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Award-winning ex-regional photographer sets up own company

Paul NichollsAn award-winning former regional press photographer says he feels “reinvigorated” by establishing as a freelancer after being made redundant.

Paul Nicholls, twice winner of the South West News Photographer of the Year award, has had work featured in national newspapers including The Times, Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph, since recently setting up his own company and website.

Paul, pictured above left, who spent 16 years with the Western Daily Press, Gloucestershire Echo and Gloucester daily The Citizen, was made redundant shortly after winning the award for the second time last year.

Since then, his pictures of celebrities including Benedict Cumberbatch and Elton John, among others, have been featured worldwide.

Paul told HTFP: “When I was made redundant after being employed for 28 years it came as a shock to the system, even though I knew the industry was ging that way.

“I think I was mentally prepared for it but when it does happen to you, you feel worthless. But then I thought ‘I can do this’ and started self-generating, and it’s reinvigorated me.

“I think it did me good. It’s like getting off a hamster wheel, you’re reinvigorated and excited to get stuff published.”

Paul has also become known for photographing animals, including the below picture of a baby rhino at the Cotswold Wildlife Park, in Oxfordshire, which featured in both The Times and on the American ABC News website.

Paul Nicholls Rhino

 

4 comments

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  • October 1, 2015 at 11:35 am
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    Can only second Paul’s comments, I too have ‘got on with it’ after being made redundant in June. There is work out there and you’ve got to work hard to get it, but nothing beats the satisfaction of getting paid for a job you’ve pitched for and completed yourself. Should have got off the ‘hamster wheel’ a long time ago.

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  • October 1, 2015 at 2:34 pm
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    Paul is an amazing photographer – always with an eye for a different angle. And he can sell his stuff, too!

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  • October 1, 2015 at 8:36 pm
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    A very talented photographer and a thoroughly decent chap! Great to see its working out for you Paul

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