Sam Thompson Photography

Sam Thompson, born in Belfast, is a Guernsey based portrait and wedding photographer who is best known for my black and white street photography and street portraits using available light. You may recognise me from walking around the streets of St Peter Port with my two mini schnauzers and a camera bag.

 

I bought my first SLR (an Olympus OM1n) in 1978 and until turning to Leica for my professional work have remained with Olympus. ​Shooting at first in colour I soon found the attraction of B&W film using Ilford FP4 and HP5, developing and printing this in a darkroom at home. This is where my love of monochrome photography was nurtured.

 

For 22 years, from 1986 to 2008, I worked as a cameraman for BBC Northern Ireland on a variety of programmes: music; comedy; sport; current affairs; and, of course, news. I was one of three cameramen who recorded the signing of The Good Friday Agreement and also operated a camera on the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales on the funeral route at South Carriage Drive.

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Today I actively promote my black and white photography on social media and in photographic exhibitions. I am regularly called on to judge club competitions in Guernsey.

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I was commissioned to write two articles for Olympus Passion Magazine: on using the PEN-F for B&W street photography; and, on my first impressions of the OM Sysytem OM-1 and had a solo exhibition of my black and white street photography in Government House.

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I was invited to be one of the contributing artists to the Beatles 60th anniversary exhibition held by Guernsey Arts.

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I won the best portrait in print at Guernsey Eisteddfod 2024.​

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