Freelance Producer

Agent

Mentor

Photography Consultant

Creative Strategist

  • After eight years at Magnum Photos and more than 25 years in the photography and creative industries, I founded Tim Paton Consultancy to help photographers, agencies, and brands create exceptional visual work and build stronger creative businesses.

    I work across photography commissioning, shoot production, creative strategy, artist representation and business development, helping clients bring ideas to life while creating new commercial opportunities.

    Keeping the consultancy intentionally small means every project receives my full attention. Whether I'm producing a major international shoot, advising a photographer on career strategy, or helping a brand find the right creative direction, I provide practical, honest guidance backed by decades of industry experience and an extensive international network.

  • Helping brands, agencies and organisations find the right photographer for every project. From photographer selection and creative briefing to negotiations and commissioning, I match every assignment with the right creative talent.

  • Full-service production for photography projects in the UK and internationally. From budgeting, scheduling and location scouting to casting, crew management and final delivery, I oversee every stage of production.

  • Researching and sourcing photography for editorial, commercial and publishing projects. Whether building a visual archive, licensing imagery or curating collections, I help clients find images with impact.

  • Working closely with photographers to build sustainable, long-term careers. This includes marketing, portfolio development, pricing, negotiations, client introductions and strategic representation.

  • Helping photographers, agencies and creative businesses identify new opportunities for growth. From developing commercial strategies and securing brand partnerships to opening doors with new clients, I focus on building lasting relationships that generate revenue.

  • Practical, honest advice for photographers at every stage of their careers. Whether refining a portfolio, developing a personal brand, planning exhibitions or books, or navigating the commercial side of photography, I provide guidance shaped by more than 25 years in the industry.

Man with blonde hair and dark clothing looking through rain-covered car window.

Feeling stuck in your photography career?

Maybe the work has slowed down. Maybe you're not sure how to reach the right commissioners, or where your career should go next. You're not alone, and it's easier to fix than it feels.

I've spent over 25 years producing shoots and working with photographers and brands. I've seen what gets people hired, and what holds good photographers back.

My one-to-one mentoring is built around you. Together we can work on:

  • Your portfolio and how you present your work

  • Finding and approaching the right clients and commissioners

  • Pricing, positioning and building a steady income

  • A clear plan for your next 12 months

Book a free 20-minute call. There's no obligation. We'll talk about where you are, where you want to be, and whether mentoring is right for you..

Listen to a few insights from me on being a commercial photographer on these two brilliant podcasts.

Exposed Negative Podcast #84

The logo of a podcast titled "The Exposed Negative Podcast" with white text on a black background.

Magnum, Mistakes and Making It with Tim Paton

Prime Lenses 29 April 2026

A promotional graphic for the podcast 'Prime Lenses', featuring a yellow background, a headshot of Tim Paton on the left with gray hair, glasses, and a purple shirt, and a black-and-white photo of Tim Paton on the right. The text includes the podcast name, episode date 29/04/2026, and mentions Tim Paton on commercial photography with additional information about photography on the website.

Life as a commercial photographer