I suspect I’m a rare animal – a nature photographer who has forged a successful career based solely on my photography and writing. I graduated from Otago University with a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences in 1981, and have been a fulltime photographer, writer and lecturer ever since. I specialise in the seas and wilderness areas from the tropical South Pacific through New Zealand to Antarctica - and have written and photographically illustrated 18 books. I am the only photographer ever to have won five First Prizes in the world’s largest nature photography competition, the BBC (currently Veolia Environnement) “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” competition. This prestigious competition is considered to be the “Olympics” [or “Oscars”] of nature photography. I also teach, sharing techniques and insights with keen photographers from New Zealand [and around the world] through photo workshops, field trips and private tuition. On a good day, surrounded by whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds - or just the sea and sky - it’s the best job in the world! I
