After a lifetime behind the camera, Tony Freeman has been awarded the highest accolade from the British Institute of Professional Photography.

Tony headed up the Barnstaple office of the Exeter Express and Echo for 14 years before going freelance and setting up a commercial studio in the 1970s.

He’s now a senior partner at Freemans Press Agency and Waverley Photographic, and has trained top-class photographers working in the media throughout the world.

Tony (60) from Barnstaple, received the award in recognition of his contribution to the Institute at regional and national level. He was also recognised for his dedication to training.

He said: “I’ve been in business and trained photographers straight from school for over 40 years and enjoyed every minute of it. To be truthful I was totally overwhelmed by being honoured by my peers.

“I left school and did a photographic apprenticeship in Barnstaple and it was thanks to Jack Platt and Len French of Bowdens Photographic that I started out on a fantastic life behind the camera. I have only been following their example in helping people forward and raising the profile of photography to the general public.”

But Tony shows no sign of slowing up and retirement is not an option.

“I don’t know what I’d do. I enjoy scuba diving and a group of us still go out together but we’re like the aqua marine version of Last of the Summer Wine!”

Tony was asked to join the executive council of the Institute to help raise its profile after he gave up training to concentrate on working with his own team of qualified photographers.

The national president of the Institute, Jim Lowe, presented the award to Mr Freeman.

He said: “Tony has, with his conviction and wit, raised the profile of the Institute to the membership and the world at large. He was also instrumental in bringing greater awareness of the Federation of European Photographers.”

Back to the photography index

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or to e-mail us now – click here