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A collage of images containing the author, Al Topping and his adventurous family.
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Hi! I'm Al.

I'm your go-to professional for commercial and adventure-themed photography and videography, especially if you're based in the Lake District—as I am!

With a background as a software engineer in the space industry and over 10 years as an engineering officer in the British Army, I've embraced values like discipline, respect for others, integrity and selfless commitment. These principles are integral to how I work today, shaping my approach to every project.

I don't believe in just turning up and 'pressing the button'—I invest time at the start of working with a new client to thoroughly understand what you want to achieve, developing a plan that guarantees excellence. My commitment to professionalism and reliability means you can expect punctuality, dependable service, and effective communication throughout our collaboration.

Whether you're looking to embrace the spirit of adventure or elevate your next marketing campaign, I offer creative and innovative solutions that can set you apart from competitors.

A man in a checkered shirt and blue jeans stands holding a professional camera. He's standing in long grass with a large hill behind him.
Photo credit: Ben Shakespeare
How it started

Commercial Photos & Film conceived from a place of adventure

I

started going on my own adventures when I turned 16. It all began when I started climbing with a school friend. My weekend trips away to a new place were the highlight of my time at school before I left to go to university.

These experiences ignited a passion for exploration and storytelling, which I now bring to my photography and videography work.

A kayak heads towards a morning sunrise over Lake Windermere
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A decent picture should include emotion, context and maybe a wee bit of drama and it should always tell some kind of story.

On my honeymoon, I walked through a kilometer-long tunnel in pitch darkness with my new wife. We were trying to explore the far side of a reservoir on the French/Austrian border, and the tunnel was the only way to get there.

There was an open rickety door at the start which had a padlock dangling from it but all signs on our tourist map pointed through this tunnel to get to the other side. With no-one else around to seek the comfort of a group decision, we said 'sod it' and went through anyway hoping we'd not get stuck on the way back.

We didn't have a torch and the lighting in the tunnel barely showed the floor in front of us. Around half way, we were met by this guy, lurking in the darkness.

A black and white photo of a man running away from a dinosaur with sharp teeth bearing down on him.

Fortunately, it was only a statue and as the initial shock from the encounter subsided we realised it was all a hoax - strangely enough and we continued on our way.

Why am I telling you this story? Well because as a newly-wed couple who had gone to Chamonix to go climbing, trail running and walking for 10 days, the thrills of doing something exciting which we weren't used to made the headlines for the trip.

This story reflects my approach to life and work: embracing challenges, seeking new perspectives, and capturing moments rich in emotion, context, and drama.

One of the best ways to get to know me and how I can help your business is by requesting one of my free online media reviews. This is a 30 minute personalised video sharing my findings of auditing your online media presence.
Request a FREE online media reviewNot ready yet? Why not get to know me a bit first?
Al Topping has a high level professionalism, he is full of great ideas and has a lot to offer whether you are experienced or a newbie looking for high level service.
Owner of the Doi Intanon Thai Restaurant, Kim Kaengrit
Kim
Restaurant Owner
A woman wearing a red suit jacket with black hair stands at a pedestal on a stage speaking into a microphone.
Jackie Lerm
Head of Social Media - BFBS

"We asked Al to be the photographer for our live event in Harrogate, #SMSpousesLive. He was very professional, extremely thorough in his planning, made sure he understood exactly what we'd like, and was relentless when taking photos of the event. He snapped away until the very last person left. When we got the photos back, we were blown away by how great they looked. Al captured the day for us perfectly, and we'll definitely use him again in the future."

A woman in a white top is interviewed by a man in a blue top while holding a microphone with BFBS written on it.
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Professionalism you can trust

One likely difference between professional and non-professional photographers/videographers is that they're insured. 

Simply confirming that your photographer, whoever they are, is insured is an easy way to determine if the person you're looking to work with is serious about the services they offer.

I'm currently insured for 3rd Party Liability (currently covered for up to £2m) and for Professional Indemnity (insured for up to £10,000) through PolicyBee.

If you'd like to know more about how this may affect us working together, contact me for more details.

Let's Work Together

I understand that your time is valuable, and you need a partner who is dependable and can deliver results that enhance your return on investment. With my background and approach, I'm confident that I can be a valuable asset to your marketing strategy, providing visuals that not only look exceptional but also drive tangible business results.

Get in touch to discuss how we can elevate your brand together.

Get in touch to discuss how we can elevate your brand together

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At any time, if it isn't right for you the unsubscribe button will always be there to enable you to unsubscribe.

It's ok to want to know more before picking up the phone. I got it. And so that's what this option is for.
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Lake District photographer, Al Topping leaning on a white wall, holding his camera while smiling.