I was born in Scotland in 1965 and have, since a very early age followed the unpredictable, unconventional and distinctly undulating avenues of wildlife, art, photography and travel.
After gaining a diploma in Wildlife Illustration and Photography in Wales in 1986, I took up the position of assistant manager at a purpose-built wildlife rehabilitation centre in Fife, Scotland. This unusual work provided numerous unique art and photographic opportunities and also took me to some far-flung places, including Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War Eco-disaster in 1991 and eventually to New Zealand, where I emigrated in 1992.
In New Zealand I acted initially as an oiled wildlife response consultant to the government before disillusionment and frustration in the bureaucratic processes lead me to alter course and at last pursue a long-held dream. That dream was realized in 1996 with the publication of my first book ‘Creatures’ –an account of my wildlife encounters, using the unusual combination of all three disciplines of writing, art and photography. It was published in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
I became a New Zealand citizen in 1997, but the nagging desire to experience Australia’s wonderful scenery and wildlife inevitably took me across the Tasman Sea and to Sydney in 1998.
Since 2000 I have worked as a freelance travel writer and photographer predominantly for Footprint Travel Guides (one of the top five international travel guide publishers), all of which has resulted in a highly unconventional and peripatetic lifestyle. I completed a solo 1st Edition travel guide to New Zealand in 2001 (and up-dated for the 2nd Edition 2003 ;3rd edition 2005, 4th edition 2007 and 5th edition due 2010). I also co-authored Footprint Australia (2002/up-dated 2nd Edition 2004) and authored the Footprint Pocket Guide to Sydney (2003) and East Coast Australia-Sydney to Cairns handbook (2003; 2nd edition 2005, 3rd edition 2007 and 4th edition in 2010). I also served as principal contributor for the AA Key Guide New Zealand, 2005. In 2008 I wrote and illustrated the new Thomas Cook East Coast Australia and South East Australia including Tasmania. In 2010 the new format Footprint New Zealand Colour Guide (with Best Photo Locations) was launched, which showcases some of my New Zealand imagery and that of my partner Rebecca Robinson.
So far I have amassed thousands of images predominantly of Australasia. Some of the best of my New Zealand work is held by the fast developing Photo New Zealand and Centrestock Agency (www.photonewzealand.com and www.centrestock.com...refer to NEWS AND LINKS).
Between May 2009 and January 2010 Rebecca and I opened a temporary gallery showcasing our photographic and artwork in Williamstown, Melbourne. It proved a great success and we would like to thank all that supported us, purchased and continue to collect our work.
Most of the photographs you see on this site and many more are available for single reproduction use, as photo blocks ('Blockart') or as framed or unframed open edition prints using archival inks and paper.
Artwork is also available either as originals, open edition prints or again as 'Blockart'.
In collaboration with partner and renowned natural science illustrator Rebecca Robinson we are proud to announce the launch of our popular new product branded 'BLOCKART'. Blockart is an extensive range of photoblocks, with both photographic images and artwork prints mounted on powder-coated blocks. For detail and purchase refer to the BlockArt section on this website.
When asked where I live I can only offer a vague description of a thousand places, motor parks and campsites particularly in the wilderness regions of Australasia with a jalopy, plenty of porridge, a well-worn bag of well-worn camera gear and very little else. At the present time operations base is the oceanside village of Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia.
Oh, and my advice for budding travel writers, photographers and artists?…
Dare to be different, but never just for the sake of it. If you are amongst sheep, paint yourself black and depart the flock, being sure-metaphorically speaking- to escape the knackers yard and retain your testicals! Vision, patience and passion; integrity, humour, good luck and determination are everything; the ‘system’, modern technology, greed, selfishness, bad luck and sales, are not. Also, before embarking on that journey, be aware (very aware), that a mortgage, the fast reliable car, the silk tie, prime sirloin steak, two kids and a dog named ‘Boon’ are probably not an option...
Above all, in the pursuit of dreams and if the fight is a just one, NEVER GIVE UP.
BOOKS LIST (sole author):
1. ‘Creatures-Encounters in Wildlife Rescue’ Hodder, Moa Beckett (NZ) Hodder and Stoughton (Australia), Hodder Headline (UK) 1996; ISBN: 186958315-9
3. 'Melbourne's Best Picnic Spots and Beaches' Woodslane Publishing (Sydney) 2007, authour/co-photographer. ISBN: 978-1-92120-323-7
4. 'Best of the Mornington Peninsula' Woodslane Publishing (Sydney) 2010, authour/co-photographer. ISBN: 9781921606564
FEATURES LIST I write regularly for a wide range of periodicals and can offer the rare combination of text, photographs and artwork in one package. Examples include Wanderlust Magazine UK and Real Traveller (UK)
Features about my lifestyle, book and work have appeared in: Amateur Photographer (UK) Sept 12 1992 (cover), October 17 1992 (feature), January 4 1997 (cover and feature);
BBC Wildlife Magazine (book review), May 1997; RSPCA Animal Life Magazine Spring 1997 (feature); Wilderness magazine (NZ) 1997; Lifestyle Magazine (NZ) Dec 1997; Pet NZ April 1998 (book chapter); Australian Magazine (feature article) November 19 1999.
EXHIBITIONS LIST 1986: (Joint) Torch Theatre Milford Haven, Wales, UK.
1988: (Joint) Kingfisher Gallery, Edinburgh, UK.
2003: (Joint) Karpeles Museum Santa Barbara California, USA (refer www.karpeles.com).
2009: (Joint) Melbourne Art Fair 09
PUBLICITY/MEDIA LIST UK: BBC, ITV, Radio Scotland, Radio Clyde, Daily Mail, Scotsman, Dundee Courier. NZ: TV1 (news), TV3 (feature), NZ Herald, Dominion, Otago Times Australia: ABC (Good Morning Show), various radio networks nationwide. The Australian (Weekend colour supplement) Full feature November 1999.
PHOTO AGENTS Photo New Zealand: www.photonewzealand.com
Centrestock: www.centrestock.com
Alamy www.alamy.com
NOTE: This website only presents a small proportion of the photographic images available for single reproduction use. By all means contact us for specific search requests or enquiries.
Many other images are available for licensed use through www.alamy.com (search 'Darroch Donald') and Photo New Zealand/Centrestock, refer: http://www.photonewzealand.com/Main/darrochdonald/ http://www.centrestock.com...Search Darroch Donald and be sure to click on worldwide.
Cover - 'Creatures-Encounters in Wildlife Rescue' (1996)
