Coastal

Coastal Wildlife Photography

Coastal wildlife photography is a varied and rewarding experience. With such a wide range of natural habitats on our shores, each shoot can feel like something entirely new, with its own set of challenges and rewards. One day you could be set up comfortably on a sandy beach, training your camera at seals, sea lions, or other sand-loving creatures, while the next day you might find yourself bracing against gale-force winds on a rocky cliff trying to get that perfect picture of a sea bird in flight. It can become really challenging when you’re trying to lug thousands of pounds worth of equipment over wet and slippery rocks, trying to set up for a tide-dependent shoot. 

One thing that always stands out for me on coastal shoots is the sheer variety and abundance of life. While everyone expects the usual host of avian species, the trained eye knows that there's so much more to capture. Pinnepeds like seals, sea lions, and walruses are the obvious candidates, but other mammals you could be lucky enough to find include playful families of otters, breaching whales or dolphins, or even beach-combing carnivores such as foxes. Then there's the massive community of crustaceans and other tidal species such as crabs, starfish, and anemones, and of course, beautiful plant species that prefer the salty coastal air. 

It’s my sincere wish that my photographs of these delicate and varied habitats will shine a light on the importance of conservation and protection. It breaks my heart to see these majestic animals and birds share their home with human-made filth. Hopefully, an appreciation of the beauty of our remaining pristine ecosystems will drive more people to actively take part in conservation and protection efforts.