About me

Photos are my most precious cargo

I have lived in five different towns: East Ham, Hornchurch, Romford, Aylesbury and, finally, Bicester (my favourite).

There’s only one thing that has moved with me every single time: my photographs. The furniture has changed, the pot plants have died, books have been replaced with other titles. But photos – specifically portraits – always come with me.

There’s me with my hamster as a tot. There’s one with my niece picking her nose while playing Mary in the nursery nativity. The ones from our wedding day, on our holidays and with our friends and families.

For me, portraits do two things. Firstly, they are reminders and reinforcers of memories. Secondly, when done well, they are works of art, beautiful for their own sake.

We’ve all got cameras with us nearly all the time now, and I love how much easier that makes it to record a moment in a snapshot. But when you’re looking for something to display and treasure, something that shows you and your loved ones at your very best, then get in contact.

After all, in ten, 15, even 30 years’ time, these portraits are the one thing you will still have.

You can read more about my photographic journey here, see some of my awards and accreditations here or read on to find out ten things you probably didn’t know about me:

Red wine | About Sarah Plater Photography based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

I love a ‘healthy’ drink or two

I once heard that red wine is good for you, so I make sure to drink plenty of that… all those crushed grapes surely count as one of my five a day, right?!

A cross-country romance

My husband is (half) Welsh. For years, we made the weekly commute between Wales and Essex so we could spend time together, a bit like a reverse Gavin and Stacey.

He’s a messy, meat-loving carnivore and I’m a minimalist, neat-freak vegetarian so it’s been… interesting.

Books | About Sarah Plater Photography based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

I’m a bit bookish

A good day out for me is a trip to the bookstore.

A fun party for me is an early night in bed surrounded by books. I love topic-based non-fiction (e.g. climate change, psychology and economics) mixed in with true-to-life fiction and the odd memoir.

Recent authors I’ve particularly enjoyed reading include Caitlin Moran, Bill Bryson and Malcolm Gladwell.

Look out for Bicester’s got talent

I can’t carry a tune to save my life. But that don’t. Stop. Me. Noooooooooowwwww!!!

Bicester Rabble | About Sarah Plater Photography based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

I like to move it, move it

I need a lot of exercise each day otherwise I get restless and fidgety. Apparently I’m just like a puppy, as my husband likes to tell everyone.

However, I find jogging and going to gyms really boring, which is why I set up Bicester Rabble: gamified exercise for grown-ups. We play on the Kingsmere Estate every Monday evening.

Give me goals to shoot for, points to score and balls to catch and I could keep going all day!

Skip the small talk

There’s nothing I love more than taking the conversation a bit deeper and hearing about your story, from your highs to your tougher moments, and also your beliefs.

I enjoy a good debate and am passionate about equality and sustainability – ask me about either of these and you might have a hard time stopping me again…

To Do List | About Sarah Plater Photography based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

Tick, tick, tick

I love keeping organised, which has come in super handy for running a business.

I think there are few things more satisfying in life than ticking off a to-do list, especially if you start off by adding a few tasks you’ve already done. For motivation, right?!

The simple things

I get a lot out of life’s simple pleasures: hearty food, clean bedsheets and laughter with friends. I feel like learning yoga would be a great additional simple pleasure in my life, but those poses sure are harder than they look…

Cycling | About Sarah Plater Photography based in Bicester, Oxfordshire

Sustainability first

I believe we all need to do as much as we can to reduce our negative impact on the planet, from buying less stuff to reusing and recycling wherever possible.

You can regularly see me and my husband walking into town or cycling to our Chesterton allotment, where we hope to eventually outwit (at least some) of those crop-munchin’ slugs.

A love of nature

Following on from the sustainability theme, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that I love country walks and trips to the local woods and forests.

My husband prefers a trip to town (with a stop at a cafe or pub) so that means our weekends are usually a bit of a compromise between urban and green destinations.

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Most of all, though, I love creating clean, bright and joyful photos for awesome clients like you. It’s personal art that lasts a lifetime and gives you happy feelings every time you see it.

In fact, I’m convinced I’ve got the best job in the world – nothing could be more rewarding. ?