“Would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn, great guy and expert teacher!”
I’m Jonathan Owen, a photographer based near Southend-on-Sea, working professionally since 2003. Events are at the centre of my work: birthday parties, family celebrations, corporate gatherings, live music and the occasions that bring a roomful of people together. I also photograph weddings, take personal and family portraits, and teach one-to-one photography lessons.
My approach is to follow what’s happening and pay attention to the people in it. That means the speeches and celebrations, but also the conversations, reactions and details you might miss while you’re busy hosting. Group photographs fit comfortably alongside that coverage; you decide how much direction you’d like.
For your event, coverage starts at £150 for one hour. You can see the longer options in my event photography prices, or send me your date and plans if you’re unsure how much time to book.
Some of the events and venues I’ve photographed, in Southend and further afield.
For a birthday or anniversary, I look for the people and interactions that make it your celebration. You can give me a list of important photographs beforehand, ask for groups on the day, or leave more of the coverage to unfold around your guests.
For business events, I can work from your running order and priorities, covering speakers, audience reactions, networking and branded details. Launches, awards ceremonies, gala dinners and charity fundraisers all sit within my corporate event photography.
Think about the parts of the event you want to remember or use afterwards, then choose coverage around those timings. If the speeches happen well after guests arrive, include both in the schedule you send me. For a press or campaign deadline, tell me when you need the photographs so I can confirm a suitable delivery option.
For your wedding, I follow the ceremony and celebrations with the same attention to people and atmosphere. You choose the balance of documentary coverage, family groups and portraits of the two of you. My wedding photography includes options for longer celebrations, while Short & Simple suits a straightforward one-hour, 90-minute or two-hour booking.
For photographs of yourself, your partner or your family, my portrait sessions start at £75 for 30 minutes. These are separate sessions where we can concentrate on you, with time for guidance and a setting that suits the photographs.
If you’d rather get more from your own camera, I offer one-to-one photography lessons from £90 for an hour. Practical tuition can cover camera settings, composition and how to approach the photographs you want to take.
These photographs show the range of people, celebrations and atmosphere in my work across Essex. For more examples, visit my photography portfolio.
Google reviews
Comments from clients about the photographs and the experience of working with me.
I was thrilled to be greeted by Jonathan at my party. First impressions he was very friendly & professional. He made my guests all feel comfortable & he mingled amongst everyone throughout the evening capturing great magical moments. Loved the group photos, I forgot how many Jonathan took so it was a thrill to look through the photos reliving the memories of a wonderful night & also seeing my friends & family enjoying themselves in candid shots. Thank you Jonathan the photos are amazing I love them all. I will definitely recommend you. My son booked you for my 70th party as a birthday surprise... wow very special memories to treasure. Thank you again. X
Southend is part of my own history as well as my working area. My photography here has included Lazydays at Priory Park, and I’ve photographed at Cliffs Pavilion, Chinnerys and Southend Pier. Around the wider area, I’ve photographed weddings at Leigh Community Centre and The Lawn in Rochford.
Those are different settings and different kinds of occasion. Your own plans determine the coverage: the people involved, the running order, any venue requirements and whether we’ll be moving between locations. You don’t need every detail settled to ask about your date.
I cover Southend, Westcliff, Chalkwell, Thorpe Bay and Shoeburyness, from private celebrations to business events.
I also photograph occasions in Leigh-on-Sea, Rochford and Great Wakering. Send your location and approximate timings, whether you’re using one venue or moving between settings.
For plans further afield, explore my photography across Essex for more areas and services.
Send your date, location and approximate timings, along with the kind of photography you need. I’ll check availability and come back with a clear quote.
Straightforward answers to help you choose the right coverage and take the next step.
01
Yes. I cover private parties, anniversaries, corporate events, awards, community occasions, festivals and live music across Southend and its surrounding areas. Tell me your date, venue or town and approximate start and finish times when you check availability.
Yes. My local experience includes Cliffs Pavilion, Chinnerys and Southend Pier, Lazydays at Priory Park, and weddings at Leigh Community Centre and The Lawn in Rochford. If your venue is new to me, send the details so we can discuss the setting and any requirements.
The type of photography, your date, venue or town, approximate timings and anything particularly important to you. You can enquire with the details you have; the finer points can follow. I usually reply within one working day.
Yes. I hold £5 million public liability insurance and £1 million professional indemnity insurance for my photography business. I can provide a current certificate to your venue or event organiser on request.
02
My event photography starts at £150 for one hour. Longer bookings include two hours at £230 and four hours at £380. See my event photography prices for the available durations, or send your schedule for a quote.
Yes. Groups can be planned beforehand, requested on the day or suggested when everyone is together. You choose the balance between organised photographs and coverage of the event as it happens.
I normally deliver your edited event gallery within 7–10 working days, depending on workload at the time. If you have a deadline, tell me before booking. A complete-gallery turnaround of three working days is available for £100 where agreed; urgent selected photographs are a separate option.
I send your edited event photographs in a private, password-protected online gallery. You can download individual photographs or the full gallery at full quality, and share the link and password with anyone you want to give access to your pictures.
For a standard private event booking, a 30% deposit secures your date, with the balance due on or before the event. Start by sending your event details. Business invoice arrangements can be discussed when booking.
03
Yes. I offer wedding photography for longer celebrations and Short & Simple coverage for straightforward one-hour, 90-minute or two-hour bookings. Tell me your date, ceremony location and the parts of the day you want photographed.
Yes. Personal and family portrait sessions start at £75 for 30 minutes. One-to-one photography lessons start at £90 for an hour. Follow the relevant link for the session options and what’s included.
