WIlki Ambassador Kevin Morgans is on a roll. A multi award winning, book launching, yawning hare kind of roll.

Having scooped the prestigious ‘Bird Photographer of the Year Portfolio Winner’ with his stunning Atlantic puffin images, two further award wins this month and an imminent book launch are keeping Kev busy.

We caught up with him to find out more regarding his recent successes…

Bird Photographer Of The Year 2021 - Portfolio Winner

Over the past few years, my passion for photographing Atlantic puffins has taken me on an adventure that has spanned the length of the British Isles. Each summer I make the long journey north to the Shetland archipelago and Fair Isle. Truly breath-taking, with wild seascapes and rugged cliffs, these islands are home to countless breeds of seabird. But it's the puffin colonies that keep drawing me back.

Of the many wonderful locations to photograph puffins, Fair Isle is my favourite. It is Britain's most remote inhabited island, only five kilometres long by three wide is a paradise for birdlife. The islands puffin population is not the most numerous but, in my opinion, it is one of the most beautiful.

My winning portfolio celebrates this wonderful island and the puffins which call it home each Summer.

Receiving the portfolio prize in this year's Bird Photographer Of The Year Awards means so much to me. It celebrates many years of hard work traveling up and down the county. It is not only the puffins that have made this project such a brilliant experience but the lasting friendships established along the way. Thanks to everyone for all their help and support on along this journey.

 

Since beginning this project, back in 2015, I’ve dedicated countless hours sitting on remote clifftops photographing these amazing seabirds. The journey has taken me from the wild & rugged cliffs of Shetland to the idyllic Pembrokeshire coastline.

I like to work on these long-term photographic projects, only focusing on a small number of individual species. I’ve predominantly focused on two of the UK’s most iconic species. One being the Atlantic puffin during the Spring/Summer months, the other being the mountain hare. I’ve absolutely loved working with these creatures, be it the escapism on a remote seabird colony, or battling against the elements on a snowy Scottish hillside.

 

I’ve found with photography, you need to shoot what you love, if your heart and passion is not in the project your best work will struggle to shine through. Recently I’ve picked up the nickname “The Puffin Man” (Yes, I’ll be the first to admit, it’s not the coolest nickname in the world ha) but by becoming synonymous with a species, you will become known for specialising in this subject, further enhancing your reputation.

Whenever I get asked how can I improve my wildlife photography? My response is always the same, work with a species you are passionate about, spend as much time as possible just watching your chosen subject’s behaviour. Only by doing this can you learn their intricate behavioral patterns and in time capture rarely seen behaviour.

 

A photographic theme throughout this winning portfolio and the rest of my photography is backlighting. Backlighting is a tricky style to master but, if done correctly, can often create a dramatic feel to your imagery and a final result packed full of atmosphere. I find myself drawn to the creative freedom this approach allows. Whether it's dark and dramatic, focusing on shapes rather than details or shooting much lighter allowing the golden tones to shines through the feathers.

Book launch - Puffins: Life On The Atlantic Edge

Off the back of this success, I’m glad to announce in May 2022, I’ll be releasing my first book Puffins: Life On The Atlantic Edge.

As one of the most recognisable and loved seabirds on our planet, this book will celebrate the lives of these fantastic seabirds, following their lives as they return to our shores each Spring to breed.  The images in this book, will not only be a celebration, of both my journey with these charismatic seabirds, as it is an insightful study into their lives.

 

Over the years, I have introduced many people to the charm and beauty of these wonderful seabirds and, each time, the reactions are priceless: smiles and laughter - these birds never fail to put a grin on anyone’s face.

Photographer On a Roll!

One final note, I’m pleased to say I'm on a bit of a roll at the moment, having recently been awarded first prize in the Animal Portraits category of the internationally recognised Golden Turtle photographic competition, with my unique mountain hare portrait ‘Yawn’.  Additionally, I’ve had a further three images awarded in the competition two being mountains hares and no surprises the last being a cheeky puffin again.

 

To follow Kev's wildlife adventures and to find out more about his book, workshops and prints hop on over to his website and be sure to follow him on Instagram and Twitter.

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