Former Daily Post photographer Stacey Oliver on life behind the lens

Stacey Oliver spent nearly 20 years chasing the news as a busy press photographer with the Daily Post – taking pictures in every corner of North Wales.

She thrived on the unpredictability of the role, with every day throwing up a different challenge.

But last year she gave herself a new challenge – setting up in business as a wedding and PR photographer.

It has already proved a success – with Stacey securing numerous bookings and a Guild of Photographers award for her wedding pictures.

She spoke this week to Business Post about her news career and fresh venture.

Her two decades in the press started straight from college when she secured a job on the Chester Chronicle in 1997, the successful applicant from nearly 200 hopefuls.

A few wobbles

She was initially a technician, working in the print room at the office as part of a photographic team of 15, serving Cheshire and Flintshire.

But it was not an immediate success and it was only when she went out taking pictures that she started to love the role.

She said: “I remember having a big wobble after a month but my dad said to me to stick with it.

“Over time I gradually started loving it. At first it was the processing and then I would do the odd picture around the city centre and I preferred doing that.

“In the end I was going out every day, and within 12 months I was basically a photographer and that was much more enjoyable.”

Step up in pressure

After 18 months she moved to cover the Flintshire Chronicle before later going to the Daily Post.

She said: “It was a big change, in the terms of the amount of pressure and the driving and distances you had to cover. I loved it though – every single day was so different. You never knew where you were going or who you would meet.”

Over the years she took pictures in every part of North Wales and of people from all walks of life, from royalty and prime ministers to people living rough.

One story that stood out was that of Charlotte Speddy, a child who captured the hearts of North Wales and defied medical odds after being born with a severe disability.

Stacey, 39, from Deeside, joined the family when they went to Texas for pioneering treatment for Charlotte.

She said: “The picture I will always remember is the one of Charlotte when she had the operation. I remember there was a cross made especially for her and the family to take to America.

“Her mum Angela had the cross in the room with her after the operation and they placed it in her hand and I took a photo of the cross in her hand.

“They used it as a full cover front page on the Daily Post. That always stands out for me.”

She also went to Canada with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Change of course

After having children she found it more difficult to juggle the demands of a press photographer role with a growing family.

She looked for ways to use her skills and experience but also have more flexibility for family life.

Last year she started Stacey Oliver Photography, using her expert eye for a picture to capture weddings and other special events and also doing PR jobs.

She said: “It was time to go. I had wobbles about going out on my own, especially when it was initially quiet, but you have to have belief in yourself and what you are doing.

“Now, since Christmas I have just had my 40th wedding booking – it has all come from Facebook or from word of mouth.”

‘You have seen and done everything’

She added: “It is very different doing weddings – for a start, people are always happy to see you! It is nice to make people happy. It is still very busy but you can fit it in with the children.

“Being a press photographer has helped so much though, because in 20 years you have seen and done everything and met people from all walks of life.

“I think you can see things that maybe other people do not see.”

There are challenges, though.

Stacey said: “Getting 250 people in a picture and not shutting their eyes is difficult! Groups are the hardest.”

She already has a good number of weddings under her belt but has a couple of ideas on her wishlist.

She said: “I would love to do a wedding in the snow – also on the top of Snowdon would be amazing, although I would get the train!”

Staceyoliverphotography.co.uk or 07784 443923.