Hi, my name is David Purslow and I am the founder and Managing Director of EPSPHOTO.CO.UK

Please forgive me indulging myself a little.  I was asked my Mark, our web designer for a few words to go on the "ABOUT US" page.  I thought long and hard about what to say and decided rather than writhing down the standard blurb I would tell you WHY I started EPS.

I remember the day as if it were yesterday; this was the day I decided to start EPS.  Before I can tell you that story first let me tell you a little about me (Not in a isn’t he great sort of way but it will help you to understand me, my decisions and why I did what I did)

I am a photographer by trade. I am a photographer by passion and to date I have never EVER thought of taking photos as just a JOB.  I have been taking photos since I was 8 years old.  At the age of 18 the BBC at the BBC training facility in Wood Norton, Worcestershire trained me.  I was trained in what the industry refers to as ENG - Electronic News Gathering.  In the early 90's I spent 18 months sitting in the back of Police SDRV (Sub Divisional Response Vehicle) or to you and me the hi speed police car.  I videoed and photographed Road accidents, public order incidents, hi speed car chases, the aftermath of fatal crashes, deaths etc. I have been up in Police helicopters, photographed members of the Royal family, photographed concerts and spent virtually every weekend for over 3 years sitting at the side lines of Premiership, championship and football league grounds all across the country. I am press accredited and have worked all over the world.  I was the photographer chosen to photograph Madonna's Personal items for the auction held at Sotheby’s in New York City to raise money for the World Trade Center Disaster Fund.  My images were seen in over 100 countries worldwide.  In short I am a photographer.

Back to the story - The day I decided to start EPS was the day I went to watch my daughters take part in a gymnastics tournament.  I wanted to take my own photo equipment but was told there would be a professional photographer there who was authorized to take photos and we could get some of them.  After my daughters had finished their events we went to the "Official Event Photographers" location to view the pictures.  I was horrified; the pictures were nothing more than snap shots.  The Photographer had used the wrong settings, the colors were off, the pictures had been taken at the wrong shutter speeds and the action was blurry.  I remember standing by the photographers van wondering why on earth people would pay hard earned cash for such mediocre pictures but they were.  After the event I talked to a few other parents and they all told me that was typical of the type of pictures you get.  I instantly knew there was a real NEED for PROFESSIONAL photographers at events.

Over the next few months I researched event photography and found out that for a nominal investment, a few days training you can buy an event photography business and call yourself an event photographer.  This made me MAD, a person with a camera and a few days training is not a photographer and passing off pictures such as these only serves to lower everyone’s perception of what a photographer is and what we actually do.

I had a big decision to make; I was in a very well paid position and I also freelanced for 18 newspapers throughout the UK.  I knew if I gave all that up to start my own event photography business I would be taking a huge chance and well as a big cut in pay! 

Well the rest is history as they say.  I don’t make as much money as I used to but I get more satisfaction out of my photography these days.  Its nice seeing your pictures in newspapers and magazines however you never get to see anyone’s reaction to your work.  I have had parents on the verge of tears after seeing their son or daughter looking like a superstar in the the pictures; it really is a rewarding and satisfying moment.

EPS is still a relatively new business but we are growing and growing at a nice steady rate. To date we have NEVER lost an event that we have attended and photographed to another company, (even though they often offer to pay the event organizers more than we do just to attend) So to each and every one of you - Thank you very much for your support.

David.