Local Expert Nature Shooter is launching today.

So what is local expert nature shooter? (LENS) I have always been a champion for getting out into your local area to shoot the wildlife that is often hidden around us. As wildlife photographers we often get caught up with chasing around after wildlife, often travelling hundreds of miles in the process.

LENS was born out of the idea that as a wildlife photographer you should be the expert in the local area around where you live. I have produced a number of Youtube videos recently where i have championed the value of individuals becoming there local expert. This has many benefits and is particularly useful for anyone starting out in wildlife photography, so let me explain!

Muntjac deer

Taken Approx 2 miles from home.

Walking out of your back door with your camera equipment means you are instantly at your location, even if you live in a town or city there will be green spaces near you where wildlife makes a home and can be seen at certain times of the day. You can walk that area every day, for me that is the early morning three mile dog walk! My dog walk every morning is a recce, what am I seeing where, why is it there? Have I seen it there before and will it be there tomorrow or is it likely to move elsewhere in my patch? I am getting this information every day I am improving my observation skills, my evaluation of tracks and signs. I can then revisit these areas with the camera and take some shots. Perhaps most important are the twin benefits of cost and time. Getting in the car and travelling hundreds of miles, maybe staying in a hotel or cottage is a big cost particularly in these days. But perhaps more important is time. The time you gain by being on site instantly can’t really be measured other than in your improvement as a wildlife photographer. But getting to know my local area doesn’t stop there. These skills I develop transfer over to visiting new areas and all go to help me become a better wildlife photographer.

My first official LENS video will be out shortly and you won’t believe the distance I travelled from my studio to get some awesome images! We have also developed some merch if you too want to join the movement and become your Local Expert Nature Shooter, just head over to the merch section on this website. Anyway I hope you enjoy the videos and identify with the process. I will go into more depth in the first Youtube video so keep your eyes open for that. See you soon!