Profile

Artist Statement

‘Photography is a conduit, which allows me to express my emotional response to the natural world. Through this connection, I hope to touch people in a way that fosters a culture of respect for the environment and ultimately challenges the way people think about the planet.’
Colin Prior 2008

Colin Prior was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1958. His first taste of success, at the age of 23, was to win 'Best Newcomer' to underwater photography in the 'Camera Beneath the Waves' competition, picking up Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. With a prize of a trip to the Cayman Islands his achievement was his first steps to becoming a professional photographer.

For the next ten years, Colin worked as a commercial photographer and was commissioned by advertising and design agencies. His personal interest was in landscape photography and he had a particular fascination with the panoramic format, which is featured significantly in his books.

 
A Dream Ticket

During the late 90’s, Colin was commissioned by British Airways to shoot four corporate calendars, which helped establish his reputation as a landscape photographer and by their conclusion he had travelled over one million miles, to some thirty-five countries. Living with indigenous groups in some of the world's remotest places, he created a collection of images, which received critical acclaim.

When not travelling, Colin runs his own publishing and distribution company, specialising in art reproductions and calendars which are distributed throughout the UK and Europe.

In 2006 he set up the Colin Prior Photography School, which offers inspiration and tuition to up-and-coming photographers and helps them to hone their own skills and the way they see the world. Trips in Scotland, Bhutan, Namibia, Pakistan and Alaska offer clients unique photographic experiences in wild places, whilst fostering a strong connection with the environment.

Colin believes that photography can play a vital role in raising awareness of environmental issues. ‘All good photography shares the unique ability to communicate non-verbally. Different people see different things in images based on their life experiences and their messages can be interpreted in divergent ways.’ Legislation and the Rio and Kyoto protocols require us all to consider the environmental impact of everything we do and photography is a conduit, which inspires empathy and action rather than despair over the current state of the environment.

Colin currently lives in Glasgow with his wife Geraldine and their two children, Alexandra and Laurence. He is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and a founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers.

Books:

Highland Wilderness
Constable ISBN 978-1845290658

Scotland – The Wild Places
Constable, ISBN 978-1841193151

Living Tribes
Constable, ISBN 978-1552977460

The World’s Wild Places
Constable, ISBN 978-1845293505

Exhibitions:

The Scottish Visual Experience
Linhof Gallery, London

Land’s End
Museum of Education, Glasgow

The World’s Wild Places
OXO Tower Gallery, London

The World’s Wild Places
Glasgow Science Centre