I’m Nigel Cooper and I’m a fashion, beauty, portrait, product and editorial photographer based in Cambridgeshire, UK.

I studied photography in London and spent many years working out of a studio in the capital, where I specialised in fashion, portraiture, product, advertising and editorial photography. My previous clients include Sony, JVC, Panasonic, Johnson & Johnson, Arsenal Football Club, BMW, Harley-Davidson, Ray-Ban sunglasses, Smirnoff Vodka, National Express Coaches, Practical Photography Magazine and the BBC. I’ve photographed Andy Summers (guitarist, The Police), Wheatus (USA rock band), Jools Holland (musician), Joanna Lumley (actress), Denholm Elliott (actor), Dave Lee Travis (BBC Radio 1 DJ) as well as many fashion and beauty models.

I have also worked as a photojournalist, where I wrote many articles and news pieces while also taking the accompanying photographs for various UK magazines and newspapers. I was also the founder/editor of a specialist photography and video production magazine and I have also written seven novels and a memoir; the latter was published by Penguin Random House.

My approach to photography is one of clinical precision, with all the finer details methodically worked out. I’m a fastidious photographer with a natural eye for a shot, especially with regard to composition, angles, leading lines, texture, lighting, angles of incidence and colour theory. As far back as I can remember I have always had a natural built-in visual intelligence; I was born with it. Even in my early teens people would say, ‘Brilliant photo, Nigel!’ or ‘Wow, great composition!’.

The technical and artistic aspects involved in creating a photograph are instinctive to me. I’m a considered photographer and I will often slow a shoot down to a much slower tempo, which allows my creativity and technical accuracy to shine through. I relish the entire creative process from concept to completion, enjoying the precision and attention to detail when planning and setting up a shot, through to editing and exporting the final images.

Taking a photograph only takes a fraction of a second; it’s the attentive planning and setting up of the shot that takes all the time and it’s this part that I enjoy the most as I know I’ll reap the rewards later on when I view the resulting images on my computer.

I’ve always said that there are four vital ingredients required for any given shot: subject matter, composition and lighting, with a large helping of creativity piled on top. 

Thanks for reading!