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Ardea Picture Library was founded in 1969 by Su Gooders and quickly grew to become one of the leading sources of photography of the natural world. Her daughter, Sophie, joined the company in the early 1990s, eventually taking over. In 2013, Ardea became part of the Mary Evans stable, and now shares its home in the former All Saints Parish Hall in Blackheath, South-East London.

We license images for use in calendars, greetings cards, books, newspapers, exhibitions, websites and all manner of other media. Our images cover a broad range of topics, with the overarching themes of wildlife, nature, environment and pets.

Our material has traditionally been used in an editorial context to illustrate news stories, magazine articles and the like, but today it is increasingly sought by creatives looking for different and stimulating imagery around which to base advertising campaigns or commercial design projects.

We offer a full digital service, enabling you to search, order and download images online. Unlike some of our larger competitors, we still offer a personal, professional picture research service, for those occasions when you can't find what you're looking for or don't have time to search yourself. Every time you contact Ardea Picture Library, you're assisted by an experienced and knowledgeable picture researcher.