30 Years of Crest Photography with Simon Williams.
There’s a moment when Simon Williams talks about his work that his voice shifts – not with tiredness, not with ego, but with genuine, boyish excitement. “I still get that feeling,” he says, “like when you were a kid waiting for your prints to come back in the post.” After more than 30 years at the helm of Crest Photography, Simon is still clearly in love with what he does.
We caught up with Simon in a rare moment of stillness – somewhere between a morning shoot in London and an evening job nearer to home. That’s the life of a photographer whose client list stretches from Stornoway to Southampton and includes everything from NHS trusts, transport, engineering, investment, education to royalty and rock stars.
Simon, how did this all start for you?
“It began back at school, actually. We had a black-and-white darkroom in the art department, and I already loved taking photos as a kid. I always got the job of photographing my grandparents around the tree at Christmas, all the usual family snaps. But it really took off when my dad got a Russian SLR – a Zenit-E. I remember looking through the lens and thinking this is magic. That’s when I got hooked.”
And now Crest Photography is 30 years old.
“I know! It’s flown by. Before that I spent 12 great years with Halliman Photography in Gosforth – I started there in 1983 when the company was tiny. I was just a young lad, learning everything. But I got the urge to go out on my own. Looking back, I was probably just young and hungry enough to think I could make it work – and somehow, I did.”
You’ve seen some major changes in technology since then.
“Oh, massive changes. I started with square format film, twoand-a-quarter inch negatives. That was slow but the quality was high end. Then digital came along in the early 2000s. I remember a salesman telling me, ‘You can see your exposures instantly,’ and I thought, but I already know my exposures – I’ve got a light meter!”
What does a typical day look like for you now?
“Every day is different. Today I left London on the 8am train, was shooting in Gateshead by 11, then back to the office to sort files. I’ve got another shoot tonight and I’ll get those images out before tomorrow starts. I’ve always said I’m lucky – I’ve got a brilliant list of clients that keeps me constantly moving.”
Who are some of the clients you’ve worked with?
“Komatsu, Virgin, Greggs, National Grid, etc I invoice over 100 clients per year which to me is crazy and I’ve worked with some of them for over 30 years. I do work in retail, engineering, airports, train operators. I also work with the NHS and care organisations, which can be really moving. You find yourself photographing people sharing the most personal, powerful stories. I’ve honestly been in tears behind the camera more times than I can remember.”
You’ve photographed royalty too – including King Charles?
“Yes, I had a private sitting with him when he was Prince Charles back in the ’90s, out in a field in Northumberland with just his security team around. That was a big one. I was the host photographer for Queen Elizabeth too – that was a real honour.”
And Sting?
“Yeah, a few times. One moment really stuck with me. We were outside Bamburgh Castle chatting about where we were born. Turns out we were both born at the same hospital. Then he asked me where I grew up and I said ‘Cambois,’ and he just went, ‘Where the hell’s that?!'”
Simon laughs again. “Next thing you know, I’m on stage with the lighting guy and his guitar tech, he’s singing Roxanne and the next morning I’m photographing oil engineers in a factory. Total contrast.”
That variety must keep things interesting.
“Absolutely. I couldn’t do the same thing every day. I remember once going to the same client four days in a row and I found it so weird. I usually wake up and check where I’m supposed to be – I take each day as it comes.”
You’ve done over 20,000 shoots in that time – that’s quite a legacy.
“Yeah. Maybe 50,000-60,000 miles/100,000 exposures per year. It all adds up. I’m very lucky to do what I do and I’m grateful to my clients for trusting in my work.”
www.crestphotography.co.uk