Talks

Golden eagle portrait. Majestic raptor with sharp beak and intense gaze. Taken by Michael Cook frequent Camera Club Speaker

Engaging Wildlife Photography Camera Club Talks

My name is Michael Cook and I setup and run WildScot Photography. A wildlife photographer with over 25 years experience, I live near Stirling, Scotland. Today, I’m offering two talks. The first is based on an 8 month overland adventure through 17 counties in Latin America. The second is based on my wildlife photography here at home in Scotland.

Before moving to full-time wildlife photography (offering both workshops and guiding) I was CEO of a national environmental charity. In this role I developed strong communication skills regularly addressing national and international conferences. Also, I am a member of my local camera club – Stirling District Camera Club. Therefore I hope I have the skills needed to provide a compelling talk that is also relevant to a local camera club.

A photographic journey through Latin America

Andean condor soars over Colca Canyon, Peru. A key memorable highlight from my camera club talk on a journey th=rough Latin America

In 2024, my wife and I took an 8 month overland journey through Latin America. We started in Mexico City and finished in Rio de Janeiro. And all for less than the cost of a 3 week luxury Safari in Africa.

On this trip we saw over 1,500 species of bird. In so doing, I finished 28th in the world for most bird species spotted globally on eBird.

This camera club talk covers topics including:

  • The habitats and landscapes of Central and South America.
  • My favourite bird families – Toucans, Antpittas, Tanagers and Hummingbirds.
  • Also mammals (Monkeys, Giant River Otters, Anteaters) and small critters (Beatles and Centipedes).
  • My most memorable encounters.

As well as sharing fantastic images this talk includes sound recordings and short videos for a more immersive experience.

Testimonial

Michael Cook gave a very professional presentation to Cupar Camera Club. The presentation on ‘Photographing the Wildlife of South America’ covered the experience of traveling for 8 months through various landscapes highlighting the huge variety of species found there. He explained the problems taking photos including the welfare of the animals. Photos included the different families of birds, some mammals and underwater photography. There were so many wonderful and colourful photos I would struggle to pick my favourite, but I enjoyed the behavioural aspects as well e.g. the camouflaging, so hard to spot the ‘stick’ bird! The talk was brought to life with his specialised birding knowledge and intersected with sound and video recordings keeping us enthralled.

Carole – cupar camera club

Photographing Scotland’s Wildlife

Kingfisher with fish, splashing out of water. Wildlife photography workshops Scotland. the kingfisher is one of iconic Scottish species I cover in my Camera Club Talk on Scottish Wildlife

This camera club talk share my journey to become a full-time wildlife photographer in Scotland.

Key topics include:

  • My journey into wildlife photography.
  • The Scottish photography year – highlights from each of month of the year.
  • Iconic Scottish species – Otter, Golden Eagle, Puffin, Red Deer, Kingfisher. What is unique about each species and how to go about photographing them.
  • How to get started in wildlife photography – the key skills you need to learn and how to develop them.
  • How to develop further. Adopting more advanced techniques like back-button focus, high and low key, slow shutter speed and intentional camera movement.
  • Controlled versus uncontrolled environments – why my BWPA finalist image below is not my favourite.
Two European badgers nestled inside a hollow log, surrounded by moss and ferns.
Badgers

My goals in any talk

In all my camera club talks I aim to incorporate three key elements:

  • Showcase strong photographs from my wildlife porthttps://wild-scot.co.uk/galleryfolio
  • Give insight into the skills that are needed to progress in wildlife photography
  • Share something of the magic of encountering and photographing wildlife. I hope to inspire as well as inform.

Also, I aim to tailor my camera club talks to the audience and any particular requirements from the club. A highlight for me is also answering questions from the floor. These questions can be about the talk or wider issues relating to wildlife photography.

How to book

If you are interested in booking either of these talks, please get in touch. Let me know about your club and your hopes for the talk.

You can send me an email or use WhatsApp. In all my communications, I aim to reply within 24 hours.

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