David Yarrow

David Yarrow (born 1966) is renowned for his impactful, close-encounter photography of wildlife and the environment, producing images full of passion, drama, and empathy. His work is distinguished by a bold commitment to fieldwork—whether setting up camp in the Alaskan wilderness or locking himself in a cage surrounded by Siberian tigers, Yarrow consistently places himself in extreme situations to achieve his singular vision. Through patience, technical skill, and careful research, Yarrow creates images that carry both narrative depth and visceral intensity.

While much of his work captures wild animals in their natural habitats, Yarrow is equally known for his constructed photographs—elaborate visual productions often staged with celebrities, trained animals, and cinematic nods to classic Americana. These images blend spectacle with storytelling, offering a dramatic counterpoint to his more documentary-style wildlife work.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Yarrow began photographing at a young age. At just 20 years old, he found himself on the pitch of the 1986 World Cup Final in Mexico City as a photographer for The London Times, capturing the now-iconic image of Diego Maradona holding the trophy. This early success led to assignments at the Olympics and other major sporting events. Over time, however, Yarrow transitioned to wildlife and environmental photography, forging a new path by documenting the natural world from daring, often unseen perspectives.

Yarrow’s evocative and immersive imagery has garnered widespread acclaim and a strong following among art collectors. He is now recognized as one of the best-selling fine art photographers in the world. His work has been exhibited globally, including in the Saatchi Gallery in London, and is included in the collections of several major institutions and private collections worldwide.

His photographic books include Nowhere (2007), Encounter (2013), Wild Encounters (2016), and David Yarrow Photography: Americas Africa Antarctica Arctic Asia Europe (2019). His most recent book, Storytelling, features more than 130 images taken since 2019 and includes a foreword by cultural icon Cindy Crawford. Their ongoing collaboration has raised over $3 million for the UW Health Kids Cancer Care Charity.

Yarrow was shortlisted for the 2013 Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award, and his photographic journeys have given him deep insights into pressing environmental and geopolitical issues. His commitment to conservation is evident in his long-standing work with Tusk, a leading African conservation organization, and other causes to which he has helped raise over $10 million. Today, David Yarrow continues to travel to some of the world’s most remote and majestic locations, using photography as both an artistic medium and a platform for advocacy.