Andy got his photography ‘bug’ back in 2008 while he volunteered on the Swanage Lifeboat where he planned to capture the work undertaken by the crew and the challenges they faced. It soon became apparent that there was little time to capture the images he wanted whilst managing his roles on board as well but the seed was sewn and the love for photography was born. The ‘hobby’ soon became a small business and with that the drone operations ‘took off’. Now operating two DJI drones along with Nikon Mirrorless cameras this helps to capture special moments and scenes.
These days the lifeboat volunteering has finished but time is taken up with a full time job along with the photography work, add to that volunteering time for various local charities, helping locally with any ‘Drone SAR for Lost Dogs’ requests keeps Andy busy but he’s always about for a photography chat or here to help on any camera or drone queries.
Andy has worked with the following businesses, charities and people to name a few and along with being published in various National Press stories you know you’re in safe hands…… will you be next?
What’s in the bag(s)?
Andy is often asked what camera or drone he’s using and anyone who knows Andy well enough knows that there is an often changing answer to this question! It’s always Nikon and always been DJI Drones but the actual camera body, lens or drone changes to keep up with technology advances. With drones this is especially important to adhere to regulations and this form of technology is leaping forward with each release. Currently the list looks something like this
Drones (yes there’s more than 1)
DJI Mini 4 pro - this sub 250gm drone fits in the palm of the hand but still captures 4k video as well as high resolution images and with it being so small and nimble permits flying in close proximity to subjects to capture the finer details sometimes required.
DJI Air 3 - whilst still technically fairly small, this drone is bigger and boasts 2 lenses. The small increase in weight gives greater stability in windier conditions and this drone is usually used in more rural locations where the reach of the 2nd lens can help create new compositions of the views it finds from above.
The Cameras (yes there’s more than 1, again!)
Nikon Z8 - Only recently purchased but wow, what an amazing camera and I’m really looking forward to capturing new images and footage with this camera that was announced as Camera of the year for 2023! (no pressure to get good images then eh!)
Nikon Z6ii - This is the 2nd Z6ii camera I’ve owned, first one became a victim of the sea! Not through dropping it in the sea but the sea spray managed to get inside the ‘weather sealed’ body! Lesson learned and now when the cameras are out in any stormy conditions they sit inside ‘Thinktank’ covers. An amazing camera and now my 2nd camera to the Z8 which will be used for more video work and as a back up camera.
The Lenses (yes, of course there’s more than 1!)
Nikon Z 14-24 F2.8 - one of the Holy Trinity of Nikon lenses - this lens is used for my Astro work along with property interiors and landscape work. Amazing lens and quality with sharpness wide open to the edges.
Nikon Z 24-70 F2.8 - Another part of the Holy Trinity of Nikon lenses and this lens is now usually sat on the Z8 as my primary lens. It was christened on the storm chase to Brighton back in the summer of 2022 as a storm rolled in over the channel and helped capture some amazing lightning images.
Nikon Z 100-400 F4/5.6 - Not a part of the Holy Trinity (that goes to the 70-200 f2.8 lens) but an amazing lens with that extra reach that the 400mm gives allows for capture of far more than the 200 lens could ever do.
Along with this kit there’s DJI Ronin Gimbals for phone and camera stabilization for video work, Kase filters, 3 leggedthing tripods and the trusty Gopro 10 for when conditions get really bad out there! It’s safe to say this kit doesn’t fit in a little man bag! Thankfully the Lowepro Trekker 550 bag can handle most of this kit (not sure my back will for much longer though!) and when it’s not in the bag then the cameras and lenses go into a Dehumidifier cabinet to ensure there’s no moisture building up on the bodies!
If you want to know more or have any questions on any of the kit or anything in general then drop Andy a line on the form below