Scott Hurd
Scott is a highly experienced and naturally entertaining, motivational speaker, ever prepared to share ideas, knowledge and fun. Following a career at the sharp end of education he set up and ran a very successful company presenting motivational events for bright and able young people. He currently “lives the dream,” working as a professional photographer and photographic trainer in Namibia, a country he sees as the most photogenic on the planet. For a fuller picture of Scott’s career please see Scott Hurd Resumé.
An audience with Scott quickly learns that he has a great zest, living life with a sense of excitement, anticipation, and energy. He appreciates the quirkiness of life and really enjoys his work. People invariably leave sharing his enthusiasm for wildlife, for the wilderness, for photography, for education and with an increased determination to take control of their own future. He has a knack of making a talk to even a large audience seem totally personal, making him an ideal choice of speaker, or workshop leader, for a wide range of occasions.
A selection of his favourite workshops and well-illustrated, motivational talks are listed below.
Zoom Talks: Updated January 2022
Scott Hurd – Living and Working as a Professional Photographer in Namibia
Two evening talks on Zoom for photographic clubs worldwide.
www.h4urd.co.uk
Approaching retirement, Scott walked away from his lucrative business as a motivational speaker and, using his own techniques, reinvented himself. He set up a new life in Otjiwarongo, a small town in the African bush – a totally different world – in order to work with his first love, photography and the people of his adopted country, Namibia.
He had expected Lodge and Hotel publicity work to be his staple, to have the occasional wedding or baby shoot, maybe to sell a few photos through his photo library, but, as one of the few photographers in the country at the time, he completely failed to anticipate the diverse and fascinating work that flooded in.
As a professional photographer in Namibia, Scott never knows what the next phone call will bring. He could be training anti-poaching units out in the bush, photographing aged freedom fighters or shooting a President. He could be camped out in the desert doing ID photos of Wild Horses, covering a big tribal wedding or working with rescued pangolins. One of his most unexpected and exciting projects has been to document the construction of a brand new gold mine, from virgin bush to the first gold bar. His knowledge of African wildlife has enabled his images to spearhead major conservation campaigns and be used in publications worldwide.
The content of Scott’s presentations is as diverse as the Namibian people, the wildlife and the land itself. He talks lovingly of a land that fast became his home. Camera technique in these very different, sometimes arduous and often extreme conditions is also covered and questions are encouraged throughout. This is an Africa that visitors can only guess at.
For the many who’ve already played host to him in their homes on Zoom, part two, highlighting different areas, awaits.
A few of many comments:
Please pass on my thanks to Scott for such an engaging talk and images. It was a special evening and I really enjoyed it.
It was quite the best evening that we can recall. Our most critical and technically equipped committee member commented simply and directly in written feedback to the committee: ‘super talk, lovely images’. He is usually hard to satisfy!
You brought us a width of experience of people, scenery and geographical, historical and political insight all expertly constructed and amazing.
What a fantastic night. I have had a lot of emails from members saying how they enjoyed the evening, not only because of the great photography, but the insight you gave us all on what is seen as one of the best countries in Africa. I have been asked to get “part 2” organised.
Hopefully we will get the chance to welcome you back to the club some time in the future with another new presentation
Links:
Website: www.h4urd.co.uk
Wildlife and Scenery Galleries: https://www.alamy.com/portfolio/315793.html
Conservation: https://www.h4urd.co.uk/?page_id=2274
Résumé: https://www.h4urd.co.uk/?page_id=1909
Face Book: Scott Hurd – Photography, Training and Speaking
Email: scott@h4urd.co.uk
Details:
Each evening consists of two, one hour sessions with a short break between.
Where funds are short Scott is quite happy to present to multiple smaller clubs.
His internet link in Namibia is fast and stable fibre optic.
Cost is £90 sterling per evening.
Workshops
Public Speaking and Presentation Workshops: These sessions provide invaluable help and advice to anyone wanting to give their own important presentations or speeches. Scott makes the whole thing fun, crams it with as much practical experience as possible and backs it up with sound, positive advice. These sessions can also be adapted to target those who teach Public Speaking and Presentation Skills. Workshops vary in length from an hour to a whole weekend, the more time available the more practice can be built in. Alternatively the topic can be presented as an informative and entertaining talk.
