Colin Usher (pictured above) is a photographer, designer and digital media specialist based in Nérac, Lot-et-Garonne, Nouvelle Aquitaine, South West France, situated between Bordeaux & Toulouse… in the North Gascogne region.
With Julia Douglas, he is co-creator of Studio Faire, writer, artist residency and creative studios in Nérac.
He specialises in portraiture, editorial, & property for estate agents.
He has worked with many publications including The Face magazine and The Scotsman as well as theatre companies such as The Traverse Theatre, The Royal Lyceum, Terry Beck Troupe, Philadelphia and Dundee Rep Dance Co.
Much of his work has been used for album covers, promo & press materials as well as featuring in various publications over the years.
Colin has been a drummer since the age of 10 and professional for many years working in broadcasting environments, live and in the studio.
Having lived in South West France for over 8 years now, Colin has carved a niche locally as an estate agent photographer. He can regularly be seen heading off to a chateau or a stunning character property in the Gers, Lot et Garonne and Tarn departments. Buying a home in France? Colin gives FREE advice on the ins and outs of the process. Find out more…
The blog is a photographic diary as well as a place to introduce retrospective highlights from Colin’s 30+ years in the media.
Colin is available in South West France. Bordeaux, Toulouse, Dordogne, Lot et Garonne, Gers.
Based in Nérac, Paris, Amsterdam and London are within easy reach.
Commission enquiries
e-mail: colin@colinusher.com
or call +33 (0)6 34 56 10 70 (France)
Now releasing music as Mister Colins using his Teenage Engineering samplers and drum machines… from the Mister Colins site:
Over the winter of 2023/4, he discovered the KO-33! by Teenage Engineering, a micro sampler and drum machine that fits in your pocket.
Realising that he could now create full tracks with this wee machine and a microphone pointing at his Banjo, Colin got started turning his banjo jams into tracks with beats and chops.
His debut instrumental ‘Becca, Drop It’ came out on August 24th 2024 and was followed very shortly after by ‘Hey, Dougie’, both tunes inspired by the two labradors in his life.
Once hooked on Teenage Engineering’s methodology & innovation, Colin grabbed himself a K.O. II (EP-133) and has been getting to grips with its ridiculous sampling power and having fun compiling and releasing new tunes.
Colin’s Blog
2024, Nérac … An Update on Life in SW France
February in Nérac is a lovely time. The sunshine is out as well as the BBQ. STUDIO FAIRE is in the midst of its yearly downtime as we renovate a further bedroom and a bathroom in the guest area. Season 2024 is fully booked and of course we look forward to...
Spending Some Free Time with Sean Dickson of The Soup Dragons
The Name-Drop Diaries #05 1999/2000 with Sean Dickson of The Soup Dragons / The High Fidelity / HiFi Sean Back in 1999, I had founded my design agency based in Leith, Edinburgh. I called it The Federal Bureau of Design and there were usually 3 of us on board. Penny...
Colin Designed Museum of the Highlands Website
Look what we built... https://museumofthehighlands.org/ For around a year now, I have been working on this immense project with Museums and Heritage Highland, who exist to strengthen the heritage sector in the Highlands for the benefit of everyone living in and...
Shooting a Proclaimers video with Matt Lucas
The Name-Drop Diaries #04 Back in April 2012, while working with The Proclaimers on promoting their new album 'Like Comedy', Matt Lucas got in touch to express his interest in maybe directing a pop video for the next single. Obviously we were all very excited at the...
Raising a Barn and Finding Serenity
As a cold and slow January ends, I feel it is time for some change... After working in web design & the digital space for over 28 years, I have decided to focus fully on Studio Faire here in South West France from April 2023. Sitting at a desk in front of an...
About Colin & Julia’s Studio Faire Creative Residency in France
Colin is co-founder of Studio Faire creative residency in Nérac, South West France. Situated in Gascogny.Studio Faire is a contemporary arts space offering residencies for artists, writers, musicians... all creative practitioners. Set up in 2017, the residency has...
Recently shot & edited by Colin in Nérac
Deepa Paulus from New York plays ‘Kayda’ on tabla.
Shot on location in Nérac whist on a 10 day artist residency at Studio Faire.
All detail & imagery is copyright © Colin Usher.
Tel: 06 34 56 10 70 E: colin@colinusher.com
SIRET: 8235 4941 500029