Richard was bought up in Kent where his passion for photography grew from a young age. After discovering his father’s disused darkroom and a large supply of black & white film, paper and chemicals he was able to practice processing and printing to his heart’s content.
Later as a teenager, in the role of school photographer, he covered a visit by Prince Charles to the school when he got the chance to work alongside newspaper professionals. From then on he set his sights on being a press photographer and despite being told by a careers teacher ‘There’s no future in photography’, he went on to prove them wrong.
Richard trained on the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) full time Press Photography course at Richmond College, Sheffield. His first job after graduating was for the Gravesend and Dartford Reporter Series, as their junior photographer. He went on to qualify as a senior photographer 2 years later.
In 1987, after 4 years working on the banks of the Thames, Richard made the move to the Dorset coast to join the Bournemouth Echo’s photographic team.
During his time with the Daily Echo he has covered extensively the life and times of the town, the surrounding areas of East Dorset, The New Forest and the Purbecks.
From breaking news, royal visits and all manner of community events, through to the hugely popular Bournemouth Air Festival, and following the fortunes of AFC Bournemouth as they made their historic way into the Premier League, Richard’s photographs have told the story.
His candid take on life has always caught the readers attention and he has been a major contributor to several books about Dorset notably Dorset Coast and A Photographic Journey.
Winning many accolades for his work, in 2000 Richard was The BT Regional Press Awards News Photographer of the Year and in 2007, Newsquest Daily Photographer of the Year.
He has worked with many PR companies, theatre schools, charities and undertaken cover shoots and features for Dorset Society magazine. He regularly gives presentations to clubs and societies about his work.
In 2015 he became a freelance and established Richard Crease Photography.