Jon Bevan Photography

Immortalising Life Under Fire

IT is perhaps not the safest feeling in the world, being at the sharp end of war armed with a camera. But that has been Jon Bevan's lot. In 2007 his Army Photographic role took him to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 6.

It is a conflict which has not pressed the public's nerve button as much as the Iraq war. Perceptions can be misleading, though. Jon has served in both places and other troublespots, and is able to make credible assessments based on his experiences.

Born in Swansea 38 years ago, he went to Bishop Gore school and then did a three-year business and leisure studies course at Swansea College. From an early age he wanted to be a policeman, and thought he would gain experience for that civilian role with a stint in the military version. His Army career kicked off at the end of 1990 joining as a Royal Military Policeman (RMP) and took posts in Germany, Bosnia, Iraq, Northern Ireland and London.

His 15 year service as a RMP included being awarded a GOC Commendation for his Community Policing efforts to security with British Prime Minister on Foreign Commonwealth visits overseas.

In 2004, this proved to be a turning point in both Jon's life and career as he picked up his first SLR camera. Trained to gather photographic police evidence at scenes of crime and public order offences in Northern Ireland. Fate introduced him to another Army photographer who mentored him for 18 months before Jon decided to make a permanant career change.

Since 2006 Jon has been a full time Army photographer joining one of the smallest trades in the British Army with a total of only 40 photographers. Jon has embraced every challenge thrown at him early into his photographic career.

Through his maturity, passion and excellence in pursuing truthful imagery, Jon has had plenty of success with publications world wide.

Jon's determination and self supportive attitude to capture frontline photography he was posted to the UK Special Forces, where he enjoyed a 8 month attachment, photographing the worlds most elite force the Special Air Service (SAS). Jon deployed on active service with 22 SAS capturing unique imagery alongside them.

Jon's early successes in photography and his War photographic exhibition has captured the support of Magazines, Local/National Newspapers, BBC Radio Wales and a 10 minute feature on the CNN International Correspondents Show.

Jon has recently returned back to Afghanistan during the Spring and Summer months of 2009, as a News Cameraman. He was employed on the Combat Camera Team in support of British Ground Operations during HERRICK 10. His frontline filming has been extensively used on BBC, ITN, SKY News Channels and a 30 minute Documentary for Y Byd Ar Bedwar on S4C.