As a photographer Paul Fosbury has captured extraordinary images from the far reaches of the globe.

But for the 47-year-old from Macclesfield, his favourite place on earth is still his hometown.

Paul grew up in Prestbury before going to boarding school in a remote part of Scotland.

His experience in the wilderness shaped his love of the outdoors and inspired him to pick up a camera.

Paul, who lives in Siddington, said: “It was a shock to the system growing up in leafy Prestbury and finding myself in such a wilderness.

“The school was right on the edge of a loch and we would go on these amazing expeditions.

“It was a tough environment to endure at times, but it set me off on this path.

“I’m now living the dream: being paid to do what I love.”

With his Pentax K1000 an 11-year-old Paul began photographing sparrows in the school grounds, graduating to the awesome sight of ospreys swooping in to catch salmon from the river. After taking photography courses and apprenticehsips under fashion photographers, Paul went solo.

He is now synonymous with adventure photography for leading fashion and car brands.

Out in the elements is where he is most at home.

He said: “One of my favourite moments was photographing the Remarkables mountain range in New Zealand.

“I was literally hanging out of a helicopter to get the shot. It was out of this world.”

pic in New Zealand by Paul Fosbury, Macclesfield photographer.
 

Paul is also a formidable talent in a studio and has taken striking portraits of boxer Lennox Lewis.

He was also chef Jamie Oliver’s wedding photographer.

More recently Paul has been able to combine his talent with his own personal ambitions, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

While the call to the wild is strong – Paul wants to travel to the North Pole or Antarctica – he enjoys coming home to his wife and three children.

He said: “There’s something very special about Macclefield.

“The town has a great feel, and within a few minutes you are in the middle of beautiful landscapes.

“Macclesfield Forest in winter can, at times, look like the Canadian wilderness.”

The key to Paul’s success is practice, talent and marketing, as well as a special ingredient that can’t be taught.

He said: “With some of my best pictures, something strange happens when I know what is about to happen before it arrives. It’s like I see the moment I want to capture before it happens.”