Brian W Matthews

For over two decades, Brian W Matthews has been dedicated to capturing wildlife in some of the world's most extreme environments. From tracking tigers on elephant-back in India to freediving among puffins in the North Sea, his work tells the story of our planet's biodiversity and the urgent need for conservation.

Based in North East England, Brian has documented wildlife across over 60 countries, working on projects that highlight the impact of climate change on ecosystems.

A three-time Wildlife Photographer of the Year finalist, Brian's work has been widely published in magazines such as BBC Wildlife, Outdoor Photography, National Geographic, and more. His expertise extends to underwater and extreme-weather photography, using Canon EOS-1D X Mark III and EOS 5D Mark IV cameras, often in custom waterproof housings to capture unique perspectives of marine life.

Brian's favourite subjects include badgers, puffins, elephants, and large predators. He has spent years photographing owls, sea eagles, and osprey, and has extensively worked in Africa, India, Indonesia, and Scandinavia.

When he's not behind the camera, Brian enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and travelling to remote locations in search of the perfect shot.

Project 7723 follows the entire UK coastline — all 7,723 miles of it — to document the wildlife and ecosystems that define Britain's shores, and the climate change pressures threatening them.

The project aims to culminate in a wildlife and climate change photography book distributed to every school in the UK, giving future generations the imagery and stories they need to understand what is at stake.

From the dramatic sea stacks of St Kilda to the mudflats of the Wash, every mile is being recorded. The project documents seabird colonies, grey seal haul-outs, migratory waders, and the subtle but measurable changes in habitats year on year.