award winning liverpool photographer

Losing my day job in Mid-August 2019 became an opportunity for a change in direction.

After discussion with my wife I approached Hugh Baird regarding their photographic degrees, and two weeks later I began on the course.

In that time I have learnt an immeasurable amount of skills and techniques and become a much better and more disciplined photographer all round.

During my time on this course I was able to open my own photographic studio and have since been awarded several awards:

- Best Artistic & Commercial Photographer of the Year Merseyside (2021)
- Headshot & Portrait Photographer of the Year North of England (2022)
- Commercial Photographer of the Year North West (2021/2022)
- Best Family-Run Wedding Photography Business North West (2022)

It’s not been an easy journey, but had I not lost my job, had I not popped into the Hugh Baird Open Day, and had I not signed up for the Digital Imaging and Photography Foundation degree with BA top up – I would not be where I am right now.

I am doing a job I love, and one I didn't think I would be doing about three years ago. Opportunity and support have made this happen and I am eternally grateful.

My final exhibition starts on Thursday 5-8pm and then 10am-3pm until 25/5.

Thank you to everyone that has helped me not only with this project, but also with all of the projects I have undertaken over the last three years, and of course to the fantastic tutors Dave Lockwood and Tadhg Devlin.

I have had the pleasure of working with some truly fantastic and creative people whilst on my course, some of whom will also be exhibiting their work also, not only in photography but also in makeup and fashion design.

@hbucphotography @hughbaird @uclanuni @sefton_council @openeyegallery #hughbairduniversitycentre #university #degree #photography #student #studentlife #exhibition #loa #positivity #finalyear #bahonsphotography #liverpool #igersmersey #degreeshow #graduation2022

Why do you need a good headshot? Because you only get one chance at a first impression. For more information on our award winning portrait, wedding, commercial and headshot photography visit LeonBritton.com or Send us a message @leonbrittonphotography
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#bhfyp #Portrait #portraits #portraitphotography #follow #like #beautiful #canon @thesecretwh #photooftheday #photography #portrait #instagram #Liverpool #bootle #bookme #Portraitphotography #Loa #merseyside #england #manchester #liverpool #portraitmood #photographer #photoshoot #believe #inspiration #Liverpoolbusiness #liverpoolphotography #liverpoolphotographer

Here's a brief snippet from my end of year University Exhibition Project entitled 'Self Image'

It all started with a question: "If you went missing, what image would they put on a milk carton?"

For over 2000 years people have been changing the records of how they appear to others.​

With the progression of technology and the increase in use of filters and photoshop – the power to change how the world sees you now often lies within the palm of your hands. ​With a more socially connected world, the pressure to fit in for some has increased exponentially.​

In 1968 American Professor Zajonc researched and presented the Mere Exposure Effect.​

​It highlighted our tendency to develop preferences for things simply because we are familiar with them. This was also known as the familiarity principal.​

It was suggested that one of the reasons people disliked their own photographs was due to it often being a mirrored version of the image they were used to seeing on a daily basis.​

​And this was before the added pressure of social media​...

Photo Dysmorphia is a mental health condition which sees someone obsessing over perceived flaws which are often unnoticeable to anyone else​. There is a growing and concerning increase in the level of Photo Dysmorphia.

When snapchat launched in 2011, it allowed users to share self portraits with a series of bundled filters. The American Medical Association has since termed the phrase “Snapchat Dysmorphia” as a condition where people are looking to have surgery to look like their filtered selfies.

People often confuse Photo Dysmorphia with vanity, but if left untreated it can lead to depression and self harm.

This project involved me taking a variety of portraits and asking people what they disliked about their image in photographs. The full video is online at https://youtu.be/u58swMJQklc

What do you think ? Are we all the same? Do we share the same insecurities? Do we prefer edits & filters?

There are no right or wrong answers

@hbucphotography @hughbaird @openeyegallery
#photography #university #photodysmorphia #dysmorphia #selfimage #filters #photoshop #mentalhealth #snapchatfilters #liverpool #photographer #photography

Happy Star Was Day !
May The Fourth Be With You...

