Behind the lens - Claire Andrews

Tell us a bit about yourself

I have now lived in Rottingdean for 27 years. I was born in Brighton so haven’t gone far. I'm married with two adult sons. I work at Meridian Veterinary Practice in Peacehaven.

When did you become interested in wildlife?

I've always loved animals, even as a small child - rescuing birds, mice etc. I think at some point we’ve had most pets - I once had four Golden Retrievers! Now we have two Cocker Spaniels and three cats. We also have our regular garden friends, Foxes, Hedgehogs, the occasional Badger and lots of birds including a couple of resident gulls.

When did you start to enjoy photographing wildlife?

I can’t remember being without a camera. I studied O and A level photography at Lewes a long while back but with film, not digital. I got my first digital camera with some money my dad left me and haven’t looked back, practising with animals, birds, landscapes, sunrises, sunsets etc. 

It was Covid and lockdown that allowed me more time to learn about my camera. It's hard to explain how much pleasure I get from seeing wildlife and photographing it. Early on in the lockdown I discovered a family of Foxes living wild but not too far away. I was fascinated by them, often getting up very early and spending time just watching them play. They were too far away for very sharp images but the photos were okay. After then I found myself looking for all sorts of wildlife. I joined a couple of Facebook groups and found people with similar interests which was useful when it came to sharing information about opportunities to see things. Quite often I just like to walk and photograph what I see, but if I want to photograph anything in particular I try to learn a bit about its habits.

As well as taking photographs for enjoyment, I have used my hobby to help fund raise for Bird Aid (a local charity) and to persuade Tesco in Hove to remove netting that was causing suffering and death to trapped pigeons. I love to be involved in such things and to be able to use my camera to help wildlife as well as photograph it. I also love taking photos that I can give as gifts, other peoples dogs, children etc.

What equipment do you use, in brief?

I use a Canon 7D Mark II. It’s getting older now so I am saving up for my first mirrorless camera. My biggest problem is that while I love photography and animals I am not technical so it is that part of photography that I am still very much learning. I am considering an online course to help with this.

Where are your favourite wild places to visit in Sussex?

I love Sussex because it has everything. I am lucky enough to live in a semi-rural location, close to the coast and within easy reach to many areas that have plenty to see. The new born fawn, seeing the Short-eared Owls, the lovely Seal pup on our local beach and the Kingfisher for example. It’s not just the photography I enjoy but also learning about the different animals and birds that I see.

Any tips?

I am very much still learning about photography and don’t feel skilled enough to advise others...it’s about being out and about, seeing and enjoying nature and the countryside as well as seizing the opportunity to use my camera to record precious memories. I like to make photo books through each year. They are lovely to look back on. For me photography is a hobby and it’s lovely to think that sharing these moments brings enjoyment to other people too.

Have you ever had any surprises?

Surprises would definitely be the fawn. I was with my husband and dogs in Petworth Park. They sat for a while in the shade and I went to try and capture some photos of deer. I saw a one ahead in the grass and initially thought she was hurt, but used my lens to get a closer look and she had just given birth. I managed a few shots from a distance before leaving her in peace.