About Tim Plowden
Tim Plowden started his journey with a clear interest in nature and wildlife during his childhood in England. His early fascination with birdwatching and sketching, encouraged by a primary school teacher, set the foundation for his future. While his path initially diverged through university studies in languages and careers in media and finance, his connection to nature remained strong.
At age 28, he made a direct move into conservation by joining the RSPB as a trainee reserve warden in Norfolk. This step led him to discover photography as a powerful communication tool. After selling his first wildlife photographs to a local conservation initiative, he recognized the potential for a career in wildlife photography.
The transition from corporate work to conservation photography required significant changes. Despite having no formal training or established client base, he chose to pursue this new direction.
A key meeting with an experienced wildlife photographer at the RSPB provided concrete evidence that his career choice was viable. This guidance helped him develop both his technical skills and business strategy.
In 2013, he relocated to Singapore to access Southeast Asia’s rich biodiversity. From this base, he could easily reach important conservation areas in Borneo, Sumatra, Vietnam, and Thailand.
He built his professional network methodically, establishing relationships with major conservation organizations like BirdLife International, TRAFFIC, and IUCN. His work involved documentation of conservation efforts across the region.
The work presented physical challenges, including jungle treks, mountain climbing, and confrontations with wildlife traders. A notable incident with poachers in Vietnam highlighted the real risks of his chosen field.
His work expanded to include filmmaking, with successful projects like the award-winning ‘The Return of the Salmon’ and wildlife photography in Alaska. His role evolved from documentation to driving conservation awareness.
Despite the challenges of freelance work and witnessing environmental problems, he remained committed to his mission. Each image served as a tool for raising awareness.
His work gained recognition in major publications including The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Times, and BBC Wildlife Magazine. Conservation organizations valued his thorough approach to subjects and locations.
As his career progressed, he began sharing his knowledge with other photographers and expanding the field of conservation storytelling.
Tim transformed from a corporate professional into a committed conservation photographer. He used his camera to document environmental issues and promote protection of natural habitats.
His career path demonstrates how professional expertise can align with environmental advocacy. He now uses photography to document nature and encourage conservation efforts. Each project continues to advance his mission of environmental protection through visual storytelling.
Tim currently works at the Woodland Trust, where he manages digital projects to protect British trees and woods. He applies his technical knowledge, project management experience, and conservation expertise to make a real difference across the country. His work focuses on building practical apps and helping others contribute to conservation efforts.
His clear mission remains: use data and stories effectively to protect nature.”Together, we can achieve extraordinary things.”
Way of Working
With deep experience in creative and digital roles, Tim Plowden has a wide range of skills to draw on to deliver high quality work in a fast paced environment.
