My name is Giles Thurston. a husband and father of two, based in Ely, Cambridgeshire, in the East of England.

My photography journey has evolved over more than twenty years. It started with casual attempts to capture the natural beauty around me during long runs or adventurous expeditions. Today, I take it more seriously, making dedicated photographic trips with more sophisticated camera equipment.

Despite growing up and living in some of the flattest parts of the United Kingdom, I have always had a deep love for the mountains. I vividly remember standing in the Duddon Valley at eight years old during a family holiday to the Lake District, staring in wonder at the landscape around me. I knew immediately that the mountains were where I wanted to be. Since that day, I have been fortunate to travel, work and climb across the UK and around the world, including the European Alps, the Andes, and the Himalayas. I am a qualified Summer, Winter, and International Mountain Leader, but I have spent the last ten years focusing on ultra-running in the more rugged parts of the UK.

As a family, our first love remains the English Lake District, but the Highlands of Scotland and mountains of Wales come a close second. As you would guess, initially I was drawn to landscape photography, captivated by the majesty of mountains, peaceful forests, and serene lakes. In recent years, however, I have also developed an interest in urban photography, finding our unique city landscapes, architecture, and varied light equally captivating. My love of running and endurance adventures has also given me the chance to combine this with my photography and I have been fortunate to capture the emotions of various events.

To me, photography is more than just taking photos. It’s about capturing moments and sharing the scenes that we see with others. I also find the creative process relaxing and calming. In a frantic world where our mental health is under constant attack, time with my camera is a way to disconnect, simplify life, and go with the flow.

I have been fortunate to have my work published in several publications over the years. As I approach the end of my forties, I thought now was the time to bring together what I believe are some of my best photographs and share them here on this website.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy what you find. If you have any questions or fancy working together, please do get in touch or maybe I’ll see you out on the fells or on the city streets sometime.

Cheers,

Thanks to Sam Ellis for the photo. Taken while out photographing Dan Beaumont’s Bob Graham Round attempt in the Lakes in 2023.