Abraham, Stuart

• Stuart Abraham

Stuart was born in Jersey in 1954. He studied at Victoria College, Harlow Technical College and Bristol Technical College.

In May 1989, after five years as a PR Executive for Wordsmith and Co., managing media relations for Jersey Tourism (later Visit Jersey), Stuart Abraham transitioned into professional photography. During his tenure, he facilitated journalist and TV crew visits to Jersey, capitalising on the popularity of Bergerac, the BBC series starring John Nettles. His role in promoting Jersey’s attractions through strategic media engagements laid the groundwork for his next career chapter.

Stuart’s entry into photography came unexpectedly when an Automobile Association editor visited Jersey to commission images for an Ordnance Survey guide. Sharing his collection of colour slides led to his first professional assignment, marking the start of a 30-year career. Specialising in publishing, he quickly secured work from Channel Island tour operators, hoteliers, and guesthouse owners, investing in advanced equipment and building a robust client base. His projects included publishing postcards, calendars, and the book Jersey Memories.

By the mid-1990s, Stuart expanded internationally, collaborating with travel writer Kevin Pilley. Their assignments took him to destinations including the USA, Japan, India, Russia, South Africa, and across Europe. These experiences, supported by tourist boards and regional hosts, established him as a versatile travel photographer.

The transition from film to digital photography became a pivotal aspect of Stuart’s career. Embracing new technologies such as Apple Macs, Nikon film scanners, and Adobe software, he adapted to the evolving demands of the publishing industry. In 2000, he won an award for Jersey’s first dedicated online photo library.
In 2012, Google invited Stuart to participate in its Street View project, creating 3D virtual tours for Jersey businesses. This initiative, which utilised DSLR equipment and advanced software, marked his full integration into the digital era. Later, he applied these skills to producing virtual tours for luxury properties.
As the photography landscape shifted towards AI and text-to-image innovations, Stuart concluded his traditional photographic pursuits, leaving a legacy of adaptability and creative contributions to the field.