About

Bestside is a family-run business, based in Strensall, near York. We operate a small studio, available 7 days a week by appointment, but also work on location and in people's homes.

Our lead photographer, Paul, is qualified with the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers, a member of the Society of International Fashion and Glamour Photographers, holds a diploma in Professional Photography, and is studying for a BA in Creative Arts. He lives and breathes photography, probably to a somewhat unhealthy level.

What's important though is passion. Creating stunning images of real people isn't a case of following the rules and having expensive equipment, it's about how you interact with people. Getting technically brilliant photos of people looking miserable is easy, but who's going to buy them?!

Social Photography is an ever-changing field, and Paul works hard to keep abreast if new development and trends, attending training and workshops, to bring these services to you. Tastes have changed vastly in the last few years, and not all photographers have kept up. We promise not to have you leaning against a polystyrene fake pillar - not unless it comes back into fashion again, as the 80's seems to be doing!

Making a living from taking photos isn't easy - there are lots of problems, and lots of competition, and there's no one to pay for your duck-house. However, getting 'that' image, the one which make you laugh or cry, the one which makes parents say 'that's SO him!', the one you make room on your wall for, and the collection which provides a lifetime of memories from just a single day. That sort of satisfaction doesn't come with sitting in an office. Mind you, at least it's warm and dry...

Oh, and Paul does actually have a life when not behind the camera, and loves racing motorbikes. He has yet to master the art of shooting whilst racing, though it's good to have something to challenge you!


Paul whittle Dip Pro. Photo(Inst P.P.)
email info@bestside.co.uk
York 01904 491606


Testimonials:
Thank you for doing such a fantastic job with our wedding photos; your relaxed but professional manner made us feel very much at ease, especially as neither of us normally enjoy having our photograph taken! We had the best day of our lives, and the album captures the day beautifully.

Sian and Robert

Thank you for the beautiful wedding photographs.

You managed to capture the spirit and overall feel of the day perfectly. Both Sarah and I and our guests had a wonderful day and I think that shows through in the photographs.

Your professional but relaxed style made our guests feel very comfortable around the camera and gave our photos the natural look we were hoping for.

Everyone we have shown the photos to, have loved them and they are something we will treasure for ever.

A big thanks again...
Sal & Sarah


With many many thanks for putting us at ease for the photographs and producing such a wonderful set for our memories.

We shall be recommending you to others in the future!
With many thanks again
Georgie & Al.


A few weeks before the Wedding, Paul and ourselves met up and discussed what sort of pictures we were looking for, who we wanted to be in them, and what sort of wedding we were going to have, to make sure our day was captured as we remembered it ourselves. Our Wedding was quite unusual, in that we had a Humanist ceremony, that took place entirely outdoors, followed by an afternoon tea served in a marquee. The photos Paul took reflected perfectly the fun, happy, relaxed and informal day that ourselves and our guests enjoyed immensely, as well as capturing the sense of place and open space of the wedding venue.
Richard and Sarah