About me

Hi, I'm Stephen. I contemplated writing this section in the third person like on a lot of other websites but I thought, no, that really isn't me. And as this is website is meant to explain what I'm about, it's probably best to be myself. So, here goes...

Background

I started out as a graphic designer after graduating from Somerset College of Arts and Technology with a BA in Packaging Design. After graduating I gradually got more and more into photography. I had little training during college using old manual focus SLRs where I had to process and develop my films and prints. I always felt limited by costs though so my interest never really had the space to grow - that is until I got my first digital SLR shortly after graduating.

Over time I developed a greater and greater interest in photography until I had enough different pictures to hold an exhibition. In May 2007 I held my first exhibition in West Mendip Hospital, Glastonbury. This was a great success and I received a lot of positive comments about my work. I sold work at craft fairs throughout Somerset and held a second exhibition at the hospital in 2008. I also entered the Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and was very pleased when I found out that my images had got through to the semi-finals. In 2009 I received further praise when my image "In Shadows I Stand" was shortlisted in the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.

Since the start of 2009 I've had images published in Amateur Photographer, Digital SLR Photography and Practical Photography magazines. I've also had my image "Holy Sunrise" used on the front cover of Derek Johns' novel "The Billy Palmer Chronicles". I am represented by four agencies: iStockphoto, Alamy, Photolibrary and Britain on View.

Why photography?

Photography is my escape from the real world. I find that when I'm taking pictures I get into a trance or a mindset where nothing else really matters and I lose myself in the moment. It's my way of exploring, enjoying and celebrating the natural environment. It's also my way of story telling as I love to get people thinking about what they're seeing and showing them something they might otherwise have walked past.

I found myself drawn to landscape photography pretty much from the start. I always thought it was the most amazing genre of photography because it can't be faked and it requires pure determination, patience and trust in the powers that be to make it all come together. You can't adjust the lighting of a landscape like you would in a studio or elsewhere so you have to just wait and wait and wait. In doing so I've learnt a lot about the world around me and the process has made me focus on things that I wouldn't have paid attention to before.

My style

My work tends to focus on views of local landscapes that are hidden away. My main influences include Joe Cornish, Charlie Waite and David Ward but extend to many more - please see the list to the right. I favour vertical compositions quite regularly as I like to move the viewer from the near foreground to the sky and above. I also have a fascination of trees which shows in many of my pictures.

Contacting me

I'm available for commissions and am always interested in meeting up with other photographers to go shooting. If you'd like to get in touch please email stephen@spraggonphotography.co.uk.

I get asked from time to time about workshops and tuition. Although I haven't got a section advertising this I enjoy teaching and have before given one-to-one tuition to interested parties. Please contact me for more info.