Bailey Cooper's photos are run by husband and wife team Paul and Kate Cooper, and have seen many changes over the years.
Couples' photography began as a hobby and passion. Before starting his full-time business in 1995, Paul worked for ten years, while Kate (Bailey was born) worked for the NHS.
They work in the studio, an extension of their home, and the couple works individually on projects and on large ones.
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Paul told the media:
In 2013, the couple stopped their wedding and focused on studio portraits and commercial headshots, product photos and interior/exteriors, as well as PR and social images.
The rise in the portfolio now means there is an increasing stock library of over 25,000 images for which Bayley Cooper Photos are licensed worldwide.
In recent years, the demand for photography training has increased, and couples have started to learn your photos to help develop other people's skills.
Both have been fellowships for the job she received from the Royal Photography Society in 2024.
Earlier this month, Paul, keen to raise awareness of the business, was one of 30 small business operators who attended Meet the Press event, hosted by York PR and Communications experts Joe Leatham and Linda Harrison.
Paul later told the media that he changed the industry by changing from film to digital photography, but his IT background has become an easy change for them.
He states: “Digital cameras reduced costs in terms of film and processing, but they also required constant investment in new equipment.
“Companies have started taking photos of themselves, but in reality, the demand for professional photography has increased because owning a camera doesn't immediately give you the skills to use lighting and configuration effectively.”
The next big shift is AI, but rather than resisting, couples are using it to streamline their editing and workflows, making them more efficient while maintaining creative control.
Paul said: “AI can enhance photography, but it cannot replace creativity, experience, or ability to direct subject matter and control lighting. We consider AI to be another tool, not a threat.”
Your photo session aims to cut jargon and help beginners, small business owners, and content creators take better photos, regardless of the type used. The focus is to make learning clear, practical and enjoyable.
They offer one-on-one training sessions in their studio and online training courses on the coming-of-day website. A smartphone photography workshop will also be held at the National Trust Middle Thorpe Hall Hotel on Thursday, June 12th.
Paul's experience includes 10 years as Director of Qualifications for the Master Cameraman Association, contributing to the UK Photo Apprenticeship Syllabus, ensuring that the training is practical, industry-related and focused on practical skills.
Paul said: “Even after 30 years in business, we still love photography. If we have an unusual holiday, we go out and take photos for fun – it's not just what we do, but who we are.
“The best thing about photography is that there is always something new to learn, so we love both practicing and teaching it.”
“Despite technological advances, great photography still has an impact. Whether it's branding, marketing or storytelling, businesses and individuals need high-quality images.
“While technology is evolving, we cannot oversee subjects, control light, or create truly outstanding images.”
He added: “One of the biggest change in thinking we want to encourage? Stop thinking of your smartphone as just a mobile phone – it just happens to be a camera that makes the phone!”
The company can be contacted via https://www.baileycooper.co.uk/.
