Our Guides

Unforgettable wildlife photography adventures led by professional guides.

Meet the Team

Our team of professional wildlife photographers, naturalists and local guides have an intimate understanding of the regions we visit. Their knowledge of native wildlife behaviour and their ability to capture stunning images in challenging conditions is second to none.

They are passionate about sharing their expertise and insights, ensuring you have the best possible opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife responsibly and ethically. Regardless of your skill level, they’re a friendly bunch and always happy to help.


Tour leader: David Gibbon

David Gibbon is the owner of Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd., which specialises in small-group Arctic wildlife photography tours.

An award-winning wildlife photographer, David leads tours into the most remote and extreme environments on Earth. In 2022, he became the first UK photographer to run a commercial tour to Ellesmere Island, the closest landmass to the North Pole, enduring temperatures below -50 degrees to photograph polar bears, Arctic hares, Arctic foxes, musk oxen and Arctic wolves.

He has been recognised twice in the prestigious Nature Photographer of the Year for his Arctic images, as well as in Travel Photographer of the Year.

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Tour leader and award-winning photographer David Gibbon sits in a bright, snowy landscape under a clear blue sky. Wearing a white beanie, black gloves, and a thick dark winter jacket, his face is notably red from the cold, with visible frost clinging to his face and clothing.

Awards and Achievements:

2013

  • Highly Commended in Mammal Society Photographer of the Year.

2017

  • Finalist in the People’s Choice Award in Bird Photographer of the Year.
  • Winner in the CEPIC Stock Photography Awards.

2018

  • “Nest Builder” – Highly Commended in the British Wildlife Photography Awards.
  • Highly Commended in the International Photography Awards and Bird Photographer of the Year.
  • Finalist in the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
  • “Endurance” – shortlisted in National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year.

2020

  • Special Mention in Travel Photographer of the Year.
  • “Caught In A Blizzard” – Highly Commended in Nature
    Photographer of the Year.

2021

  • “Taking Its Toll” – Highly Commended in Nature TTL Photographer of the Year.

2023

  • “The Charge” – Category Runner-Up in Nature Photographer of the Year.

2025

  • David’s Arctic fox images were featured in a solo exhibition at the Xposure International Photography Festival in Sharjah, near Dubai. This is the world’s largest photography festival, boasting 50,000 square feet of floor space and attracting over 30,000 visitors. A particular highlight for David was giving a private tour of his exhibition to Sir Donald McCullin CBE, acknowledged as one of our greatest living photographers.
Tour guide Kevin Morgans lies on his stomach on a rocky landscape admiring a puffin that is standing in front of him.

Tour Guide: Kevin Morgans

Kevin Morgans is a multiple award-winning wildlife photographer, tour leader and photographic guide. His work with Atlantic puffins recently won the prestigious portfolio prize in Bird Photographer of the Year, along with the publication of his latest book, Puffins: Life on the Atlantic Edge.

Kevin has a passion for photographing UK wildlife, but his journey has seen him travel further afield across Europe, the Falklands and the polar regions in search of wildlife.

He is an experienced guide who has been running 1-1 and group workshops for many years, using this experience to pass on his knowledge of the natural world and how best to capture it.

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Tour guide Andy Howard, in a plaid shirt, a navy gilet, glasses, and a camouflage baseball cap, leaning over a large camera system on a rocky coastal cliff.

Tour Guide: Andy Howard

Andy has been a full-time professional wildlife photographer and guide since 2015, dedicated to providing his guests with the highest level of service. For Andy, ensuring his guests are in the optimal position and have the correct settings to capture the perfect shot is paramount.

“My motivation is getting my guests the best possible images,” he says. “After all, I’m there for my clients’ photographic opportunities, not just mine!”

Andy’s expertise has been recognized beyond his tours, with appearances on the BBC’s One Show and Countryfile. His proudest achievements, however, are his acclaimed Secret Life book trilogy, culminating with The Secret Life of the Otter, an eight-year labour of love filled with stunning images of these elusive creatures.

Andy is also passionate about sharing his knowledge through workshops and masterclasses. His dedication to his clients’ success is evident in the numerous competition wins they’ve achieved, including a category win in the prestigious British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPAs).

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Tour guide Julia Richardson smiling while looking directly at the camera.

Tour Guide: Julia Richardson

Julia, an accomplished wildlife photographer and seasoned traveller with a genuine love for nature, has many years of experience in the field. She gained her ARPS in Natural History in 2019.

Specialising in wildlife photography, Julia focuses on the quiet moments. She captures the stories animals tell through their behaviour and surroundings, offering a glimpse into the world of creatures we don’t often get to see up close. With a background in teaching, Julia is well equipped to share her knowledge and to assist others in bettering their photography skills.

Her image “Crested Tit Versus Coal Tit” received the distinction of Highly Commended in the Animal Behaviour category of the British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPAs) 2019. Furthermore, her photography was showcased in Mother magazine in 2024 and on the front cover of its 2020 calendar.

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Tour guide Conrad Dickinson kneels on a snow-covered boat deck, aiming a large camera with a camouflage lens cover. He wears a dark jacket with a Union Jack patch on the sleeve.

Tour Guide: Conrad Dickinson

Conrad is a world-renowned polar explorer and an expert on the Arctic. He is the only Briton to complete the Polar Grand Slam; the three toughest Polar journeys. His expeditions crossing Greenland, Antarctica and reaching the Geographic North Pole were all unsupported.

