World Photography Day is an annual celebration of the best in international photography, showcasing work from seasoned professionals to talented amateurs alike.

It’s an art form that is close to the hearts of all those working at Woburn Safari Park because of its ability to capture the spirit of the animals they work with and care for.

‘A photograph doesn’t just show an animal in a time and a place, you can really see their character and strength shine through,’ says Abi Crowley, Marketing Manager.  ‘Photos are a wonderful way for us to share the wonder of the natural world with the public, which helps us to inspire support for important conservation projects.’

Capturing photos of the animals

The Park’s official photographer, Bridget Davey, took this stunning portrait of lioness Zuri and cub, which incredibly has been viewed online more than 200 million times, and shared thousands of times.

The image has also been shared as a high-quality print by Woburn in return for donations, garnering over £1500 for charity Wildcat Conservation Alliance.

The shot has also been used by a German haulage company on the sides of their fleet of vehicles.

‘Capturing this shot was a matter of being in the right place at the right time and waiting it out,’ says Bridget, who was safely sat behind a high fence at the time ‘Because Zuri wasn’t familiar with me in the way she is with her keepers, it took her a long time to settle and accept me in her space. I sat quietly on the ground for about two hours and made myself as unobtrusive as possible.  Eventually, she seemed to accept I was no threat to her cub. When they started walking towards me I quietly lifted my camera and got the shot. Sometimes, you get goosebumps and just know you’ve caught something really special – and sure enough, this photograph has captured the hearts of wildlife lovers everywhere.’

Showing early promise

Bridget, who was recently awarded Judge’s Choice in the International Pet Photographer of the Year 2021 competition, became hooked on photography at the age of just seven, after her father bought her a camera for her birthday.

‘It was old-school point-and-shoot and heavy on film but I loved it,’ says Bridget. ‘ I took photographs of family and friends, but it was only after I met my husband and moved from Germany to the UK that I started taking photographs of animals, wildlife and nature as part of the team at Woburn Abbey. While there, I had the opportunity to take photos of the animals at the Park – and the rest is history.’

How to capture the perfect animal photo: Bridget’s top tips

• Choose a time of day when you are able to take your time and the animals might be more active (in cooler temperatures)
• Invest in a long lens if you want to take shots of the bigger carnivores, such as tigers. They’re famous for their camouflage, so your smartphone camera might not be up to the job!
• Be patient – and prepare to be uncomfortable. For nature shots, you may be outside for hours so make sure you’re appropriately dressed and have all the essentials, such as snacks, water, and suncream (and a spare camera battery)
• Don’t wait for sunny days. Overcast conditions are often better as there are fewer shadows, and the animals may be more active when it’s cooler.