My name’s Ziggy Riley

A British photographer based in Paris, France.

I was born and raised a short way outside of London in a town called Harpenden where not a lot happens, but it is surrounded by plenty of countryside. I didn’t grow up with a camera in my hands as many other photographers do, but I did, and do, have a fondness for movies. In fact I studied film at university for three years and, once I finished, bought myself my first DSLR with the intention of making short films.

Rather than producing films, though, I found myself using my camera more and more for its primary function and began taking my camera everywhere and photographing everything. I later discovered that wildlife photography was a real sweet spot for me. I’ve always felt at home around animals, and when I introduced photography to the mix I realised that I couldn’t imagine ever separating the two again. One makes me love and appreciate the other ever more so as time goes on.

Now, while I was born in England, these days I live in Paris with my wife Julie—who luckily enough tolerates my incessant picture taking—and our daughter. Living in Paris means that wildlife opportunities are rather scarce, but I now get to enjoy taking photos of my family; a whole new genre to me.

What I love about photography is capturing moments—with no staging, and no posing. I prefer to watch things happen than to directing them, only giving a gentle nudge from time to time.

On this site you’ll find a mix of genres, from wildlife across the African savanna, to photos closer to home in the form of intimate family life, or spectacular spectacles in the form of the circus, firework displays or performing artists. Capturing these moments as they happen is what my photography is about, and that’s where the name ‘Capio’ comes from.

So, I hope that on wending your way through my site you’ll find photos that you enjoy. If you enjoy my work and find yourself in need of a photographer for anything, please drop me an email and I’d love to talk with you.