Ann Aveyard
Name: Ann Aveyard
Camera: Canon EOS R5 II
Favourite type of photography: Wildlife
Location: Ringwood, Hamsphire, UK
Website: www.ann-aveyard.co.uk
Instagram: @annaveyardwildlifephotography
How did you get into photography?
I’ve always been interested in photography but only took family snaps until I took early retirement from a career as a registered nurse in NHS. When I retired, I decided to learn more about photography and how to use my camera properly, so I enrolled for a 12-week introductory photography course at the Arts University in Bournemouth. That was it - I was hooked, just loved doing that course, loved photography and was thirsty to learn more. I did many more courses and workshops and acquired qualifications. I became passionate about photography and enjoyed trying many different genres. My first and main love was, and still is wildlife photography, but I did become a professional wedding photographer and had a wedding photography and family portraiture business for 10 years. During that 10-year period, I also did some commercial photography, such as property photography for a company letting holiday properties in Italy and local estate agents. I also did some event photography and a lot of photography for charities. I hung up the wedding cameras 2 years ago and now devote my time to wildlife photography. I also recently started organising and leading photographic safaris to the Masai Mara in Kenya.
Do you have any photographic qualifications or accolades?
Qualifications:
LRPS Licentiate of The Royal Photographic Society
LSWPP - Licentiate of The Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
ASINWP - Associate of The International Society of Nature and Wildlife Photographers
Craftsman of The Guild of Photographers (wildlife)
Awards
Runner up - Natural World Photographer 2019, (Guild of Photographers)
Top Ten Natural World Photographer 2020 and 2021 (Guild of Photographers)
Runner Up Wedding Photographer of the Year 2018 and 2017 (Guild of Professional Photographers)
The Societies of Photographers - Landscape Photographer of the Year 2014
The Societies of Photographers-Runner Up and 3rd - Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017
3rd place in Wedding Photographer of the Year, Guild of Photographers 2019
Runner Up Wedding Photographer of the Year, Guild of Photographers 2017 and 2018
Guild of Photographers Top 10 Photographer 2017 and 2018
Guild of Photographers Runner Up Image of the Year, bird photography 2017
Lifetime Award of Membership of the Guild of Photographers Bar Natural World category 2019, 2020 and 2021
Lifetime Award of Membership of the Guild of Photographers Bar 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
I’ve also won many awards in The National Photographic Society, The Society of Photographers and The Guild of Photographers .
I have had many images published in newspapers and magazines over the years and, more recently, a full feature about my photography journey in the August 2024 publication of Hampshire Life .
What's the first photograph you remember seeing or shooting?
The first photograph I remember seeing would be little black and white family photo. My parents used to have a Kodak Box Brownie and that would always come with us on holidays. There weren't many photos as the film was expensive, but I do remember looking through those old family photos. As a child, I was never allowed to use the camera. I think the first photo I took was on my husband's Pentax - I remember that it was manual focus and I just couldn't get the image in focus and ended up with a blurry photo of him.
What do you love about photography?
I love the challenge; there is always something to learn, and it's also about capturing that moment in time and creating memories. Particularly in wedding photography, I felt very privileged to capture a couple's special day - to put them at their ease to bring out their personalities and to capture for them some precious memories, likewise with family portraiture. I believe photographs are so important, especially for families - there will be a time when the photos will be all we have left of someone. With wildlife, I love being outside with nature, spending time with an animal or bird, to watch and learn their behaviour and to capture that in an image is very special. One photograph is powerful enough to not only remind you of the moment or an event, it can also bring back feelings, sounds and even smells of the moment. When I am editing my images it brings back so many memories of when I shot the image, I can remember how I felt and what was happening around me at the exact moment I pressed the shutter button.
Read our Guide to Understanding Camera Sensor Sizes
What do you wish you'd learned about photography earlier?
I just wish I started my photography journey earlier in life. I feel I have lost so much time, but I'm certainly making up for it now and doing as much as I possibly can. I'm glad I did the photography courses when I started as it gave me a good grounding on the technical side of photography.
Where is your favourite place for photography?
My favourite place to photograph now is in Africa, particularly the Masai Mara. The wildlife there is amazing and a photo safari allows you time to spend with the wildlife, to observe them as well as photograph them. It's an incredible place, truly a wildlife photographer's dream. I am particularly fond of the big cats, and over the years I have been going to Kenya, I have learnt so much about these fabulous creatures.
Do you have a favourite photographic technique?
No - I don't think I have a favourite technique. Almost every situation with wildlife photography requires a different approach due to changes in light, speed of the subject etc. In order to capture wildlife you need to know your camera well and be able to change settings quickly.
Can you briefly outline your approach to image processing?
