Profile Description

I studied at art college, learning of how light fell on objects. On leaving, I assisted in fashion but, still life images in my portfolio gave me my first commissions. Two years later I had the portfolio and confidence to face the world of London advertising. Got my first studio shooting campaigns and having entries in D&AD. Soon, calls from the automotive world came. It was what I needed. Shooting autos challenged me more, in studio and location. A world I loved, large objects shot around the world in all the places I dreamed of. Europe, USA and S/Africa. The challenge of large shoots over many weeks with large crews gave me the rewards I wanted – building large sets in strange places, battling the weather, languages, waiting for the right light and making friends around the world. I would also take my own pictures, taking extra days to see more of where I was invading. The volume of these personal pictures grew and I felt I needed to show them. I did this in many ‘One Man Shows’ and joint exhibitions. The response was surprising, selling my personal work felt the same as passing a poster I had shot, or opening a magazine to see my pictures. After many years, my portfolio has become so varied and to make sense of such a volume is difficult. I continue to work in advertising. My love of photography never wanes, I get the same thrill from every picture I take. My clients are vast and varied.

Art forms

Photography

Photos

Testimonials

Press Quotes:

PDN New York
Advertising photographer Derek Seaward is the go-to man for big production shoots that have to be done quickly and efficiently.The award-winning Seaward is known for his extensive background in automotive, product and location shooting, strong production skills in handling multi-person, multi-location shoots, and he has the great ability to know exactly how to light in all situations

Photo London
Legendary icon-maker, Derek has a long list of success stories with a career of illustrious campaigns, with some of the biggest players in the commercial world.

What Clients Say:

Don Barclay Creative Director.

" I've worked with Derek for over 30 years and he's an excellent photographer, a consummate professional and a
good friend. He's also Welsh, which just goes to show you can't have it all."

Jenny Dann Client

"Derek was absolutely fantastic and a person with a big heart! He did a great product shot for our website so perfectly! Derek was very professional and always share his great ideas when necessary. He has such an eye for wonderful spur of the moment shots! We believe his photos did a massive impact on our sales! "

Thank you so much, Derek!

Joy Designer & Model

"The most amazing photographer. He is very professional, makes you comfortable, captures amazing shots with outstanding quality. He will go out of his way to make sure you're okay. I am very happy with his work. I HIGHLY recommend him."

Geertruida Goessens Model

"Very personable. He puts the model at ease. He listens what one wants. Gives good advice. Open to ideas. Explains his reasoning why doing it a certain way. His photos are very good and the end results are brilliant. Photos were delivered very fast. Very helpful."

David Client

"I booked an appointment with Derek. He picked me up from the Bekesbourne station and brought me back. His studio is well equipped and he is very professional and creative. I got my pictures the same day and I did enjoyed his services. I will book him again."

Address

Unit 9, Bekesbourne Lane, Littlebourne, Kent, United Kingdom, CT4 5EA

Location

Business Hours

Opening hours - Details

Open when needed

Interview

Describe what you do as a creative:

I am a photographer.

Tell us briefly about yourself so we understand where you come from. What’s your family background?:

Born in Swansea, eldest son of nine. My father was a fisherman. I didn’t go to sea, I became an accountant, taking pictures in my spare time. After two years, I won a place at MCA a prestigious photographic course in Britain. A new life, realizing the beauty of how light fell on objects from dawn to dusk and, using artificial light to replicate the same in the studio.

What did you want to be when you were growing up?:

I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to be growing up, coming from South Wales the scope was limited, so I became an accountant. Not a big enough challenge, so when I started taking pictures, I fell in love with the camera and making images. I was always a creative child and look for the “different”.

Can you remember your earliest experience with art?:

Apart from drawing at home and liking pictures in books, the cinema and theatre amazed me, art was not a subject encouraged at school and my family was not into the arts per say but my mother loved the cinema and theatre too.

Why did you start doing what you do? What are your reasons? What's your story?:

I loved the way images appeared on the cinema screen when young. Discovering that a camera could do the same thing was my inspiration and motivation.

How did you begin doing what you do? How and when did it start?:

I took a lot of personal pictures on my Duke of Edinburgh’s walk in Scotland and won a prize in a local competition. I then read photographic magazines and in one saw an advert for Medway College of Art photography course, I applied and was given a space. That was the start of my life long career in photography.

What turns on your creativity? What triggers your need to create?:

All visual influences, light, shapes and working with other creatives to bring to life ideas. Every day I see something that inspires me. I love working with and shooting people, to create an image that people like.

When were you most satisfied in your work? What is your golden moment so far?:

I am always satisfied in my work. My golden moments were, and still are, every time I see an image in a magazine on a billboard or in a gallery. Biggest golden moment was having eleven different 48 sheet posters that I had shot in London in one week.

Describe a memorable response to your work? How did people respond to your work?:

I have again had many memorable reactions to my work. As a professional photographer, when a client looks for a photographer and chooses you that is a Golden Moment, and when you have finished they publish and promote ones work with as much pride as I did shooting it.

What is the most exciting part of your work at the moment?:

Trying to survive in an ever shrinking industry. I love taking pictures and want to do it everyday. Now, there other methods of creating images, so it is not the same.

What is your dream project?:

To be commissioned to photograph people in their environment globally.

Which artists / creative people are your heroes or inspiring figures?:

Mostly photographers, Irving Penn, Phil Marco, Walker Evans, Sebastiao Salgado, Helmut Newton, David Thorpe and many more, artists like Norman Rockwell, Edward Hopper, Rene Magritte, Paul Cezanne, Francis bacon, New Yorker Cartoons, Private Eye… a never ending amount of talent to admire and inspire.

What art/creativity related book should everyone read?:

As much as you can …. Too many too list.

Your idea of happiness ?:

Waking up every day.

Tell us a lesson life has taught you:

To enjoy every moment, look on the positive side and laugh, have fun.

Anything else you would like to add ?:

Not really, except if you wake up and look forward to doing your work /job, then you are very successful, no matter what it is.

Derek Seaward