James Stevens (2006-2013)

James attained 13 GCSE’s and 3 A-levels in Biology, English and Media during his time at The Crypt School. Always a keen photographer, James established the school’s photography club and was presented with the  award for Excellence in Innovation at the 2013 Speech Day.

After finishing his A-levels, James embarked on a solo challenge to walk the 102 miles of the Cotswold Way, carrying all his camping gear and camera kit to film wildlife along the way and raising over £1,000 for Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

In 2017 James graduated from the University of Cumbria with a BA(hons) in Wildlife Media.

One of the films made at university went on to win several awards including Winner of Best Amateur at the Trail Running Film Festival 2017. Official Selection in Trails in Motion Film Festival 2017, Sheffield Adventure Film Festival 2017 and Buenos Aires Running Film Festival 2018.

Upon graduating he headed north to the Cairngorms National Park where he slept in his car for over 2 months in order to be as close to wildlife as possible.  James is now established as a wildlife filmmaker, photographer, CAA approved aerial drone operator and guide based in the Scottish Highlands showcasing the natural world through media and guiding, as well as highlighting environment issues and promoting conservation.

James has credits as a cameraman, aerial operator and story developer in programs such as BBC Springwatch, Autumnwatch, Winterwatch and Countryfile. As well as working in television he operates as a one-man production crew creating films for NGO’s such as the Wildlife Trust and National Parks.

James’ latest release ‘When the Snow Melts’, a short documentary about living and working with sleddogs in Scotland whose way of life is threatened by the change in climate is currently entered into several international film festivals and has had highlights featured on Channel 4 news.

With an interest in global conservation, he also creates his own independent documentaries, the latest, currently in post-production, is ‘Conserving Sumatra’.   Journeying throughout the Indonesian island in 2018 and 2019, James filmed the incredible conservation efforts being carried out by small organisations and individual conservationists who are successfully tackling and the islands’ issues with poaching and logging giving hope to the orangutan population and many other endangered species.

You can read more about his work on his website: https://www.jegsmedia.co.uk