Spotlight: Celia Mannings, Photographer
Name: Celia Mannings Creative Field: Photography
Website: www.celiamanningsphotography.co.uk
Celia Mannings is a lifestyle and portrait photographer, who lives just outside Bath. Well known for her wedding photography, Celia is increasingly turning her skills to the corporate world too. We find out more about her background, inspirations and work.
Can you describe yourself in three words?
Passionate people photographer.
Tell us about your background:
I was a GP for fifteen years, which stands me in good stead for making people comfortable having their photographs taken – both professions are about building relationships. I have two wonderful boys aged 11 and 12. One has ADHD, so the early years were an exercise in child psychology. It must have worked as both are doing amazingly well now. I’m Yorkshire through and through and learnt to walk on Filey beach. I studied medicine in London and started off in the Royal Army Corps learning things like freefall parachuting, but quickly realised I was more suited to the emotional side of taking care of people in civilian life. Photography has been my passion all my life.
What inspired you to launch your own business?
My photography grew and grew until it was filling every waking moment possible. It was the natural progression to launch my own business. Although I work all hours I don’t feel as though I’ve been to work in the last three and a half years – not many people are lucky enough to make a living from something they truly enjoy.
What’s your proudest moment so far?
Although I’ve won awards and sell work all over the world, the times I feel best are when my clients are truly moved by my images. They have been known to cry – in the nicest possible way of course! I love the thought that I achieved something which will last a lifetime for my clients and keep alive thoughts and feelings in a part of their lives which would otherwise disappear. I’ve also just travelled to Romania with Robin Hood Ministries hoping to use my images to raise awareness of the plight of children over there. I did the same for Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone; someone saw my pictures and pledged a lifelong donation. It makes it all worthwhile if I can make even a small difference.
And your greatest project?
My greatest project is really my whole business. Coming into the business world with fierce competition and approaching a recession with no prior knowledge of marketing, sales, networking, and no contacts – in fact, no business acumen at all – it’s been a steep learning curve and an exercise in effort, determination and thinking out of the box! I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and where things are heading now.
Who or what inspires you?
The way couples in love look at each other, a mother kissing her little girl, the father waiting at the bottom of the stairs as his daughter comes down in her wedding dress…ok so I’m a hopeless romantic, but I love it when I’m looking through the viewfinder and know I’ve caught something special; that completely unguarded moment which conveys an intimacy you don’t get with posed shots.
What do like doing when you’re not running your business?
Ummm, when is that?! Because photography is the great love of my life and was my hobby before my profession, I find it hard to let go even for a short while! Spending time with my boys, my partner, my dog (an ageing boxer who needs a lot of cuddles!)…..give me a long walk on a brisk winter’s day, especially on the North Yorkshire coast and I’m in my element.
Anything exciting in the pipeline?
More beautiful weddings, stunning Queensberry albums, weddings abroad, fabulous boudoir shoots in conjunction with von Essen hotels Homewood Park and Ston Easton Park, a big drive to help businesses recognise the importance of a flattering, dynamic website portrait, possibly food photography for a brand new book….
Finally, any words of wisdom to other creative people or businesses?
Believe in yourself and your product but always continue to learn; keep your ideas fresh and different – stand out from the crowd.
