Nigel Painter : Photographer

IN THE BEGINNING (back in the depths of time)

What can I say about my life and photography.

I was given my first camera when I was 5 and I remember taking photos of my Mum's puppy pulling on a stocking and a Circus parade as being my first shots.  At the age of 8 I was experimenting with long exposures on my 'new' Brownie Box camera.  At 10 I was adding depth to my posed pictures by putting the subjects various distances from the camera.  At 13, living in Kenya I had the chance to do a fashion shoot with my even newer Purma camera.  The subject was a 16 year old girl/wannabee model.  All that was before I started taking this photography lark seriously.

When I came back to the UK, I started to take railway photos and because of that I bought my first SLR in 1976 from my Aunt's catalogue.  A lovely Canon FTb which I still have.  A couple of years later, this lead to me starting to shoot with girls, usually work colleagues (these were the days before you could get hauled up on sexual harassment charges for merely asking).

The rest, as they say, is history.  I have been shooting girls ever since.  It's something I enjoy.  Despite my age, do not expect an old fuddy duddy stuck in his ways.  I am continually seeking new ideas and new ways to shoot.

WORKING WITH ME

I like to shoot happy.  I hate it when photographers don't speak to models.  I was one of them when I first started.  Believe it or not I was very shy.  I am a firm believer in having a fun time.  That doesn't mean I don't take the work side seriously, I just like everyone to enjoy themselves.  So be prepared to laugh ... a lot.  I also make excellent tea in big mugs.

I am mainly looking for paid work, but if you have an interesting idea which tingles my tastebuds I am open to Collaboration/TF work.  Don't be afraid to ask.  I do have one stipulation.  I'm not interested in working with you TF if your levels are topless/nude but expect me to pay you to work past lingerie.  Other than that, I am a very happy, easy going person.