WHO IS MARK HUMPHREYS?
My Granddad, Jimmy Highton, was a photographer and I still have pictures which he took of me when I was a wee nipper. It amazed me to see that my childhood innocence was captured in such a beautiful way.
I wanted to do the same for my own children, to inspire some of the wonder of childhood when they reach an age where the world starts to get harder and much more complicated.
So, I grabbed a camera in February 2012 and learnt everything I possibly could. I scoured the internet, trawled through all that Flickr had available and built up my style & skills. I focussed mainly on landscapes and abstract work to begin with, photographing people was still yet to come.
When I got to a point where people were asking me for sittings, I wondered whether it would be a viable route to take. Armed with my newly found knowledge and my enthusiasm for the craft, I began taking bookings for friends and family whilst honing my craft.
I realised that I love to photograph people. Young or old, tall or short, it didn't matter. Faces and bodies express so much more than I had ever noticed before I studied them from behind my lens.
I found that with creating these memories for my clients, it was more than a bit of money to buy some more gear, it was a connection with the clients, their families and friends and a wonderful feeling of contentment that can only be achieved by making others happy.
I photograph people for the love of photography. I make memories and I create joy. That's the type of job I can get behind.
Mark on rare occasions has free time to breathe, eat and drink. These are few and far between.