User:ThomasBalks/sandbox

Tom Balks, born in New Zealand, began his career as a professional photographer in 1993. In 1994 he was engaged to cover HRH The Prince Charles: Royal Tour of New Zealand, the National French Rugby Team Tour of NZ and as Aukland University’s Humpback Whale Research photographer in Tonga. Balk’s work was included in publications in Australia, New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A, Canada and Europe. He earnt the respect of his peers and international sports viewers alike with his images of women’s cycling in the 1998 and 2006 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne. Balk’s 2001 – 2006 body of work covered the Tour of Southland (New Zealand's major six-day cycling race), Australia UCI BMX World Championship, Promotional photo tour for Plan International, East Timor, Tour Down Under (Australia's major six-day cycling race), and the UCI Women's World Cup of Cycling, Australia. After first visiting Exmouth, Western Australia in 2009, Balks was inspired by the incredible variety of wildlife and landscapes of the region, and moved there permanently in 2013 to establish a base for his photographic operations. From 2009 to 2014 Tom Balks has achieved a selection of his photographs being selected in the places semi finalist, and finalist in U.K.’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and Bronze in the Epson International Photographic Pano Awards, Australia. He is currently working on establishing himself in wildlife photography plus giclee printing and fine art prints.