Conservation

The word conservation means many things to many different people, it brings to mind all sorts of thoughts when that word is mentioned. For me it means simply to care, to love and to protect wildlife. With minimal intervention twinned with a great respect for wildlife I use my camera as an extension of myself.

More importantly giving the subject I'm photographing a voice outside of where they live. Highlighting their own unique story or plight within the natural world we share with nature today. The act of preserving, guarding, and protecting all living beings is something I've always done since my first encounters with nature as a child.

For me it doesn't really need a title because put plainly if you care about nature then you will want to help and care for it. Something inside you that comes to the surface once you see wildlife in pain, distress or you witness something you want to try and change and help with.

Putting together conservation and photography can be very powerful. Combining these two elements can have a profound impact that can move people to such a degree that change can and does happen.

Bringing together a deep empathy and love of the natural world alongside my camera skills I have been able to help many species. Helping to bring their plight to many members of the public that otherwise wouldn't know of what I have been privileged to see good or bad.

The resulting images have the power to bring about positive change. While allowing those specific species a voice further afield from that place where you captured their plight and story. From very early on in my career as a wildlife photographer I learnt the power of an image, I learnt it moved me. So I was sure it would move those that viewed the images too.

From the start of my career my photographs have helped many charities. Helping to give a voice to those species they support. 

Being allowed into a world we know little of is something that touches me greatly. Growing up I always helped nature in anyway I could. As a child I built my own bird aviary and often neighbours would bring me birds to try and help and nurse them back to health before taking them to a local rescue center nearby.

I helped local wildlife rangers watching and reporting on a Little Owls nest and many other little projects I had throughout my early teens. This is where, without knowing my own conservation started.

Now as a wildlife photographer I try and help all species of wildlife with my images. Telling the story behind the picture and more about where they live and how they live.

I have learnt over the years when faced seeing certain species in stress or danger that I am able to turn that passion into a positive and use my heart and camera to photograph what I see despite the shocking scenes I have witnessed in my career with the many examples of sheer and pointless cruelty the human race is capable of.

Switching from my heart to my head I'm able to capture the true essence of the things I have and do witness. This wasn't planed, it wasn't taught, it comes from that true and powerful love for nature I had from a small child.

It embraces my own wonderful lesson about life and nature my late mother taught me. The power of caring for wildlife I learnt a long time ago. The power of photography I learnt in later life.

I now place these two together and fight for all wildlife in the best and only way I know how and that's through my work. Highlighting their plight, it educates people and brings a positive change to people's thoughts and practices.

I try and show not only the beauty of the natural world but also the suffering within that world and my hope within my own contribution to conservation is to give all wildlife a true and meaningful voice around the world.

Even though I have to walk away from them I want my images to be a visual remember that they were never forgotten, and their plight wasn't ignored.

I'm proud to support many wonderful charities and organisations through my skill set, imagery, talks and campaigning -

DSWP Tiger Trade, Palm Oil Detectives , Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust , Wolf Action group, Orangutan Information Centre, SOCP, The Barn Owl Trust, Birdlife International, Protect The Wild, EIA, Hunt Investigation Team, Pygmy Hog Conservation The Badger Trust, Moorland Monitors, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

This reflects my personal commitment to protecting wildlife and their environments in which I work. I donate a percentage of all Craig Jones Wildlife Photography limited edition image sales that go directly to helping these small, dynamic organisations.

We can all do something I believe, all do our bit to look after the natural world that is entrusted into our care.

Examples of some of my conservation work can be seen here, here and also here.

I was also part of the Spotlight Sumatra exhibition in London.

I have also been part of the globally successful conservation initiatives Prints for Nature , New Big 5, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation 

Having used Nikon cameras throughout my whole career it was wonderful to be asked by Nikon Japan to be part of their "Eyes of Nikon" book to celebrate 80 years of Nikon lenses and technology.  Representing my country on the world scene by being one of only twenty-one invited photographers from around the world. 

Some of my articles and stories I've had published can be found on the following links -

DSWP Tiger Trade, Nat Geo WILD, National Geographic, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Pygmy Hog Conservation, HOCRU Rescue Team- Sumatra,  New Big 5, Wolf Action Group Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

 

Work With Me

Do you have an upcoming project that I might be perfect for? Whether it's stills photography, a film project, conservation portfolio or just to share ideas let’s work together. 

If you wish to enquire simply contact me and I'll be in touch with you. 

I am available for commissions and conservation assignments anywhere in the world. 

One commission for Durrell ConservationTrust helping the Pygmy Hogs in Assam, India that you can see here.