Passionate Photographer with a Personal Touch
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Mark Chivers
Professional London Photographer
With over 15 years of experience, I have built a reputation as a professional photographer specialising in weddings, commercial projects, corporate events, and headshot photography. My passion is capturing the unique stories of my clients through images that are not only visually striking but also deeply meaningful.
In 2015, I was long-listed for the prestigious Taylor Wessing Portraiture Prize for a portrait of a Ugandan schoolboy, part of a series created for the Lessons for Life Foundation. This work was showcased at London’s National Portrait Gallery, as well as the Scottish and Welsh National Portrait Galleries.
Across all my services, I bring a consistent dedication to excellence. My work ethic revolves around delivering quality over quantity, ensuring that every image I provide is memorable and impactful. I pride myself on being approachable and charismatic, creating a comfortable atmosphere where the best moments naturally unfold. My open communication ensures you’re always informed and supported throughout the process, with quick responses to your questions—typically within 24 hours, even when I’m out on location.
I also love bringing creativity into my photography. Whether you have a specific idea in mind or want to explore something fun and unique, I’m always open to experimenting and collaborating to bring your vision to life.
These values shape every project I undertake, helping me deliver exceptional results while building lasting relationships with my clients.
Owen’s Radiant Smile
A Prize-Winning Portrait of Hope
This Image was short listed for the Taylor Wessing Photography Prize in 2015, which is consider one of the most prestigious international photography prizes there is. It was part of the 2015 exhibition and was hung in the National Portrait Gallery as part of the exhibition, before going on tour to the other National Portrait galleries in Wales and Scotland. The image was also featured on the front cover of the Nation Portrait gallery’s “What’s On” Guide.
This shot taken at Budaka Primary School, was taken at the tail end of an exciting but gruelling week’s commission in Uganda for the Lessons For Life Foundation, which aims to break the poverty cycle in Africa by helping more kids go to school.
Budaka is very rural and situated about 200km from Kampala in western Uganda. Here there are a large proportion of orphaned and vulnerable children whose families struggle to support them going to school.
We had been at the school for a few hours shooting the children in class and doing activities. I was concerned that time was running short, as we needed to be back at base before dark – travelling by road in the dark is considered too dangerous. We only had about 10 minutes left and were directed into a classroom by the local social workers.
They asked for the most vulnerable pupils who had been sponsored by LFL to stand up. My first thought and concern were that these young children would feel embarrassed or be traumatised by being singled out as vulnerable. Most were very shy, but right at the front of the class was a young, very slight boy, Owen Katusiime, whose delight at being the centre of attention of his fellow pupils and the visiting strangers was clearly visible.
I would like to say that I had spent time composing the shot and interacting with this young boy, but the reality is I only had minutes to work with the fast-diminishing daylight. So, I set my exposure and framed the shot – I wanted him to be centred and prominent but still wanted to include some of the other students to give context. I looked at him, nodded at him to check that he was OK and he beamed out this fantastic smile – the biggest smile I had seen all week, right on cue – I managed to snap off half a dozen shots before and the moment had passed and he became a little self-conscious.
I then moved on to shoot a few more of the children before we had to leave. I thought I had some great shots from the day, but it was not until I had chance to review the day’s work back at the hotel that evening, that I noticed this particular frame. I just love how his smile was just so infectious to everyone, including the other children in the frame who could feel his joy.
About the boy: Owen Katusiime is eight years old and one of four children. His father is a casual labourer and an alcoholic, we were not told where his mother is. They all live with Owen’s grandfather, Emmanuel Beraheru, a peasant farmer who supports 20 children, including his own children and grandchildren. Owen loves playing football and is at his best during games time. He is studying to become a policeman so that, in his own words, he “can catch the thieves that terrorise my village.”
I am proud to have theses awards
