IOP - Commercial Photographers - North-West - Midlands - UK Wide - Europe
Tel 07831 344 722

About Inside Out - Commercial Photographers

Inside Out Photography (IOP) was founded in 1991 by commercial photographer Bernard O'Sullivan. Thirty-Two years and fifty-five plus professional awards later, IOP is still providing award winning commercial, industrial and architectural photography to a wide range of clients both famous and large such as Manchester United FC and more modest but equally important clients.

On this page you can find a biography of Bernard O'Sullivan, a client list, and our professional awards.

Biography Of Photographer Bernard O'Sullivan

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, to say that this wasn’t the most creative job, is putting it mildly and I left or perhaps, escaped 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 illustrators, gaining invaluable insights into how these allied professions worked.

Although the position was government funded and therefore poorly paid, it did give me access at that time to 5x4 and medium format (Film-based) camera kits. It was at this point that I really started building my portfolio, spending what little spare money I had on film and processing. There is no doubt that mistakes were made along the way but more importantly I was getting practical field experience.

Between 1986 to 1991, I worked for two Manchester studios, the second studio closing down in 1981 due to one of the many recessions I any others have experienced in my working life. By now though, I felt I had the necessary skills to embark on the scary adventure of my own business, and after much prompting from past clients, fellow photographers, friends etc, 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-Eight years of working for myself, I have provided images to support large-budget 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.

For me 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 genuinely try my utmost to treat each client and commission as if it were the most important shoot I have carried out!

This passion was also the motivation behind my involvement with running the BIPP nationally and regionally, I was NW chairman for 3 years and I am proud to have been awarded The BIPP Presidential Award in 2013 and in 2016 The Peter Kaye Award (No connection to the comedian) for services to the BIPP nationally and regionally respectively.

In common with the majority of commercial photographers, I work mostly on my own these days and only use assistants when a job really does demand it. The reason is simply to minimise costs and keep invoice values competitive for my clients, in addition you can be assured that your commission will be carried out by myself.

In 2014 IOP opened a second site second site in the picturesque Derbyshire village of Tideswell/Buxton, in May 2018 this became our registered base although we have retained an office and image restoration collection address in Manchester. We continue to service our existing and new Manchester clients on the same terms as always and any additional travelling time, clients is entirely absorbed by IOP.

To me, photography has always been a magical blend of boys-toys, gadgets and personal creative freedom. Even after Forty-Two (42) years of working professionally, I still get a buzz from walking into a mundane scruffy environment and coming away with exciting images that surprises the client and puts a genuine smile on their face!

I love being a photographer: it has allowed me to do and see things, which in the normal scheme of life, I would never have had a chance to experience, in short its 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

Professional Photography Award Winners

Most commercial photographers work in isolation, positive client responses are obviously reassuring BUT the only way to ensure you keep pushing your standards and progressing your style is to go head-to-head in professional awards against other professional photographers, AND be judged by your peers.

IOP has a passion for photographic excellence and take great pride in the high standard of our work and the professionalism of the delivery of our services. This conscientious approach has resulted in consistently positive client responses, and success in professional awards.

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
NW Region - Photographer of the Year

BIPP National Photography Awards
Commercial - Photographer of the Year

BIPP Presidential Award
In Recognition of Services to the BIPP

The Peter Kaye Award*
In Recognition of Services to the BIPP N/w
*(No connection to the comedian)

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Architectural - 6 x Gold Awards

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Architectural - 5 x Silver Awards

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Architectural - Bronze Award

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Industrial - 4 x Gold Award

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Industrial - Bronze Award

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Commercial Advertising - 2 x Gold Awards

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Commercial Advertising - Silver Award

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Commercial Advertising - Bronze Award

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Open-Creative - 3 x Silver Awards

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Pictorial Illustrative - Gold Award

BIPP N/w Region Photography Awards
Pet Portrait - Bronze Award

FEP Annual Photographic Awards
Commercial - Bronze Award

BIPP National Photography Awards
5 x Gold Medals

BIPP National Photography Awards
11 x Silver Medals

BIPP National Photography Awards
9 x Bronze Medal

BIPP National and Regional Awards
Approx. 64 x Merit Awards

The British Institute of Professional Photography BIPP is THE world's oldest association for professional photographers, with over 3500 members, uk and world-wide.

The Federation of European Photographers FEP is an European umbrella body representing National professional photography associations, and showcasing the best of professional photography from its member countries.

Our Lovely Photography Clients

In common with many creative professionals, our client list is constantly changing. Some clients may only use us for a one off project, while we do have a number of clients who we have been working for over many years.

One such client that has been with us 'since-time-began' is Manchester United Football Club who has been a constant companion since Inside Out Photography (IOP) was founded in 1991.

I have listed a few of the better-known names on this page, we would love to include your name alongside them!

NB: All the active links above will take you directly to our clients websites, and illustrate how our photography appears after publication, any non-active logos are awaiting website updates.

To read what our client's think of the commercial photography we have delivered to them, please visit use the link below.

Your corporate image is your future: trust it to a true professional!

Inside Out photography are award-winning commercial photographers operating from
Manchester and Tideswell, serving the North West, Midlands, UK wide and central Europe

T 07831 344 722
E info@insideoutphoto.co.uk

Pen-y-Ghent, Manchester Road, Tideswell, Derbyshire, SK17 8LL

Note: We do have a Manchester address for image restoration drop-offs

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