About
Steven has worked in the financial services industry since 1987, specialising in the pensions and investment markets. He built a successful business in the Northwest of England and, to support a move into semi-retirement, sold it in April 2023. At that point, Steven chose to change direction and focus on creative practice. He applied to UClan to study for a BA (Hons) in Photography, developing new skills for the second chapter of his career. Steven’s work centres on portrait photography, with a continuing focus on refining his approach to composition and visual style. His third-year degree exhibition, Time and Wisdom, explores ‘one-light’ portraiture, using a single light source to emphasise the contours, expressions, and presence of each subject. Time is visible in the lines etched on their faces—marks of experience, hardship, and triumph. Wisdom emerges through their gaze: a quiet confidence shaped by adversity and achievement. Steven’s objective is to build on the skills gained over the last three years by opening his own photographic studio. Funded through the sale of his financial services business, the studio will include a dedicated portrait lighting space and be available to both professional and amateur photographers. Alongside studio work, he will continue to develop his portrait practice and extend the ideas explored in Time and Wisdom.
Project overview
Time and Wisdom
The North West of England has always been a region rich in history, character, and resilience, shaped by the wisdom of its people and the passage of time. Through my single light portrait photographs of twenty influential figures, I sought to distil each subject’s essence, using the stark clarity of light and shadow to tell their stories. Each portrait is more than a likeness; it’s a tribute to the legacy these individuals have woven into the fabric of their communities—artists, religious leaders, educators, community leaders, politicians and business leaders who have inspired change and fostered growth across generations. The simplicity of the single light approach was intentional. It draws focus to the unique contours and expressions of each person, allowing the viewer to connect with the subject on a more intimate level. Time is visible in the lines etched on their faces—marks of experience, hardship, and triumph. Wisdom emanates from their gaze; a quiet confidence forged in adversity and achievement. My lens became a bridge between past and present, capturing both the vibrancy of youth and the dignity of age. These portraits are not mere images; they are windows into the spirit of the Northwest. They reveal how wisdom grows from time spent listening, learning, and leading. By illuminating these remarkable individuals with a single light, I aimed to honour their impact and inspire others to recognise the quiet power of wisdom, so often revealed through lives lived with purpose and passion.