Fauna & Flora Talk -Inspiring Others

I had a wonderful time speaking at the Fauna & Flora International event in the North-west last night. It was brilliant to be asked back to this great venue that I last visited in October 2012 as part of the Spotlight Sumatra events. I presented two slideshows of my work from here in the UK and abroad. I used my own story in life to inspire the audience and my images to connect them to the natural world I’m privileged to see.

I showed the audience how and why I use my camera to give wildlife a voice, and also where my own passion started and grew from.  I explained that my camera becomes my weapon of choice and the only way I can really help to portray what I’ve seen for myself on the ground. Its so important how we view, think and treat all animals both in the wild and in captivity.

“Craig’s love of wildlife started from a young age, learning to respect and care for wildlife was instilled into him by his mother, who took him to nearby woods and places where wildlife was as a small child. From those early days he spent so much time being at one with nature, close to and watching, hidden from view on the off chance he would see a certain animal. Those first encounters with nature put into place the platform for his journey to become a wildlife photographer. His sheer passion for wildlife was born out of a love and fascination of the natural world from a young age. Craig now uses the medium of photography as a method to capture the beautiful things he witnesses in nature, placing a frame around something he has seen, letting the image convey the true beauty of that moment in time that words could never describe. Having travelled the world taking incredible photographs in beautiful landscapes, having photos used in publications such as National Geographic and BBC Wildlife Magazine, and being shortlisted as a finalist for Wildlife Photographer of the Year twice, Craig has realised that his photographs are not only a thing of beauty, but have helped to bring the natural world’s plights to many members of the public that otherwise would not know of the things he has been privileged to see, good and bad. He has found that the power of caring for nature and the power of photography can be placed together to fight for all wildlife in the best and only way he knows how, through his work.” – Fauna & Flora 2017.

I got there early and set up and did a sound check and just enjoyed the calm before the storm so to speak before all those attending turned up. Its a great venue with wonderful acoustics, and it wasn’t long before the people started to arrive and then I was introduced by Penny the nights host.

My message was very simple, we all must do something to help our planet and its wildlife, caring for what we live alongside is something everybody has too do.  Conservation is for all not just a chosen few, it starts with turning the tap off, or not eating processed foods and making better choices in our own lives. Having more respect and thought for wildlife, not getting animals to perform for photographs is so important.

When we as humans enter their world that first contact should be treasured and respected. Animals will remember those encounters and judge us on them. Everything I spoke about is linked in someway and conservation for me just simply means to care, to protect and help all wildlife. I showed images from around the world and here in the UK. So much of our own wildlife is in trouble and I touched on this in my second presentation.

Id like to thank Penny and Fauna & Flora for inviting me for a second time. Thank you to everyone that attended and asked questions and came too see me after, it was wonderful to engage with you all with my work.  If you’d like too see the full range of talks I do and some of the wonderful feedback I’ve had over the years then please click on my talks section of my website here. Too book a talk then please fill in the booking form at the base of the talk page and I will get back to you as soon as I can, many thanks.