My life as a... Photographer

What is your name?

Alex Hyde

What is your job title?

Wildlife Photographer  Picture Credit: © Alex Hyde

What qualifications do you need to get where you are?

I am self-employed, so no specific qualifications are required but a degree relating to photography or zoology can be very helpful.

What qualifications do you have?

An MSci in Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry and, of more relevance, an MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging, both from the University of Nottingham.

What does your job involve? A lined leaf-tailed gecko on dead palm fronds, hunting invertebrate prey at night, in Masoala National Park, Madagascar. Picture Credit: © Alex Hyde

I take photographs of natural history subjects such as plants, animals and landscapes and sell them to publishers, editors and individuals. Some subjects I photograph in my local area, but I also travel abroad on photographic trips every so often. In addition, I teach photography and related computer techniques (i.e. Adobe Photoshop).

What do you most like about your job?

I love working with nature and being outside. I also like the opportunity to be creative.

Is there anything about your job that you don’t like?

It can be quite lonely at times as I am self-employed, although I do meet with other professionals fairly regularly. Digital photography requires lots of time editing photographs on the computer, which can be a bit tedious.

What is most rewarding about your job? 

It is very satisfying when you see your photographs published in a book, newspaper or magazine and realise that all of the hard work has paid off.

Do you have a typical day?

Not really. If it is the right time of year and the weather is suitable, I might be out taking photographs. At other times I will be catching up on computer work or maybe out teaching. I love the variety, no two weeks are ever the same.

You have to have a real passion for the wildlife you photograph. To do well in this competitive area, you will need to have a good knowledge of natural history as well as being a talented photographer.

Once you press the button on your camera, a photograph is created in a fraction of a second. However the planning behind a good photograph can take many hours and this is where the natural history knowledge comes in. You need to know about the behavior of the animal you are photographing, where to find it and at what time of day.

It can be tricky to get your photographs noticed to begin with. You need to be very proactive, don’t just rely on people finding your website. Try writing articles for magazines to support your pictures. It can also help if you can get a photo agency to represent some of your work. They take some of the profit from each sale but will help market your images to all sorts of different clients. I would recommend looking at the picture credits in books and magazines to see which agencies might best represent your work.

What qualities do you need to be a successful Wildlife Photographer? Lemurs drinking in Kirindy Forest, West Madagascar. Picture Credit: © Alex Hyde

If you want to be self-employed (freelance) then you will need to be well organised, as you have to run your own business.

To produce good photographs you need to be:

• creative
• patient
  
• have a good eye for detail 
  

Understanding your subjects is also key. Having a forthcoming personality and being a good communicator will help you make successful business contacts.

Are you inspired?

Has Alex’s work inspired you to start snapping away? Yes? Then why don’t you start by taking photo's of the wildlife in your garden or in your local park! Spring is now upon us and summer is nearly here so why not dust your camera off and give wildlife photography a go!

Send us your photo's and we’ll publish the best on Creative Corner. You might even win a prize! Click here to submit your wildlife photo's.