Photo Finesse

Graeme Hewitson

What can you tell us about your background? I studied graphic design and photography at college in the early 1990s, but it wasn’t until 2002 when everything changed. I photographed something called the Skyline Collection in Glasgow which sold over 24 million prints. That changed my career from graphic design more towards the photography side.

How long have you been running your own business? Monument Photos has been running now for 11 years. Our main areas are wedding photography and portraits. I do still photography, baby portraits, children’s photography and modern portfolios. I also do a lot of work for businesses, but I would say around 70% of my work is portrait work.OPPOSITE PAGE: Ultra marathon runner John Connolly. ABOVE: African themed photoshoot with Emily. BELOW: Graeme Hewitson.

Photography isn’t just a job for you, is it? Many people have photography as a hobby, whereas I’m lucky enough to have it as my full-time job and my hobby. I’ve always got a camera working, so to have that passion while working in the industry is brilliant.

You must’ve been delighted to win your recent award? Yes, it’s the biggest award in Scotland. I’ve been partners with the Masters Photographers Association for four years, I qualified with them as a licentiate and then I made it to associate level and eventually a fellowship, which is the highest qualification in professional photography anywhere in the world. The MPA are the top body in photography, so to win the overall prize at the Scottish awards is basically putting you at number one in Scotland. I didn’t expect it at all, when I went to the awards there were so many other photographers who I have so much respect for. When I saw the standard of work on display it was an honour to even be there, never mind to win outright!