Chris Packham

Chris Packham is a naturalist, broadcaster and nature photographer. He is also autistic, but, as he tells Peter Travers, he’s able to use this positively in life and to influence his wildlife photography

If you’re a fan of BBC wildlife shows, you’re likely to be a fan of Chris Packham. Depending on your age, you might potentially remember him with his spiky blonde hair and punk attitude on The Really, Really Wild Show. Or perhaps more recently, displaying unfailing enthusiasm and encyclopedic knowledge on the BBC’s seasonal Springwatch, Autumnwatch, Winterwatch television shows.

He’s a British naturalist and TV presenter, but he began his career as a humble nature photographer. He’s 56-years-old, but it wasn’t until he was 40 that he was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. For many people this can make day-to-day living very challenging. However, Chris impressively manages his high-functioning autism and “heightened senses” in a positive way in his life, and especially, in his nature photography. Chris is able to, “see things with a greater clarity and see the world in a different way. In most instances, in a new and very visual way” and this translates to some truly original nature photos.

Originally from Southampton, Chris now lives in a home in the woods, in the New Forest, with his pet poodle, Scratchy. We met up in the Canon UK media room at The Photography Show, and as Chris makes himself comfortable, lining up his phone and glasses case perfectly on top of his copy PhotoPlus magazine, this is the only hint we see of his condition. He’s an interviewer’s dream, being incredibly enthusiastic, intelligent and honest...

Which came first – the love of wildlife, the environment and biology, or the nature photography?