All About Peter James Carr Photography
Peter James Carr has been impressing Hiho with his stunning country and horse photos, not forgetting our ever-vigilant Hiho woofer on our show stand!
Curious about Peter and what gets his camera clicking? Read all about it...
Peter please can you tell us a bit about yourself, what do you do and where are you from?
Hello! I’m Pete, the Yorkshire-based photographer behind Peter James Carr Photography.
I was born and raised in Yorkshire, originating from the brewery town of Tadcaster. I still live in the area with my wonderful wife, Claire, our three sons Ollie, Tom and Matthew. And our two black Labradors, Poppy and Millie.
How did you get into photography and how long have you been a photographer?
I got into photography when I was around 12 years old, back in around 1986. My father had a work anniversary and with the money he was given, he bought a Minolta 35mm SLR camera. He let me use it and from then I was hooked. I’m sure the kids all get quite fed up with me stopping every couple of hundred meters whilst we’re out and about, just to snap something interesting!
What inspired you to set up Peter James Carr Photography?
Photography is currently just a hobby, my main line of work is in the technology sector. Predominantly building / designing web and online content, and e-comms. But after over 30 years of doing this, or similar work, I am now looking toward a change and the possibility of becoming a professional photographer. Hopefully, within the next year. Peter James Carr Photography came about mainly down to friends and family telling me I should do something a bit more official with my images. They thought they deserved a better platform, with a bigger audience.
You have taken some beautiful photos; is there one thing you really love to photograph and why?
I have always attended agricultural shows, country fairs and events, especially our local event Bramham International Horse Trials, always with a camera in hand. So it has been great that I can share the images I capture directly with some of these exhibitors and competitors. I worked a little with Suregrow over the past few years at Bramham, which has been fantastic.
My dream job would be to be able to produce something along the lines of a coffee table book. Telling a story from start to end. For instance, I am in conversation with the wonderful game food chef near Grassington, Lionel Strub. We are hoping to put something together which follows him catching / shooting his animal, prepping and cooking it, and then presenting it on the plate.
I would also love to do something similar with regards to Eventing. Team up with a rider or owner and follow the build up to a 4/5* event, staying with them behind the scenes. Portraying the care and dedication, the ups and downs, the blood sweat and tears that it takes to be ready. I love close up, full-frame shots. Detail fascinates me. The leather and steel contrast between boot and stirrup, etc… But, more so, I’d like to show the care, attention and high regard the horses are given. A lot of people who aren’t overly involved in the sport just don’t see that aspect. And then they deem it cruel, or unnecessary. I would like to do my little bit to show this is just not the case. That really would be a fantastic assignment to be involved with.
I would also love to do something similar with regards to Eventing. Team up with a rider or owner and follow the build up to a 4/5* event, staying with them behind the scenes. Portraying the care and dedication, the ups and downs, the blood sweat and tears that it takes to be ready. I love close up, full-frame shots. Detail fascinates me. The leather and steel contrast between boot and stirrup, etc… But, more so, I’d like to show the care, attention and high regard the horses are given. A lot of people who aren’t overly involved in the sport just don’t see that aspect. And then they deem it cruel, or unnecessary. I would like to do my little bit to show this is just not the case. That really would be a fantastic assignment to be involved with.
Where can we find you online and how far do you travel if someone wanted to book a photo shoot with you?
My work can be found on both Instagram and Facebook. Or, a Google search for Peter James Carr Photography should point you in the right direction. As photography isn’t yet a profession for me, travelling large distances just isn’t feasible and mid-week work is tricky. I am able to get around Yorkshire quite easily and would happily consider travelling within any of the four counties, especially on a weekend or weekday evening.
What do you do in your spare time & what do you get up to offline?
In my spare time, I love spending time with my family. Helping my children with their schoolwork, as long as it isn’t maths... I have my eldest two currently doing A-Levels and GCSEs, so it is a little stressed at the moment. I go beating with my youngest boy in the autumn and winter months, along with our youngest dog, Millie.
Although I don’t own one, I very much enjoy being around horses. And I will often find country walks which I know will take me via a stable yard or fields where they graze. Or pester friends involved in the Bramham Polo Academy to let me attend chukkas. Just spending time with a horse can be extremely cathartic.
Back in the day I played rugby and, until very recently, I was a junior rugby coach for Wetherby Rugby Union Club, coaching my eldest from the age of 3 to his final game on the 13 April 2025, a cup winning one at that! He now moves on to senior / university rugby, and I get my Sundays back!!
Although I don’t own one, I very much enjoy being around horses. And I will often find country walks which I know will take me via a stable yard or fields where they graze. Or pester friends involved in the Bramham Polo Academy to let me attend chukkas. Just spending time with a horse can be extremely cathartic.
Back in the day I played rugby and, until very recently, I was a junior rugby coach for Wetherby Rugby Union Club, coaching my eldest from the age of 3 to his final game on the 13 April 2025, a cup winning one at that! He now moves on to senior / university rugby, and I get my Sundays back!!
What is your ultimate Hiho love (favourite piece from the Hiho collection) and why?
Hiho are a fabulous company. I love to see their stands at the various events. And of course, to say hello to the woofers!
Personally, I like the very simplistic designs, some might say that’s rather reflective of my personality, I’ll leave that up to you to decide... But I do love the Hiho Him collection. Especially the Leather Bracelet Plaited with Stainless Steel Clasp, I think that is really rather nice.
Personally, I like the very simplistic designs, some might say that’s rather reflective of my personality, I’ll leave that up to you to decide... But I do love the Hiho Him collection. Especially the Leather Bracelet Plaited with Stainless Steel Clasp, I think that is really rather nice.
And finally – what would be your one piece of advice for anyone looking to start out with photography and do you need all the fancy equipment to get going initially?
My advice to anyone wanting to start taking images – Just pick up a camera and go for it. Phones are great nowadays and come with some cracking photography equipment and apps. And they are very accessible. The digital era means you can take thousands of images and just keep practicing. Take images you like, others will like that too, it makes things more personal. You will find your own style and methods. And possibly look for that ‘different angle’. I’ve found myself in some pretty odd positions trying to get the shot which stands out from the rest. But first and foremost, enjoy it.
You’ll see plenty of photographers out there draped in expensive kit, massive lenses and camera bags galore. My kit consists of a second hand Canon EOS 70d, with a few lenses. The largest being a Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Contemporary, which I’ve only had about a year and a half. And a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is great.
Photography isn’t all about the gear. You have to have an eye for things. An ability to frame a shot well. And this skill can come naturally or it develops over time.
You’ll see plenty of photographers out there draped in expensive kit, massive lenses and camera bags galore. My kit consists of a second hand Canon EOS 70d, with a few lenses. The largest being a Sigma 150-600mm f5-6.3 Contemporary, which I’ve only had about a year and a half. And a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is great.
Photography isn’t all about the gear. You have to have an eye for things. An ability to frame a shot well. And this skill can come naturally or it develops over time.