London born photographer Paul Bussell first picked up a camera at the age of 14, Paul worked as a printer and then a House photographer with the advertising agency McCann Erickson. Paul was self taught and decided early on that still life was the area that he wanted to work.

His career in photography started at the age of 16, printing train time tables in a railway arch near Waterloo.

He had neither been to college nor assisted a photographer, he was self taught in all aspects of photography, his ambition from the start was to shoot with a 10 x 8 inch plate camera.

He printed for a men’s fashion photographer with the promise of moving up to assistant. Unfortunately because of his skills as a printer this opportunity never transpired.

Paul became the first freelance B+W printer working in London, he worked in photo studios and Ad agencies.

Paul was interviewed by the photographer at McCann who told him he was leaving and would Paul like his job…..bloody right he did.

This was in 1968 and his life as photographer was about to begin.

He won many awards with McCann during his time there but he left in December 1973 to further his ambition to become the best at what he loved……the art of photography.

He started his own studio in Chelsea at the age of 23.

He worked for Reebok and won golds for Photography and Art direction at the prestigious Printatalia awards, Paul produced ads for Jaguar, Mobil Maclaren F1, Benson & Hedges, BMW, Rolls Royce the list goes on.

After 40 years as a top advertising photographer in London Paul retired to pursue his love of photographing the Big Cats to which his legacy lives on, for which we are so proud to showcase here.

Ashley & Caroline x