A life behind the lens — and always outdoors
There’s something magical about being outside — walking through morning mist, running down winding lanes, or pausing mid-ride to capture a landscape that stops me in my tracks. That’s where I find my rhythm, and it’s where A Whiff of Wilderness was born.
I’m Simon Burchett — a photographer, writer, runner, cyclist, and explorer of hidden corners. Whether I’m chasing storm light across the coast or standing on a muddy trail with my camera in hand, I live for those quiet moments when the landscape reveals something extraordinary. I don't just take photographs — I collect moments. Each one is a reminder of a place I’ve discovered, a feeling I want to hold on to, and a story I can share.
A Whiff of Wilderness — Where Passion Meets Purpose
Over time, my passion for the outdoors and photography merged into something more personal: A Whiff of Wilderness — a space where I blend photography, fitness, and life in the slow lane. It’s a place for anyone who enjoys getting a bit lost, finding the beauty in simplicity, and breathing in the world around them — quite literally, taking a whiff of wilderness.I’m Simon Burchett — a photographer, writer, runner, cyclist, and explorer of hidden corners. Whether I’m chasing storm light across the coast or standing on a muddy trail with my camera in hand, I live for those quiet moments when the landscape reveals something extraordinary. I don't just take photographs — I collect moments. Each one is a reminder of a place I’ve discovered, a feeling I want to hold on to, and a story I can share.
The Career Bit
Since then, I’ve worked for global media outlets, flown thousands of hours capturing aerial imagery, and produced shipping and commercial images used by some of the world’s largest companies. From the rooftops of Ashford to the coastline of Morocco, I’ve covered towns, ports, coastlines, and construction projects — always searching for that perfect balance of light, shape, and story.
But now, I also write. I blog. Sometimes I rant (usually with humour), and sometimes I just reflect. And while my aerial photography is still a big part of who I am, I’ve come to appreciate the smaller details too — the footpaths, the skies, and the quiet joy of discovering somewhere new on foot, camera over my shoulder.
So What’s Next?
That’s what this site is about — sharing the real me. The photographer. The runner. The bloke on a bike. The guy who once found his parents' van in a skip photo and decided to turn a moment like that into a lifetime of chasing images.
If you’d like to follow along, collaborate, or just say hello — you’re very welcome here.
Because life’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey. And sometimes, it starts with a whiff of wilderness.