Introducing the judges for our 2022 photo competition

We’d like you to meet the local wildlife photographers who will judge our 2022 photo competition…

David Gallan

David's interest in forest wildlife leads him to video and photograph less familiar species that are found in more remote habitats and/or only seen at night. He lives in the forest and beside a lake which also provides many opportunities for wildlife photography. David is also interested in threatened species and is actively engaged in conservation advocacy. He has also been a finalist in Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Far South Film Festival and Nature Photographer of the Year. David directed and produced Understorey (2016), a documentary on the South East Forest Campaigns.

Jess Taunton

Jess is an experienced photography guide, photographer and videographer. Her photos have been published widely including Australian Geographic, Outdoor Magazine, and numerous travel, in-flight and sailing publications. Jess was one of the owners, and a lead photography guide for Chris Bray Photography, one of Australia’s largest photo tour companies, running tours to over 15 destinations around the world and teaching thousands of guests the art of photography and videography. As a wilderness guide and keen adventurer, Jess has used her skills to share her many adventures including becoming one of the first people to sail a junk-rigged sailboat through the infamous Northwest Passage above Canada & Alaska. Jess now calls the Bega Valley home and has started a local touring business, Navigate Expeditions. 
Awards and achievements include: Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the year 2017, shortlisted for ‘Our Impact’ category. Christmas Island Tourism destination promotional video team filming and editing, winning “Best Destination Video” for the 2019 GWN Top Tourism Town Awards. Published photographer for NSW National Parks and Wildlife. Expedition photographer/guide for Chris Bray Photography. Photography host on-board APT, AURORA & Australian Geographic cruise & expeditions.  

Harrison Warne 

Harrison grew up on the south coast and surrounded himself with nature from a young age, spending much of his childhood in the bush learning the behaviour of insects, reptiles, birds and mammals. He began wildlife photography as a teenager and has been passionate about using photography and film as an educational medium for over 10 years. He is currently working as an Ecologist in Queensland.

Photography Awards include: Overall winner Nature Conservancy photography competition (2017). Overall winner and third place Atlas of Life photography competition (2018). Twice  Finalist in Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year (2019). First place wildlife category Nature Conservancy photography competition (2021).

David Gallan is a prolific photographer around the Sapphire Coast and a judge for our 2022 photo competition

Harrison Warne is a local Sapphire Coast photographer and judge of our 2022 photo competition

Jess Taunton is a well travelled photographer, explorer and judge for our 2022 photo competition