Meet our Mastering Portrait Photography team! Each of us is dedicated to authentic portrait photography in our various roles, whether creating the imagery, running the studio, planning our workshops or creating our social media. We’re all about providing our members and workshop attendees with everything they need to take their portrait photography to the next level!
Paul Wilkinson Hon.FBIPP FSWPP
Yup, Paul also has a Doctorate in Artificial Intelligence, though you might not guess it from meeting him! He is one of the most in-demand photographers in the UK (and across the globe too these days.) He is the co-author of Mastering Portrait Photography. He likes single Malt Whisky.
Sarah Wilkinson
Sarah is an economist and marketeer and a bit of superbrain. She has a huge whiteboard plan to keep us all on track (as much as you can when working with creatives!) She is also married to Paul which is a job in itself. Where Paul is loud and bouncy, she is calm and gentle. Opposites attract huh? She is the owner and best friend of our studio dog, Rufus.
Michelle Cartwright
If you pick up the phone and call in, you’ll probably talk to this amazing person. Michelle has worked with Paul and Sarah for 13 years and knows more about the photographic industry than anyone on the team (she worked at Spicer Hallfield for many years.) She never misses a detail and is super lovely.
Katie Mawer
Meet the newest member of the team! We first met Katie eight years ago, when she came as part of a family photo session. Since then she has graduated from university with a degree in Film And Media and is now an integral part of our production capability looking after our videos and much of our social media. She is always laughing and, along with Sarah & Michelle, spoils our dog, Rufus, waaaaay too much!
A Bit More About Paul
Paul Wilkinson is a multi-award-winning portrait photographer, educator, author, and host of the hugely popular Mastering Portrait Photography podcast. Based just outside Oxford, Paul runs a boutique studio where he captures everything from families and entrepreneurs to celebrities and the occasional muddy dog. He is the Partner Photographer to the prestigious Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, renowned for his characterful, instinctive portrait style.
With a deep passion for teaching, Paul helps photographers sharpen their craft through workshops, mentoring, and online education. His podcast has been recognised by FeedSpot as one of the Top 100 Photography Podcasts worldwide, a Top 10 in Portrait Photography, and one of the Top 35 UK Photography Podcasts on the web.
Paul is an Honorary Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photography (HonFMBIPP), a Fellow of both the BIPP and the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (FSWPP), and an international judge for The Societies of Photographers and the Federation of European Photography Awards.
Across his career, Paul has won numerous accolades including Best Solo Portrait in the 2024 PMI-Gear Global Portrait Competition, MPA UK Portrait Photographer of the Year, and a long list of national and regional awards spanning classical, fashion, lifestyle, commercial, and children’s portraiture.
He is a Brand Ambassador for Graphistudio, Elinchrom Lighting, and Pixellu Smart Albums, and is known for his straight-talking, warm-hearted approach to helping photographers find their creative voice.