About Andy Harris
Back in the 1980’s, when my parents bought me an Olympus OM10 camera for my 21st birthday, complete with 2 rolls of film and a shoulder strap, I was hooked.
I would send off my roll of 36 images to be printed and eagerly await their return. I was impatient to see how the photos had turned out and whether they were good enough to be added to my ever-increasing collection of photo albums.
Jump forward a few years and I had fully embraced the digital age and the ability to take thousands of photos at the push of a button, viewing them instantaneously on the screen.
But I missed the feel of a real photo that I could hold in my hand. A real photo that could depict a moment in time, evoke an old memory, record a shared history.
There began a chain of events that eventually led to the birth of Hilltop Framing:
A3 printer purchased
The pile of prints mounted up, but the photos were now too big to fit in an album.
Framing course booked
I took along my favourite A4 print and started by cutting the mount. The photo looked great. The frame was then cut, which added a whole new dimension to the photo. But as soon as the glass was fitted, the image suddenly came alive and looked like a piece of art.
Starter framing kit installed in the garage
Early on, I had a lucky break and was commissioned by a marketing company to take opening night photos of theatre productions in the West End of London. Having framed the photos, these were presented by my client as corporate gifts.
Hilltop Framing emerged
My hobby eventually became my business and the starter kit received a full upgrade. Since then I have framed all manner of photography, oil paintings, watercolours, canvas, needlework, medals, clothing and even a plastic cup.
I enjoy working with people to turn their handiwork, treasures and triumphs into a work of art. I enjoy breathing new life into older works. I enjoy the challenge of each new piece.
Andy was hooked on photography from an early age