About us
"If you are a photographer the Guild can help you to get the most from your camera"
The Guild of Photographers was originally established as the Guild of Wedding Photographers in 1988 and over the years has grown much wider to become an association for all individuals committed to the art of photography.
What matters most to the Guild are the people behind the camera!
It's key themes are that of 'Quality, Development & Support' - in a personal and friendly way.
"If you are in need of a professional photographer the Guild offers reassurance, as members are pledged to delivering the highest standards to their customers, and those who are of qualified status or above have proved their skills and must be fully insured"
If you are a member of the public who is contemplating marriage or seeking a professional photographer for other reasons it is reassuring to know that Guild members are committed to delivering a first-class service to their customers. Only those who pledge to our high expectations of customer service and product delivery are allowed to be members and those who obtain our qualifications have evidenced achieving this! For more information see www.theperfectdaydirectory.co.uk
The Team:
Directors -Lesley & Steve Thirsk
Lesley achieved our ultimate 'Master Craftsman' status some years ago. She is an experienced, passionate & creative photographer who operates her own very successful wedding photography business. Her albums are stunning and she is as proud of her customer service as she is her photography. Steve works with Lesley at weddings and is highly regarded for his flair in marketing so can be of great assistance in helping you to promote, and maybe even diversify, your business. Their wealth of experience in the wedding field is also reflected in the fact they organise their County's Premier Wedding Show, and are the UK agents for the Italian 'Venice Album' range.
Masters of the Craft
Trevor & Faye Yerbury
Trevor was the “Kodak UK Wedding Photographer of the Year” in 1997 & 1999 and he holds a total of 14 Kodak European Gold Awards and in recent years was voted as one of the World's Top 10 photographers. It is fair to say his influential style helped change the course of wedding photography into the relaxed, informal style we have today. Faye has won the title of “Kodak UK Child Photographer of the Year” 3 times and she also holds a Kodak Gold Award. Their work in photographing the female nude has been recognised internationally. Both have been judges nationally and internationally but now devote much of their time to seminar and workshop programmes, convinced that education is essential for today’s professional photographer.
Vincent O'Byrne
One of Ireland and Europe's finest photographers! The only person ever to become three times country winner of the Kodak European Gold Portrait Awards and only the third photographer in Europe to achieve the much coveted distinction of 'Master Qualified European Photographer'. He has also been three times 'Photographer of the Year' with the IPPA and 'Overseas Photographer of the Year' with the MPA, plus much more. He has received world wide recognition in Fine Art Figure Photography and is a much sought after judge at the highest levels both at home and abroad. A really approachable guy, happy to advise and help us develop through lectures, seminars, courses and educational CD's. His work has the touch of pure 'genius'.
Damian McGillicuddy
"The BIG Dog", has a lifetime of passion for the craft of photography. Holding 6 Fellowships, 7 “Photographer of the year” titles, 5 “Master Photographer of the year” titles, and well over 600 further regional, National and International titles. Couple this to Damian's commercial success and his photography of heads of state and world champions it is easy to see why he so sought after. He also designs and tests photographic equipment, writes books and articles and loves to train the next generation of photographers. Internationally recognised for his edgy fashion inspired glamour work along with his mastery and manipulation of light it is little wonder that this internationally accredited judge is referred to as the "Lighting wizard" by the popular photographic press.
Damien Lovegrove
Damien learned his trade as a cameraman and lighting director during 14 years at the BBC, working on programmes such as the Clothes Show, Top of the Pops and Casualty. His days off from filming were often spent taking photographs for a variety of top name clients including Peugeot, Motorola, and Adidas. Fifteen years on, Damien has become one of the foremost trainers of photography and entrepreneurial business strategies in our industry. A published writer and regular columnist, Damien has travelled the globe sharing his knowledge and expertise. Anyone who has met Damien can’t fail to be inspired and motivated by his enthusiasm for his second career. So much so that once you get him started on a subject it’s hard to shut him up…
Tony Nutley
A professional photographer for over 50 years! During the last 36 of them he has specialised in Film and TV publicity pictures. This friendly photographer has worked with many famous household names including John Thaw, Sean Bean, Derek Jacobi, Anthony Hopkins, John Gielgud, and Richard Attenborough to name but a few. He has worked on some of Britain's major TV dramas including Inspector Morse, Cadfael, Sharpe, Foyles War, The Vice, Inspector Wexford, Kavanagh Q.C, Worzel Gummidge and Goodnight Mr Tom amongst others – Also, companies including Walt Disney, BBC, ITV, HBO, Channels 4 and 5 and SF (Sweden). He's even worked on Oscar nominated films. You will, without doubt, have seen his work!
