
Spereo Starling (2019). All images © Luke Stephenson, shared with permission
For the better part of a decade, U.K.-born, Stockholm-based photographer
The ongoing series, titled An Incomplete Dictionary of Show Birds, originated with Stephenson wanting to photograph budgies but was intrigued by other species when he met some of his future subjects and their owners. He then designed a portable, avian-sized studio with lighting and a slot for swapping backdrops. Most of his subjects gravitate toward the wooden perch, he says, where they land and show off their distinct personalities.
Stephen’s portraits are included in

Zosterop (2012)

Black Earred Wheateater (2018)

Left: Senegal Zosterop (2015). Right: European pied Flycatcher (2016)

Forbes Parrot Finch (2012)

Left: Redpoll x Bullfinch (2017). Right: Stonechat (2016)

Lazuli Bunting (2016)

Red Legged Honeycreeper (2016)