richard harris
© Richard T Harris Photography / Richard Harris and / or Express & Star / MNA Media / REACH Plc
A creative, resourceful and motivated photographer and picture editor, with the necessary drive and determination to succeed in a demanding competitive industry. Aware of the power of a photograph and the need of a high quality visual approach when taking, sourcing and selecting pictures for publication. Able to work on own initiative whilst demonstrating good communication and organisational skills.
EMPLOYMENT
Photographer
Freelance 01/2016 - Present
Photographer producing high quality images responding to diverse range of client briefs, approaches and styles.
Specialising in documentary, charity, public relations, commercial and news photography.
Maintaining brand standards and building relationships with clients to creatively fulfill their requirements.
Able to work on own initiative or as an effective team member.
Knowledge of professional digital photography equipment.
Understanding of copyright legislation, privacy and other legal obligations associated with photography.
Computer skills and knowledge of professional image workflow using Adobe and Microsoft software on Apple Mac and P.C.
Regular corporate clients include -
Reach PLC, Camelot / The National Lottery, JD Wetherspoon, and The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
Regular charity clients include -
Nationally - Cancer Research UK, NSPCC, RoSPA, Activity Alliance, UK Active and British Blind Sport.
Locally - Acorns Children’s Hospice, St Giles Hospice, Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice
Deputy Picture Editor / Photographer
Express & Star (MNA Media), 05/2005 - 12/2015
Photographer across all MNA Media titles producing quality images covering assignments including news, features and sport. Using own initiative creatively reaching the visual potential of the subject.
Deputy Picture Editor managing the picture desk on the country’s biggest selling, award winning regional newspaper, associated titles and websites.
Working closely with the editor, reporters and artists to meet strict deadlines.
Sourcing content from photographers and agencies negotiating and managing images and budgets.
Managing a team of photographers ensuring assignments are covered whilst maintaining quality and brand style.
Able to store and retrieve images stored in digital and print archives efficiently.
Using social media as a source of content for print and online.
Multi-media experience producing, sourcing and editing relevant footage to enhance the printed content.
Photographer
Central Independent Newspapers, 01/2005-05/2005
Press Photographer producing high quality images relevant in content and approach to the style of the paper.
Photographer
Midland Weekly Media, 11/2002-01/2005
Photographer within the group working on a whole spectrum of editorial assignments including breaking and community news, sport and features.
Photographic Library Manager
Flying Colours, 11/2000-06/2001
Photographic library management, supplying a portrait image service to the House of Commons/Lords, National Newspapers and other Media.
Freelance photographic commissions and assignments -
Dudley Borough Interfaith Network, West Midlands.
Photographic commission documenting the diverse religious practices within the borough and the Interfaith network.
Castle Vale Housing Action Trust, West Midlands.
Photographic commission artistically observing the deterioration and redevelopment of Birmingham’s largest housing estate.
Gallery 37, West Midlands.
Community art project teaching 16–24-year-olds photography, digital art and creative development.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent.
Photographic commission documenting the Tunbridge Wells Winter Street Festival.
Photographer Experience
The Sunday Times – Editorial and features photographer.
Birmingham Evening Mail – Editorial and features photographer.
The Scotsman, Edinburgh, Scotland – Editorial and features photographer.
EDUCATION
First Class BA (Honours) Degree in Advertising and Editorial Photography from the Kent Institute of Art and Design
NCFE Level 4 NVQ in Press Photography
Youth Work: Arts and Young People Advanced/Community Partnership Award – 6 credits at Level Three – National Open College Network
Diploma in foundation Studies in Art and Design at University of Central England
A level – Photography and Geography
City and Guilds Vocational Diploma in Arts and Media Services
Eight GCSEs at C level and above: Including Mathematics, English, and Science.
AWARDS
Photographer of the Year - The Midland Media Awards - Birmingham Press Club.
Trevor Roberts Award - The Midland Media Awards - Birmingham Press Club.
Regional Photographer of the Year Nominee - Society of Editors
The Observer, David Hodge Awards Nominee.
The Sunday Times, Ian Parry Awards - Nominee.
EXHIBITIONS
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery. Dudley Archive and Local History Centre. The Tom Blau Gallery, London. The Zara Rhodes Gallery, Kent. The Association of Photographers Gallery, London.
EXHIBITIONS
THE CUT
A photographic exploration of The Old Birmingham Main Line Canal known locally as ‘The Cut’.
