"As Kew Gardens’ full-time staff photographer", Andrew McRobb relates, "people imagine that I am out all day long taking pictures of pretty flowers - but its much more of a mixed bag than that. Its people, press, PR, advertising, industrial, commercial and scientific - the lot. I might be photographing a Royal visit, a cheque presentation, preparing posters of the rainforest for billboards, calendars, scientists looking at plants through their microscopes - in other words its extremely varied and interesting."

Talk to Andrew for a little while and you will notice that there’s one word which looms large in his vocabulary - commitment. Here is a lucky man indeed. For not only does he thoroughly enjoy professional photography, he actually believes passionately in the aims and values of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew - and nowhere more so than in relation to their pioneering work to save unique flora in a number of remote spots around the world. He recently completed a six week trip to Madagascar, where botanists from Kew were helping to save the island’s spectacular orchids, of which there are no less than 1,000 different species. Andrew’s task: to record their work and thus participate in the on-going battle to educate the public about the danger to the rain forest.

"Commitment means believing in what you do", Andrew explains, "with job satisfaction as important as remuneration. Nor does it all feel terribly distant and remote - because as soon as you set foot in Kew Gardens you first thing you see is my images - be it in the guide book, the restaurant, exhibitions or wherever. So I like to feel that my work does make an impact."

"When I was in Madagascar", he continues, "I had the chance to paddle my own dug-out canoe for 6 hours. Down the river, just like Harrison Ford! We did this to get into the rainforest by the Masoalo Peninsula. We walked for hours, camped in the forest - it was wonderful. Of course I have thought of changing jobs, like everyone I guess, but every time I do I stop to think about the benefits of working at Kew - well, there is no other job in photography that can come anywhere near it. Even in photographic terms - because my work is used so prolifically too - and that is most satisfying, I must say."

Hardly surprising, then, that there were 200 other candidates beating hard on Kew’s door when the post of professional in-house photographer was advertised some 12 years ago. Andrew beat them all off, his portfolio and warm, personal demeanour having impressed the entire selection committee. So what does it take, then, to emerge as a first-class, professional photographer? Any tips to pass on?

"To be able to produce the goods whatever the conditions or circumstances. Of course a lot of it is in your head - rather like an artist. But if you are a professional you must be able to produce useable photographs day in and day out. You can’t wake up in the morning and say announce to the world that you are not inspired. You get up, get out there - and off you go and shoot."