Photography News | Issue 64 | photographynews.co.uk
39 Interview
Oliver Hellowell Profile Oliver is a 21-year-old wildlife photographer, and an inspiration and reminder to us all that dreams can come true. He was born with Down syndrome and needed open heart surgery at three months old – now he’s published photo books and appeared twice on BBC’s The One Show. We caught up with Oliver and his mumWendy O’Carroll to hear more of his story…
Photography News: What is your earliest memory of photography and when did your passion for it really develop? Oliver Hellowell: I picked up my Dad’s camera when I was about 11 years old – I think I was born into photography. I took pictures when we went fishing. I took pictures on holiday in Wales and Scotland. PN: What do you love so much about wildlife and photographing it? OH: I love birds, and I like mixes – like having different species. I like sitting up close; I don’t get nervous even sitting in with the swans. PN: Do you have a particular favourite animal to photograph? What is it about their nature or characteristics that is so interesting to try and capture? OH: I like birds best. My favourite bird is the osprey, but I would really like to get a hornbill. I’mgoing to a special hide soon and I’mhoping to get a kingfisher. I liked taking pictures of the red deer in Scotland and the white-tailed deer in the US Smoky Mountains. PN: We hear you’re a big fan of Sir David Attenborough. Who else inspires you? OH: Chris Packham, Steve Backshall, Iolo Williams, Andy Rouse, Bence Matte, Jasper Doest, Ben Hall and Ross Hoddinott. PN: What do you look for when creating wildlife shots? OH: If the bird is small like a nuthatch I want to get the whole bird in, but big birds I like to get in close and get the eye. PN: You’ve been to various locations to photograph wildlife, including the Farne Islands. If you could travel anywhere in the world to photograph wildlife, where would you travel to? OH: I reallywant to go to Iceland, theCanadian Rockies, New Zealand and Madagascar. Or on a safari in Africa. PN: Do you have any funny stories, or highlights from your experiences? OH: On the Farne Islands I was attacked by terns with Jim Bennett. Wendy O'Carroll: Oliver met Jim on the boat out to the Farnes – he does tend to make friends wherever he goes!
beginning of this year. Can you tell us more about this? Why did you decide to publish a book and how did you decide which images to include? OH: Simon Weitzman, my producer, suggested it and helped us get it. I sat with my mum and went through all the pictures on the computer. It took a long time, we had to keep choosing favourites and it went on for ages! I hope it will be a good seller so I can do anotherone–I’dliketodo‘Oliver’sLandscapes’ next, or I’d really like to do ‘Oliver’s Wales’ with Iolo. WO: Simon Weitzman is a filmmaker who found Oliver after he appeared on a BBC news item in 2014. He has since staunchly supported Oliver in any and every way, and has tirelessly worked to ensure opportunities are made available to him. It was through him the amazing trip to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee was commissioned by Tennessee Tourism and through him, again, that this book deal was secured with ACC Art Books. PN: You recently appeared on BBC’s The One Show . Can you tell us how this came about and how you found the experience? OH: Simon helped to do it, and he made the film in Scotland. I was on The One Show before
OH: I think it’s funnywhen I usemy father as a tripod! My highlight was meeting Ken Jenkins and I love to see IoloWilliams. WO: Tennessee Tourism paid for Oliver to go to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee to capture the area in his own style. They thought it would be nice to introduce Oliver to Ken Jenkins, a well-known resident and photographer of the Smokies – Ken and Oliver just bonded over a bacon breakfast and talked about birds, and now seem to be soul mates, despite living across the world from each other! Iolo Williams is a Welsh wildlife presenter – he presented Winterwatch recently – and Oliver adores him. Any opportunity to spend time with Iolo is a big highlight for Oliver. PN: Can you tell us what techniques you use when searching for and shooting wildlife? OH: I can’t climb mountains – I really don’t like walking up hills much – but I want to be at the top. I like to get pictures of everything both ways – portrait and landscape shots of each view. I like to use the hides and have a hot chocolate and bacon sandwiches. PN: You published your first book in 2015, and also published Oliver’s Birds at the
I like to get pictures of everything both ways – portrait and landscape shots of each view
Images Oliver uses a Canon EOS 5DMk III with Canon 17-40mm, 28-80mm and 100- 400mm lenses, plus a Sigma 135-400mm
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