Westley Richards on Pinterest & US Agency on Instagram

When I first arrived at Westley Richards, one of the areas that really impressed me was the quality and depth of photography the company had produced over the years. This in large part began with Simon Clode, the former Chairman & Managing Director of the company, who as a young man developed a keen interested in the medium while studying art at the British Institute in Florence. It was during this time of experimentation with cameras, darkrooms and composition that Simon established his uncompromising eye for fine detail and appreciation of aesthetics.

By Stephen Humphries

This strong belief in the highest levels of presentation, would eventually lead Westley Richards to stand well above the crowd; displaying a new standard of visual quality that would in turn elevate its beautiful products and showcase a desirable sporting lifestyle. What Simon couldn’t have imagined in his early days in the darkroom, is how great an impact photography was to have on the world-at-large, and why his efforts has placed the company in such an ideal position for the future.

Some time ago I read an article that stated ‘2014’ had been a landmark moment for photography. In that year 1 trillion photos had been taken, amounting to a quarter of all photographs/images to have ever existed since the dawn of the camera. Quite the sobering thought! However on greater reflection not too surprising with the proliferation of smartphones and the lure of social media.

What became clear since around that time is that every Tom, Dick and Harry with an iPhone could class themselves as a photographer, and the role of experienced image-makers would likely become a dying breed. Having lived in that world all my career that thought is by far from the truth. The level of skill and craftsmanship involved in the lighting, product composition, image capture and digital correction of top photography takes years to master. Here at Westley Richards we are lucky to have our own expert in-house team, led by Emma and on occasion Leica expert, Brett.

As Explora readers will be well aware, the images that we produce are of such distinctive quality the products exude the finest luxury, even on the smallest of screens. It is no surprise then, that as of this month we have launched two new social media ventures – on Pinterest & Instagram. Our friends and followers are now able to view a great many of our back catalogue on this new Westley Richards Pinterest page. It is a fantastic way to navigate iconic imagery and discover guns, rifles, engravings, people, sporting trips, leather goods and much more, at a glance. Month on month this page will continue to grow and will be an archive that any true Westley Richards aficionado should follow.

The second is the Westley Richards US Agency Instagram page, an account run by our man in North America – L.D. McCaa – who’s technical knowledge of firearms and their histories are second to none. The account will be regularly showcasing the many pre-owned firearms that he has for sale along with his key interests in ephemera, hunting stories and US sporting events. It is the perfect place to keep an eye out for your next used gun or rifle!

Westley Richards Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/WestleyRichardsandCo/

Westley Richards US Agency Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/westleyrichardsagency/

The Explora Blog is the world’s premier online journal for field sports enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, conservationists and admirers of bespoke gunmaking, fine leather goods and timeless safari clothes. Each month Westley Richards publishes up to 8 blog posts on a range of topics with an avid readership totalling 500,000+ page views per year.

Blog post topics include: Finished custom rifles and bespoke guns leaving the Westley Richards factory; examples of heritage firearms with unique designs and celebrated owners like James Sutherland and Frederick Courtenay Selous; the latest from the company pre-owned guns and rifles collection; interviews with the makers from the gun and leather factory; new season safari wear and country clothing; recent additions to our luxury travel bags and sporting leather goodsrange; time well spent out in the field; latest news in the sporting world; and key international conservation stories.

By Stephen Humphries

13 Comments

neil mcveigh on July 3, 2020 at 9:51 am

Good article Stephen.I guess its goes with the territory.WR build the best guns in the world so they need the best photographers!I often complimented Simon on his photographs because I always felt they shone the best possible light (pun intended) on the magnificent guns.Congrats to all contributors who keep the Explora trundling nicely along.We need our regular fix!

Reply
- Stephen Humphries on July 3, 2020 at 10:20 am
  
  Dear Neil,
  
  Thank you for your continued readership and kind words. We will certainly keep up the good work and make sure we remain the premier online journal for fine guns, rifles and much much more.
  
  All the best,
  
  Stephen
  
  Reply
Peter Buckley. on July 3, 2020 at 7:04 pm

Dear Stephen

This article of yours truly emphasises the ‘Top Class’ photography achieved by Westley Richards.
Great photo of Simon, and by the looks of it, in his element !

Ahh the elusive Emma, photographed in her natural environment, I have admired lots of her work in previous articles, no wonder she leads the team.

Very best regards

Peter.

Reply
- Stephen Humphries on July 7, 2020 at 7:53 pm
  
  Many thanks Peter.
  
  Great to hear such fantastic feedback, always an incentive to push the team to break new ground with their imagery. Watch this space.
  
  All the best,
  Stephen
  
  Reply
Brett Prestidge on July 3, 2020 at 8:16 pm

Dear Stephen

Many thanks for the mention ... honoured to have collaborated with Westley Richards & Co - alongside Simon during his pursuit of Leica photography and more recently featured in company with Emma, in the exquisitely produced Explora journal.

Yours

Brett
@bybrett

Reply
- Stephen Humphries on July 7, 2020 at 7:55 pm
  
  A pleasure Brett, you along with Simon and Emma have set the standard that other gunmakers can only dream of. I look forward to working with you myself in the not too distant future.
  
  All the best,
  
  Stephen
  
  Reply
Ed Waters on July 7, 2020 at 7:14 pm

Fantastic! I have long admired WRs aesthetic and, dare say, used it as an example of where the company I work with needs to be visually. Look forward to viewing the archive.

Reply
- Stephen Humphries on July 7, 2020 at 7:58 pm
  
  Thank you for your kind words Ed, and pleasing to hear that we inspire so many. Enjoy the archive, which rest assured will continue to expand.
  
  All the best,
  Stephen
  
  Reply
Paul Phelan on July 8, 2020 at 11:23 am

There is one word which sums it all up Magnificent . Well done .
Best regards ,
Paul Phelan
Paul Phelan Safaris

Reply
- Stephen Humphries on July 14, 2020 at 2:42 pm
  
  Many thanks Paul, very kind.
  
  All the best,
  
  Stephen
  
  Reply
David Hodo on July 10, 2020 at 5:49 am

For any of you that may know. What model Leica camera is Emma holding in the photo of her in the photo studio?

Reply
- Stephen Humphries on July 14, 2020 at 2:41 pm
  
  Hi David,
  
  I have been reliably informed that it is a Leica S.
  
  All the best,
  
  Stephen
  
  Reply
  - David Hodo on July 15, 2020 at 7:05 am
    
    Thanks Stephen.
    
    Reply