The perfect gift

My 30th birthday marks more than a decade as a pro- and all I want is a cracking moment with nature at a stunning location holding my camera

- Tom Mason

A question that has plagued me over the years is 'what do you want to do for your birthday?' Some people seem to have an unnatural attachment to their birthday, like suddenly the world owes them the most perfect of days, where the weather should be unseasonably excellent, they are lavished with gifts, food and uninterrupted fun as if they are the reason the world revolves. I'm not a fan of mine at all and, if this year wasn't a big one, I'd likely be happy with a trip to the pub for a quiet pint.

My birthday this year recognizes the start of a new decade in my life and, to be honest, it's quite a landmark for me. It's nothing to do with the fact my age now starts with a three, but because it signifies that I've been a professional photographer for more than 10 years - living out the dream I've had since my early teens, a life sitting behind the camera making images of wildlife. That's something worth celebrating. It's taken far more work and effort to make it as a pro than just ageing - any getting-slightly-older fool can do that!