An Elephant Called Zambezi" and a variety of fund raising adventures. With some new challenges on the horizon, I am excited to be sharing ideas with Jacques Rudolph and Laura Wright.
Dr Tristan Guttridge has also been of great support and a source of knowledge. A good friend, his passion and energy for sharks is infectious and an important influence on my life within conservation.
I have also been lucky enough to be supported by Theo and Lisa Olivier Harpers Photographic, Track and Trail River Camp, the Dental Surgery and Eddie Ephraums.
