Photographer Profiles

David Hedges is an award winning photographer and documentary cameraman. Starting at SWNS in 2011, after gaining a first class degree in photography at Plymouth University, he has continued to thrive at the company, winning both Fixation Young Photographer of the Year and Nikon Videographer of the year in 2013. Whether it is working on a breaking news story in the UK or a feature exclusive in the USA, he is at home covering both stills and video for the national papers.  You can see David's gallery here.

Katielee is an imaginative and resourceful photographer with a great eye for a picture and the determination to get it. She graduated from the NCTJ course in Sheffield in 2000 and has done stints at the biggest press agencies in the world. Katielee has a broad depth of experience in hard news, features, showbiz and commercial work and comes highly recommended by both her clients and peers. Based in Edinburgh Katielee is forging a new future for SWNS in Scotland.  See Katielee's Gallery here.

Adam joined SWNS after a spell in the North which saw him working on the Raoul Moat and Derrick Bird shootings. Adam has since won various photojournalism awards and is now covering the busy London patch. Adam is as happy photographing a dramatic landscape at 5.00am as he is managing a large scale studio shoot.  See Adam's gallery here.

Originally from London, Henry joined SWNS in the summer of 2013 having completed a Photojournalism degree from the LCC in London. Based in Bristol, he covers the eclectic variety of breaking news and feature stories for the national press across the UK, as well as working on PR assignments for an assortment of major companies. Henry enjoys both the fast pace and evolving nature of live news, and the creative challenge of portrait shoots and on location lighting, always hoping to bring original ideas to every job. See Henry's gallery here.

Based in Plymouth, James Dadzitis covers Devon and Cornwall for SWNS. James started his journey into press photography in 2007 at the Western Gazette where he completed his NCTJ qualification. He joined SWNS in 2011 and has never looked back. James has since gained his NCE in Press Photography and was commended at the Picture Editors Choice Awards in 2013 in the Young Photographer of the Year category. He is ambitious and always strives to achieve the very best results. James brings a sunny disposition and his friendly professionalism to every job he undertakes. See James' gallery.

Tom Maddick is a press photographer based in Nottingham. In 2013 after completing the NCTJ in Photojournalism in Sheffield, Tom joined Ross Parry Press Agency a month later. Before this Tom worked as a freelance press photographer. Now covering Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire he covers national news as well as features and PR assignments. Alongside stills Tom likes to use video to give the story he is covering an extra dimension, Tom creates eye catching images that pull the reader into the article. See Tom's Gallery.

Originally from Carlisle, Cumbria, Thomas joined the SWNS team as an enthusiastic photographer wanting to gain new experiences and further his photography portfolio. He has since had exceptional shows in all the national newspapers including the front page of The Daily Star. Covering all of the Lancashire area for the busy Leeds office. Thomas is a very passionate, determined and creative photographer. See Thomas' Gallery.

David is a highly organised, enthusiastic and motivated photographer with a passion for all types of photographic work with a good eye for composition and detail. He has been working for many years in the photographic industry, starting in the darkroom, and moving on to studio and lab manger. David has worked in both the commercial and press sides of photography which as enabled him to develop not only is photography skills using different styles and techniques, but has also developed his ability to quickly absorb a brief, adapt to varying work conditions and personality types, and work quickly and efficiently. See Dave's Gallery.

Francis is an SWNS staff photographer and videographer originating from Cornwall. After Graduating from Press and Editor Photography at Falmouth University, Francis worked freelancer in London covering Press and PR events and stories. Some of his best clients include Breast Cancer Now, Only Way is Essex in Marbella, Pot Noodle Las Vegans, Cross Rail Tunnel, and Children in Need. Francis joined SWNS in early 2016 and is based in the Bristol office. He has covered a wide range of breaking news, PR events and in depth features. Francis is a highly enthusiastic photographer that thrives on a challenge. He is at home in the fast paced world of breaking news and confident in creating a narrative in features. See Francis' Gallery.

Adam Harnett started his career as a administration assistant for a national news agency, but soon became a photographer gaining a portfolio of work published in the national, and international press. His enthusiastic nature and great eye for the perfect picture led to huge success in publishing outstanding foreign stories on behalf of photographers all over the world. After seven years of valuable news agency experience, Adam is now the content editor of our busy Cambridge office.

