Ian Wood

Ian Wood is a UK-based wildlife photographer and writer whose work blends storytelling, conservation, and a deep connection to the natural world. With a background in writing, his approach to photography is rooted in narrative — focusing not just on individual images, but on the broader stories they can tell over time.

His work has been published internationally in outlets including BBC Wildlife Magazine, The Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, and The Telegraph, reflecting a career that spans both visual and written storytelling.

He gained international recognition after winning the People’s Choice Award at Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2025 with his now well-known photograph of a badger in an urban environment — an image that brought renewed public attention to the controversial badger cull in England.

Building on that moment, Ian developed a long-term documentary project exploring the issue in more depth. This work culminated in a carefully constructed six-image series, which won the documentary category at the British Wildlife Photography Awards in 2026. Through this project, his photography became part of a wider effort to raise awareness and contribute to ongoing conversations around wildlife conservation in the UK.

Beyond his photography, Ian is an ambassador for the Badger Trust and has supported a range of conservation initiatives over the years. Through his photography holidays and workshops, he has helped raise significant funds for organizations such as the Orangutan Foundation, the Jane Goodall Institute, and Gorilla Doctors — combining travel, storytelling, and conservation in a meaningful way.

He is also the author of The Orangutan’s World, a book that brings together wildlife photography and reflections on conservation, with all proceeds supporting forest regeneration projects in Borneo.

Today, Ian continues to focus on long-term, story-driven work close to home, while also guiding photographers in the field. His approach remains grounded in curiosity, patience, and a belief that photography can help people connect more deeply with the natural world — sometimes through powerful stories, and sometimes through the quieter, everyday moments that often go unnoticed.