John also takes on the role of Chair of SSHoP, which is our registered charity name. John has worked in the culture and heritage sectors in Scotland for over thirty years, and is currently Director of the Scottish Council on Archives. He was vice-chair of SSHoP from 2018-2022.

Below are a few words from John:

“I am passionate about photography, both old and
contemporary, and am delighted and honoured to take on the role of Chair. My predecessor Alex Hamilton has worked tirelessly for almost nine years to develop Studies in Photography into one of the leading organisations for celebrating and promoting photography. Everyone interested in photography is in his debt.

I am delighted that Alex is staying on the committee to act as Treasurer and to continue his work developing our publishing arm and our new premises in Edinburgh. I look forward to working with Alex and the other committee members as we continue to grow the organisation and diversify its programme of events, exhibitions, and publishing.”

Alexander became Treasurer in January 2024, stepping down from position of Chair so as to focus on Studies’ publishing arm and the new premises at 6 William Street in Edinburgh’s West End.

My election in 2016 fulfilled a long-held ambition to promote a deeper understanding of contemporary and historic photography – an artform which holds a unique position in Scotland, the birthplace of many great photographers, including Hill & Adamson, John Thomson and James Craig Annan.

The role is a voluntary one, like all the committee members and the tasks covered by the Studies in Photography means that I can be involved in all aspects of the organisation from the journals to the books.

As Chair I was involved in the redesign of the journal Studies in Photography as we sought to offer a balance of historic and contemporary articles. Highlights of my past six years include an exhibition of school’s photography at the Scottish Parliament, alongside the delivery of free copies of our journal to every secondary art department in Scotland; and the promotion of prints by eminent photographers, to raise funds for mental health charities. The launch of our new Journal Leaves guided by an ex committee member Sara Stevenson. As we enter our fortieth anniversary year, we are expanding our publishing programme, we have joined Publishing Scotland and have partnered with Edinburgh University Press to present our Thematic and Scottish Photographic Artists Book Series, for which I am Series Editor.

I look forward to welcoming you to the organisation, either as an individual member or an academic Institution.

Robin Gillanders is former Reader in Photography at Edinburgh Napier University and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in 2014. He is a practising photographic artist and has exhibited frequently and internationally. In the 1990’s he made several collaborative works with the artist/poet Ian Hamilton Finlay, culminating in his exhibition and book ‘Little Sparta: Portrait of a Garden’ (1998). More recent solo publications includeThe Photographic Portrait(2004),The Philosopher’s Garden(2004), Highland Journey: In the Spirit of Edwin Muir(2009). and A Lovers Complaint with Henry Gough-Cooper (2016).

He has works in the collections of National Galleries of Scotland, City Art Centre, Edinburgh, and the National Portrait Gallery and V&A in London. He had a major retrospective at Stills Gallery Edinburgh in 2017. He has been a committee member of SSHoP/Studies in Photography for at least twenty-five years and is a passionate proponent of Scottish photography, both historical and contemporary.

The role is a voluntary one, like all the committee members and the tasks covered by the Studies in Photography means that I can be involved in all aspects of the organisation from the journals to the books.

Scotland is my adopted home - I share my life between Edinburgh and Washington DC. I fell in love with Scotland for its art, architecture, people and extraordinary landscape when working there many years ago in my profession as a publisher.

My connection with Studies in Photography goes like this: 
It was 2019 and I attended the Annual Lecture of the Scottish Society for the History of Photography (that binds the Studies in Photography programs) at the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh, given by the renowned Scottish photographer, Robin Gillanders. It was an inspirational lecture on Chick Chalmers, the photographer featured in the then current issue of the Society’s journal, Studies in Photography, of which Robin is an Editor.

At the lovely cocktail party following the lecture, I thanked Robin for his wonderful presentation, and as a freshly retired publisher, I offered my volunteer services to the Journal. Robin pointed to Alex Hamilton (the then and current Chair of the governing Committee and Co-Editor of the Journal) and said, “Talk to that man.”  Thus began my rewarding association with this extraordinarily talented assembly of artists and the exquisite and accessible publications and programs they produce.

I have been delighted to indulge my passion for the visual arts by working with these renowned artists and other fellow volunteer member aficionados in helping to shine the journals and books in brighter, broader light to more people in more places on behalf of Scottish photography. The Journal is freely available to members digitally and in print, and the books are available to them at a deep discount.

Stephen Kirkpatrick has been working in the design industry over the last 30 years, establishing two design consultancies and now runs and manages Artibrand Ltd.

Graduating from ECA (Edinburgh College of Art) in the late 1980’s with an honours degree in Graphic Design and Photography, Steve has always been interested in photography, from fine art, documentation to commercial.

Steve joined Studies in Photography late 2019 drawn to the organisation by their pedigree in photography and art, enthusiasm and friendly manner. Steve works closely with several committee members on developing the company’s online image via website and social media.

Photography was an accident. Shortly after moving to Scotland in 2016, I took the decision to go back into education, as a mature student. With a lack of film courses starting in January, I opted for a short photography course offered by Edinburgh College. Little did I know, photography would end up being my main focus for the next few years. After clumsily engaging with many genres, I developed a strong interest in portraiture. Perhaps the manifestation of a broader interest in people. I was first introduced to Studies in Photography by Alex Hamilton, who was holding a guest lecture at Edinburgh College. I've been a member ever since. I love how the journal constantly updates the historic with the contemporary, and I was honoured and surprised when, a few years later, then chair Alex Hamilton asked me to join the board. I now happily juggle between trying to be of help to the society while running a couple of businesses and getting my photographic career off the ground.

John worked for the BBC for 8 years as a stills photographer. After going freelance, his clients included Royal College of Midwives, Institute of the Motor Industry, Cambridge Book Publishers, The Observer newspaper, and Channel 4. He taught at the Leeds Art College for twelve years, and is a founding member of Airestreet Darkroom in Leeds. His work can be found in the National Portrait Gallery the V&A, Leeds City Council Museums and Galleries Collection, the Bishopsgate institute, Friends House and Cecil Sharp House.

John is a photographer, writer, researcher, educator, speaker, festival and conference organiser, and advocate for photography. Apart from publication of his own work, he has written numerous essays and articles on photography published in edited volumes, academic journals, and the press. He has taught and researched photography as a permanent and visiting lecturer, as well as artistic fellow, to several institutions in the UK and US. He regularly collaborates with universities both in the UK and abroad. Recently, he has been commissioned as one of three artists collaborating with researchers from universities in Poland, Croatia and Ireland on a project initiated by the University of Cork and funded by the Irish Research Council and EU on the theme of European borders.