Skills for Active Learning: This masterclass provides a plethora of tips, techniques, practical ideas and valuable information. Scott has extensive expertise in this field. Initially developed from his work with reluctant students he has applied these techniques to all abilities and ages. In addition he explains how these methods will help improve behaviour and increase both teacher and pupil confidence. This topic is run as a training session and is highly suitable for teachers from all backgrounds as well as youth leaders.
Catwalk: This thought-provoking and fun workshop relies totally on audience participation and has always been a favourite for participants, of all ages, in his Challenge Plus programme. It takes a close look at how we learn from role models, why and how we’re programmed to use them, and highlights their value as tools for personal development. It starts with a “studio discussion” and concludes with the creation of a Catwalk show using readily available and cheap materials that have been placed to hand. Alongside this he can examine the practicalities of running a similar activity with participants’ own groups. This is a high octane and thoroughly enjoyable workshop led by Scott at his most energetic!
Illustrated Talks
Elements of these talks featured below, and more, are combined into both of Scott’s latest talks for Zoom, entitled “Living and Working as a Professional Photographer in Namibia.” See above.
The Wild Horses of the Namib Desert: This is a photographer’s view of an amazing herd of horses clinging to survival on the very edge of civilisation. Scott has developed a deep knowledge, love and understanding of these animals. He explains where the horses came from, demonstrates their herd behaviour and examines how they have adapted to living in a hostile and barren environment. Experience the heat, the close bond with nature and the true sense of adventure that Scott feels every time he works closely alongside these magnificent animals. See his stunning photos and become aware of the horses’ individual personalities. Scott will leave you with a knowledge that there are wonderful creatures on this planet that put twenty first century life firmly its place. Expect to be entertained, informed …. and awed.
The Dangers, Delights and Crazy Experiences of a Photographer in Namibia: Scott moved to desert-dominated Namibia because he has a great love of wildlife and wilderness and had seen an opening that would enable him to live his dream. He guides you through the country that he knows exceptionally well and sees as the most photogenic on the planet, telling about the dangers, delights and quirkiness of working there as a photographer. Namibia is a large and fast developing country with a very small population so Scott’s ‘bread and butter’ work, of necessity, includes portrait and wedding photography but also stretches to conservation, construction and tourism. In addition to straight photography he runs photo courses aimed at people from all walks of life; he has worked for newspapers, design offices and anti-poaching teams. Among a number of major projects he was thrilled recently to cover the birth of an internationally acclaimed gold mine, from the initial bush clearance to the first gold pour. This in turn led him to shoot two presidents – photographically speaking that is. Find out why he set fire to a beach, how he survived sharing a bedroll with a scorpion, and what it was like attending a three day Herero tribal wedding. Expect to be entertained, to enjoy his humour and to appreciate his images. However, beware, his energy and enthusiasm are infectious!
Going Home from a Holiday in Namibia with THE Shots: Scott has lived and worked in Namibia for over ten years and knows both the country, and his camera, inside out. Scott is very knowledgeable about the animals, the country and the people. He suggests ways that visiting photographers can increase their chances of going home with THE shots! Not always an easy task, partly because the variety of experiences within the country can be mind-blowing and partly because normal methods of working with a camera don’t always work in this desert, savanna and bush environment. This talk is full of stunning photography, information about the wildlife and country, and sound, practical tips.
Motivational Talk
These motivational talks are designed to demonstrate a personal way forward for each member of the audience and are readily adaptable to many different situations. Over the years he has developed a tried and tested formula for modifying or reinventing one’s life. This has resulted in him “living the dream.” This talk is full of sound practical advice, and includes ways to gain advantage when seeking a job and ways to make the transition from school to work that much easier. He looks at ways to help motivate yourself and others, giving examples from his own life and telling how he set up his own dream jobs and pushed himself through difficult times. He will challenge you to assess your abilities and devise new plans for the future with a totally open mind. Through his work with the long running “Challenge Plus,” an event designed to increase confidence and aspiration in bright young people, Scott has accumulated a massive amount of experience and success working within this field. Scott is a dynamic and entertaining speaker who has the ability to make a deep connection to individuals in his audience whatever their age, position or background.
Photographic Courses and Experiences:
For a variety of Photographic and Photoshop Courses and Experiences please see the Photographic Courses page or contact judy@h4urd.co.uk