Neil van Niekerk
Originally from South Africa, Neil emigrated to the USA in 2000 with his wife and daughter where he is a highly acclaimed portrait, wedding & boudoir photographer in New Jersey. Neil also runs very popular seminars and workshops as well as maintaining a website for photographers – his highly regarded Tangents blog. It contains numerous articles on flash photography, lighting and digital photography (http://neilvn.com/tangents/) and is developing a worldwide following. He has even found the time to write books on flash photography, now available in several countries. Neil still has the same enthusiasm and wonderment about photography when as a teenager, he developed his first B&W print in a darkened bathroom. Photography clearly is his passion!
Panel Members
Simon Young
One of the country's most sought after photographic tutors due to his relaxed 'down to earth' teaching style and in-depth understanding of the psychology of composition (what appeals to the subconscious). He has coached every level of photographer from raw beginner through to full-time international magazine photographers. He acts as a judge in high profile national competitions and his work has been commissioned by many discerning clients and major companies including the National Health Service, HP, Walmart, American Idol and Selfridges to name but a few. Even members of the Royal Family have been photographed by him!
Paul Haley
With over 40 years experience in the photographic industry, Paul Haley is acknowledged as being one of the most experienced photographic trainers in the UK. A “Fellow” and award winning photographer, his softly spoken ways have become highly sought after across the UK and beyond. A highly trained press and social photographer and one of only three civilian photographers sent with the task force during the Falklands War. His work has been published in books and he has won numerous awards. He now prefers to help others learn and grow and is a specialist in mentoring photographers as wel as a recognised judge in national and international awards.
Chris Milne
A sought after and highly experienced wildlife related photographer who has photographed in over 80 countries throughout the world – 43 in Africa alone! His office literally is the Game Parks of Africa so no wonder he is an expert in this field which is why many photographers accompany him on his trips to learn from his skills. For the past 15 years he has been a regular supplier of sought after wildlife images for international photographic libraries and the travel industry. Here in the UK, he owns and tutors at The Blackthorn School of Photography in Wiltshire, which has a teaching reputation second to none and is a nationally recognised recognised photographic judge.
John MacRae
One of the top Business to Business photographers in the UK. His client’s are many and varied, mostly blue chip household names. John was one of the early pioneers of digital photography switching from film to digital almost two decades ago. Endorsed by some of the industry’s leading manufacturers and importers he regularly tests and evaluate products before they go to market. The winner of a number of major awards and a respected authority within the photographic industry he is a much sought after lecturer whose easy relaxed style and encyclopedic knowledge of photography enable him to pass on his unique experience and skills to fellow photographers.
Joan Roberts
An award-winning photographer with over 35 years experience in all aspects of the profession. She has worked in the wedding, portrait and social fields, as well as being a technical advisor for Kodak and running her own successful businesses for many years. A former Guild Director she has also written a distance learning photography course, produced constructive critiques and evaluated photographers work for many years now, guiding many to achieve their chosen qualifications including that of 'Master Craftsman', the Guild's highest accolade. Helping others develop their skills gives her the greatest 'kick'!
Lesley Chalmers
A national award winning photographer whose accolades include being a previous runner-up in the Guilds Professional Photographer of the Year competition. Creative and instinctive, Lesley brings a love of art and landscape to her photography to capture very special images of people and places which is why her work is so sought after. While her main focus is commercial and portrait photography, her travel and fine art images have been both exhibited and published. As well as being commissioned she sells through galleries and on-line. She has an interest in the business world, giving her a strong appreciation of the 'business' of photography.
Phil Drinkwater
Phil got into photography relatively late on at the age of 30 when he had a camera from his brother. Simon Young from our Panel was one of his main tutors and influences, helping him develop his skills. Learning quickly, he has progressed to become a highly sought after beauty, fashion and wedding photographer. He is living proof of what can be achieved with flair, dedication and an investment in training and has won numerous national awards including more coveted Guild Gold Bars in a year than anyone else to date and became the Guild's overall Photographer of the Year in 2010. He offers training opportunities and is well known for thinking out of the box.
Legal Advisors
Sandra Garlick & Lianne Payne
Sandra and Lianne are highly regarded and very approachable solicitors who specialise in Employment and Commercial law. They have expertise in many areas including business sale and purchase, employment issues, commercial disputes and debt recovery. Their award winning company 'De Marco Hunter Solicitors' was voted the regions 'Best Legal & Finance Company', and they have been finalists in the 'Women In Law", 'Young Business Person of The Year' and the 'Communications Technology in Business' awards.
Accountant
Kimberley Price
Kim is a young and dynamic AAT qualified accountant with a very likeable personality. She originally worked for a large accountancy firm but opened her own successful business in 2004 as she wanted to deliver a more personal service to clients. She specialises in looking after the needs of the smaller business so knows all about the challenges we face. Kim's great reputation and her success is based around her very personal style. She works closely with her clients, immersing herself in their businesses in order to understand their every need, tailoring her support and advice accordingly to help their business grow.
