Welcome to my series of interviews with some wonderful people who work within the natural world, from zoo keepers, to museum curators and everything in between and those that are on the path to working in these positions too. Be inspired for a future where you can combine your love of nature with your day job. I hope you enjoy these interviews, that you can learn something from them and they can inspire you.

Now let me introduce you to Gail.....

 

Name

Gail Ashton 

Age

46

Location

Bedfordshire

What do you do?

I am a nature photographer, writer and illustrator, specialising in insects and other invertebrates.

How did you get into it?

I always loved nature photography when I was young. I began taking photographs of insects in 2017; my friend, Ross Piper, took my kids and me out for bug hunts – he was taking some fantastic macro photographs of insects. I wanted to give it a go too, so I got some macro equipment and gave it a go myself. I became hooked  and decided to dedicate the whole of 2018 to photographing and learning to identify insects – this became my ‘500 species’ project. Since then, I’ve written books and articles about insects; I am contributing photographer for the RSPB and I hold workshops for people who want to improve their insect photography. I am studying a Master’s degree in Photography. 

What does it involve?

I research nature reserves and wild spaces, to find the best sites to visit. Then I generally spend the whole day photographing, which involves spending a long time in one spot, waiting for bugs to appear. You need a lot of patience to be wildlife photographer! The next day I upload all the photos and go through them, editing the photos and identifying the insects in them.

Did you need any qualifications?

No, but I did already have a photography degree. 

Any tips for a young person that wants to do what you do?

Learn about insects; where they live, when they appear, and how they behave; knowledge will make it a lot easier for you to find and photograph them.

What is the best part of what you do?

Watching the everyday behaviour and habits of a fascinating group of insects.

What is the worst part of what you do?

Winter is quite tough, because the majority of insects disappear during the coldest months.

What is your favourite animal?

I really don’t have a favourite specific animal, but I have favourite groups of animals: I love the wasps, the flies and the beetles.

What was the first animal that you fell in love with?

My first love was horses – I desperately wanted my own horse!

What is your favourite place in nature?

Sitting in long grass next to a large pond in the early morning sunshine, listening to the sound of dragonflies emerging and taking flight.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love to skateboard, snowboard, go for bike rides and walks on the beach.

If you were not doing what you do now what else would you love to do?

I don’t know, but I’m fairly sure that in a parallel universe I’m a big wave surfer.

Who inspires you?

Valerie Taylor, a pioneering researcher and documenter of sharks; Dr Maya Angelou, civil rights activist and author; Dr Jane Goodall, primatologist and conservationist. 

What are your hopes for the future?

That people will learn to share spaces with insects, and see them as allies, not the enemy, and that we will all make our gardens as insect-friendly as possible, to create a corridor of habitats across the UK that support biodiversity.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us about?

I have two books coming out this year – one is a photographic guide to flies, and the other is all about gardening for invertebrates. I also sell a range of insect t-shirts on my clothing site, Bugtees!

Where can people find you?

IG/Threads: gail_in_nature 

Bluesky: gailashton.bsky.social

Website: www.gailashton.co.uk

Clothing: https://bugtees.teemill.com