Congratulations Rachel Bigsby, winner of 'Natural Artistry' at Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Emma Chaplin
, 01 November 2023
Congratulations Rachel Bigsby, winner of 'Natural Artistry' at Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Summer Sow © Rachel Bigsby

We interviewed Rachel Bigsy about her wildlife photography in 2018. Since then, she's been going from strength to strength. Emma Chaplin caught up with her...

Tell us what you’ve been up to since we last spoke?

I have been working between Sussex, Scotland, Shetland and the High Arctic on assignments for Nikon, National Geographic, the BBC and personal projects. In Sussex, I've been busy working with Badger Trust as their first youth ambassador and BBC's The One Show to create a film about the county's Badgers. Further afield, my focus has been on seabirds galore and mighty polar bears!

Rachel Bigsby 'Rándýr'
'Rándýr' © Rachel Bigsby

Many congratulations on your awards – tell us more about them

Thank you. 2023 has been a phenomenal year for success, with my highlights being crowned the Winner of Natural Artistry at Wildlife Photographer of the Year (with The Art of Seduction, below), as well as the Portfolio Winner in Bird Photographer of the Year. Both awards are immensely prestigious, however, I was particularly proud to be one of just three female winners in this year's WPY competition, and continue my representation and encouragement of young women and girls within the industry.

The Art of Seduction © Rachel Bigsby
The Art of Seduction © Rachel Bigsby
The Fisherman © Rachel Bigsby
The Fisherman © Rachel Bigsby

What is your favourite bird to photograph and why?

I love working with Northern Gannets. It's hard to put my finger on why, but they hold a very special place in my heart. I find the variety of environments I can photograph them in to be very creatively freeing from the unforgiving North Sea to the towering cliffs of Shetland and the more calm and gentle island in Pembrokeshire. Whether I'm out at sea focussing on the birds or walking along the Sussex coast with my binoculars, the Gannets never fail to make me smile.

Life and Death © Rachel Bigsby
Life and Death © Rachel Bigsby

Where’s your current favourite place to take your camera?

I really enjoy working in Shetland. The landscape is truly epic, with towering cliffs, crashing waves and stunning beaches. The wildlife is also mind-blowing with so many newers species to me like Great Skua, Arctic Tern, Black Guillemot, Red Throated Diver, Arctic Skua, Red Necked Phalarope and more.

The Embrace © Rachel Bigsby
The Embrace © Rachel Bigsby

What’s your idea of a perfect Sunday afternoon?

My perfect Sunday afternoon consists of tea and cake at Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, followed by a dusky walk toward the sea to watch Fulmars glide over the waves and Gannets diving in the distance.

See more of Rachel's work here

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