A journey into the wild
I’m Adam, a wildlife photographer whose journey began the day a puffin wandered up and pecked my shoelace, reminding me that the simplest encounters can change everything.
Since then, I’ve devoted myself to capturing the beauty, humour, and heart of wildlife whilst creating images and reels that reach millions and, I hope, bring people the same sense of joy and calm that nature brings to me.
From Commando Ambition to Creative Purpose
I never set out to become a wildlife photographer. My early ambitions were aimed in a very different direction - towards the Royal Marines Commandos, the UK’s elite amphibious force known for their physical and mental toughness. The challenge, the mindset, the reputation for being the best motivated me to push myself further than I ever had before.
I loved the training. I loved the discipline and the drive it demanded.
But in 2011, I was medically discharged with a heart condition. It was something that should have been flagged in my pre-joining medical but wasn’t. Leaving the Marines wasn’t just the end of a career; it was the loss of a purpose I had worked so hard for. It had a profound effect on my mental health and left me unsure of the path ahead.
One moment I still remember clearly is my mum waving me off from a train platform the day I left home to begin training. That memory stays with me — a symbol of both the dreams I had and the life that could have been.
Discovering Photography and Rediscovering Myself
Photography entered my life gently at first. I started with landscapes in North Wales, joining friends on mountain hikes, chasing sunsets, wild camping, even exploring astro photography. But it never ignited something inside me the way it did for others.
Everything changed the moment I visited Skomer Island after lockdown.
Sitting on the cliff edge, watching puffins return from sea with beaks full of sand eels, I felt something shift. Their clumsy charm, their resilience, their personality. it resonated with me in a way I can only describe as immediate and grounding.
Then a puffin wandered over and pecked my shoelace.
A small gesture. A huge turning point.
I left Skomer knowing that wildlife, not landscapes, was where my heart belonged.
Nature as a Lifeline
Comfort in nature came later in my life, but it arrived exactly when I needed it. After leaving the Marines and while building my business (Melon Media), I often felt overwhelmed, unmotivated, or disconnected from myself.
Being outdoors became a release — something I now crave.
Whether I’m sitting with a red squirrel, watching puffins in the wind, or observing a fox move quietly through the undergrowth, nature is the one place where my mind rests.
“It’s where self-doubt softens, pressure fades, and I feel closest to who I am.”
“I want people to smile when they see my work and feel a little closer to the wildlife we’re so lucky to share this planet with.”
Puffins, Red Squirrels & Telling the Stories That Matter
Puffins became my gateway into wildlife photography. Their lives are harder than people realise, spending most of the year at sea, returning only to breed, constantly battling for survival. Their resilience mirrors a lot of what I admire.
This passion led me to begin a long-term project with wildlife trust: a coffee table photography book that tells the true, lesser-known story of the Atlantic puffin.
My favourite memory from this journey is my first overnight stay on Skomer, lying in the rain photographing alone at sunset when a puffin walked straight up and pecked my lens. Moments like that stay with you.
Red squirrels soon became another focus of mine. They’re native to the UK yet disappearing rapidly. North Wales is one of the few places they still survive, and I’m fortunate to live near one of the remaining populations. Their ear tufts, their behaviour, their fragility, they’re a joy to photograph, especially when the puffins leave for the open sea.
Creativity, Self-Doubt & Finding My Way Back
Like many creatives, I’ve battled self-doubt. I’ve driven to locations only to turn back. I’ve questioned whether my work was good enough. I’ve struggled with motivation, weather, and the pressure of running a business.
But nature has a way of inviting you back.
And every time I step out with my camera, I’m reminded why I started.
“Create for yourself first - the rest will follow.”
Viral Reels & The Unexpected Reach of My Work
What I never expected was for my work to reach millions of people.
Across Instagram and TikTok, my wildlife reels have now surpassed 20 million views. Seeing something that matters so deeply to me resonating with such a huge audience has been both surreal and addictive.
My first viral moment — a curious puffin inspecting my GoPro — was shared widely and even picked up by GoPro themselves. It’s still one of my favourite clips I’ve ever captured.
The virality didn’t change my purpose, but it expanded it. It made me want to create more informative content, helping people experience and appreciate wildlife moments wherever they are.
Looking Forward
Today, I’m motivated by growth — in my skills, my creativity, and my audience. I love meeting other photographers and being part of a community that shares the same passion.
My hope is simple: “I want people to smile when they see my work — and feel a little closer to the wildlife we’re so lucky to share this planet with.”
In the years ahead, I plan to complete my puffin book and develop larger conservation-focused projects around seabirds and red squirrels. There’s so much more to learn, so many stories to tell.
This wasn’t the path I expected to take, but it feels like the one I was always meant for.