Cut - verb: cut; 3rd person present: cuts; past tense: cut; past participle: cut; gerund or present participle: cutting – make an opening, incision, or wound in (something) with a sharp-edged tool or object. synonyms: gash, slash, lacerate, slit, pierce, penetrate, wound, injure; informal – ignore or refuse to recognise – synonyms:snub, ignore, shun, give some
The Birmingham Main Lane Canal celebrated a landmark anniversary in 2018. In the 250 years since the first ‘cut’ was made for James Brindley’s Birmingham Main Line Canal, which is at the heart of the British canal network, running from Birmingham through the Black Country to Wolverhampton and beyond.
To mark this anniversary Richard has created a photographic exploration of the network, encouraging the audience to visually discover an environment. Offering a glimpse into an industrial past and reflecting on what impact a modern urban society has on the waterway today.
The images depict a quietness and serenity, the only movement captured is the almost unnoticeable flow of the harnessed and restrained water, in contrast to its complex and chaotic urban surroundings.
The photographs witness and reflect a multifaceted landscape as does the canal itself. They capture a beauty that exists in the tension between nature and the man-made, rebirth and decay and purity and pollution.
These painterly and sometimes abstract images focus on the water itself. Its depth has an undercurrent of a troubled society, a sense of foreboding, signs of urban deterioration leading to a question of what lies beneath. Its reflections present a second view point of what is going on beyond the frame, highlighting symmetry and opening up the environment to nature and the sky.
THE GUEST HOSPITAL
guest noun: guest; plural noun: guests
a person who is invited to visit someone's home or attend a particular social occasion. synonyms: visitor, caller; company
Ten minutes as a guest in the former Guest Hospital, Tipton Road, Dudley.
Four years ago Richard was invited by the developers to briefly explore the remaining original Guest Hospital building which housed the administration, catering and small treatment rooms. The series of images he produced provide a final glimpse of the scares from the building's history as a medical facility. Capturing a moment in time of dereliction and decay prior to the building's rebirth and conversion into luxury apartments, the next chapter in the building's history.
PLANTSBROOK
Animum fortuna sequatur - Fortune follows the spirited
Et quod possitis est optimus - Be the best that you can be
Plantsbrook School - formerly Riland-Bedford High School
The photographic exploration of the secondary academy school in Sutton Coldfield prior to its imminent demolition in 2017.
The original Riland-Bedford building, named after the prominent local Riland and Bedford families, was constructed in 1939 on land where Holland House in Upper Holland Road once stood. The site was used and developed by American soldiers during the second world war and was temporarily named Holland Road Barracks.
Riland-Bedford High School for Boys and the Riland-Bedford High School for Girls were opened in 1946 in and the building's symmetry providing exactly the same facilities in two joined symmetrical buildings.
In 1986 the school was renamed as Plantsbrook School after a stream that flows through Sutton Coldfield and passes the school.
The school relocated to a new building on the same site which opened in September 2017.
Wednesday 19 July 2017, marked the last official school day in the original school building before it was demolished over the following weeks.
Over this period Richard was grated access to photograph the site recording the memories and scares of the building before they were reduced to rubble. The resulting body of work is a haunting, nostalgic exploration of vacated classrooms, still gym halls and silent corridors.
UTOPIA
uto’pia [yoo-] n. imaginary state with perfect political and social conditions
Exhibited at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, The Tom Blau Gallery, London. The Zara Rhodes Gallery, Kent. The Association of Photographers Gallery, London.
Once celebrated as the planners dream solution to the housing crisis
Castle Vale stood as Birminghams largest post-war housing estate.
The estate covered 1.5 square miles - it was once the site of the Castle
Bromwich aerodrome - of housing, this accomodated in excess
of 11,000 people in various dwellings, including 34 tower blocks.
The estate opened in 1969 as a popular, luxury savior from the Edwardian
slums. This saved the greenbelt land whilst solving problems caused by
an increasing population. However as time past Birmingham City Council’s
financial support failed and the estate developed a bad reputation
due to various social issues, these included crime, vandilism and depression.
In the mean time the residents scarred these vertical villages as they
personalised and interacted with their standard environments, in defiance of
inforced constraints. In 1994 the estate became independent of the city council.
A Housing Action Trust took up management and with £270 million they
created a twelve year plan to solve the estates problems, this involved
redeveloping and improving its economic, social, living and environmental
qualities. A major contribution to the plan was the demolition of the estates
tower blocks and their memories.
