Lara Jackson is a wildlife photographer and conservation biologist from Scotland. Her work has been awarded in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
How did your career start?
I’m a wildlife biologist, and was fortunate to visit some incredible places as part of my university studies. I wanted to show my family the amazing wildlife I saw, so I bought a bridge camera after a trip to Madagascar, and there began my accidental journey into wildlife photography.
Which of your photographs is most significant to you?
I captured a lioness just after she’d brought down a wildebeest in the Serengeti. As she began to eat, she looked up at me for a split second – her muzzle was absolutely covered in blood. This image kickstarted my career as a wildlife photographer, after it was awarded in the 2021 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. It’s a powerful reminder of the beauty and brutality of nature.
- How to win Wildlife Photographer of the Year – expert advice from the Chair of the Jury
- Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2021 – Highly Commended images
What’s your most memorable shoot?
I had the opportunity to document the Serengeti National Park at the height of the pandemic. The halt in international travel had devastating effects for conservation, which often relies heavily on the funds generated by tourism. Being in the only car in the Serengeti National Park during July, when the wildebeest migration happens, was completely surreal. It will probably never happen again and it’s a memory I will treasure forever.
What’s your favourite species to snap?
I live on the Isle of Mull and will never get bored of photographing otters. Getting into a position to create a unique image requires an excellent understanding of their behaviour and fantastic fieldcraft. Plus, there’s always something interesting happening on the loch shores, and the moody and unpredictable weather can also add an edge. The photo opportunities are endless.
Have you had any close calls?
I’m proud to say I’ve never had a bad encounter. I will always choose to miss a photo opportunity if there’s a chance that my presence could negatively impact a wild animal. But while in Kenya, I had one awe-inspiring close encounter.
My research partner and I discovered three white rhinos grazing on top of a hill one sunny morning. We were parked about 200m away, and got out of the car to survey the area. I sat down next to the car and began taking photos, getting completely lost in the moment – and before I knew it, the rhinos had wandered over to us.
I looked up to see a rhino bull staring at me from about five metres away. Our eyes connected. Heart beating, I held my breath and sat completely still until he let out a huff and walked away.
What’s the worst physical discomfort you’ve had to endure on a shoot?
In Kenya, I accidentally walked through a nest of pepper ticks in long grass. They were so minuscule that they crawled through my socks, and I spent the next few hours picking hundreds of ticks out of my toes and feet. The bites were horrendously itchy for weeks.
Which species is top of your bucket list?
I would love to photograph orangutans. Their expressions and eyes are so human and it’s a species that’s intrigued me since I was a little girl. Their habitats are vanishing heartbreakingly quickly and I hope that one day, I have the opportunity to observe and capture them in their rainforest home.
What item would you not be without?
Aside from my Nikon Z9 and all my fantastic lenses, I wouldn’t be without a good pair of binoculars. You have to find the wildlife before you can photograph it. I also never go on an expedition without taking a jar of Marmite… I can’t be without it!
Any top tips for budding photographers?
It sounds a cliché, but practise as much as you can and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as that’s how you learn. Try to understand and learn the behaviours of your target subjects. Follow lots of different photographers – the more images and techniques you’re exposed to, the more it will help to spark your own creativity and technical prowess.
Discover more amazing wildlife stories
- “His eyes were fixed on mine. I tried to back away, but I was easy prey.” How one conservationist found himself surrounded in a Columbian cloudforest
- “The huge shadow of an irate black rhino emerged. My only option was to pretend to be a tree.”
- “I almost didn’t dare to breathe. Then, a pointy nose peered from around the trunk.”
- “A colossal crab the size of a car tyre was pushing against my door”
Top image: Lara working with rangers in Kenya's Borana Conservancy. Credit: Lara Jackson