Award-winning photography for Wiltshire Air Ambulance

The first assignment in 2019 highlighted the crew going about their daily duties, revealing the multi-discipline role of each crew member and was used in campaigns to raise awareness and ultimately to stimulate fundraising. This assignment resulted in a print exhibition of over 60 prints, which were exhibited in several locations, including the Societies of Photographers Convention in London, and the Royal Photographic Society in Bristol, finally ending their journey as a donation for Wiltshire Air Ambulance to hang on the walls at the airbase. Terry supported the exhibitions with presentations and the work featured in press and on BBC radio, along with specialist medical and trade magazines and journals.

By utilising his Ambassador relationships with Sony and Fotospeed. Terry was able to complete and deliver this work without putting any costs against the service, which is a charity and entirely publicly-funded.

The second assignment took place during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. Terry was the only photographer in the UK to work with an air ambulance during COVID and documented the crew operating during these challenging times. The photographs are held in the national archive for future generations, and serve as a documentary record.

There were changes to operating procedures, including alterations to the helicopter and the crew needing to wear PPE equipment whilst on duty. Terry self-isolated for a week prior to travelling to Wiltshire to minimise the risk of taking COVID-19 into the airbase, and was tested for COVID by the medical crew before being allowed airside.

Once airside Terry stayed there for three days, again to minimise the risk of carrying infection to the crew. The resulting photographs were used to raise awareness of the self-funding requirements of the service. The photographs were described in the press as looking as if they had come straight from a movie set, with crew wearing PPE and night vision goggles at night-time.

Both assignments were supported by Sony, with Terry gifting his time to the service, and resulted in HRH the Prince of Wales William writing a letter to Terry in which he commended the work done raising awareness in such difficult times, and how much he and Kate had enjoyed seeing the photographs. Prince William himself being an ex-air ambulance pilot and HRH Catherine being Patron to the Royal Photographic Society.

Terry’s latest assignment in 2024 highlights Wiltshire Air Ambulance’s increased use of emergency doctors on the crew. This enables the crew to get the patient further down the care line by having the ability to carry out more advanced procedures at an incident than previously possible.

This is a shift from air ambulance services originally being about stabilising and transferring patients, to now being able to carry out many emergency room procedures at the scene of the incident. This however does carry cost implications, but Wiltshire Air Ambulance are committed to improving their service to the patient and consider the additional costs are justified, at £4.5 million a year. Terry was once again supported by Sony during this assignment and was able to complete this work by gifting his time and not putting any costs against the service.

Throughout all three photographic projects, Terry seamlessly worked amongst the aircrew without impacting their essential operations. He essentially became a member of the team, flying on board the charity’s Bell 429 helicopter and attending incidents in the critical care car, whilst at the same time priding himself in staying incognito, therefore achieving real life mission photography without hindering the Wiltshire Air Ambulance team operations or impacting the public.

Read a full interview with doctor Maria, the main subject of Terry's project, on the link below.