A creative, resourceful and motivated photographer and picture editor, with the necessary drive and determination to succeed in a demanding competitive industry. Aware of the power of a photograph and the need of a high quality visual approach when taking, sourcing and selecting pictures for publication. Able to work on own initiative whilst demonstrating good communication and organisational skills.
EMPLOYMENT
Photographer
Freelance 01/2016 - Present
Photographer producing high quality images responding to diverse range of client briefs, approaches and styles.
Specialising in documentary, charity, public relations, commercial and news photography.
Maintaining brand standards and building relationships with clients to creatively fulfill their requirements.
Able to work on own initiative or as an effective team member.
Knowledge of professional digital photography equipment.
Understanding of copyright legislation, privacy and other legal obligations associated with photography.
Computer skills and knowledge of professional image workflow using Adobe and Microsoft software on Apple Mac and P.C.
Regular corporate clients include -
Reach PLC, Camelot / The National Lottery, JD Wetherspoon, and The Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
Regular charity clients include -
Nationally - Cancer Research UK, NSPCC, RoSPA, Activity Alliance, UK Active and British Blind Sport.
Locally - Acorns Children’s Hospice, St Giles Hospice, Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice
Deputy Picture Editor / Photographer
Express & Star (MNA Media), 05/2005 - 12/2015
Photographer across all MNA Media titles producing quality images covering assignments including news, features and sport. Using own initiative creatively reaching the visual potential of the subject.
Deputy Picture Editor managing the picture desk on the country’s biggest selling, award winning regional newspaper, associated titles and websites.
Working closely with the editor, reporters and artists to meet strict deadlines.
Sourcing content from photographers and agencies negotiating and managing images and budgets.
Managing a team of photographers ensuring assignments are covered whilst maintaining quality and brand style.
Able to store and retrieve images stored in digital and print archives efficiently.
Using social media as a source of content for print and online.
Multi-media experience producing, sourcing and editing relevant footage to enhance the printed content.
Photographer
Central Independent Newspapers, 01/2005-05/2005
Press Photographer producing high quality images relevant in content and approach to the style of the paper.
Photographer
Midland Weekly Media, 11/2002-01/2005
Photographer within the group working on a whole spectrum of editorial assignments including breaking and community news, sport and features.
Photographic Library Manager
Flying Colours, 11/2000-06/2001
Photographic library management, supplying a portrait image service to the House of Commons/Lords, National Newspapers and other Media.
Freelance photographic commissions and assignments -
Dudley Borough Interfaith Network, West Midlands.
Photographic commission documenting the diverse religious practices within the borough and the Interfaith network.
Castle Vale Housing Action Trust, West Midlands.
Photographic commission artistically observing the deterioration and redevelopment of Birmingham’s largest housing estate.
Gallery 37, West Midlands.
Community art project teaching 16–24-year-olds photography, digital art and creative development.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent.
Photographic commission documenting the Tunbridge Wells Winter Street Festival.
Photographer Experience
The Sunday Times – Editorial and features photographer.
Birmingham Evening Mail – Editorial and features photographer.
The Scotsman, Edinburgh, Scotland – Editorial and features photographer.
EDUCATION
First Class BA (Honours) Degree in Advertising and Editorial Photography from the Kent Institute of Art and Design
NCFE Level 4 NVQ in Press Photography
Youth Work: Arts and Young People Advanced/Community Partnership Award – 6 credits at Level Three – National Open College Network
Diploma in foundation Studies in Art and Design at University of Central England
A level – Photography and Geography
City and Guilds Vocational Diploma in Arts and Media Services
Eight GCSEs at C level and above: Including Mathematics, English, and Science.
AWARDS
Photographer of the Year - The Midland Media Awards - Birmingham Press Club.
Trevor Roberts Award - The Midland Media Awards - Birmingham Press Club.
Regional Photographer of the Year Nominee - Society of Editors
The Observer, David Hodge Awards Nominee.
The Sunday Times, Ian Parry Awards - Nominee.
EXHIBITIONS
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery. Dudley Archive and Local History Centre. The Tom Blau Gallery, London. The Zara Rhodes Gallery, Kent. The Association of Photographers Gallery, London.
EXHIBITIONS
THE CUT
A photographic exploration of The Old Birmingham Main Line Canal known locally as ‘The Cut’.
