About Simon Williams
Finding Focus Through Art
My journey began in the mid-90s, fresh out of art school and admittedly unprepared for the “real world.” While academics had never been my strong suit, I’d spent my school years gravitating toward the art department, camera occasionally in hand, though more for fun than any serious purpose.
At art college, I immersed myself in fine art with drawing as my foundation. I drew every day—it became my way of looking at the world, a fundamental practice that shaped everything I did.
The India Awakening
During my fine art studies, I took my first trip to India. It’s a cliché, I know, but India truly is an assault on the senses—a kaleidoscope of color, sound, and humanity that hits you the moment you step off the plane. The noise, the smells, the millions of faces, the beautiful chaos of it all.
While many travelers seek to escape that intensity, I found myself naturally drawn to it, particularly to the people. I’d sit in tea shops for hours, drawing portraits of whoever was around. Without Hindi, relationships formed through eye contact, smiles, and the shared moment of creation. These simple interactions became the foundation of something deeper—an understanding that art could bridge any language barrier.
The Evolution to Photography
Those drawing sessions in India led me to pick up my old Nikon FM2. Photography became another way of capturing these human connections—frozen moments that told stories. After returning from those early travels, I continued developing this work, and when my first exhibitions received encouraging responses, I knew I was onto something meaningful.
Embracing the Digital Revolution
The digital transition changed everything. Suddenly, I could work differently, share images instantly, and document stories in ways that weren’t possible before. This technological shift opened new possibilities for the kind of work I wanted to create—whether documenting land rights campaigns, social justice issues, or simply capturing the extraordinary within the ordinary.
A Documentary Heart
Over the past three decades, my work has evolved to encompass everything from sports and corporate assignments to weddings and personal projects. Yet there’s a common thread running through it all: a documentary approach that seeks to capture authentic moments and the smaller stories within larger narratives.
What keeps me engaged is the challenge of finding something new in each situation. Whether I’m documenting the passion someone puts into their craft or capturing a fleeting moment at a wedding, I’m always looking for that authentic story waiting to be told.
The Joy of Connection
I’ll admit, I’m someone who hides behind the camera to some extent. But there’s real joy in that process—in being present for those moments when people reveal something true about themselves. That foundation I built sitting in Indian tea shops all those years ago, connecting through art and shared humanity, continues to inform everything I do today.
Photography remains, at its core, about relationships and the stories that emerge when we truly see each other.
Mid-1990s | Foundation Years
- Fine Art studies with focus on drawing and portraiture
- First professional travel to India, developing signature people-focused approach
- Transition from traditional drawing to photography with Nikon FM2
Late 1990s – Early 2000s | Breaking Through
- First solo exhibitions receive critical acclaim
- Established documentary photography practice
- Early adoption of digital workflow revolutionizes working methods
2000s – 2010s | Expanding Horizons
- Social Impact: Land rights campaigns and social justice documentation
- Commercial Growth: Sports photography, corporate assignments, wedding photography
- International Work: Continued travel documentation across multiple continents
Present Day | 30+ Years Behind the Lens
- Specialties: Documentary portraiture, corporate storytelling, wedding photography, sports
- Approach: Human-centered narrative capturing authentic moments within larger stories
- Philosophy: Every assignment is an opportunity to challenge perspective and find fresh stories
Core Strengths
- Authentic Connection: Building rapport across cultural and language barriers
- Versatile Storytelling: From intimate portraits to large-scale corporate campaigns
- Technical Evolution: Seamlessly adapted through film-to-digital transition
- Documentary Eye: Finding extraordinary moments in everyday situations
