Once at Chelmsford’s Riverside Leisure Centre, I was warmly welcomed by the Essex Roller Derby team, with Jade stepping in as my guide for the day After speaking to a few of the crowd the enthusiasm of the supporters was clear, meanwhile the teams were gearing up, and a sea of referees in stripes...
Essex Based Photographer Specialising In Event Photography.
I’m Jonathan Owen, an Essex event photographer with more than twenty years of experience capturing
real, unrepeatable moments. I started photographing events professionally in 2003, and from the very
beginning it became far more than a job, it became a lifelong part of who I am.
Photography is in my DNA. I grew up in Leigh-on-Sea, with childhood summers spent in Devon
and a home where creativity was woven into everyday life. My dad, John, a prize-winning amateur
photographer, always had a camera in hand, while my mum, Pamela, nurtured a love for art in all its forms.
They taught me to see beauty in ordinary moments, to appreciate light, energy and expression, and to
understand that the best images often happen in the spaces between things. That foundation shaped
everything about how I work today, natural, honest, unposed.
Becoming a father myself added a new layer to that connection. My son has changed the way I look at the
world, slower, more patient, more attuned to tiny details most people miss. I want him to grow up knowing
this creative side of me, the part that tells stories through photographs.
Like many photographers, everything shifted during lockdown when the events industry went silent
overnight. No weddings, no music events, no nightlife, no corporate gatherings, entire worlds paused.
What should have been a short break became a much longer stillness, and suddenly a huge part of my
identity had nowhere to go.
Street photography quietly pulled me back. During those months, I took my camera out on long,
solitary walks, capturing the eerie calm of empty streets, people queueing outside shops, and the everyday
scenes that defined a strange moment in time. Those walks changed me. They sharpened my eye, slowed my
pace and reminded me how powerful photography can be when life simply unfolds in front of you.
Returning to event photography now feels like coming home. Not a restart, but a continuation
of a story that never really stopped, it just waited.
Before lockdown, I was known for high-energy event photography, bold flash, colour, movement and
atmosphere. I’ve photographed at iconic venues across Essex, London and Europe, including the O2 Arena,
Emirates Stadium, Excel, Chelmsford City Racecourse, Barleylands, and Ibiza’s Pascha and Es Paradis.
I’ve worked with festivals, corporate clients, musicians, performers, influencers and well-known brands,
and recently won the esteemed Annual Dartmouth Regatta Photography Prize.
My style today is more thoughtful and more human. I lean into reportage and documentary-style event
photography, the genuine reactions, the quiet interactions, the micro-moments that define a celebration
or corporate event. Whether I’m photographing a private party in Leigh-on-Sea, a wedding in Essex, an
awards night in Chelmsford, a corporate event in London, or a birthday celebration in Southend, my aim
is the same, blend in, observe, and capture the real story as it unfolds.
Portrait photography grew naturally from these years of event work, especially through musicians,
performers, families and friends who wanted natural, expressive portraits. It remains part of what I
offer, although event photography is where my creative heart truly lives.
I cover Leigh-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Chelmsford, Basildon, Rayleigh, Colchester, wider Essex and
surrounding areas, documenting everything from private celebrations and birthdays to corporate events,
festivals, award nights and family gatherings. Clients often tell me, “We’ll be using these photos for
years,” and that’s the greatest compliment I could hope for.
If you’re planning an event and want your story captured with authenticity, warmth and heart, I’d love to
be part of it. It feels good to be back behind the lens, and I’m excited for what comes next.
What I Capture
Event Photography
This is the heart of my work. I specialise in natural, storytelling-led event photography
across Essex and London, capturing genuine moments, atmosphere and emotion.
I regularly photograph:
- Private Parties
- Birthdays & Celebrations
- Corporate Events & Functions
- Award Nights
- Launch Events
- Festivals & Music Events
- Weddings (Documentary Style)
Whether it’s a packed dancefloor, a corporate reception, or a family celebration,
my focus is always on authentic, unposed storytelling.
Where I Work
I cover Leigh-on-Sea, Southend, Chelmsford,
Rayleigh, Basildon, Colchester, London,
and the wider Essex region. If your location falls outside these areas, I can provide a bespoke quote.
