INTERVIEW
Peter Travers talks to the up-and-coming wildlife photographer about her rapid rise to stardom on Twitter and going on to take photos of buzzards and big cats in Spain
Wildlife photography is one of the most rewarding experiences it’s possible to have with a camera, and with young photographers like Dani Connor coming to wider attention, the future of the genre is in good hands. Starting out with portraits of the family dog and going on to make a name for herself via content she posted to Twitter, Connor is currently turning her lens on a variety of different mammals in the UK and further afield. Having heard her speak at The Photography & Video Show in Birmingham in September 2022, we were keen to find out more about Connor, her inspirations and how her career has progressed so far.
How did you commence your photographic journey?
I started taking photos over 12 years ago. I wanted to photograph our family dog, Ashley, in a woodland environment. My dad had a decent camera so I borrowed that and spent my afternoons after school in my local woods. I soon got some nice photos of Ashley and slowly started to notice the wildlife around me. My first few shots were of insects and pond ducks. In my first few months of photography, I entered a couple of competitions and by the end of the summer, I had won the Young Marwell Photographer of the Year. The prize money allowed me to buy my first camera, a Canon EOS 550D, and after that, I spent all my free time photographing wildlife.
What first attracted you to wildlife photography?
Although I am best known for photographing red squirrels, I actually enjoy taking images of all types of wildlife. I find the process before the photo exciting – doing the research and learning about the subject, failing to get the shot and attempting over and over again, and finally being rewarded with your ear
