Outdoors film-maker Terrybnd seems more than a little stunned to find himself thrust into the limelight. So used to being behind the camera, whether it’s taking iconic photographs of his favourite landscapes or wildlife, or shooting gorgeously atmospheric videos of countryside scenes and pursuits, the modest 34-year-old now finds that strangers recognise him and many people are actively seeking out his blog to find out more about him.

 “It all seems a bit odd,” confesses the likeable and chatty man, who lives in rural Nottinghamshire, but in recent months has been spending more nights under canvas in the Peak District than at home in his own bed. “I suddenly seem a little famous and people come up to me on the hills and say they know who I am.”

Really, it’s no wonder he’s making a name for himself.  Terry, aka Terrybnd, has been quietly – but rather brilliantly – gaining a big reputation as an outdoors video-for-web creator. His own blog Terrybnd: Hiking and walking in the UK now has around 17,000 unique visitors per month (if you don’t know about these things, this is a lot for a single person blog) and he is increasingly in demand from outdoor companies to shoot videos of outdoors scenes as well as kit tests.

While Terry himself might seem surprised by his rise to fame, when you take a look at his videos and hear his passion for the outdoors it becomes clear why he’s so successful. Terry has been known to spend many days wild camping alone just to ensure one particular shot of a scene at an exact time of day and in just the right weather conditions. He says: ”I like to get my videos just right. I’m a perfectionist like that. I want to make sure that when I edit everything together the resulting films are amazing and inspiring.”

At Outdoor Look we love hearing about people who have such an obvious passion for the outdoors. We have asked Terry to give his opinions on a range of outdoors kit. If anyone knows the merits of walking shoes and equipment it’s him. He is currently testing a pair of Merrell Intercept Gore Tex trail shoes.

Growing up in an outdoors world

As a child, Terry lived with Sherwood Forest like a back yard, and early on he developed a love of the great outdoors. His grandfather also encouraged his interests with numerous countryside adventures.

Terry says: “I was always happiest when I was outdoors, bird watching, seeking flora and fauna and checking out trees. And I’d often stay out overnight in a DIY shelter.”

Living the work-life dream

Today Terry is doing much the same, except he now has a range of good quality outdoors clothing and equipment, including a tent – and he’s making a living from his adventures.

“Living the dream,” he says, laughing. “Many people tell me I am so lucky to be able to combine my outdoors interests with my work as a photographer and film-maker.”

He adds: “I know I am lucky… but sometimes when you’ve been outside for three days, hoping to capture a great picture or film, and it’s rained solid for all that time it doesn’t feel like a dream. That’s when I’d like a warm bed and a nice chat with my wife!”

It’s obvious that Terry’s stardom is likely to grow. He is working on an on-line TV project, which we’ll blog about when it launches, and he’s about to heads off for three days of filming with Outdoors Magic magazine. “We’re shooting some navigation videos,” he says. “I most probably could do this project in less time but I want to be sure that we get exactly the right weather and the right backdrop for these films. I want to have the time to make the films as perfect as possible. I can’t wait  to get going on this one.”

* Look out for future blogs about terrybnd. He’ll be reporting back about the Merrell Intercept Gore Tex trail shoes and we’ll bring you news of his outdoors TV project.