You have won the British Wildlife Photography Awards twice — how does that shape the way you guide?

Winning BWPA taught me that the difference between a good image and an award-winning one is usually patience and preparation, not luck. I bring that discipline to every NaturesLens trip. I encourage photographers to think about what makes a single frame stand out — clean backgrounds, precise timing, something in the behaviour that tells a story. Most people can get a sharp photograph of an eagle. The question is whether your photograph says something the others do not.

You are the longest-serving member of the NaturesLens guiding team — what keeps you coming back?

The variety and the people. I have led trips across Europe over many years now, and no two are ever the same because the wildlife never repeats itself. A pelican trip on Lake Kerkini in March behaves completely differently from the same trip in February. That unpredictability is what makes wildlife photography endlessly interesting. And working with guests who are genuinely passionate about getting better — there is nothing more rewarding than watching someone nail a shot they thought was beyond them.

What is the most important thing you teach on a trip?

Anticipation. If you wait until the moment is happening to press the shutter, you have already missed it. I spend time helping photographers read animal behaviour — the way a pelican shifts its weight before taking off, the way an eagle adjusts its wings before a strike. Once you can predict what is about to happen, your hit rate goes through the roof and the quality of your images jumps dramatically.

Wildlife Photography Holidays With Dan Trim

No trips found for Dan.

Dan Trim’s passion for wildlife & precision for detail make him an exceptional photography guide. Known for his calm, encouraging manner & sharp technical insight, Dan offers experienced guidance to help guests produce bold, dynamic imagery that captures the raw essence of the natural world. His NaturesLens tours – including Hungary’s winter eagles & other European wildlife experiences – offer the chance to work in diverse conditions, refine technique & see wildlife in its truest form. With Dan’s guidance, photographers leave not only with incredible images, but also a renewed appreciation for the art of patience in nature. Dan also is known for having won the British Wildlife Photography Awards, as well as winning categories or being highly commended; Dan was the overall winner in 2017 & 2019, & continues to have images highly commended in several other years of the awards.