Eight Feet – Inside the life of wildlife photographer Graeme Purdy

Bob Rehill and Associates are proud to have many talented members in our network of associates, and we’d like to share a little bit about them with you. In this article, we talk to Business Change Manager Graeme Purdy to find out more about his passion for photography.

Graeme Purdy, a Business Change Manager and part of the Bob Rehill & Associates network for the last five years, is an incredibly talented wildlife photographer who has recently launched a new book containing some of his most spectacular photographs.

Since he was a youth, Graeme was always interested in photography and developed this passion as he grew up. “I’ve always been interested in photography, growing up I was in the school darkroom and this passion grew over the years. It was super charged when I purchased my first digital camera and I started to expand and explore different genres of photography” Graeme says. He graduated to taking photos of wildlife and feels that his empathy for the subjects and his broader concern for wildlife conservation led him there. “I believe you can only be good at something if you have a passion and motivation for what you are doing. Photographing wildlife is so rewarding and gives me so much in return, I am grateful for every moment I am out there.”

Photographing wildlife is so rewarding and gives me so much in return, I am grateful for every moment I am out there.”

Although Graeme isn’t sure he has a favourite image, there are several which are very close to his heart. “My first good up-close image of a Red Deer is special to me as it took me three months of experimenting, trying and failing before I finally succeeded. There is also an image of a Hippo which I may never get again as they are so very shy usually and there are images of a pride of Lions that I’ve watched for weeks upon weeks which are very special to me.”

So, what’s the secret to taking a great image? Graeme thinks it’s all in the creativity, “Usually a great photo is different. We are blasted with images every second of every day and over the years we have seen so many great images, that a great image from 10 years ago has been recaptured or imitated many times. So usually the images that grab your attention are different and also creative.” In a world where almost everyone has access to a camera on their mobile phone, it means that we can all have a chance at capturing that special photograph. “I’m obviously an advocate of how a camera can capture a moment, an emotion or occasion, so being able to do that without lots of planning but simply using your phone is good.”

As you would expect, there are lots of differences to his former business roles to being a photographer, and Graeme has found that ‘becoming a photographer’ takes time. “You need to grow your skills and photography niche as well as your customers and overall business. It’s an organic process building credibility and better and better images, like any other business really.” For anyone looking to get started in photography, Graeme recommends investing time in developing your hobby. “Photography shouldn’t be onerous, use a camera you can operate without being put off and just enjoy it. I believe photography is a great hobby, it should be fun. It can be social and creative too, all things that help us create a balance in our lives. Whether you get more serious about photography isn’t that important, enjoy it, invest time in it, or you might regret missing out on a hidden talent.”

“You need to grow your skills and photography niche as well as your customers and overall business. It’s an organic process building credibility and better and better images, like any other business really.”

Graeme’s new book ‘EIGHT FEET’, named because all the images are taken from within eight feet of the wild subjects using mostly a remote camera set up, is now available to purchase on Amazon for £35. You can also watch an exciting behind the scenes video about how the book was created. 

For more information, please visit Graeme’s website or follow him on Instagram @graemepurdy.