Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Founder operating in the Photography space. If you think a Founder is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Matt Barker
Founder & CEO of MPB
Matt’s focus and passion is on verticalized online marketplaces within the secondary goods sector, with particular emphasis on managed marketplaces that take ownership of the product through the customer transaction process Matt founded mpb.com having developed his interest in markeplaces whilst studying Economics at The University of Warwick. Matt has since grown MPB into the largest marketplace in Europe for photographers and videographers to trade equipment. Matt believes that key to a successful product marketplace are strong network effects and an end to end focus on customer experience, delivered by the best AI and CX led technology at every stage of the transaction cycle. MPB is now internationalising, with a full US launch completed in November 2016. Matt continues to lead MPB as CEO and plans to grow MPB into the largest marketplace in the world for photographers and videographers.
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About MPB: MPB is an online platform specializing in used photography and videography kit.
Richard Moross
Founder, President & CEO of MOO.COM
Richard is the founder and CEO of moo.com, one of the world’s fastest-growing print businesses. Launched in late 2006, MOO is focussed on disrupting the trillion dollar print industry, with its unique approach to design, technology and operations. This has allowed it to sustain industry-leading NPS, gross margin and top-line growth for a business of its size. To date, MOO has served millions of customers in nearly 200 countries and employs over 400 people across 6 locations in the UK and USA. Before founding MOO, Richard worked for the design company Imagination, other past companies also include sorted.com and the BBC. Richard served on the board of Seedcamp and was a non-Executive Director of Ladbrokes PLC between 2012 and 2016. In October 2016 Richard joined N Brown PLC as a Non-Executive Director. Richard has been featured in the ‘Wired 100’ and ‘Media Guardian 100’ lists, was named amongst the Telegraph Newspaper’s ‘1,000 Most Powerful People in British Business’, and was ranked in the Guardian Newspaper’s top 10 most influential people in digital media. Richard is also an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, a member of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences and the Young Presidents Organisation.
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About MOO.COM: MOO.COM is an online print and design company.
Raam Thakrar
Founder of TouchNote
Raam is a co-founder of Touchnote, an m-commerce start-up selling personalised greeting cards on both the web and mobile. Previous varied experience in consulting – strategy consulting in London, rural and small businesses in London, Washington DC and Central America. I was also a published journalist in Mexico. Next stop, pizza chef.
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About TouchNote: TouchNote helps you send thoughtful cards and prints to loved ones, right from your mobile, tablet or desktop.
James Washer
Founder of Super Snaps
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About Super Snaps: Super easy photo printing and gifting.
Scott Gray
Founder & CEO of World Photography Organization
As founder of the World Photography Organisation, Scott maintains a close involvement in all areas of the organisation and develops the business and new ventures. Scott is based in the London headquarters office.
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About World Photography Organization: The World Photography Organisation is a global platform for photography initiatives. W
Amit Pate
Founder & CEO of Snaptivity
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About Snaptivity: Snaptivity is a stadium tech that drives fan engagement by capturing key moments of events using AI, IoT sensors, and robotic cams.
Olly Paulovich
Co-Founder & VP Marketing & Sales of Snaptivity
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About Snaptivity: Snaptivity is a stadium tech that drives fan engagement by capturing key moments of events using AI, IoT sensors, and robotic cams.
Phong Vu
Co-Founder & CTO of Snaptivity
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About Snaptivity: Snaptivity is a stadium tech that drives fan engagement by capturing key moments of events using AI, IoT sensors, and robotic cams.
Kev Dhaliwal
Co Founder of Edinburgh Molecular Imaging
Dr Dhaliwal trained as an MRC Clinical Training Fellow working in both Professors Haslett and Bradley’s groups, and was responsible for catalyzing the interaction between the two groups. He has significant experience of animal models and human experimental clinical trials. He has established direct links to all of the current OMI providers of hardware and reagents and also Pharma. He currently is a member of the SAB for Mauna Kea and is also one of two UK clinicians on the EPSRC Healthcare Technologies Strategic Advisory Team. He is the Chief Investigator on the group’s clinical trials and has forged links with the MHRA, technology consultancies and international networks in optical imaging.