Luke is a driven photographer who joined SWNS after finishing his studies of Photojournalism & Documentary Photography at the University of Gloucestershire. Always pushing the extra mile to capture a strong narrative from its deepest roots, Luke is not afraid to dive in headfirst! Currently based in Birmingham and working across the midlands Luke specializes in breaking news, documentary work, PR images and features for the national news, he says that tackling a new challenge everyday helps to keep his passion alive. You can see a handful of Luke's photos here.

London based photojournalist and videographer Joe Newman is a determined, creative and friendly individual who works hard to get the most out of any assignment. After completing a degree in Video and Photography at Leeds University he began working with various charities, eventually winning an award for his photo documentary work on marginalised youth in London. In 2015 he completed an NCTJ in Photojournalism and joined the London news agency National News and Pictures which later became part of the SWNS group. Joe’s work now appears regularly in national newspapers, magazines and many online platforms. You can see a small selection of Joe's work here.

Alex is a photographer based in the Leeds office. After graduating from UWE Bristol with a degree in journalism, he joined SWNS as a staff photographer. Alex particularly enjoys covering breaking news and unpredictable assignments. His stills are often accompanied by video, utilising skills he developed at university, and for which he was awarded the NUJ Prize for best content locally. In his spare time he can often be found in a kayak, on a motorbike or playing frisbee.  See a small selection of Alex Cousins' photos here.

Photographer Benjamin Paul is a graduate of the Leeds College Of Art. Benjamin freelanced for a number of years, and joined SWNS as a Staff Photographer in 2016. His work has regularly been featured in national news publications. Based in the Leeds office, Ben helps cover a large patch, stretching from Lincoln up to Newcastle. Happy working with both stills and video, Ben's work has taken him to both the West Bank of Palestine and Iraqi Kurdistan, documenting social and environmental issues. See a small selection of Ben's images here.

Paul is one of three directors who run the SWNS group. He also maintains the role of pictures editor.  Paul has journalism in his blood – his father John was a long-serving staff photographer at the Dail Mail. He joined South West News in 1984 after learning the trade in local newspapers. Since, he has helped grow SWNS into a the largest independent multi-media agency in the UK, and has established his department as Britain’s leading independent picture desk where he runs an award-winning team of 20 photographers.

Jon Mills is the Picture Editor at SWNS.  Jon worked as Picture Editor on the Western Daily Press for six years during which time they twice won Press Gazette Newspaper of the Year. In 2004 the paper won an unprecedented seven awards. During his time at the WDP they raised £120k to save bears in China, bought a rescue hovercraft for Burnham on Sea and got the law changed on flying over nuclear power stations. He joined SWNS in 2006 and, with director Paul Walters, manage a team of 20 staff photographers and countless freelance and syndication contributors. Jon also runs SWNS video service as well as developing and integrating new infrastructure.  You can see Jon's Gallery here.

Glasgow-based photographer James Chapelard covers news throughout Scotland and the central belt for SWNS, searching out breaking news, celebrity scoops and covering politics. His photos appear regularly on the frontpages of broadsheets, tabloids and magazines. He recently covered the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and in 2012 covered the French Presidential election in Paris. Originally from Paris, Chapelard brings a wealth of skills having originally trained and worked as reporter on a regional newspaper and an American business newspaper for 10 years. James Chapelard's Gallery.

Mark's first posting at SWNS meant travelling the entire length of the country from his native John O'Groats to work in the SWNS Plymouth office. After three hugely successful years the former Young Scottish Press Photographer of the Year returned north as SWNS Chief Photographer Scotland. After four years in charge in Glasgow a rare opportunity came up to work on the picture desk in Bristol as Picture Editor. Mark now combines his enthusiasm for the job and a sharp nose for news to help the photographers achieve their best work getting their pictures in print time after time.  See Mark's Gallery.

Ashley is an award winning videographer and film graduate from Plymouth who first joined SWNS as a Picture Desk Assistant and now runs and manages all video content. Since moving to Bristol in 2014, Ashley has gained a broad depth of experience in commercial filmmaking, directed various videos for local businesses. He brings creativity and passion to the ever growing arm of SWNS video.