My love of Wildlife

As a child, I always loved wildlife , well, except wasps because I was stung on my leg as a 9 year old minding my own business on the beach in Wales – not that the memory is etched into my mind! Apart from that… I loved all wildlife!

I used to collect the Wildlife Fact File – for those who also grew up in the early 90’s, this image below will likely trigger some nostalgia!

I would love it when a new pack of inserts came out. I would head to the local newsagents and use my pocket money to buy them and there was something about the smell of it that I will always remember – that fresh plastic wrap and printed paper. Likely a little toxic but we didn’t care about those things back then!

I would tear the plastic and carefully add the new inserts about different animals to the folders. I wish I had kept them all but I remember giving them away. I may need to head over to eBay and see if I can find some to buy!

Wildlife Photography Inspiration

Aside from learning about all different types of animals, my obsession was with the images.

I was also an early donator to the WWF too. They had a campaign in the 90’s about helping the harp seals. I remember that all of their marketing material had this cute little white fluffy seal on – and so those posters were plastered on my bedroom wall. That image is etched in my brain; It was taken by Brian Skerry a photojournalist who is also a National Geographic contributor – an incredible honour that many photographers aspire to. And, another magazine that I have always loved! There’s nothing more special than seeing that yellow rectangle on the front cover, popped through the letterbox every month!

I never wanted to admit that I dreamt of being a wildlife photographer because people would say that it wasn’t a real job and it was even more unlikely, being a ‘girl’, that I would “make” it.

So I studied Geography (which I loved) – where I learnt about Antarctica and that soon became my life ambition. There were a few opportunities that came up where I could have taken the plunge but either the time wasn’t right, it was too much money (it is super expensive but oh so worth it!) or I would have had to share an inside cabin with 3 other people who I didn’t know. Now, I was absolutely prepared to do this…. but I held off and I am so glad I did, because my dream came true and it was the perfect scenario (more on this in a future blog!)

My obsession with penguins, however, started much earlier, when I watched The Wrong Trousers, by Aardman Animations.

Anyone that went to school with me will know my love of Wallace and Gromit – I got teased for it – but I didn’t care. I had a Shaun the Sheep backpack (see below!) that I used for school, but only because I didn’t want my favourite penguin (Feather’s McGraw) to get damaged! Yes, a little geeky and way too much caution for such a young child but they were my pride and joy!

Slightly sidetracked there but still an important detail! So, now you know I LOVE penguins. They are the most incredible animal and so resilient, which makes me believe they are my spirit animal.

So coming back to my wildlife photography inspiration.. Andy Rouse! A photographer who I really respect and look up to. Not just for his images but his work ethic and morals around wildlife – plus he seems like a genuinely nice and down to earth person.

I have recently signed up to his Patreon account to learn some insider tips on wildlife and to hear more about how he photographs, his travels and to be part of the community that he has built.

I have only been doing wildlife photography ‘properly’ for a year now – even less if you take into account my health issues and not leaving the house (future blog post about this!) but I have found the wildlife community a lot friendlier than my previous genre of fashion/beauty. I wouldn’t say it’s less competitive, likely more so, but I feel that people have a genuine love for animals and that common ground and respect is first and foremost.

Anyway, I will wrap up here and leave you with one of Andy Rouse’s penguin images! Until next time…..