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About Jonathan Owen

I’m an Essex photographer, working professionally since 2003. Events are at the heart of what I do: people, atmosphere and the photographs that bring an occasion back. Here’s a little about the person behind the camera.

Event Photographer Jonathan Owen

A bit about me

Photography has always been part of my life.

I grew up in Leigh-on-Sea and spent childhood summers in Devon. My dad was a prize-winning amateur photographer, and my mum encouraged art and creativity. Looking closely at things was part of growing up, long before photography became my work.

I started working professionally in 2003. When events stopped during lockdown, street photography gave me a different way to keep photographing people. It became a creative reset, with more time to observe and wait for something interesting to happen. Becoming a father has influenced that patience too, particularly my attention to the smaller moments.

That carries through to how I photograph your occasion. I watch what’s happening and work around it, while being ready to give a little direction when it helps. Group photographs and portraits can sit comfortably alongside the unposed parts of the day. We can talk through the balance you want and the people or moments that matter to you.

My work centres on event photography, including parties, corporate occasions and weddings. I also offer portrait sessions and one-to-one photography lessons. Different reasons to pick up a camera, with the same interest in people running through them.

Have a look through my event photography →

Corporate Boat Party photography on the Thames

Experience and preparation

There’s practical care behind the photographs.

I’ve spent more than 20 years working professionally and have won the Annual Dartmouth Regatta Photography Prize. Alongside that experience, I keep the practical side of your booking in hand, from backup equipment to selecting and editing your finished photographs myself.

  • Royal Photographic Society (RPS) member
  • Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP) member
  • DBS checked
  • £5 million public liability insurance
  • £1 million professional indemnity insurance
  • Backup equipment, dual-card recording and secure image backups

Some of the events, venues and businesses I’ve photographed at

Dune London logo
Boardmasters Festival event logo
Excel events space logo
Koko events logo
Ministry of Sound event logo
Prom photography in Billericay, Essex

A few things you might like to know

I’ve worked professionally since 2003, giving me more than 20 years’ experience behind the camera.

I’m based near Southend-on-Sea and work across Essex, with regular bookings in London and further afield. Tell me where you’re planning your event or session when you enquire.

Yes. Organised groups and lightly directed portraits can be part of your coverage, alongside photographs of the occasion as it happens. You can tell me about important people or groups beforehand, and we can arrange photographs on the day too. If you prefer minimal posing, I’ll work with that.

Yes. I hold £5 million public liability insurance and £1 million professional indemnity insurance. I can provide a current certificate to your venue, event organiser or you on request.

Yes. I carry backup kit, record to dual memory cards and securely back up your images after the shoot.

I personally select and edit the photographs, then send you a private, password-protected online gallery unless we’ve agreed another delivery method. You can download individual photographs or the complete gallery at full quality, and share the link and password with anyone you’d like to give access.

Your online gallery remains available indefinitely. I still recommend downloading and backing up your photographs when the gallery email arrives so you have your own copy.

Tell me the type of photography you need, your date, location and rough timings, plus any important requirements. You can check availability and request a quote with the details you have so far. I usually reply within one working day.

Tell me what you’re planning.

Check Availability & Get a Quote