With wildlife photography, I try to keep the processing as natural as possible. I shoot in raw and process the image in Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop. Whereas with wedding photography, I used to spend a lot of time editing the images, removing distractions in the background etc, with wildlife I don't do this. These days I spend as little time as possible editing, preferring my images to be natural and getting exposure and composition right in camera means that little work needs to be done in post processing.
What's your favourite lens?
At the moment I use the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1L IS USM the majority of the time, but I do also like my Canon EF 70-200 F2.8L lens very much - this was my go-to lens for wedding photography and I still use it occasionally for wildlife.
Read the SheClicks Guide to Lensbaby Lenses
Do you have a favourite accessory?
No - just my camera, it goes most places with me so I guess you can call it my favourite accessory.
Read Our Urth Magnetic ND Selects Filter Kit Plus+ Review
Have you found the perfect camera bag yet?
Is there a perfect camera bag? I currently have a lowepro backpack which I've had for many years, so I can't remember which model it is, but it holds my two cameras, the RF 100-500 lens, the EF 70-200 lens, the 24-70 lens and two 1.4 extenders as well as bits and pieces such as batteries and it fits comfortably in the overhead locker on a plane so it serves me well. For weddings, I used to have a Think Tank roller bag, and that worked well, but it's now just used for storage as my faithful backpack is better for wildlife photography.
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 25L Review
Which photographers have influenced or inspired you, and how or why?
Jonathan Scott, as it was watching him present the BBC documentary Big Cat Diary that sparked an interest in the Masai Mara for me. From seeing that documentary, I knew I wanted to visit that part of Africa, and going there inspired me to take up wildlife photography. He has a passion for African wildlife and particularly the big cats. He has done a lot of good work for the conservation of these animals. He was very kind to me a few years ago and took time out to give me advice on wildlife photography. David Lloyd, a wildlife photographer from New Zealand, is an amazing photographer; I find his work inspiring.
Please recommend 2 or 3 female photographers to follow on Instagram.
Roxy Furman @roxythezoologist and Marina Cano @marinacano
Is there a camera, lens or accessory that you don't have yet but you'd like to buy at some point?
I had a play with the Canon EOS R5 II last week and it was amazing so I'd love to upgrade to that sometime. I'd also really love the Canon RF 100-300mm F2.8 L lens, but unfortunately, the price tag is well out of my range - if I bought that, then I wouldn't be able to afford my trips to Africa, so there is no contest, I'd prefer to go to Africa.
Is there a genre of photography that you love but that you haven't tried yet?
No, I've tried most things over the years, well all the genres I wanted to.
What's your proudest photographic moment?
I think probably my achievements and there are a few - runner-up Wedding Photographer of the Year three times in the Guild of Photographers, winning Landscape Photographer of the Year with The Societies and being the runner-up Bird Photographer of the Year with the Guild of Photographers and also runner up Natural World Photographer of the Year in The Guild of Photographers. I also won the Special Contribution Award with The Guild, which was a total surprise and a very proud moment.
If you could have one superpower that could help you with photography, what would it be?
To be always be in the right place at the right time and to be able to read the mind of animals.
Your favourite baked goods are?
Flapjack and coffee cake.
Tell us a little about yourself.
My home is in Ringwood, Hampshire, in the beautiful New Forest.
I have always loved nature, and being brought up in rural Wales, my childhood playground was the countryside. I have had an interest in photography for many years and after a successful career as a registered nurse in the NHS, I turned my attention to becoming a professional photographer. I studied photography at Poole College and Bournemouth University, becoming a professional wedding photographer in 2012. I am passionate about photography and I have loved capturing memories, whether it be a wedding or a special occasion. After 10 years of photographing many beautiful weddings and meeting lots of lovely people, I decided I wanted to devote my time entirely to my passion, wildlife photography.
Although I have always had a love of nature and animals, my passion for photographing wildlife began with my first trip to Kenya in 2011. For me, there is nothing better than being outdoors with nature, and spending time with a wild creature is a great privilege; it’s a wonderful experience to be part of their world for a small moment in time. I strive to tell a story through my images, illustrating the behaviour, interactions and characteristics of different species. Photographing wildlife takes patience and perseverance. Sometimes, it really is a waiting game, but the rewards can be immeasurable.
Over the past 14 years, I have won many national awards for my photography and had images published in national newspapers and magazines. I am very fortunate to be able to visit many places in the UK and abroad to photograph wildlife, including travelling to Kenya many times in the past 12 years. I also lead photographic safaris in the Masai Mara, a place very close to my heart, I love sharing this amazing wildlife paradise with others and helping them to create some beautiful images and memories. Wildlife photographers have a special connection with the natural world; they spend a great deal of time in nature and are privileged to see many wonders. My hope is that through my wildlife photography, I can help inform, educate and inspire people to prioritise and care for the natural world and conserve our wonderful wildlife.