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About Edinburgh Molecular Imaging, NHS Lothian, PROTEUS, University of Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh: Edinburgh Molecular Imaging is a developer of optical molecular imaging technology.
Dorothy Sanders
Co-Founder · Editorial & Design Lead of Maptia
Dorothy Sanders joined Maptia as Co-Founder · Editorial & Design Lead in 2012.
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About Maptia, Sealegacy: Maptia is an organisation dedicated to fostering empathy through storytelling.
Tony Xu
Founder and Managing Director of Perfocal
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About Perfocal: Perfocal is the easiest way to hire an awesome photographer, on-demand.
Darren Smith
Co-Founder of Studio PI
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About News UK, Studio PI: Studio PI promotes awareness on social issues through photography and illustration.
James William Middleton
Founder of Boomf
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About Boomf, Ella & Co: Boomf is an initial product, Boomf is a quite simply a better way to send a sentiment.
Tim Jarvis
Co-Founder & CEO of Fabrik
Tim Jarvis is an award-winning creative director and co-founder of Fabrik and Frēsh. As CEO of Fabrik Tim supports and champions creativity; helping creatives find a voice and audience for their talents regardless of their background, geography or experience. He designs products and brands, engineers desirability and builds communities.
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About Fabrik, Fresh Future: Fabrik is the fastest way on earth for creatives and small studios to build a beautiful, powerful portfolio website.
Marc Hartog
Founder & CEO of 1854 Media
Marc Hartog is the Founder & CEO at 1854 Media
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About 1854 Media, MN Digital Media, theprintspace: 1854 Media is an award-winning digital media organisation
Andre Ferreira
Co-Founder and COO of Airstoc
Andre Ferreira is the Co-founder and COO of Airstoc.
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About Airstoc: Airstoc is the world’s first dedicated marketplace for the professional drone industry.
Benji Lanyado
Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Picfair
Benji Lanyado live in London, and have a great sense of humour. I studied Modern Middle Eastern History at university before landing the jammiest job of my life – traveling the world writing for the Guardian and the New York Times. Then I ended up in house at the Guardian, writing and web producing on the Travel desk. I also made Twitter mapping service kerouapp.com and news aggregators RedditEdit and top5news.co.uk (US version here). At the moment I’m working on my first startup, while building interactive stories. I’ve recetly started coding, and built this site from scratch using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Do have a look around – at my travel writing, features, and digital dabbling.
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About Picfair: Picfair is an open-to-all image licensing marketplace.
Tom Chalky
Co-Founder of Inspiration Hut
Tom Chalky is Co-Founder at Inspiration Hut.
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About Inspiration Hut: Inspiration Hut provides daily inspiration from some of the world’s most creative portfolios for designers, photographers, and artists.
Abbie Davey
Co-Founder of Inspiration Hut
Abbie Davey is Co-Founder at Inspiration Hut.
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About Inspiration Hut: Inspiration Hut provides daily inspiration from some of the world’s most creative portfolios for designers, photographers, and artists.
Stuart Logan
Founder & CEO of Twine
As the Big Boss, Stuart spends his days in a large leather armchair, staring out over the Manchester skyline while smoking a cigar and plotting world domination. (He doesn’t really). Originally from Salisbury, he studied computer science at Manchester University but was always keen to break into the exciting world of start-ups, and was involved in a number of ventures before finalising his plans for Clowdy. When not wearing his chief executive hat (metaphorically speaking) he enjoys harbouring unrealistic expectations for Manchester United’s future success and live music.
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About Twine: Twine connects companies to diverse creative and digital freelancers
Simon Grimley
Co-Founder and Photographer of Greybox Studio
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About Greybox Studio: Creative content and photography studio.
Lindsy Agana
Founder and Director of Greybox Studio
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About Greybox Studio: Creative content and photography studio.
