Work with me

How I Work

Every story begins with understanding.

The strongest stories are not created by simply arriving with a camera.

They begin with curiosity.

With observation.

With taking the time to understand a place, a species, a brand or a purpose before translating it into a story.

My approach combines creative strategy, field observation and storytelling to create work that is authentic, meaningful and aligned with the people and places it represents.

01 — Observe

Looking before creating.

Every landscape, organisation and project has its own rhythm.

I begin by listening, observing and asking questions.

What makes this place unique?

What relationships shape it?

What story already exists?

Observation allows the real story to emerge.

Macro Photograph of a dung beetle at work - Photograph by Raquel de Castro Maia
Observation doesn't wait for the impressive. A dung beetle earns just as much attention.Nikon Z7 | ISO-400 | f/2.4 | 1/400 sec. | 105mm

02 — Understand

Connecting purpose with audience.

Beautiful content is only powerful when it communicates something meaningful.

With a background in branding and creative direction, I look beyond the image to understand:

The purpose.

The audience.

The message.

The feeling you want people to take away.

03 — Create

Choosing the right language for the story.

Every story has its own medium.

Sometimes it is photography.

Sometimes writing.

Sometimes illustration.

Sometimes a combination of all three.

The creative approach follows the story, not the other way around.

Working on a charcoal rhino study in studio
Choosing the medium: charcoal studies in progress

04 — Connect

Creating work that people remember.

The goal is not simply to document.

It is to create understanding.

Whether communicating conservation, a destination, a species or a brand, meaningful storytelling creates a connection between people and the world around them.

A collaborative approach

Every project is different.

I work closely with clients, researchers, conservation teams and creative partners to understand the bigger picture and develop storytelling that feels authentic to the subject and aligned with the intended audience.

Observe deeply. Understand fully. Tell the story honestly.

The foundation behind every project

In Practice

How does a commission usually start?

I start with a conversation about the place and what the images need to do, not with a shot list. The brief tends to sharpen once the purpose is clear.

How long does a project take?

It depends on the light, the season and the scope. Some work is a few days on site; some, like the long reserve partnerships, runs over years.

Do you shoot photography and video together?

Yes, I shoot both. They communicate atmosphere and experience differently, and a destination is usually better served by having both.

Do you offer drone and aerial work?

Yes. I find aerial imagery is often what completes an architectural or landscape story by showing how something sits in its setting.

Who owns the images, and how is usage handled?

I agree usage up front and set it out in the commission, so everyone is clear on where images can run and for how long.

Can you work alongside a research or field team?

Yes, and I prefer to. Working to the team's protocol is what keeps the work ethical and accurate.