It's all in the timing... Becca & Dougie with guests
This is Colin Usher, drummer, musician, music industry man

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.

Usher Hall Flash Test
Colin Usher playing live supporting The Proclaimers in Scotland with Ten Storeys High

Colin has been a drummer since the age of 10 and professional for many years working in broadcasting environments, live and in the studio. 

Christina Burtner (Pika) from Washington

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.

 

It's all in the timing... Becca & Dougie with guests

Colin’s Blog

Take it to the bridge, the Forth Bridge!

Take it to the bridge, the Forth Bridge!

The Name-Drop Diaries #03 This is a big one in the Name-Drop Diaries series. It focusses on T in the Park, the music festival from Scotland that ran from 1994 to 2016. Originally, I attended the festival in my capacity as a photographer until 2001 when I began working...

Simply, Joni Mitchell

Simply, Joni Mitchell

The Name-Drop Diaries #02 In December 1990, The List magazine called me and asked me to go to The City Arts Centre in Edinburgh to photograph the launch of a new exhibition, Diary of a Decade, by Joni Mitchell. 'Get a decent shot of Ms Mitchell that we can use for the...

A Dentist, A Designer, A Talking Head and A Fanny

A Dentist, A Designer, A Talking Head and A Fanny

The Name-Drop Diaries #01 I am writing about this wee episode in my life as it popped into my head while renting the Spike Lee Joint of David Byrne's American Utopia. Back in 1999, to celebrate Glasgow's year as European City of Architecture and Design, my great...

Kathleen Jamie’s Site Goes Live

Kathleen Jamie’s Site Goes Live

'Just went live with a new website for Scottish poet and non-fiction writer Kathleen Jamie. Working with her own handwriting to create slideshows and share excerpts from her work, I've really enjoyed getting to know her style. The depth of her work is astounding and I...

Highland Threads Goes Live

Highland Threads Goes Live

I have had the pleasure of working with the team at Museums and Heritage Highland on a new website to promote museums in the highlands of Scotland. HIGHLAND THREADS went live today and features pieces from 14 museums. I was tasked with both creating the website and...

Brigid Collins Artist Site Goes Live

Brigid Collins Artist Site Goes Live

I've spent a few months working with the artist Brigid Collins on her new site. This has been a very welcome activity in these strange pandemic affected times. Her work is not just stunning... I find her work greatly inspiring and thought provoking. This has been a...

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.

CHUTES! Colin’s Summer 2017 Exhibition in Agen, France. 

From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
From the Exhibition CHUTES!
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)
Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS)

All detail & imagery is copyright © Colin Usher.
Tel: 06 34 56 10 70  E: colin@colinusher.com
SIRET: 8235 4941 500029