Biography

Originally from Manchester, I came to Sheffield to study a degree in Environmental Science in the late 1970s where I specialised in wildlife conservation. I trained as a teacher and worked as a lecturer of Environmental Science in Sheffield for 20 years before I became a full time wildlife photographer.

I started photography some 20 years ago with a Pentax Spotmatic as a way of recording bird's nests. One day whilst working on a high moor in the Peak District I met a local bird photographer. A conversation led to a session in a hide with a Redshank and I was hooked. I spent the greater part of each spring for the next few years working in this way. I graduated via an Olympus OM1+2 to a Canon T90 and a 500mm lens. I started to work more away from the nest and longer throughout the year. I also began to explore other aspects of natural history.

Today I use the  Canon EOS system with a variety of lenses with a EOS 1D mk4 and 5Dmk2. About 12 years ago I decided that I needed to start to sell my work and I am now represented by a number of agencies (NPL, FLPA, Fotonatura and RSPCA) and sell images and articles to a variety of magazines and organisations. I write a monthly wildlife article for Derbyshire Life and I am Amateur Photographers wildlife photography masterclass expert for 2010. I am also a contract holder with Natural England and have responsibility for wildlife photography throughout the East Midlands and Peak District.

During the year alongside photography I give slide shows and talks, workshops and tutorials, usually with a strong conservation theme. I run a number of trips with Natures Images and residential workshops with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

I  look at different styles of photography and try to incorporate those aspects which I feel are appealing into my work. I have travelled abroad to work photographically and I can easily see why it is so popular and usually easy!  However, I definitely prefer to work in the grey and dank UK- images are much harder to obtain and therefore far more satisfying.

Click below to listen to Paul being interviewed by BBC radio Sheffield

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