How it came about

These studio photos were taken at the world conservation centre the International Centre for Birds of Prey (ICBP) in Paul's home county of Gloucestershire, UK.

The pictures were created using brightly coloured lights on studio backdrops and working with ICBP to photograph many birds of prey including the Snowy Owl, Black Eagle, Vulture, Northern Hawk Owl, Great Grey Owl, Condor and Ashy-Faced Owl.  

Paul's inspiration stemmed from his grandmother, E. Catherine Clements, whose lifetime’s work was the care of sick and orphaned birds, including a tawny owl named Woolly. She was infamous locally for her dedication to birds and wrote several books on the subject including “Birds at my Door” published by Faber & Faber in 1963.

The International Centre for Birds of Prey is the oldest dedicated birds of prey centre in the world. Recently the centre created a brand new bird hospital which was opened by comedian Bill Bailey. The centre accepts all injured birds of prey brought in by members of the public - up to 100 a year. Birds are looked after until they can be released back into the wild, usually by the people who first find them.