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I Quit My Job In Finance And Have Been Photographing Wildlife Ever Since, Here Are My 30 Favorite Pics
One day, while visiting the Natural History Museum, by accident, I wandered into the wrong exhibit hall. To my surprise, I had entered the exhibition for the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year. I was astounded by the winning photographs. I was transported visually to a world I had never witnessed before. I was mesmerized by the beautiful artworks on show—in particular, the winning image, Blue Iceberg by Cherry Alexander.
This wildlife exhibition was an uplifting experience and one I would repeat every year. Little did I know the profound effect it would have on my life in years to come.
After working in the finance industry in the City of London for 15 years, I needed a balance in my life. Wildlife photography became my yang! I quit my job.
And in 2005, Africa became the new chapter in my life. The sheer size and magnitude of this continent were overwhelming. From navigating the forests of Bwindi and climbing the peaks of Kilimanjaro through to meandering along the red dunes of the Kalahari, I started photographing Africa.
It may be a cliché, but it is true—photography has become my life. No matter where I am, my mind's eye is taking photographs. It has taught me to see the world in a different light, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
We never know what road we may take in life or the catalyst that changes our life forever. For me, it was a serendipitous wrong turn into the exhibit hall of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world's most prestigious wildlife photography competition, which incidentally I have won an astonishing three times.
More info: peterdelaneyphotography.com | Facebook | Instagram | youtube.com | twitter.com
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#1
White-Backed Vulture, Kalahari
Final score:
166points
RELATED:
#2
Elephant Sunset, Etosha Pan, Namibia
Final score:
144points
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
Gorgeous capture - I love the muted pastels of the sunset.
#4
Bull Elephant, Dust Bathing
Final score:
123points
#12
Tower Of Giraffes
Final score:
95points
Briar Lee Mitchell, EdD 4 years ago
Beautiful photos Peter! It is such a delight to see someone there shooting these gorgeous animals with a camera and not a gun.
#13
Virginia's Tree, Storm Over Mara, Kenya
Final score:
93points
#15
Grey Ghosts Of Etosha, Namibia
Final score:
86points
#17
Zebra Dance, Addo, South Africa
Final score:
85points
#21
Storm Over The Karoo, South Africa
Final score:
77points
#25
Lappet-Faced Vulture, Botswana
Final score:
72points
#26
Looking Back, Zebra Foal
Final score:
72points
#27
Kalahari Black-Maned Lion
Final score:
70points
#28
Duke And Duchess, Masai Mara, Kenya
Final score:
70points
#29
Gemsbok, Kalahari
Final score:
66points
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Gregory Priest 4 years ago
Thank you for leaving your old job to give us something like this! I am now a photo groupie, Mr. Delaney.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
These are all stunning- you have a true gift. Thank you for sharing your work with with us!
Kate Kyffin 4 years ago
Brilliant photos Peter, especially the black and whites as they (for me) convey so much more. Well done for following your non-finance based dream :)
Squee 4 years ago
These are all amazing! You have a great talent and definitely made the right decisions. I also enjoy photography and these are all really impressive! Awesome work!
AMYAH MINOTT-STARLING 4 years ago (edited)
these were really good photos it looks like those 30 years paid off
Irene Walton 4 years ago
These are so amazingly beautiful!! Thank you Peter Delaney. Such hard work
Mishte Tine 4 years ago
Peter Delaney you are an incredible artist. Thank you so much for sharing your art with us. Truly brilliant.
Monika Soffronow 4 years ago
Please leave a little room in your bags for me on your next journey! I promise you will hardly know that I am there.
Jaybird3939 4 years ago
These are amazing! I always enjoy it when someone takes a new look at these magnificent animals.
Jerry Mathers 4 years ago
Mr Delaney, a couple of things. 1) beautiful work here. The images are stunning and the light is perfect. 2) the idea that you just up and quit intrigues me. If you had a background in photography, I imagine this would be shorter, but realistically it took you years and a pile of money to get your skill and equipment to the point where you could capture images like this. I am interested in that journey 3) how did you develop the contacts to make a living at shooting these images? There are many wonderful photographers out there that take images of equal quality. Getting the traction to make a sustainable living is very difficult. Again I want to tell you your body of work is marvelous. But the idea that you just got inspired, up and quit your job and am now making a living at it is a bit misleading. It takes a serious amount of money to live on and for equipment to get where you are. Let us know about that part. Thank you
sharron lynn parsons 4 years ago
A wonderful collection Peter, you chose an incredible place, I think there would be, continuous variety for you, never to be lacking, always amazing opportunity, you have an amazing talent, thanks for the treat, wildlife never ending beauty !!!
Gregory Priest 4 years ago
Thank you for leaving your old job to give us something like this! I am now a photo groupie, Mr. Delaney.
Loki’s Lil Butter Knife 4 years ago
These are all stunning- you have a true gift. Thank you for sharing your work with with us!
Kate Kyffin 4 years ago
Brilliant photos Peter, especially the black and whites as they (for me) convey so much more. Well done for following your non-finance based dream :)
Squee 4 years ago
These are all amazing! You have a great talent and definitely made the right decisions. I also enjoy photography and these are all really impressive! Awesome work!
AMYAH MINOTT-STARLING 4 years ago (edited)
these were really good photos it looks like those 30 years paid off
Irene Walton 4 years ago
These are so amazingly beautiful!! Thank you Peter Delaney. Such hard work
Mishte Tine 4 years ago
Peter Delaney you are an incredible artist. Thank you so much for sharing your art with us. Truly brilliant.
Monika Soffronow 4 years ago
Please leave a little room in your bags for me on your next journey! I promise you will hardly know that I am there.
Jaybird3939 4 years ago
These are amazing! I always enjoy it when someone takes a new look at these magnificent animals.
Jerry Mathers 4 years ago
Mr Delaney, a couple of things. 1) beautiful work here. The images are stunning and the light is perfect. 2) the idea that you just up and quit intrigues me. If you had a background in photography, I imagine this would be shorter, but realistically it took you years and a pile of money to get your skill and equipment to the point where you could capture images like this. I am interested in that journey 3) how did you develop the contacts to make a living at shooting these images? There are many wonderful photographers out there that take images of equal quality. Getting the traction to make a sustainable living is very difficult. Again I want to tell you your body of work is marvelous. But the idea that you just got inspired, up and quit your job and am now making a living at it is a bit misleading. It takes a serious amount of money to live on and for equipment to get where you are. Let us know about that part. Thank you
sharron lynn parsons 4 years ago
A wonderful collection Peter, you chose an incredible place, I think there would be, continuous variety for you, never to be lacking, always amazing opportunity, you have an amazing talent, thanks for the treat, wildlife never ending beauty !!!
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