Award-winning portrait specialists in West Lothian.

Spence Photography


Photography you will love and your friends will envy


We specialise in portrait photography – specifically the sub-genres of family, boudoir, dog and equestrian portraits. Our style is best described as a fusion of classic and contemporary portraiture.

Through patience and reassurance, great shots come easily, even if you don’t like being photographed.

We have a simple goal – to give you a friendly, relaxed and enjoyable experience (and great images).


Capture the moment. Remember the experience.

Family Portraits

Create some tangible memories with us.

Apprehensive about being photographed? It’s common, but you shouldn’t be.

Great portrait photography comes from people skills and the ability to relax and put the sitter at ease.

We’ve got those skills, honed by years and years of practice. It’s that ability that elevates us above others (and we’re rather good with the camera and lights too!).

It’s our goal to make your portrait session a fun and enjoyable experience. Even if you don’t like being photographed.

Let us create something outstanding for you. An experience to enjoy, wall-art you will treasure every day, a perpetual recollection of that time.

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We create memories to last a lifetime – heirlooms for future generations.


Glamorous. Chic. Discreet.

Boudoir

Dare to be yourself!

Indulge yourself with a boudoir portrait experience. It’s all about you, making you feel great, making you feel beautiful – be glamorous, leave the daily you behind. See the beauty that others see in you.

Experience a bespoke session specifically tailored for you. Pamper yourself with an uplifting experience. Lavish yourself with a collection of gorgeous portraits.

The experience is about empowerment, boosting confidence and having fun. You could justify it as a gift for a partner, but it’s really for you! Own it, revel in the indulgence!

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Empower yourself. Indulge yourself.  


One day they will only be memories

Dogs

The only time rubbing a client’s tummy is ever appropriate.

We’re doggie people. We understand some dogs have no inhibitions and others are timid with massive boundaries. We get it, everything we do is about working with the individual nature of your dog.

We specialise in capturing your dog’s character. Not something that can be rushed. Their uniqueness, the sparkle in their eyes, your shared bond. And having had fun capturing that, you take the very best images home in the form of beautiful, luxury wall portraits.

You might think that your dog(s) will be hard to photograph, but we’re patient. Combined with our skill with light, that’s all it takes – patience and time. And we’re not stingy with our time to get the shots.

Our own Elsa Snuggle Hound might be part of your studio experience (at least for people, almost certainly not for the dogs!).

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One day, all we will have is memories. One day, all we will be are memories.


We don't just photograph horses, we share your passion for them

Equestrian

Horses are wonderful creatures and as owners and riders ourselves, we share your passion and understand your bond.

Their beauty is undeniably exquisite. That beauty belongs on your wall for you to admire every day.

Our skill and understanding of light, coupled with our comfort and experience around horses, allows us to creatively render their character, their very essence, with depth and realism in our portraits.

And with a surprisingly simple setup, we achieve these magical portraits in most locations (you don’t have to bring them to the studio – we come to you!).

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Your memories should grace your walls to be viewed and treasured every day.


Reviews

  • "My dog is incredibly boisterous to say the least. Barrie has an amazing amount of patience and captured stunning images. Delighted with the portrait I got."

    Alana Thomson
  • "Would recommend Barrie any day of the week! Amazing studio to work in and very professional! Whatever the occasion this is the man for you! Cannot wait to see the finished product from my portfolio shoot! Thanks so much Barrie!"

    Ciara Johnson
  • "Absolutely fantastic experience, very chilled and relaxed."

    Laura Mcgillivray
  • "Have just picked up my pictures of Bleddyn and they are brilliant! Barrie spent so much time with us both when taking the photos and choosing them, not to mention all the time he must have spent behind the scenes sorting them out then cleaning up the ones I chose even further! My only complaint is that he did such a great job that I had to buy more than planned as I just couldn't say no!! x"

    Melanie N Bleddyn
  • "I had a photoshoot with my collie Ginny and Barrie has done an amazing job! He really does love the dogs when they’re in the studio and got so many amazing shots, narrowing it down to my favourite was a mighty task. Now that the photo is on the wall I can’t stop looking at it!

    Would definitely recommend taking your dog to Barrie, the quality of work is amazing."

    Lucy Summers-Graham
  • "Well, what can I say. Outstanding. We had such a great time getting our 2 dogs photographed. And the end results were amazing. Also the quality of our pictures that we got are great. Very happy."

    Andrew Garriock
  • "Had a great time last weekend. Barrie was fantastic with my two mad Beardies!"

    Lois Divine
  • "Really friendly and put me at ease right away. Excellent fun to work with and completely professional. I look forward to working with him again."

    Shona Dobbie
  • "They are amazing - we are really pleased with them."

    Elaine Burrell
  • "The photos are amazing, I really love them all, thanks very much !! Elaine and Ross and definitely pleased too, they are over the moon and can't decide which ones to go for..."

    Lynne Burrell


Guaranteed 100% satisfaction


Quality, not quantity

Price Guide

We shoot to create top of the line printed products for you to treasure.

A common question is “how much does it cost?” and the (not being facetious) answer is a very simple “it depends on what you order”.  We shoot for you, you’re unique and we don’t expect you to be the same as any other client.

To help you understand what you might spend with us, most clients will spend in the region of 750 – 2500 (and occasionally more).

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Barrie Spence

The Guy Behind the Camera

Barrie Spence, award-winning Scottish photographer.

Long recognised as one of Scotland’s leading studio photographers and ranked in the top ten portrait photographers in Europe for 2023, Barrie specialises in award-winning portraiture.

His work is immediately recognisable for his clean and subtle use of light and an elegant, uncomplicated style. He further refines and enhances his images with painstakingly meticulous, but subtle retouching.

Barrie has an innate skillset allowing him to connect with and relax clients, a critical component in portrait photography, which elevates his work above others.

More about Barrie
 
YOUR WORK OF ART BEGINS HERE

The Studio

Our unique, spacious studio is located within the grounds of Blackburn House, a historical site in West Lothian. It’s a country location, surrounded by the fields of Blackburn House Equestrian Centre, with ample parking and full disabled access. The central location is easily accessible from both Glasgow and Edinburgh and attracts clients from all over the UK.

The studio – located between Seafield and Blackburn in West Lothian. It’s approximately 5-10 minutes drive from the M8 (junctions 3, 3A or 4 are all convenient).

Spence Photography
Blackburn House – East Pavilion
Redhouse Road
Seafield
West Lothian
EH47 7AQ

The studio (with Blackburn House in the background)

 
Always learning, continually improving

The Qualifications

Master Qualified European Photographer logo

BIPP Accredited - Fellowship (FBIPP)