I live on the Surrey/Hampshire border in Alice Holt forest and so am ideally placed to follow my two passions in life, Photography and wildlife. I have always had an interest in natural history including butterflies, my earliest recollection was at the age of four, picking up sparrow egg shells from the garden path outside our home.

I became interested in photography and obtained my first camera at the age of eleven, an old box brownie which was my pride and joy until I found it to be slightly inadequate for taking wildlife shots. From there I progressed to an assortment of 35mm cameras until finally in my early twenties I became the proud owner of my first 35mm SLR, a Nikkormat FTN. After getting married and starting a family, photography took a bit of a back seat, lack of time due to family and work commitments meant my photographic life mostly revolved around taking shots of the children and family.

It was during the mid 80’s that I became a professional photographer, working in the west country for several newspapers as a freelance, shooting sport and general news assignments, I also set up a project recording historic artefacts for the local authority.
It was not until my return to Surrey, that I joined the Royal Photographic society and entered a panel of 10 Black and White prints for my Licentiate-ship distinction, this was awarded to me on the spot at a show in London after my prints were judged in front of an audience, the panel of judges were unanimous in their decision and recommended that I enter for Associate-ship straight away. This I did and was awarded that distinction the following year.

I now own a Nikon D300 digital camera(12.3mp) and an assortment of lenses ranging from 10mm wide angle through to 600mm telephoto.
I have been published in many magazines and articles over the years and have work displayed in private collections world wide. Currently I work for the Forestry Commission and my photography is now mostly for my own pleasure, though I do some photography jobs for them, including portraits for our ID cards and staff notice boards.






In line with my interest in Nature I'm a member of the RSPB, Wildfowl & Wetlands trust, National Trust and the The Royal Horticultural Society.

You can also view my work on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeakabigman/

and - e-photozene.http://www.ephotozine.com/u49207