Conrad was headhunted to lead Prince Harry and four British wounded soldiers across the South Pole as part of the South Pole Allied Challenge 2013. He appeared in the accompanying two-part BBC documentary, Harry’s Arctic Heroes.

He accompanied David to Ellesmere Island where they endured temperatures below -50. You can watch their BBC TV interview below.

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Tour guide Dani Connor stands in a forest holding a small red squirrel in her open hand while smiling at the camera.

Tour Guide: Dani Connor

Dani had always dreamed of becoming a wildlife photographer. After pursuing a degree in zoology at university and before starting a PhD in tropical ecology, she decided to quit her part-time job at the Natural History Museum in London and travel to northern Sweden where she was utterly captivated by the local red squirrels.

Her love grew even stronger when she discovered four orphaned baby squirrels. After sharing a video of Baby Pear, squeaking adorably, it quickly went viral—gaining 16 million views within just a few days and 60,000 followers!

“This overwhelming response,” Dani explains, “inspired me to focus on YouTube, where I now share my journey of photographing wildlife. Today, I live in northern Sweden, surrounded by the enchanting red squirrels. My mission is to inspire others to connect with the natural world, and I hope you’ll follow along!”

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Tour guide and wildlife photographer Francine Stevens smiling gently at the camera.

Tour Guide: Francine Stevens

Francine is a New Zealand-born wildlife photographer and conservation storyteller whose creative perspective has been shaped by a diverse international journey across Australia, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the UK and her native homeland. Now specialising in documenting the natural world, she brings an invaluable global perspective and strong logistical expertise to our guiding team.

In the field, Francine specialises in a minimalist style, focusing on clean, intimate portraits that highlight character and emotion.

With a strong background in volunteering for global conservation initiatives, she provides a deep understanding of animal behaviour and ecology. She helps our guests read the environment and anticipate wildlife movements ethically, ensuring you can translate raw natural encounters into impactful, professional-grade portfolio pieces.

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Your Money is in Safe Hands

Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd. safeguards your trip deposits and balances in a dedicated trust account with Protected Trust Services (PTS), a leading provider of financial protection for UK travel companies.

Additionally, our comprehensive supplier failure insurance protects your investment if any of the ground agents or service providers we partner with fail to deliver the services you’ve paid for.

Protected Trust Services logo for Wild Lens Nature Tours Ltd, Member No 6239.
Read reviews for Wild Lens Nature Tours on Trustpilot.
  • “The scenery, wildlife and company were all exceptional and without doubt has been one of the highlights of my photography journey. It was a tour I will never forget and would thoroughly recommend.”
    Miles
    Mongolia Tour

See what our clients are saying

  • “Overall, an excellent holiday which we shared with an amazing group of fellow photographers – well organised and very enjoyable. We have returned home with a wealth of photographs and many happy memories.”
    Peter Wyles
  • “I came back home with lots of incredible shots, lots of great memories and new friends. I would definitely recommend everyone to join Wild Lens Nature Tours for any of their very well tailored trips for nature photographers.”
    Mohammad Murad
  • “You truly are in the hands of a professional world class team who take zero short cuts and always look after the group. I would not trust anyone else with my safety and security on an epic adventure expedition like this.”
    Brian Brooking
  • “It was a truly special experience. We saw Arctic foxes regularly, and importantly there is no baiting, so we observed and photographed natural behaviours which made the experience far more authentic and rewarding.”
    F Stevens

Our Guides FAQs

We specialise in small-group, expert-led wildlife photography tours. Our guides are not just knowledgeable about wildlife; they are passionate photographers themselves, dedicated to helping you capture stunning images. We prioritise personalised attention and ethical travel, and create immersive experiences that foster a deep connection with nature.

Our guides are experienced wildlife photographers, naturalists and local experts with an intimate understanding of the regions we visit. Many have won prestigious awards, published books and been featured in renowned publications. They are passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise, ensuring you have the best possible opportunities to observe and photograph wildlife.

A key aspect of our tours is the personalised photographic guidance you’ll receive from our expert guides. They are there to help you with camera settings, composition, understanding light and anticipating wildlife behaviour to maximise your chances of capturing incredible shots. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, they offer valuable insights and support.

While some of our guides are international experts, we also work with knowledgeable local guides in many of our destinations. This combination ensures you benefit from both world-class photographic expertise and in-depth local knowledge, providing a richer and more authentic experience.

We believe that wildlife photography can be a powerful tool for conservation. We are committed to responsible travel practices that minimise our impact on the environment and respect the animals and their habitats. We support local communities and promote sustainable tourism practices.

We focus on small group sizes to maximise your experience. Our tours typically range from six to eight participants. This allows for personalised attention from our guides and creates a more intimate and enjoyable atmosphere.

Absolutely. As a member of Protected Trust Services (PTS), your trip payments are held in a secure trust account, completely separate from our operating funds. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, your money is protected and will be refunded in full. Furthermore, we have comprehensive supplier failure insurance in place. This means that even if a ground agent or service provider we work with is unable to fulfill their obligations, your prepaid services will be reimbursed. So, you can book with confidence, knowing your investment is doubly protected.

Simply visit our Contact page and follow the instructions. You can also contact us directly by phone or email, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

A black camera backpack is open on a rocky, snow-covered ground, revealing a professional camera body and telephoto lens inside. The background is a rocky mountain valley under a partly cloudy blue sky.

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