I was first seriously smitten with the photography bug in the early 1970s while I was still at school. Later in my early teens, I joined a local camera club near to my parent’s home in Manchester.
After three immensely happy and informative years at Blackpool College, I graduated in 1981. My first job was as a retinal-medical photographer at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. this wasn’t the most creative job, and I left after 10 months.
In 1984 I joined the Cheshire County Council exhibition and graphics group based in the Northwich Salt Museum. This gave me experience of working alongside graphic designers and artists, gaining invaluable insights into how these allied professions worked. I was also lucky to have access to 5x4 and medium format camera kits. It was at this point that I really started experimenting with my photography, spending what spare money I had on film and processing. There is no doubt that I made many mistakes but more importantly I was getting hands-on experience.
Between 1986 to 1991, I worked for two Manchester studios, the second studio closing down early in 1991. By now though, I felt I had the necessary skills to embark on the adventure of my own business, and I founded Inside Out Photography (IOP) later that same year.
Since 1991, I have worked for a disparate client base, undertaking a wide range of commercial, architectural and industrial photography jobs UK wide and occasionally in central Europe. For the past twenty one years I have provided images to support major projects for the public sector through to modest one-off commissions for SMEs, regularly winning major professional photography awards.
I am constantly on the look out for any new technology which allows me to push the creative barriers further and further, whether it is high-end 36.3 meg pix cameras, specialist perspective-control optics, extensive studio lighting or the latest creative-software.
The most precious thing about working for yourself in the creative services, is the drive it engenders for continual self-improvement. I feel passionately about photography and try my utmost to treat each client and commission as if it were the most important shoot I have carried out!
To me, photography has always been a magical blend of boys-toys, gadgets and personal creativity, after thirty-five years of working professionally, I still get a buzz from walking into a mundane environment and coming away with exciting images that puts a smile on the client’s face.
I love being a photographer: it has allowed me to do and see things, which in the normal scheme of things, I would never have had a chance to experience, in short it’s pretty cool!
If you look good, then I look good!
Bernard O’Sullivan ABIPP
Proprietor of Inside Out Photography
Past Chairman of the BIPP North West region 2010-2013
Your image is your future: trust it to a true professional!
