About

I’m a reportage, documentary, and street photographer based in Cardiff with over 12 years experience as a photographer and I’ve been working freelance since 2006. My career began shooting mainly landscapes and street photography, and I later developed a passion for documentary style reportage projects. I’ve worked with various media forms, and am proficient working to specific editorial deadlines.

I have worked for organisations such as The Guardian, BBC, John Lewis, Wilkinson Sword, and Cardiff Life Magazine, as well as working on a personal documentary story about social and economic deprivation and regeneration in Butetown, Cardiff. I recently co-founded Dub Cardiff, an online in-depth journalistic project telling stories about the people and places of Cardiff, which will be launching in January 2012.

I own a web & branding development company called Ashmore Creative that specialises in bringing small business owners online; empowering them to control their online presence, implementing social media marketing, and optimise their search engine ranking. I also offer documentary style wedding photography to those not keen on formulaic, fictionalised versions of their special day.

Curriculum Vitae

Tom Ashmore

Mobile No: 07776168840

Introduction

Initially self-taught, I began using a film camera in 1999 at the age of 18, moving to digital in 2006. During this time I experimented with the moving image and post-production editing, before embarking on a Photography BA at the University of Glamorgan in September 2009. I work independently as a photographer covering numerous commercial briefs including weddings, parties, portraits, and stock image sales, as well as more recently providing news photography and photo essays for the Guardian Cardiff. My passion is within photojournalism, social documentary, and street photography.

Professional Experience

September 2011 - Dub Cardiff. A Cardiff-based website providing in-depth art/documentary projects about the characters and stories of this extraordinary city. Launches January 2012.

July 2011 -Cardiff Life Magazine. I provided a four page feature for Cardiff Life Magazine. Link

January 2011 – Mzansi Cymru. Mzansi Cymru is part of The Power of the Flame, a Welsh national programme which aims to inspire young people to achieve their best in their chosen field. The project is funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to create a cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 . Under the direction of documentary photographer Glenn Edwards, my brief is to photograph the people of Merthyr Tydfil for an exhibition and book, to be published prior to the Olympic Games in 2012.

January 2011 – Butonia. In January 2011 I began a 3 year documentary project about the regeneration of Butetown, Cardiff, in order to create a digital story for the web, and produce a large body of work for the Butetown History and Arts Centre archive. The project combines moving image, still photography, ambient and location audio, music and text to create a digital story and is filmed, edited and directed by myself.

November 2010 – John Lewis Partnership. Small amount of filming and full post-production of a video created to say goodbye to the Managing Director. This video was made under pressure with footage they had filmed themselves. I took the footage and worked it into a humorous short film, which was very well received.

January 2010 – Blue Stag Studios. Freelance Photographer for marketing and website management company producing images for their client’s new websites.

January 2007 Onwards – Freelance Photographer. Clients include Energizer/Wilkinson Sword, Lift Music, Superstore Music, The John Lewis Partnership, and various commissioned jobs.

Work Experience

Dec 2010-Present – Guardian Media Group. Working as a news photographer and photo essayist with Cardiff Guardian Reporter Hannah Waldram. View Tearsheets here

April 2010 – British Broadcasting Corporation. One week in an observational role with Pobl y cwm and BBC News.[/colored_box]

Education

University Of Glamorgan 2009-2012 – BA Photography

Thames Valley University 2008-2009 – BTEC Photography level 2. Distinction.

The Amersham School 1993-1997

Links

Dub Cardiff
Blog
John Lewis Video
Mzansi Cymru

Articles and Features

Cardiff Life – See Tearsheets

Guardian.co.uk – See Tearsheets

University of Glamorgan – Article 1, Article 2, Article 3

Exhibitions

BigLittleCity, Cardiff Old Library 16th May-19th June 2011

Software

Photoshop CS5, After Effects, Final Cut Pro

Equipment

Canon 5D MKII, 24-70mm f/2.8, 16-35mm f/2.8, 50mm f/1.8