RAID PHOTOGRAPHIC INTERVIEW

This week we’ve been speaking to Darren, creative director of Raid Photographic. Offering a range of photography services from courses to weddings, there’s something for everyone. So to hear about their exciting history and exclusive inside information, read on…

1) Hi Darren, please explain your journey as ‘Raid Photographic’ so far.

I started photography around 10 years ago, initially studying Garden Design I picked up a camera to photograph plants for identification and to use for virtual gardens. Progressing from there I went to work for Royal Caribbean on The Liberty of the Seas as a cruise ship photographer where I learnt a lot about the trade.

After returning from the ships I continued photographing weddings and portraits part-time and started teaching photography courses to people back in January 2012. Since then I have successfully taught over 900 students the basics of photography and now also run workshops for The Royal Photographic Industry.

In October of 2012 I went back to work full time as a photographer and qualified as a photographic judge for the SLF South London Federation and the KCPA Kent County Photographic Association. I was also awarded a Licentiateship and an Associateship from The Royal Photographic Society for my work.

Today I teach many different workshops and courses as well as photographing a variety of subjects, I also have teams of event photographers around the country.

2) What has been the biggest or most memorable event you have provided?

I have photographed HRH The Prince of Luxembourg, TRHs The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, HRH The Countess of Wessex, The Lady in Waiting, Jessie J, JLS, Union J, The Vamps, Wiley, Amelia Lilly and Rebecca Ferdinando, soon I should have also photographed Peter Andre.

3) Is there any inside information you can give us?

Expect to interact, talk with the other participants, a quiet group will learn less than a group with a bit of chat. Have fun, if you aren’t having fun you shouldn’t be doing it. Relax, I teach in a less technical way and use many visual representations to make it easier to remember. Never turn down an opportunity, even if it is not paid!

4) Do you have any exciting plans for the future that you’d like to tell us about?

We are currently writing new course structures for Lightroom and Photoshop, we are also developing online video content for users to learn from home, this will be a subscription service and will eventually have guest photographers and speakers. We will also be purchasing a minibus next year to run daytrips and holidays.

Thanks for the chat, Darren, photography really is a great way to capture precious moments and see exciting things. For all our photoshoot experiences visit our photoshoot page.