Colin Prior - In Profile

For someone who has become internationally respected in the field of landscape photography, Colin Prior had an unusual start to his career. An accomplished diver, his first taste of success at the age of 23 was to win the title of 'Best Newcomer' to underwater photography in 'Camera beneath the Waves' picking up Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. With a prize of a trip to the Cayman Islands his achievement brought the realisation that he could make his living as a professional photographer.

 

Setting up as a freelance, Colin worked as a commercial photographer and was regularly commissioned by advertising and design agencies and a number of plc's. As the business expanded, he began to develop his personal work and was one of the first photographers to exploit the creative potential of the panoramic format. The wild landscapes of the Scottish Highlands were an irresistible lure and over a four-year period, he created a unique portfolio of photographs, which were published in 'Highland Wilderness' in 1993, by Constable.

 

The publication of the book and the ensuing exhibition (The Scottish Visual Experience, Linhof Gallery 1991) led to a commission by British Airways to photograph their corporate calendar.

Three further commissions followed and by their conclusion Colin 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 images, which received critical acclaim at a number of awards. In 1995, he started his own publishing company, printing reproductions for the art business and a distinctive range of calendars.

 

The wildness of the Highlands continued to exert its influence over Colin and he began work to on a second book with the solstices and equinoxes at its epicentre, culminating in the publication of 'Scotland - The Wild Places' in 2001.

 

Throughout the following two years, he progressed the project originally commissioned by British Airways, which documented tribal groups throughout the world. Translated into French and German, Living Tribes was published in 2003 and featured the Himba of Namibia, Kenya's Samburu and Turkana tribes, Baffin Island's Inuit and many others.

 

In his most recent book 'The World's Wild Places' published in October 2006, Colin spent ten years documenting many of the world's unique environments and habitats. In over thirty countries he photographed areas, which capture the essence of wildness.

From the shifting ice sheets of the Greenland to the oxygen-starved Atacama Desert, from the icy spires of Pakistan's Karakoram Mountains to the absolute isolation of New Zealand's Fiordland, he has created an awesome collection of photographs of the world's last remaining wildernesses. Throughout the book, Colin shares his passion and philosophy, as well as his quest for adventure that goes into producing his inspirational images.

 

His current projects include commissions for two books, which will explore our relationship with wild places and will take him to the Karakoram Mountains in northern Pakistan, the Northern Slope in Alaska and to the world's biggest National Park in north-east Greenland. He is actively involved in expanding the Colin Prior Photography School by making it more accessible to the public and by developing the portfolio of destinations.

 

Colin currently lives in Glasgow and is a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and a founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers. He is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines and is frequently engaged in presenting to public and corporate groups.

 

Photography's ability to communicate non-verbally is one of the most important tools in changing public perception towards the environment and ultimately its long-tem conservation. Through his work, Colin is keen to use the power of photography to change the way people see the world.

Over the last decade the name Colin Prior has become recognised throughout the world as an inspirational photographer. Colin is perhaps the foremost expert in his field, certainly the most, well travelled and has also become a household name through his publications and presentations. His books, calendars and prints are distributed worldwide and his recently launched School of Photography is his latest venture aimed at passing on his knowledge and experience to others.

 

As a founding member of the International League of Conservation Photographers, Colin is deeply passionate about environmental issues and his presentations on our impact on the natural world are in constant demand. If you're looking for a dynamic way to connect with an audience whether it is corporate or public, Colin's imagery and empathy with the subject will be sure to touch them.

 

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