February 2012

Client: Paul N Drane
Project: Professional Photographer

Born in York, Paul was educated at the ‘Bluecoat School’ Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, Sussex, where his interest in photography first began – an interest that has gone on to become a lifelong passion. 

After studying photography at college in Leeds Paul’s first job was with Coventry City Council as a photographer within the Department of Architecture and Planning. Here his work included covering civic functions, traffic and housing schemes as well as specialist architectural work and supporting the Herbert Art Gallery.

In 1979 came the chance to work at the world famous Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) at Farnborough so Paul moved/returned (?) south to join the photographic team and it was here and at the neighbouring site at Pyestock that Paul spent the next thirty years of his working life.

Work at the RAE was incredibly varied and over the years Paul gained experience in photographing everything from large-scale research facilities to small-scale engine components, to press and public relations work for both internal and external publication. Work could be on location or in the studio and be purely technical or highly creative. It was during this time that Paul became an Associate of the British Institute of Professional Photographers (ABIPP) and an Associate of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS).

In the late 1990’s came privatisation with the RAE becoming first DRA, then DERA and finally QinetiQ which resulted in the out-sourcing of the photographic services to Amey plc. This widened Paul’s remit as he took on commercial work across Amey as well as retaining responsibility for photography at QinetiQ. It was at this time he took the plunge and went digital and all the technical challenges that that created.

Away from work Paul always has his camera close at hand and in his spare time enjoys getting out and about adding to his landscape photography portfolio. 

And now the time has come for a final career change – that of becoming a freelance photographer – drawing on over 35 years of photographic expertise to provide clients with a truly first class service.