North East Photographer

My Story

From 20 years in the military to barn owls at dusk and live music in the pit.

Jason Warnes, wildlife and music photographer, North East England
North East, England

From Pits to Hides

Before picking up a camera, I served for 20 years in the military, including operational tours around the world. When that chapter ended, I swapped my rifle for a camera — and found a new way to focus on the world around me. The awareness, patience and determination I learned during my service have stayed with me ever since.

My photography journey started in live music venues. From local unsigned artists taking their first steps on stage to established touring acts in front of packed crowds, I love the challenge of capturing a performance as it happens: the lights, the movement, the connection between an artist and their audience.

Wildlife photography came later, but quickly became just as important to me. It is a very different pace — early starts, long waits and plenty of muddy boots. Whether I'm waiting for a barn owl at dusk or following a red squirrel through woodland, that one special moment makes every hour worthwhile.

I was also fortunate to be inspired and mentored by photographers Mik Critchlow and Mick Hutson, who have both sadly passed away. Their kindness, encouragement and love of photography helped shape my journey, and their influence is still a part of every image I make.

Whether I'm at the front of a crowd or quietly waiting in a field at dawn, my aim is simple: to capture honest moments and tell the stories behind them.

The Journey

20 years

Military service

Operational tours around the world. The patience, awareness and determination learned in service became the foundation of everything that followed.

Early days

First steps in live music

Picked up a camera and found a new way to focus. Local venues, unsigned artists, and the challenge of capturing a performance as it unfolds.

The field

Wildlife photography

Early mornings, muddy boots and long waits. Barn owls at dusk, red squirrels in woodland, and the moment that makes every hour worthwhile.

Mentors

Mik Critchlow & Mick Hutson

Inspired and mentored by two photographers who have both sadly passed. Their kindness and love of photography shaped the journey, and their influence lives on in every image.

Today

From Pits to Hides

Based in the North East, shooting wildlife and live music across the UK. Fine art prints available online, with limited edition signed editions for collectors.

What I Do

Live Music

From intimate local venues to large-scale touring artists, capturing the raw energy and emotion of live performance.

Wildlife

Patient, dedicated fieldwork across the North East and beyond — barn owls, red squirrels, foxes and more.

Fine Art Prints

Gallery-quality archival prints on Lucia Pro II pigment inks, available in A4, A3 and limited edition signed editions delivered throughout the UK.

Commissioned Work

Professional photography for established and touring artists — press shots, live coverage and promotional imagery.

The Kit

Every print is made with the same care as the shot itself — from the glass to the paper.

Bodies

Canon EOS R5 · Canon EOS R3

Wildlife lenses

Canon RF 100–500mm f/4.5–7.1 · Canon RF 600mm f/4

Music lenses

Canon RF 24–70mm f/2.8 · Canon RF 70–200mm f/2.8

Printing

Lucia Pro II archival pigment inks · Fine art paper

"Photography is about being in the right place, at the right time — but also about putting in the hours to make sure you're ready when that moment arrives."

Jason Warnes

Work With Me

Available for music commissions, wildlife projects and print enquiries across the North East and beyond.

Get in Touch