ABOUT

Steve Collins is an award-winning photographer based in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, whose work is driven by a lifelong passion for photography and a deep appreciation for people, place, and storytelling. From first picking up a camera as a teenager, Steve was captivated by the ability of photography to freeze moments in time, convey emotion, and tell meaningful stories. That early fascination has grown into a rich creative journey spanning decades.

Living and working in Harpenden, Steve draws constant inspiration from his local surroundings and community. His work spans a wide range of photographic genres, including street and documentary photography, portraits, events, weddings, and live music. Whatever the subject, his aim is always the same: to create authentic, thoughtfully composed images that clients and viewers will value for years to come..

A Commitment to Craft

Steve has spent many years refining his photographic skills through dedication, continuous learning, and creative exploration. He has been a qualified member of The Guild of Photographers for over a decade and also serves as a Members Ambassador, supporting and mentoring fellow photographers.

Alongside this, Steve is proud to be Chair of the Harpenden Photographic Society, one of the region’s most active and welcoming camera clubs. Supporting the photographic community is an important part of Steve’s work and something he finds hugely rewarding.

Awards & Distinctions

Steve’s dedication to photography has been widely recognised. Over the years he has received more than 350 awards, commendations, and acceptances in national and international photography competitions.

Highlights include:

  • Over 175 Image of the Month awards, including numerous Gold and Silver distinctions

  • The prestigious Photographer’s Bar from The Guild of Photographers, achieved seven times

  • Multiple finalist selections in The Guild’s Image of the Year competitions

In addition, Steve was awarded the Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society (LRPS) in 2019, recognising a high standard of technical ability and creative consistency. He also holds the BPE3★ Crown from British Photography Exhibitions and is working towards the next level, BPE4★, which reflects sustained success across national exhibition circuits.

Community & Civic Work

While competition success is important, Steve believes photography’s greatest value lies in its ability to serve people and communities. He has long been involved in documenting life in and around Harpenden and regularly donates his time to support local organisations and events.

For many years, Steve has been the official photographer for Classics on the Common, Harpenden’s much-loved classic car show organised by the Rotary Club. He provides this photography free of charge, helping the event raise funds for charitable causes. He also photographs major community events such as the Harpenden Summer Carnival and Christmas Lights Switch-On, working alongside fellow members of Harpenden Photographic Society.

Steve’s images are frequently used by Harpenden Town Council, appearing on its website and in the Forum newsletter. Since 2022, he has also taken official portraits of the Town Mayor and councillors, contributing to the visual record of the town’s civic life.

Photography During Lockdown

During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Steve used photography as a way to bring people together and give something back at a difficult time. He created a series of Harpenden Lockdown Doorstep Portraits, raising funds for NHS Together through donations and print sales.

He also produced A Momentous Day, a photograph capturing two historically significant moments (The UK Parliament finalising Brexit, which coincided on the same day with the earliest UK reports of COVID-19). Proceeds from print sales were donated to charity, helping to support frontline workers while documenting an extraordinary period in modern life.

The The – Album Cover Achievement

One of the most personally meaningful milestones of Steve’s career came in 2021, when a photograph he took was selected as the album cover for his all-time favourite band, The The.

The image - a powerful live portrait of Matt Johnson taken during the band’s 2018 comeback tour - was personally chosen by Johnson for The Comeback Special – Live at the Royal Albert Hall. The album captures the band’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall on 5 June 2018 and was released in multiple formats.

Steve worked closely with the designers on retouching and preparing the image to meet the artistic vision for the album packaging. Having a photograph chosen by the artist himself, and used on a major international release, remains a standout highlight of Steve’s photographic journey.

Publication & Exhibition

Steve’s work is regularly featured in local, regional and national press, including the Herts Advertiser, St Albans Times, Herts Life Magazine, CameraCraft and Amateur Photographer. His photographs have also appeared in several editions of the Herts Life calendar, helping showcase Hertfordshire to a wider audience.

He has produced a series of popular Harpenden Calendars, celebrating the town’s landmarks, events, and seasonal changes. These limited-edition calendars have become a familiar and well-loved fixture in many local homes and quickly sell-out each year.

Steve’s photography is exhibited regularly through local exhibitions and community venues, including a selection of images from his Harpenden Icons project, that are on permanent display at The Eric Morecambe Centre.

Philosophy & Approach

At the heart of Steve’s photography is a genuine interest in people and their stories. Whether he is creating portraits, documenting events and weddings, photographing musicians on stage, or capturing everyday street scenes, his focus is always on authenticity, connection, and emotion.

He believes great photography is about more than technical perfection - it is about trust, observation, and timing. Every shoot, large or small, is approached with care, professionalism, and enthusiasm.

Get in Touch

Steve welcomes commissions, collaborations, and creative conversations. Whether you are looking for a photographer for an event, wedding, portrait, or personal project - or are interested in joining the Harpenden Photographic Society - he would be delighted to hear from you.

You can explore more of his work online or follow him on Instagram at @stevecollinsphoto.