Rewinding

Chilean Rose tarantula spider. Copyright Jerome Whittingham.

Here’s something you probably don’t know about my professional photography interests…

Throughout my long and varied career as a professional newsy photographer I’ve always enjoyed photographing animals – indeed, I started out as a wildlife photographer in my 20s.

Photographing animals is not something I’ve done much of since returning to North Staffordshire in 2021, and I’d like that to change.

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about where my photography has been going, and where the media industry I love is going, thanks to changing technologies and social trends.

I’ve joked with a few friends recently that I should dial my career back a decade or so and look again at subjects that once filled my diary.

Before 2016 I was known for photographing ‘interesting people doing interesting things’.

Some of my documentary photography was about homelessness, addiction, housing. But I was also commissioned to look at local food initiatives, farming, and nature conservation.

And animals, I photographed a lot of animals! From wildlife on farms to illustrate environmentally friendly farming techniques, to stories of insect conservation on nature reserves, to people’s exotic pets and pet care – it was great exploring these issues with clients.

And those issues have not gone away! I’m sure there are new stories for me to pursue.

So, apologies if you hate spiders, grabbed your attention though didn’t it?!

I’d love to hear from anyone – potential clients especially, of course – that might have an interesting animal related story for us to develop together. I’m happy to hop on a train for this, if outside of my Stoke-on-Trent home territory.

And yes – I’m up for some straight forward pet photography too!

Get in touch anytime.

Jerome