Colin Stout

Based in Hampton, Colin was born and grew up on Stronsay in Orkney, and initially worked on the island as a builder’s labourer. This was when he discovered photography and the work of Bill Brandt, and knew that whatever it took, he had to become a photographer.

Having been accepted to study photography Bournemouth & Poole College of Art & Design, Colin developed a lifelong passion for black and white photography, and of the great photojournalist story tellers: Diane Arbus, Elliot Erwitt, Dorothea Lange, Imogen Cunningham, Don McCullin, Chris Killip and Henri Cartier-Bresson.

Colin graduated in 1985 and eventually move to London where he fell in love with the unique culture and ethnic diversity the city had to offer. Telling people’s stories with pictures had always been something very close to his heart but found it difficult to earn a living from it.

Whilst freelancing and working as a photographer’s assistant he applied for a job advertised in British Journal of Photography, was taken on as the staff photographer at The Haymarket Media Group and ended up working with them for over thirty years. Enjoying every day, Colin worked on magazines such as Campaign, Management Today, XYZ, Newspaper Focus, Marketing, PR Week, Creative Technology and Revolution. 

Over the years travelling around London, Colin saw many different cultures and communities that fascinated him, and promised himself to return and document them.

Retired in 2022, Colin is now revisiting these places to tell in his photographic project of why, having lived in London for almost forty years, he loves it so much.

Instagram: @colinstout