Ethical Nature Photography by Simon Evans

Nature Photographer in Rainford, Merseyside

INTIMATE LANDSCAPES. NATURAL WILDLIFE. ETHICAL GUIDES.

I’m Simon Evans, the wildlife and landscape photographer behind Still Outdoors. Based in Rainford, a small rural village in Merseyside in the North West of England, my work tells the story of nature’s resilience on my doorstep. I live to document nature’s beauty throughout the changing seasons using an ethical and non-disruptive approach to inspire communities to reconnect with the green spaces around them.

Wildlife photograph of a barn owl perched on a fence post surrounded by tall grass at the edge of a wild meadow in Merseyside. — A pinch-me moment with a local barn owl. Months of patience led to an unforgettable encounter.

A SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS INSPIRED BY THE CURRENT SEASON

Capturing autumn in the English countryside

An autumnal landscape in Great Langdale, shrouded in early morning mist, captured from the summit of Loughrigg Fell in the Lake District.

A herd of adult roe deer does grazing in a misty field. The lead doe is sniffing the air for the scent of potential threats.

A spectacular sunrise over Catbells and Derwent Island during peak autumn in the Lake District.

Autumn is finally upon us. Daylight hours may be dwindling, but it’s a fair price to pay to see the return of glorious, low-raking golden hours, crisp mornings, and canopies of exquisite, vibrant hues.

Visit the Autumn Gallery →

Nature photography through the seasons

My photography follows the seasonal changes throughout the English countryside. Out in the field, I work hard to capture the small details of seasonality and resilience that show the true beauty of nature on my doorstep. Below is just a small snapshot of what you can expect from my seasonal galleries.

A four-image composite by Still Outdoors featuring landscape photography in Rainford Village and the Lake District during spring, summer, autumn and winter. — A seasonal collage illustrating picturesque scenery from across the North West of England

See the Full Seasonal Collection →

The Value of Ethics in Local Wildlife Photography

ETHICAL WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY IS KEY

Over the past several years, I’ve worked tirelessly to hone my patience and fieldcraft skills to help keep me accountable outdoors. Prioritising an ethical approach has genuinely been the biggest factor in my success photographing wildlife on my doorstep.

Visit my Wildlife Photography pages to discover why patience, fieldcraft, and ethics are skills that cost nothing but time, yet give more bang for their buck than any gear upgrade ever could.

Discover the Value of Ethics

Wild Rainford: My Upcoming Photography Book

ONE THOUSAND HOURS. FOUR SEASONS. ONE VILLAGE.

Explore the natural beauty of Rainford Village in my upcoming photographic book, Wild Rainford.

EXPERIENCE WILD RAINFORD

The Story Behind Wild Rainford

Wild Rainford takes you on a seasonal journey through Rainford Village’s diverse countryside, revealing the beauty of our local landscapes and wildlife that are often easily overlooked.

Artwork showing a double-page spread from Wild Rainford, illustrating a perched barn owl and a first-person account of how the photograph came to life. — A glimpse inside Wild Rainford. This double-page spread features a barn owl I recognised on sight, having photographed him weeks earlier during a storm, quite possibly my favourite portrait from the entire project.

Why Wild Rainford Matters

Wild Rainford was created with one goal in mind: to help strengthen our connection with nature. Biodiversity across the UK is suffering devastating declines year after year, making our everyday landscapes and wildlife feel more precious than ever.

If we lose our connection with nature, we risk losing the species and habitats that define our beautiful countryside. Wild Rainford brings nature closer, offering a reminder of the beauty that lies on our doorstep and why it’s worth protecting.

Learn more about the inspiration behind Wild Rainford in my recent blog post, which gives you an exclusive look behind the scenes.

Behind-the-scenes →

Wildlife photograph featuring a pair of branching tawny owlets huddled together on a branch, surrounded by dense leaves and foliage near Rainford Village.

A misty tunnel of trees along Coach Road, Rainford, during an early spring morning, with a hare sitting curiously in the foreground.

A barn owl perched on a lamp post at night with lightning forking across the night sky in the distance.

BUILT ON ETHICS, FIELDCRAFT, AND PATIENCE

The Importance of Ethical Nature Photography

My goal is to encourage ethical nature photography and a greater respect for the outdoors. With the help of my ethical photography guides, you’ll learn how to make the most of nature on your doorstep, with respect guiding every decision you make.

A barn owl gazing down a public path whilst perched on a post at the edge of a meadow.

How to Photograph Wild Barn Owls Respectfully

Read the full guide →

A stoat standing on sandstone rocks surrounding a lake during summer.

A-Z Glossary of Photography Terms

View the full glossary →

An example of nature photography fieldcraft, showing photographer Simon Evans hidden under a makeshift hide.

A-Z Glossary of Behavioural and Fieldcraft Terms

View the full glossary →

Photography Advice and Fieldcraft Lessons

Explore my Blog for photography advice, gear thoughts, and lessons learned in the field, or my Field Notes for shorter, in-the-moment stories from recent encounters. Both come from real time spent outdoors, not recycled tips or advice I haven’t tested myself.

BLOG

FIELD NOTES

HERE’S WHAT I’VE BEEN UP TO RECENTLY