In the second of his series, Paul Sterry introduces Megan McCubbin, a young and passionate photographer, wildlife researcher and presenter, and our new Young Bird Photographer of the Year competition ambassador.

An important element of the Bird Photographer of the Year competition ethos is the encouragement and recognition of the younger generations of birders and photographers. The Young Bird Photographer of the Year Award is designed to meet this aim and in the second of a series of articles about the judges themselves, Paul Sterry focuses on this aspect of the competition. BPOTY is thrilled that Megan McCubbin has become YBPOTY Competition Coordinator, Ambassador and Judge and here we learn a bit about her passion for wildlife and photography. 

Megan graduated in Zoology from the University of Liverpool and since then has been working as a wildlife researcher and presenter for Lush. The natural world has always been her primary fascination but since picking up a camera at age 10, she began to understand how photography could be used as a powerful tool for conservation. Megan comments: ‘I have been incredibly fortunate to travel around the world taking images, and the exquisite beauty of birds is something I am forever trying to capture. Photography does not lie within the boundaries of language, so I strive to communicate and tell a story through every photo I take. Personally, it’s about raising awareness about the plight of species and engaging new audiences. Starting out as a young wildlife photographer myself, I now reflect on my experiences knowing that it enabled me to learn and look at my surrounding environment differently. It really shaped the person and photographer that I am today.’ 

YBPOTY is thrilled to be working with Swarovski Optik who have provided the main prize for this free-to-enter competition. The YBPOTY awards are specifically for those under 18 and from 2020 will be separated into 3 age categories with cash prizes for the winner of each. The Young Bird Photographer of the Year overall winner will be chosen from the age category winners and receive a pair of CL Companion 8x25 binoculars from Swarovski Optik.