About Andrew Aveley
Take some time and learn a little more about Andrew Aveley, the Wildlife & Nature Photographer and why I have a
passion for photography, Africa and her ethereal beauty.
21 years ago I encountered the creative beauty of the world through the lens, for the first time. The value of visual storytelling took hold of my artistic imagination and has developed ever since. The love affair I started with the African bush created the foundation of the photographic journey I will continue pursuing.
The peaks of mountain ranges can loom highest, yet the smallest flower or insect can capture my creativity in the same magnitude. Flora, fauna or angry ocean waves speak in light to me, and guide my creativity, to capture a moment that tells more than just a story: to make the emotion that I felt reality to whoever appreciates my vision…
Nature speaks with many sounds and a voice we try to learn, but silence always falls in Africa. This absence of sound is the canvas in which I start to paint with light, the smallest movement caught in the first breeze of golden light is my starting point each day I go out. Not knowing what beauty of Earth I will see will continuously excite me. Capturing that one amazing moment is always possible, yet the memory of just watching can also be more powerful…
Capturing and composing light is personal to the eyes that see, but faced with technology learning to be in unison with the equipment we hold is vitally important. To tell a true story of Africa, understanding my tools has become vital, and sharing this knowledge to inspire creativity has become my goal. Forever aspect of knowledge I pass on, another memory can be immortalised in time, with meaning that has personal qualities. This is a worthy gift, and a part of myself I will always give away.
A photographic journey is a moment that can be lost forever but captured in a single frame, in a language that only the memory can translate. An image that can translate this language and live with you forever is proof that sharing the love of light is the reason that I create photography
Achievments
“Humility is the realization that not everything that happens in life is all about you. Things may work out well, but you may not have been the primary reason for their success.
Things may fail, but the failure may not have been your fault.”
Harold Kushner
Publications
Having your work shared in print and making a difference to conservation worldwide is extremely important to me.
Outdoorphoto Portfolio 1 – Coffee Table Book Contributor 2010
Outdoorphoto Portfolio 2 – Coffee Table Book Contributor 2014
Landrover Magazine – Contributor 2015
Remembering Elephants Project – Contributor 2015
Remembering Rhino’s Project – Contributor 2017
Remembering Lions Project – Contributor 2019
Remembering Cheetahs Project – Contributor 2020
Prints for Wildlife & African Parks – Contributor 2020
E-BOOKS – Published Canon Focus System Series
Self Published – African Wildlife Photographer in your bag
Self Published – African Landscape Photographer in your bag
Self Published – Beginners Guide to African Bird Photography
Remembering Wild Dogs Project – Contributor 2021
Prints for Wildlife & African Parks – Contributor 2021
Awards
Being recognised by your peers is always a humbling experience. These are some that I am very proud of:
Sony Pro Photo Awards – Winner 2009
Fuji / Getaway Photographer of the Year 2010
Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards – Finalist 2013/14
BBC Vieola Wildlife Photographer of the year – Finalist 2011/12/13/14/15
Africa Geographic photographer of the year -Finalist 2017
Natures Best Africa AWARDS – Finalist 2017
Wilderness Safaris Competition – Winner and runner up in Wildlife and Conservation photography 2019
Presentations
To share my passion and knowledge is something that I love to do. These have been amazing opportunities.
Knysna photographic Society 2012/15/16/18/19
Port Elizabeth Photographic Club 2013/2016
Canon South Africa Expo Presenter & Pro Services 2013, Roadshow Presenter 2014/2017, FESPA International Expo 2018, Eastern Cape Roadshow 2018, Photo & Video Expo 2019
Photo & film Expo 2014/2015/2016
Cape Town Photo Club 2014
Retro Focus Camera Club 2014
Wildshots 2015/2016
Cape Town WPOTY Exhibition Guest Speaker 2015
Knysna Arts Festival 2016
Getaway Show Workshops 2018
Photo Plus Africa 2018
Testimonials
“Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling.
If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.”
Sir Don McCullin
Jonathan and Angela Scott – The Big Cat People
Andrew you are a gentleman – and your work speaks for you. Keep following that pathway to bliss with energy and creativity – we will always look for your work. Warm regards – J and A
Philip and Nadine – Switzerland
Andrew is a great teacher and fantastic host. Our time in the bush was spectacular and he did everything in order to make our stay as pleasant and instructive as possible. He met the needs of every photographer on a very individual basis thus maximizing benefits for myself and the other participants.
Angela and Trevor – United Kingdom
Your professionalism in organising our time to best advantage and you humour in putting up with us made the trip. It was a wonderful trip and ranks really highly amongst the best we’ve ever done.
Remembering Wildlife
I am a proud contributor to the Remembering Wildlife book initiative raising funds for nature conservation around the globe.
Visit the Remembering Wildlife website to contribute to this wonderful project. Four of my images appear in these publications.
Margot Raggett – Founder Remembering Wildlife
” Blown away by the kindness and the lengths our photographers go to for our cause, particularly in such a challenging year.
Thank you so much to all you have done to make a diffeerence to our wildlife…. “