About
I’m Stephen J. Rickards, a Cardiff-based photographer, and I’ve had the pleasure of capturing beautiful moments, moods and people for my clients for over 30 years. While my job is extremely varied, the joy I experience when taking photographs is the same regardless of the brief, giving me constant motivation for my work.
I’ve gravitated toward photography since the age of 18, as I found it was the perfect blend of science and art to stimulate my creativity. My first job was undertaking a photoshoot for my friend’s band, and I’ve never looked back since seeing my work displayed on the cover of their album and my accreditation on the reverse. It was difficult at first to build a portfolio, as I had limited experience and rejection was commonplace, but I am resilient. I saved up for a professional camera, approached numerous clients and built my name as a quality photographer.
Since then, I’ve gained experience working with a range of clients, with each shoot bringing its own merits and challenges. I’ve performed a wide variety of work, from the dynamic shots of performers to the more carefully crafted PR shoots – I’ve handled almost every photographic situation!
I cover a multitude of subjects and find each one uniquely rewarding. I love the thrill of shooting live concerts, events and club nights, but also the preparation I dedicate to promotional shoots and food photography. With the versatility I’ve developed over the years, combined with my wealth of experience and qualifications, I feel that I have a unique approach and always produce a compelling outcome.
After many years of photography, the excitement I feel has never faded. My work will always bring me a sense of joy and adrenaline, whether I’m at a small local performance or a concert with an attendance of 80,000 people, pushing me to produce high-quality shots. I’m incredibly proud of the moments I’ve captured for such a diverse range of clients, briefs, and purposes – it is truly what I love to do.