Justin Boyd
Co-Founder of Flickup
Co-Founder of Flickup.
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About Flickup: Flickup is a mobile app that connects nearby Flickup users to take pictures of one another and send them instantly.
Ashley Widowson
Founder of AJ-Drone Ltd
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About AJ-Drone Ltd: AJ-Drone Ltd is a photography and videography business.
Alex Aaronson
Founder of Alex Aaronson Photography
Alex Aaronson is a freelance photographer and a media content creator based in Leeds, United Kingdom. Influenced by his mother, a renowned fashion designer, Alex pursued a degree in Fashion Photography that led him to establish his freelance business, Alex Aaronson Photography, which he runs from his private home studio. Alex’s passion for photography developed at an early age, using the camera to document his life experiences through the lens. As a professional photographer, Aaronson has expressed his fascination with the concept of aesthetics, from visual art to fashion, events and lifestyle. His work has been praised and recognised by various stylists and designers, following his successful projects at London Fashion Week 2016 and his work for renowned print publications. A lot of Alex’s projects are inspired by his travels through Thailand and Australia, where he got to further expand his skills in nature photography. Today, Alex Aaronson Photography has expanded to include a wide range of video and photo editing services, from capturing fashion shows to documenting private events and exclusive conferences. Alex is proficient in editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, offering a wide range of video and photo editing services that enable him to execute the customer’s vision up to the smallest details. Early on in his career, Alex gained a lot of experience working backstage at fashion shows, putting together behind the scenes footage. Prior to establishing Alex Aaronson Photography, Alex completed a degree in Fashion Photography, which allowed him to combine his knowledge and passion for the fashion industry with his technical expertise and photographic skills. In addition to his work in fashion, Alex offers traditional services like corporate and commercial portrait photography, with his clients including business professionals across a wide range of industries. Apart from his love for fashion, Alex is also passionate about a lot of environmental causes, some of which he has reflected on in his professional work. Before starting out as a professional photographer, Alex focused his university’s final project on not only fashion, but also nature photography, aiming to raise awareness of major environmental issues. Alex’s independent projects have received praise from both his academic tutors and from industry professionals who have come across his work on social media. The Alex Aaronson Photography projects include the coverage and documentation of major events such as global warming marches and educational speeches held both in the UK and abroad.
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About Alex Aaronson Photography: Freelance Photography by Alex Aaronson
Martin Brennan
Co-Founder of VIEWPOP3D
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About VIEWPOP3D: VIEWPOP3D is an independent art and technology business designed to change the way we capture and share content.
Martin Brennan
Co-Founder of VIEWPOP3D
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About VIEWPOP3D: VIEWPOP3D is an independent art and technology business designed to change the way we capture and share content.
Sharon Barboza
Founder of Guide To Be
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About Guide To Be: Guide To Be is providing the inside scoop on suppliers for couples and a unique digital marketing platform for businesses.
Rod Boswell
Founder/Director of Altispire
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About Altispire: Altispire is the UKs premier aerial imaging and thermal imaging specialists.
Will Burrard-Lucas
Founder of Camtraptions Ltd
Wildlife photographer and founder of Camtraptions, WildlifePhoto.com and RAW Exposure.
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About Camtraptions Ltd: Remote and camera trap photography
Will Burrard-Lucas
Founder of Camtraptions Ltd
Wildlife photographer and founder of Camtraptions, WildlifePhoto.com and RAW Exposure.
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About Camtraptions Ltd: Remote and camera trap photography
Elspeth Briscoe
CEO & Founder of Learning with experts
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About Learning with experts: Learningwithexperts.com provides a structured virtual learning environment delivering vocational and hobby courses.
Elspeth Briscoe
CEO & Founder of Learning with experts
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About Learning with experts: Learningwithexperts.com provides a structured virtual learning environment delivering vocational and hobby courses.
Steven Herd
Founder of Zoetrope
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About Zoetrope: Zoetrope is an interactive 3D photography service for online retail.
