Harrogate photographer quits 'paradise' for his home town

A Harrogate photographer whose life of adventures in music and more has taken a new twist says he’s happy to have “done his time in paradise.”
Passion for music - Creative Harrogate photographer Ben Jamieson.Passion for music - Creative Harrogate photographer Ben Jamieson.
Passion for music - Creative Harrogate photographer Ben Jamieson.

Ben Jamieson, who has captured the likes of Alanis Morrisette in concert, has given up his career in the Caribbean to come home to Harrogate after 22 years.

Rated highly in the balmy sun of the Bahamas as a top photographer, Ben’s return home is already proving eventful.

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When Harrogate hotelier Simon Cotton stepped into help a Yorkshire wedding couple whose plans were wrecked by the collapse of travel giant Thomas Cook it was Ben who took the photographs of their big day.

Rock star Alanis Morissette in a picture taken on stage in the Bahamas by Harrogate photographer Ben Jamieson.Rock star Alanis Morissette in a picture taken on stage in the Bahamas by Harrogate photographer Ben Jamieson.
Rock star Alanis Morissette in a picture taken on stage in the Bahamas by Harrogate photographer Ben Jamieson.

Ben said: “I was happy to help. I love being back in Harrogate. It feels good to be back home.

“It’s in the low 80s in Nassau at the moment.

“It’s a beautiful place with stunning beaches and stunning water.

“It’s rule-free and tax-free but there’s not really much culture and multi-millionaires live on the same small island as people with no running water.”

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A skilled graphic designer who originally worked in Leeds for the company of Harrogate music legend and successful business owner Roy Webber, Ben found himself in the Bahamas almost by accident and fell into photography in the same freewheeling manner.

Ben said: “I love music but I have no musical talent. What I have is visual flair. I didn’t mean to stay in the Bahamas so long or become a photographer but, before you knew it, I was taking pictures of Maroon 5!”

It has taken long for him to rebuild his life in Harrogate where he first honed his skills at Harrogate College of Art and Design.

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And Ben is already being booked to take photographs in the Harrogate area’s rock scene and, of course, weddings.

Ben said: “I’ve flown back over the years to see my mum and I always make a point of meeting up with Roy Webber who’s become a bit of a mentor for me. I set up my own web design company in the Bahamas but I found owning a company wasn’t much fun for a creative type.”