reel time | Meet your creator
something happening on their coastline, while people further afield were amazed simply because dolphins are not a common sight around British shores. The work people remember is often unusual, emotionally resonant or able to make them feel something immediately. How has your approach to making videos changed since you first started? I taught myself photography, then gradually moved into video. There are so many more aspects to creating high-quality video content, whether that’s simply the composition of the image in the frame, or the sound and music you pair it with. I’m still learning all the time. At the moment, I feel most comfortable creating slow motion content, but I’m looking forward to developing my real-time video and audio skills further. A lot of my work involves unpredictable action, so I tend not to over-plan every moment. You never know what a subject will do, especially with wildlife or sports. However, I always research the subject beforehand so that I understand what I’m capturing, whether that’s animal behaviour and signals, or the rules of a sport. With travel and landscape work in particular, I spend time researching possible viewpoints and locations to give myself the best chance of finding the shot. Google Maps is a brilliant tool for this. I approach each shoot with an open mind, respond to what happens in the moment and shape the final piece around what I witnessed. I want the finished content to feel true to the atmosphere and story of that moment. What’s your process for turning an idea into finished content?
What makes people stop scrolling and actually watch? You have to capture attention quickly. People see a huge amount of content every day, so the strongest work often gives them a reason to pause straight away. People are drawn to work that feels extraordinary, but is genuinely happening in front of the camera. My own style leans towards a more cinematic approach. I love beautiful imagery and storytelling, and I still think there’s a place for content that makes someone stop and properly feel something rather than just scroll on. What kit do you rely on most? My photography and videography journey has revolved around my Sony FE 70-200mm f ⁄2.8 GM OSS lens. It came with me to my first media job covering equestrian sports and is still one of my most adaptable lenses. For wildlife, my favourite piece of kit is the Sony FE 200-600mm f⁄5.6-6.3 G OSS. The reach allows you to get close, detailed images while still giving wildlife the space it needs. What’s one investment that genuinely changed the game for you? My Sony A1. While photography and videography are not defined by kit alone, upgrading to a camera like the A1 has been a real game changer, particularly for video. Its capabilities opened up creative options. How do you balance creating for the algorithm with creating content you really care about? I try not to chase the algorithm too much. I pay attention to what works, but I prefer to keep my page authentic to me and the subjects that genuinely interest me. Creating projects I genuinely enjoy
will always matter more than treating engagement as a measure of my skill. Plus, at the end of the day, it is essentially my portfolio and something I want to feel proud to direct potential clients and employers towards. What’s the biggest mistake you see new creators making? Trying too hard to fit into the creator space by following every trend. Trends can be a great way to learn new skills or experiment with formats, but I think it’s important not to lose your own style in the process. Focus on creating work you enjoy and are proud of. That authenticity is what makes your work recognisable. How important is personality, compared to production quality, in 2026? Both matter, but in different ways. Production quality gives people a reason to stop and watch, while personality gives them a reason to stay and connect with you. I haven’t shared a huge amount about myself on my pages, but I can see from creators I follow that showing more of who you are makes your work feel more relatable. People enjoy putting a face and a personality to the content they’re seeing. But it’s a personal choice as to what you wish to share. What’s your workflow – are you still a solo creator or working with a team? For my own personal work, I’m a solo creator. Professionally, I also work as part of a team creating content for clients, which gives me the chance to collaborate, while still bringing my own editing style and creative ideas to the work. If somebody was to start creating content tomorrow, what would your advice be? I would say to use social media as a tool. It’s an amazing place to find inspiration, learn from others and discover new ideas. But when it comes to sharing your own work, keep it authentic to you. Create what interests you, keep learning and enjoy the process!
A big splash Sage’s photograph of a dolphin breaching the water resonated with local people
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November/December 2026
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