When I first started taking pictures of birds, it was all about getting as close as possible to the bird. Especially the rare ones. I wanted those crisp, detailed portraits with silky backgrounds and clean compositions. Like the ones I’d seen in my “bird book”. Close enough to see the detail in the feathers.
And as my friend Jan would say, “I want to see the gleam in his eye”. Nothing quite like seeing the eagle eye of, well, an eagle. After all, those types of images showcase the beauty of birds, their diversity and their ability to survive in an ever changing world. It also fits hand in hand with my drive to see and photograph as many species as I could.
Recently my thoughts have shifted.
I still get excited about rare or new birds in my area.
And
I enjoy walking through tick infested wetlands to create interesting bird portraits. But now, I’m drawn more to images that reflect what the experience felt like. The light, the atmosphere and environment where the bird was found. I want to tell a story with my photos, to create something that feels honest and alive. I aim to make images that stir emotion, that give a sense of the bird’s world, not just what it looks like. More than ever, I want my work to reflect who I am as a photographer. If I can inspire someone to pause and really see—to wonder at the perfection of birds, their incredible environments, and why it’s worth protecting them—then I know I’m on the right path.