Who I've worked with
Just a few of the event brands and venues I have worked with, want to work with me? Get in touch!
Stopping Time Since 2003
“Stopping Time Since 2003” isn’t just a strapline, it’s the simplest way to describe what
photography has meant to me for more than two decades. Ever since I picked up a camera
professionally in 2003, my focus has been the same, to preserve the moments people might
otherwise miss. The small interactions, the energy in a room, the split-second expressions
that tell a whole story.
Photography gives those moments a life beyond the day itself. Images become memories, and
memories become part of the stories we carry with us. That’s why I do what I do, capturing
every event with honesty so those moments can be felt again years from now.
FAQ
Where Are You Based?
I’m based in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, right by the Thames Estuary and close to Southend-on-Sea. I’ve lived here most of my life, and my knowledge of Essex venues, towns and landscapes comes from two decades of photographing everything from private parties to large-scale corporate events across the county.
Location
What areas do you cover?
I photograph events across Leigh-on-Sea, Southend, Chelmsford, Basildon, Rayleigh, Colchester, and the wider Essex region, as well as London.
If your event is further afield, just get in touch, I frequently travel for larger events and multi-day bookings.
COVERAGE
What is Your Event Photography Style?
My style is natural, unobtrusive and storytelling-led. I specialise in reportage event photography, capturing candid moments as they unfold without staging or interrupting the flow of the day. I focus on genuine reactions, atmosphere and emotion — the small interactions that give your event its character. My aim is always the same, whether I’m photographing a private celebration, a corporate function or a wedding: to blend in, observe, and document the real story.
STYLE
How long have you been an event photographer?
I began photographing events professionally in 2003, working everywhere from music venues and festivals to corporate receptions and launch nights. With over twenty years behind the camera, I’ve documented events in iconic locations across Essex, London and Europe, including the Emirates Stadium, the O2 Arena, Excel London, Chelmsford City Racecourse, Barleylands, and Ibiza’s legendary Pascha and Es Paradis.
CAREER
What types of events do you photograph?
I cover a wide range of events, including:
- Private parties and celebrations
- Birthdays and milestone events
- Corporate functions and brand events
- Award ceremonies
- Launch events and networking evenings
- Weddings (natural, documentary-style coverage)
- Festivals and music events
If your event is unique or a little different, even better, I love photographing anything with
atmosphere, energy and stories waiting to be captured.
EVENT TYPES
Do you work discreetly?
Yes. I’m known for my calm, unobtrusive approach. I blend into the crowd, move quietly, and let people be themselves. This helps me capture real moments without anyone feeling watched or posed.
MY APPROACH
How would you describe your personality when working?
Friendly, steady and unflappable. Two decades of event photography have taught me to be adaptable and relaxed in any environment, from busy dancefloors to high-profile corporate spaces.
Clients often tell me I’m “everywhere and nowhere at once”, present when needed, invisible when I should be.
MY VIBE
Why should we choose you for our event?
Because I combine experience, instinct and genuine passion. I’ve documented thousands of moments across two decades, and my goal is always to create images you’ll treasure for years, not just days. I capture the atmosphere, the people, the energy, and the emotional heartbeat of your event — without ever forcing or staging the moment.
WHY ME?
How far in advance should we book?
I open limited availability for evenings, weekends and selected larger events. For summer, Christmas and corporate peak seasons, it’s best to book early. If your date is coming up soon, still message me, I often have openings.
BOOKINGS
Do you offer digital galleries?
Yes. Every event comes with a beautiful online gallery, easy to share with guests, clients or your team. You can download high-resolution images, order prints and view everything in one place.
GALLERIES
Do you offer portrait photography too?
Yes, although event photography is my main focus. My portrait work naturally developed from years of photographing musicians, performers and families who wanted relaxed, unposed images. You’ll find more about that on my Portraits page.
PORTRAITS
How do I check your availability?
You can check dates or make an enquiry through my Check Availability page — it takes just a moment, and I’ll come back quickly with options.
MY DIARY
My Event Photography Prices
If you are planning an event, my photography starts at £150 for the first hour, with longer options available depending on what you have planned. Most people book three to four hours, which gives enough time to capture the atmosphere, the key moments, and all the natural interactions without ever feeling rushed. Contact me today for a bespoke quote for your event.
