Re: Scott Hurd’s “Living and Working as a Photographer in Namibia” Series.
Links to photographs and website below.
Scott Hurd, internationally known photographer and experienced presenter, aims to produce talks that are suitable for anyone who has an interest in photography, beginners through to the more experienced. He aims to entertain as well as to inform and, from the feedback, he succeeds. Expect a polished performance and maybe something a little bit different.
Talks are usually presented directly from his homebase in Otjiwarongo, Namibia, where his fast and reliable fibre optic internet connection is ideal for Zoom. Unless modified they fit into a two-hour club session, allowing a short interval, questions, and comments. There is no need for padding.
1. Scott Hurd – Living and Working as a Professional Photographer in Namibia
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!
With retirement approaching, 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.
The open spaces, wildlife and people initially drew him to Namibia. He had expected to be involved in mainly Lodge and Hotel publicity work, to have the occasional wedding or baby shoot and maybe to sell a few photos, 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, he 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 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. A born storyteller, he speaks lovingly of a country that fast became his home, a land where camera technique has to adapt to very different, sometimes arduous and often extreme conditions. This is an Africa that visitors can only guess at.
2. Scott Hurd – Living and Working as a Professional Photographer in Namibia – The Sequel
Fantastic photographs, which we have come to expect, and lots of good tales and techniques, I shall look to book your other one in the next season.
For those who’ve already seen part one, Scott continues talking about his life as a photographer in his fascinating, adopted country. This is a completely new talk, highlighting different areas of the country, new work assignments, even more conservation, new stories, and even more wonderful wildlife. Camera techniques and tips abound. His usual relaxed and informed manner remains the same.
3. Scott Hurd – Living and Working as a Professional Photographer in Namibia – Wildlife Photography
This was the best wildlife talk I’ve seen in 23 years with the club – chair of a prestigious UK club.
The icing on Scott’s very big cake has always been the diverse Namibian wildlife. Each animal, ranging from the desert adapted elephant to the tiny palmetto gecko, presents its own challenges, but with observation and learning comes understanding, and from that a logical shooting strategy emerges that can be applied to most animals worldwide. This talk draws on some of his most interesting conservation projects as well as bush and desert encounters that have stirred his soul. He shares a wealth of techniques – photographic, stalking and editing – and looks at the joys, problems, and ethics of shooting in his extreme African environment. Scott peppers the evening with glimpses of fascinating animal behaviour, all of which help him to dig deeper and find shots that most don’t even consider.
4. Scott Hurd – Living and Working as a Professional Photographer in Namibia – Thinking Photography
That was truly engaging and fascinating. Our members were enthralled.
Scott moved from the UK at the very start of the digital photography revolution. Finding himself as one of only three professional photographers in Namibia he was in high demand for a wide range of assignments. Embracing and teaching the new technology, in what was often an alien and frequently harsh environment, was a steep learning curve. Many of his courses were filling up three times over as Namibians were hungry to learn . The pressure was on. In the first half he explores the changes that have occurred in photography, dispelling some of the myths that continue to shackle photographers.
He then examines some of his more demanding assignments, demonstrating how he approaches any photographic situation, ordinary or extreme, and how he sets the camera accordingly – he doesn’t give settings; situations are always new and other photographers’ gear is always different – instead he explains the thinking behind the shot.
In the second half he journeys right across Africa, following the diamonds along the Orange River and then north, into the old, mainly deserted diamond mines, way out in our Forbidden Zone.
Scott still recognises the truths that have been with us since the early days of film, yet casts off restrictions, pushing the camera to its limits, and working to walk away with THE shot. The talk, as usual is packed with tips and stories from Namibia, his home, and, arguably, the most photogenic country on the planet.
A Few More of Many Comments:
* The feedback following your presentation is something I have not experienced in the 13 years I have been a member. A number of members told me it was one of the best presentations they have seen since joining us, and even our most hard to please member thoroughly enjoyed the 2 hours. Praise indeed.
* What a fantastic evening! Everybody enjoyed your talk – thank you very much. At our next committee meeting we will be looking carefully at the diary to find another slot. It was terrific.
* Please pass on my thanks to Scott for such an engaging talk and images. It was a special evening, and I really enjoyed it.
* I have not felt such enthusiasm for a presentation in quite some time! I think that your engagement with people and your subject matter were probably the main reasons.
* On behalf of ***** Club I’d like to thank you for a great presentation on Thursday night. You really nailed it. We’d love to have you back soon.
* Amazing presentation tonight, thank you. Loved your whole story. It’s on my bucket list – one day soon.
* Thanks so much for the presentation tonight , absolutely loved listening to you and hearing about life in Namibia.
* 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.
* Will you thank Scott personally from me for a cracking presentation. It was so informative and educational about Namibia that it was a breath of fresh air. Loved the Pangolins, as did everyone in the club rooms …. 3 members approached me afterwards with “you have got to get him back”.
Links:
Our Portfolio Galleries at Alamy are currently being upgrade. If you have difficulties seeing images please try the FaceBook page: Scott Hurd – Photography, Training and Speaking. https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=scott%20hurd%20-%20photography%2C%20training%20%26%20speaking
Website: <http://www.h4urd.co.uk> www.h4urd.co.uk
Wildlife and Scenery Galleries:
<https://www.alamy.com/portfolio/315793.html>
https://www.alamy.com/portfolio/315793.html
Conservation: <https://www.h4urd.co.uk/?page_id=2274>
https://www.h4urd.co.uk/?page_id=2274
Résumé: <https://www.h4urd.co.uk/?page_id=1909>
https://www.h4urd.co.uk/?page_id=1909
Face Book: Scott Hurd – Photography, Training and Speaking
Email: <mailto:scott@h4urd.co.uk> scott@h4urd.co.uk
Cost: Currently (2026) £95 sterling per evening. Talks already booked remain at the price at the time of booking.
For clubs with poor internet in hall a video version is available.
Scott is always happy for clubs to share an evening or to open up to the public as part of a membership drive.
Talks below, marked with a * are priced differently.
Scott is currently taking bookings for ’26 and ’27 but if you’re needing something on short notice, he will always oblige if at all possible.
Other talks from Scott Hurd:
Safari Photo-Guide Training*
A talk by a highly experienced wildlife photographer to show safari and tour guides what photographers of all kinds and levels are looking for, whether they know it or not.
Visiting Namibia*
This is a basic introduction to Namibia for potential visitors, a general introduction to the country showing what tourists can expect to see and experience. It is designed for travel companies and tour operators and, with Scott’s knowledge and comprehensive Namibian image library, can be tailored to specific routes.
Making Dreams Reality*
This is a superbly illustrated and motivational talk, showing Scott’s journey from the sharp end of education in the UK to being a well-known, African wildlife photographer. It demonstrates the practical steps that allowed him to realise his dreams, steps that others can also use to shape their future. He is an ideal speaker for that special event.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Judy