Blog for Clive Blair Photography

Welcome to my Blog!

Welcome to my blog. If you've come from a link in my website, then you already know who I am, but in case you don't know me, my name is Clive Blair.

I'm a wedding photographer based in the West Midlands, UK, although I do travel extensivley, covering weddings nationally and abroad. I've been photographing weddings since 1987 - I know, I don't look old enough, do I?

You'll find here all my latest news, reviews, highlights and info for my business.

Interview with Clive Blair

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED WITH PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE FIRST PLACE?
I was given my first camera as a present when I was about 7 or 8 years of age. It was a Kodak Brownie film camera and I loved that camera! I was fascinated by how I could take a picture and then only a week or two later have a permanent record of what I’d taken. (Wow, how times change! Now I only wait a fraction of a second to see the image!) Then I discovered Polaroids which catapulted my desire to take pictures of anything and everything.


WHAT GOT YOU INTO WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
I was know by my friends as “the one with the camera” so when one of them got married in 1987 he asked if I’d take the photos. I did and I have not looked back since then.


WHAT AND/OR WHO HAS INFLUENCED YOU OR HELPED SHAPE YOUR SHOOTING STYLE?
I just love watching people and seeing how they interact with others around. We all have our unique characteristics, traits and ways of doing things in life and to capture that individuality is for me the true essence of photography. It’s because of this that I enjoy the natural, unposed, or what many call the photojournalistic style of wedding photography, which to me is a more realistic record of a wedding day. While I do photograph a few formal or posed setups, if I can capture the tears, pride, laughter, joy etc. at a wedding that for me tells a better story.

TO WHAT LOCATIONS HAS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY TAKEN YOU?
Birmingham, England (Oi! What’s wrong with good ol Brum, where I was born and bred?) / Ireland / Caribbean, to name a few countries.

WHAT TRAINING/QUALIFICATIONS HAVE YOU ACHIEVED OVER THE YEARS?
Too many to mention them all! I suppose my training started from when I set up my own darkroom at home in the early 80’s to make print for family and friends and to be the “official photographer” at parties etc. Not long after, my formal training started with a few City and Guilds courses to get a better grounding in photography. Then, after many, many courses and seminars, in 2000 I joined the MPA (Master Photographers’ Association) and the BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photographers). In 2002 I was awarded a Licentiateship for both organisations. Since then, I’ve twice been the Photographer of The Year and have won various other awards along the way.

WHAT OTHER PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERESTS DO YOU HAVE BESIDES SHOOTING WEDDINGS?
My first love when getting into photography was landscapes, so when on holiday or relaxing, I gravitate back to that passion.

WHERE IS YOUR PRIMARY GEOGRAHPHIC LOCATION OF WORK?
I work anywhere. My motto is: “Have Camera, Will Travel!”

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Favourite Films: Sci-fi
Favourite Music: Jazz, Soul
Favourite Food: Cake (sorry!)
Favourite Place: Anywhere warm