‘It showcased my work’
Photographer Shaun travels the world taking amazing pictures
FOR photographer Shaun Roster, The News helped him launch his dream business which has seen him travel to some of the world’s most amazing places.
Shaun, who is originally from Shrewsbury, moved to Portsmouth 12 years ago when he was posted here with the Royal Navy.
His job as military aircrew saw him test helicopters over Fareham and the Solent, getting a unique perspective of the area.
Being a keen amateur photographer, Shaun began to capture some shots – and after sharing them with The News and receiving lots of positive feedback – his passion for photography reignited.
The 53-year-old said: ‘When we had a spare moment, I’d take some images. Back in the 00s, before drones, people went crazy for these pictures.
‘People didn’t know what the area looked like from the air. I was capturing unique images and people went mad for them. It really helped being able to put my work out to the city.’
Now Shaun runs a professional photography company Shaun Roster Photography from his Southsea home, which he set up in 2015.
With his unique military skills, and as he is still a media operations officer as a Royal Navy Reserve after leaving the Navy two years ago, his photography takes him all over the world.
This winter, he spent three months capturing the Arctic Circle onboard HMS Northumberland.
He has also captured drug operations in the Caribbean, counter-piracy operations in Somalia, whales off the Ascension Islands, wildlife off the Falkland Islands, the Northern Lights, plus much more.
‘It has been pretty epic,’ he said.
Shaun, who lives with his husband Jack, said he is grateful for the opportunities that led him to earn a profit from his passion.
‘I am really lucky that for me, my photography is my passion,’ he said.
‘I still work so I do not have to rely on it for an income, I get to do it because I enjoy it. There is no pressure.
‘The News has been a great place to showcase my imagery to the local community. It has a connection to local people.
‘You can create connections through social media, but there are still people out there who rely on The News. It is a difficult time for regional newspapers but it is important to have news that you can trust.'