That look when the wife says you can't have any more star wars figures... 😂

For some its shoes or clothes, for me its star wars figures - and you know there may be an issue when you start to run out of wall space in the office 😂

#maythefourthbewithyou #starwars #maythe #starwarsday #thbewithyou #maytheforcebewithyou #th #maythefourth #starwarsfan #may #darthvader #jedi #starwarscosplay #disney #stormtrooper #yoda #r #starwarsnerd #babyyoda #d #lightsaber #cosplay #lukeskywalker #sith #clonewars #lucasfilm #themandalorian #starwarsfans #theforce #starwarsart

In the studio there are many times when I have to take a step back and admire some of the outstanding talent of the people I work with.

Take this image for example - as part of a university character project for @abbmakeupartistry who is a make up and special effects artist coming to the end of her FdA with @hbuccreativemakeup @hughbaird

The transformation between the person that walked in and the person we photographed was tremendous and her work speaks for itself

#mua #makupartist #photography #photooftheday #studiophotography #liverpoolphotographer #liverpool #character #model #makeup #like #portrait #studentlife @uclanuni @thesecretwh #hughbaird #makeupartist #hughbairduniversitycentre #beauty #muah #undiscovered_muas #muas #makeupaddict

Someone said to me last week that photography is really easy as all i do is stand there and push a button... and this got me thinking - they may be right 😂

So here is a group image of the team behind some of the images you may have seen on our instagram pages over the last few days...

First it's me - i point a camera at people then then push a button. Then there's one of our models, @aleigh96x - she just stands around the studio staring at people, sometimes smiling wearing other people clothes. @cathyneale_designs is next, she sticks bits of material together for people to wear (i think she also has a sewing machine and some scissors), then there's @caitlin.lynch.makeup she spends a lot of time laying out her makeup then wiping it on and off peoples faces, and finally another one of our models @charlotte_tait_model_life_x who also stands around a lot staring at others, herself, the walls and also the camera.

Bring this amazing skillset together and it all seems to work.

Seriously though, I couldn't tell you the first thing about makeup or modelling, let alone fashion design - BUT..... i work with some people that do, and being able to rely on them to bring their 'A' game when its needed is fantastic.

Studying at Hugh Baird has given me the opportunity to meet and work with some truly creative and gifted people, and hopefully will continue to do so in the future.

@hughbaird
@hbucphotography
@hbuccreativemakeup
@hbucfashiontextiles
@thesecretwh @uclanuni
@uclanarts
#liverpoolphotographer #liverpoolphotography #igersmersey #hughbaird #studiophotography #uclan #collaboration #teamwork #follow #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #like
#smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #photography #photographer

Just another day in the studio.... where models from a future guided by A.I. fashion designers come in for a photoshoot...

Apparently if you zoom in and scan the QR code it will give you next weeks lottery winning numbers 😂

Another brilliant collaborative shoot with fell students from Hugh Baird University Centre in what is very sadly becoming my final couple of weeks as a student

Photographer - Me
Designer - @cathyneale_designs
Model - @aleigh96x
MUA - @caitlin.lynch.makeup

I love my job in that no two days are ever the same and I get to work with some of the most interesting people.

#liverpoolphotographer #liverpoolphotography
#sustsinablefashion #sustainability #zerowaste #circularfashion @hughbaird #fashionstyle #smallbusinessuk #liverpool #fashionstatement #bespokeluxury #bespokedesign #hbucfashiontextiles #hbucphotography #studentlife #hbuccreativemakeup #uclanfashion #1111

OMG - look at the size of them chopsticks!!!

Only kidding - obviously they're drumsticks (not knitting needles either) - and whilst we didn't want to get the full drumkit in the shot, having them in the image still allowed us to represent the artists instrument of choice.

Sometimes minor props and elements help to add so much more to a portrait without taking away too much of the focus.

#drumsolo #drums #drummer #drumming #drummers #drumstagram #instadrums #drummersofinstagram #drumfam #drumlife #drummerlife #drummerlove #we_love_drums #drumuniversity #explore #drumkit #drumset #drumsticks #music #musician #liverpoolphotographer #liverpool #liverpoolphotographer

If you're looking for a Liverpool Photographer and maybe a studio shoot session - get in touch. We specialise in headshots, portraits, weddings and commercial photography.

Bob Ross famously said "we don't make mistakes, we just have happy little accidents" and when shooting this image two of the remote lighting strobes never triggered leaving us with this beautiful silhouette image of a mysterious woman in red...

#liverpoolphotographer #liverpoolphotography #liverpoolphotostudio #portrait #red #woman #model #photoshoot #bondwomen #jamesbondwomen #silhouette #gun #mysterious #photographer #liverpoolbusiness #instagood #photography #photooftheday