My Path in Photography
My journey into photography began in Birmingham, England, working alongside my father. Donnelly Burns Davies was a prominent advertising and design agency that played a significant role in the creative landscape of the West Midlands during the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1980s, the agency expanded further, relocating to Harborne and rebranding as Donnelly Burns Nicklin. This move included the establishment of two specialised studios: one dedicated to fashion and furniture photography, and another drive-in studio designed for high-end automotive shoots, serving prestigious clients.
With seven commercial photographers and numerous graphic designers and retouch artists all under one roof, I was immersed in a dynamic studio environment, capturing everything from boilers, crossbows, rock bands, room sets to luxury Bentleys and jaguars.
Donnelly Burns Davies was renowned for its comprehensive creative services, offering graphic design, photography, and advertising solutions. The agency's client list featured a range of notable Black Country firms, and its work contributed to the visual identity and marketing strategies of many local businesses. The studio's environment was described as vibrant and collaborative, fostering creativity and innovation.
This rare opportunity gave me first-hand experience with a wide range of creative techniques and commercial setups like airbrushing and illustration, dbn were the first company to develop "neon" effects transforming images by sandwiching 10 x 8 e6 layers creating 'tron' like flashes of light around products or models.
incredible to think the hours spent nearly forty years ago helping to perfect these early post production techniques have now formed the perfect foundation for my own career using A.I combined with professional commercial photography.
one of my first advertising commisions for tarmac
From Darkrooms to Fashion Editorials
I honed my craft in film photography and traditional darkroom processes in the late 80's, learning from skilled technicians — including time spent assisting the legendary fashion photographer Sir Terence Donovan.
Terence Daniel Donovan FRPS & peter joseph donnelly @ park hill studios Harborne birmingham
His gritty black-and-white style and urban portraiture left a lasting impression on my own visual approach. I shot on 35mm film with Ilford HP5, processed by pushing two stops, and printed on fibre-based paper with gold toning—a labour-intensive process that taught me precision and patience.
My dedication paid off—I became the youngest affiliate member of the British Institute of Professional Photography, challenging outdated standards and proving age doesn't define professionalism.
From Assistant to Independent Photographer
After gaining hands-on experience and learning the ropes, I began building my own portfolio—initially focused on model and fashion test shoots aimed at the editorial market in London. The goal was simple: build a strong body of work, earn magazine tear sheets, and establish my presence in the fashion photography world.
Teaching, Exhibitions & International Work
I later joined the Kodak Pro Roadshow as a guest speaker, sharing my techniques on darkroom printing and studio lighting with budding photographers across the UK.
At the same time, I exhibited with the Association of Fashion and Editorial Photographers (AFAEP) in London. It was here that some of my landscape and fashion test images caught the eye of a French designer—leading to my first commercial work in Paris and the UAE.
A memorable Turning Point: From Film and print to Digital
Everything changed after witnessing the aftermath of 9/11 in New York. I was in the city visiting agencies the day of the attacks. working with ophrey winfrey the week before. things had been going great until today.
i didnt have my camera that day, id been lugging my portfolio around downtown, it weighed over 15kg. not because of all the shots, i pitched from a set of 30 prints, it was the swish stainless steel case, big mistake
i went back a few days later to ground zero Capturing the scene on camera Ilford 35mm FP4 printed on fibre based paper with a selenium tone. 9/11 was a haunting experience, i grabbed a few shots but didnt feel right about it, i'd previously witnessed some angry crowds surrounding vendors selling the usual twin towers postcards and keyrings memorabilia... three days after the event is not cool seemed to be their point but it was very edgy down there.
shadowy blur in the foreground of the picture is a nun, one of many along with priests giving last rights to the many body parts that were found.
that image marked my final use of analog film. From then on, I fully embraced digital photography — i do miss the darkroom vibe but rather be trading chemicals and dust spots for Photoshop precision and creative flexibility.
International Projects & Return to Roots
Over the years, I’ve traveled extensively for photography. Highlights include working with Oprah Winfrey on O, The Oprah Magazine in New York, and documenting educational outreach projects like Rally to Read in rural South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal region—capturing powerful moments promoting literacy at grassroots level.
Rally to Read South Africa is a nationwide literacy initiative dedicated to improving education in rural communities by delivering books, learning materials, and teacher training to under-resourced schools.
As part of this inspiring campaign, I had the privilege of documenting their efforts across KwaZulu-Natal and other remote regions
My photography captured the heart of the project—highlighting the smiles of children receiving their first books, the dedication of educators, and the life-changing impact of literacy at a grassroots level.
These powerful visual stories were used in national campaigns and educational publications, helping amplify Rally to Read’s mission. For organizations seeking meaningful visual content with social impact, this project stands as a testament to the power of purposeful photography.
Now after a 5 year stint at the above, I'm freelancing back in the Birmingham area, working with a wide range of clients—from global brands to local businesses and creative individuals. Whether it's a product shoot, fashion campaign, event photography, ai fashion models or a digital art concept, I bring experience, creativity, and technical excellence to every project.
Work With Me – Let’s Bring Your Vision to Life
If you have a creative concept, a visual marketing goal, or just an idea you want to turn into something powerful—I’m here to help.
In today’s digital-first world, high-quality photography is essential to capturing attention, building your brand, and standing out online. I offer:
Commercial Product Photography
Fashion & Editorial Shoots
Event & PR Photography
AI Model Imagery & Digital Art
Expert Retouching & Post-Production
Let’s create imagery that makes your brand memorable.