“William Fortescue is one of the finest wildlife photographers of his generation…his work has the power to change the world”

Square Mile Magazine

The cornerstone of William’s photography is the desire to depict wild animals in their natural environment; “My presence should have no great influence on their behaviour for in doing so the image will no longer be what I strive for; natural”.

With an instantly recognisable style, William’s internationally acclaimed work has sold around the world and been utilised to raise vital funding for a variety of charitable organisations as well as being included in the globally renowned fundraiser, Prints for Wildlife. To date his work has raised over £110,000 for a variety of charitable causes.

Photographing the last two northern white rhino in the world on Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya

Walking with giraffe on Borana Conservancy, Kenya

Now 30, William has carved his path in one of the most competitive industries going while living in his home city, London, where his work hangs along side the likes of Banksy and Damien Hirst at a collection of London art galleries.

“For me photography has always been a form of expression, an attempt to explain to everyone how you see the world around you. Having originally discovered photography through sport, it was in my late teens I switched to working with wildlife and I’ve never looked back.

Even now, eleven years after I first picked up a camera, the buzz I get when everything’s fallen in to place and we get ‘the’ shot of a wild animal is unbeatable. Hopefully that remains the case for as long as I have a camera in my hand.”

Signing off the first edition of “Born Wild”

Photographing Craig, perhaps the most famous elephant alive today, in Amboseli, Kenya

With William’s work so heavily focussed on wildlife he partnered with David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation in early 2021 to raise both funding and awareness for their vital conservation work. Following their partnerships inception they launched The Art of Survival Photographic Series in 2022, with William’s debut solo show under the same name raising over £30,000 for the organisation.

To coincide with the series launch William’s first book The Last Stand was also released in October 2022. Containing over 100 of William’s finest images from the last three years and printed in Italy, a country renowned for producing the highest quality coffee table books, there will be just 1,000 editions available, making it a real collector’s item of William’s earliest work.

Right and above: On location with the Pangolin Project, one of DSWF’s affiliated conservation organisations

In tandem with his exciting photographic career William co-founded the safari company Armstrong Fortescue with long term safari guide Matthew Armstrong Ford. Specialising in guided photographic safaris with expeditions to search for polar bears, snow leopards, gorilla, tiger, lion and many others, their trips cater to all level of photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.

“With the way people view travel now, placing greater emphasis on doing so with purpose, we wanted to offer people the chance to visit some of the most remote locations in the world and view wildlife at its rawest. We’ve taken great care to craft itineraries that combine phenomenal wildlife viewing with stylish travel.”

Their first trips took flight in Spring 2022 and you can find out how to join them here.