Sam Rowley is perhaps best known for his award-winning ‘Station Squabble’ photograph, capturing two mice seemingly fighting in the London Underground. However, his career started locally, in the beautiful Richmond Park. In an interview with the man himself, we explore how his highly successful career developed, and his hopes for the future.
Rowley started his photography adventure “as soon he was old enough to use a camera”, using his photographs as a “great way of communicating the surprising species found locally”, for which he has always had such a strong passion. In fact, he says that his favourite photo was taken “on his first ever trip” to Richmond Park: “The moment was perfect, with the light and (animal) behaviour lining up for me.” The photograph (above) pictures a red deer stag (common in the vast park) attempting to use the bracken to scratch off the itchy velvet from its distinctive antlers. To me, this picture brilliantly exemplifies how clever animals are, constantly finding smart solutions. Rowley himself has “always been fascinated by the natural world,” and tries to encourage others to share his passion.
Despite the wide range of animals that Rowley has photographed, badgers are the one animal that has always escaped him. Being nocturnal certainly doesn’t help, but, in the future, Sam remains committed to finally getting a snap of these “charismatic, social animals”, which he considers as the “perfect subject”.
Earlier this year, Rowley won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s People’s Choice Award, after beating 48,000 other photos to snatch the award for his ‘Station Squabble’ image. When asked about his inspiration for the unique picture, he said that “he was keen to find a species in London that hadn’t been photographed much before” and he “made it his mission to share the world of Underground mice with his camera.” The image certainly portrays these ‘pests’, usually regarded as filthy and frightening, in a more playful light.
Nowadays, Rowley works as a drone pilot for the BBC’s Natural History Unit. He recommends this style of photography to anyone with an interest in this hobby, saying that drones “give you freedom to get your camera into positions you would never have dreamed of just a few years ago.”
In the future, Rowley is eager to “explore other urban wildlife stories”, on the back of his success in the Underground. He thinks that these types of photos “resonate with people on a different level as so many can relate to the city scene.” Understandably, he’s keeping his current projects private, but we can be sure that whatever he captures, the future is bright for this young photographer.