Cut - verb: cut; 3rd person present: cuts; past tense: cut; past participle: cut; gerund or present participle: cutting – make an opening, incision, or wound in (something) with a sharp-edged tool or object. synonyms: gash, slash, lacerate, slit, pierce, penetrate, wound, injure; informal – ignore or refuse to recognise – synonyms:snub, ignore, shun, give some
The Birmingham Main Lane Canal celebrated a landmark anniversary in 2018. In the 250 years since the first ‘cut’ was made for James Brindley’s Birmingham Main Line Canal, which is at the heart of the British canal network, running from Birmingham through the Black Country to Wolverhampton and beyond.
To mark this anniversary Richard has created a photographic exploration of the network, encouraging the audience to visually discover an environment. Offering a glimpse into an industrial past and reflecting on what impact a modern urban society has on the waterway today.
The images depict a quietness and serenity, the only movement captured is the almost unnoticeable flow of the harnessed and restrained water, in contrast to its complex and chaotic urban surroundings.
The photographs witness and reflect a multifaceted landscape as does the canal itself. They capture a beauty that exists in the tension between nature and the man-made, rebirth and decay and purity and pollution.
These painterly and sometimes abstract images focus on the water itself. Its depth has an undercurrent of a troubled society, a sense of foreboding, signs of urban deterioration leading to a question of what lies beneath. Its reflections present a second view point of what is going on beyond the frame, highlighting symmetry and opening up the environment to nature and the sky.
THE GUEST HOSPITAL
guest noun: guest; plural noun: guests
a person who is invited to visit someone's home or attend a particular social occasion. synonyms: visitor, caller; company
Ten minutes as a guest in the former Guest Hospital, Tipton Road, Dudley.
Four years ago Richard was invited by the developers to briefly explore the remaining original Guest Hospital building which housed the administration, catering and small treatment rooms. The series of images he produced provide a final glimpse of the scares from the building's history as a medical facility. Capturing a moment in time of dereliction and decay prior to the building's rebirth and conversion into luxury apartments, the next chapter in the building's history.
PLANTSBROOK
Animum fortuna sequatur - Fortune follows the spirited
Et quod possitis est optimus - Be the best that you can be
Plantsbrook School - formerly Riland-Bedford High School
The photographic exploration of the secondary academy school in Sutton Coldfield prior to its imminent demolition in 2017.
The original Riland-Bedford building, named after the prominent local Riland and Bedford families, was constructed in 1939 on land where Holland House in Upper Holland Road once stood. The site was used and developed by American soldiers during the second world war and was temporarily named Holland Road Barracks.
Riland-Bedford High School for Boys and the Riland-Bedford High School for Girls were opened in 1946 in and the building's symmetry providing exactly the same facilities in two joined symmetrical buildings.
In 1986 the school was renamed as Plantsbrook School after a stream that flows through Sutton Coldfield and passes the school.
The school relocated to a new building on the same site which opened in September 2017.
Wednesday 19 July 2017, marked the last official school day in the original school building before it was demolished over the following weeks.
Over this period Richard was grated access to photograph the site recording the memories and scares of the building before they were reduced to rubble. The resulting body of work is a haunting, nostalgic exploration of vacated classrooms, still gym halls and silent corridors.
UTOPIA
uto’pia [yoo-] n. imaginary state with perfect political and social conditions
Exhibited at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, The Tom Blau Gallery, London. The Zara Rhodes Gallery, Kent. The Association of Photographers Gallery, London.
Once celebrated as the planners dream solution to the housing crisis
Castle Vale stood as Birminghams largest post-war housing estate.
The estate covered 1.5 square miles - it was once the site of the Castle
Bromwich aerodrome - of housing, this accomodated in excess
of 11,000 people in various dwellings, including 34 tower blocks.
The estate opened in 1969 as a popular, luxury savior from the Edwardian
slums. This saved the greenbelt land whilst solving problems caused by
an increasing population. However as time past Birmingham City Council’s
financial support failed and the estate developed a bad reputation
due to various social issues, these included crime, vandilism and depression.
In the mean time the residents scarred these vertical villages as they
personalised and interacted with their standard environments, in defiance of
inforced constraints. In 1994 the estate became independent of the city council.
A Housing Action Trust took up management and with £270 million they
created a twelve year plan to solve the estates problems, this involved
redeveloping and improving its economic, social, living and environmental
qualities. A major contribution to the plan was the demolition of the estates
tower blocks and their memories.
