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Nathan Watson with his camera

Hi, I'm Nathan

Much of my childhood was spent travelling Australia with my family. From sunburnt deserts to lush rainforests and windswept coastlines, those early adventures gave me an enduring affection for Australia’s extraordinary natural world.

 

For 15 years I worked in print media, surrounded by some of Western Australia’s best press photographers. Their work sparked my interest in photography, but apart from snapping cherished moments of my family and pets, I didn't explore it seriously.

 

That changed when I moved to Albany on the south coast. Living among breathtaking scenery and an incredible diversity of birdlife renewed my interest and appreciation for nature.

 

The work of talented wildlife photographers became a source of inspiration and motivation to finally pick up a camera, and what began as a casual interest quickly became a passion — especially for birds.

 

My goal shifted from simply documenting to capturing birds in more creative ways and using light to emphasise their beauty and showcase their colours, shapes, behaviours, and surroundings.

 

Photography has become so much more than a hobby. It’s my creative outlet, a source of joy and purpose, and a path that has received national and international recognition, something I never imagined when I first lifted the lens.

 

My hope is that my images help others see birds as fascinating, beautiful and vital creatures. I want people to feel what I feel when I look through the lens — wonder, respect, and a sense of urgency to protect the fragile habitats that allow them to thrive.

My current cameras and lenses:

Canon EOS R1

Canon EOS R3

Canon EF 500mm F4 L IS II

Canon EF 600mm F4 L IS II

Canon EF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 L IS II

Canon EF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS III

Canon RF 100mm L IS Macro

Canon EF-EOS R Mount Adapter

Canon EF 1.4x III teleconverter

Canon EF 2x III teleconverter​

 

Nikon Z8

Nikkor z 800mm f6.3 PF VR S

Nikkor z 180-600mm f5.6-6.3 VR

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Awards

Birdlife Australia Photography Awards

2024 Grand Prize

I was honoured to win the grand prize in the 2024 Birdlife Australia Photography Awards for my portfolio of Black-necked Storks or 'Jabirus'. The winning set of images was captured on a 5-day trip to the Northern Territory.

Other BAPA results

Each year since 2020 I have been honoured to be a finalist in the Birdlife Australia Photography Awards (BAPA), including in Bird Portrait, Birds in the Environment, Birds in Flight, Birds in Backyards and Human Impact categories. Some of these images have received category awards.

2021 — Winner Backyard Birds

2022 — Winner Human Impact

2024 — Highly Commended Birds in the Landscape

2024 — Commended Backyard Birds

2024 — Commended Birds in Flight

2024 — Commended Bird Portrait

2025 — Highly Commended Diurnal Raptors

2025 — Commended Birds in the Landscape

2025 — Commended Birds in Flight

2025 — Commended Human Impact

To view all the recent and former BAPA award winners and shortlisted images, visit: 

https://www.birdlifephotoaward.org.au/

Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year

Run by the South Australian Museum, the Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year (AGNPOTY) is one of Australia's most prestigious annual nature photography contests and includes an exhibition of awarded and finalist images.

2023 — People's Choice Award

2023 — Finalist Animals in Nature

2024 — Runner-up Threatened Species​

2024 — Finalist Animals in Nature

2025 — Finalist Threatened Species

To view all recent and past AGNPOTY award winners and finalists, visit:

https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/c/npoty/gallery

Bird Photographer of the Year

Bird Photographer of the Year (BPOTY) is the largest international bird photography contest, attracting around 26,000 entries every year from the best bird photographers around the world. The awarded, highly commended and commended images are published in a book, which represents the top 1% of all entries.

2023 — Commended Bird Portrait

2024 — Commended Birds in Flight

To view all recent and past BPOTY award winners and finalists, visit:

https://www.birdpoty.com/

WildArt Photographer of the Year

WildArt Photographer of the Year is an international contest that encourages and inspires creativity, embracing photography as a form of art and showcasing the wonder and beauty of nature and wildlife. 

2022 — Top 100 "Light"

2022 — Top 100 "Space"

2023 — Top 100 "Light"

2023 — Top 100 "Space"

2023 — Commended "Wet"

2023 — Commended "Space"

2023 — Top 100 "Light"

2023 — Top 100 "Tiny"

To view all recent and past WAPOTY award winners and finalists, visit:

https://www.wildartpoty.com/

Australian Photography Awards

The Australian Photography Awards (APA) aims to celebrate diverse and progressive Australian photography that expands our understanding of the world through its original and thought-provoking storytelling.

2024 — Top 10 "Animal"

To view all recent and past APA award winners and finalists, visit:

https://photocollective.com.au/

Close-Up Photographer of the Year

The Close-Up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) is a UK-based international contest that celebrates the up-close and intimate details of nature through close-up, macro and micro photography.

2025 — Finalist "Animal"

To view all recent and past CUPOTY award winners and finalists, visit:

https://www.cupoty.com/

© 2025 by Nathan Watson Photography. All rights reserved. Images cannot be copied, duplicated or re-published without the express written permission of Nathan Watson Photography

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