Ian Lillicrapp, fine art photographer & cultural heritage digitisation

Ian Lillicrapp

A professional photographer providing experienced collections digitisation of museum and gallery objects (both 2D and 3D) across the cultural heritage sector in the UK. This includes photography for the Bank of England Museum, St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, Biggin Hill Memorial Museum, Jewish Museum London and Amy Winehouse Foundation.

Ian also covers marketing and PR events and supplies images for retail and merchandising. Post production of digital images is carried out to an agreed standard for clients’ image management systems. Ian is a member of the Association for Historical and Fine Art Photography (AHFAP) which features his solo exhibition World City: Refugee Stories for the Refugee Council.

Digitisation workshops

Ian holds open collections photography sessions for museums which aim to demystify the capture process for visitor engagement. The accessibility to archived objects is popular with the visiting public and increases the digital reach and impact of the organisation. Consultancy and training is available for collections managers planning a digitisation programme. The process of creating digital versions of archived material helps museums capture and share the information that gives their objects meaning.

Exhibition delivery

Trained in object handling, Ian takes care of all aspects of exhibition delivery from initial digitisation photography (for marketing, graphic interpretion and merchandise), receiving on site loans, coordinating the main build contractors, graphics installation and lighting right through to event photography on opening night.

Exhibitions include the record breaking Amy Winehouse: A Family Portrait for Jewish Museum London. Designs on Britain and Designing the 20th Century: Life and Work of Abram Games. Milein Cosman: Lifelong Impressions for the Austrian Cultural Forum.

Degree course validation

Ian was part of the validation panel which delivered the degree in Photography at Farnborough College of Technology

AHFAP

Reviews

Photographic commissions

Burgh House & Hampstead Museum

“... high quality images of objects in our collection assist with identification and condition monitoring, publicity for the collection, as well as increasing remote access to objects through our website ...” Rebecca Lodge, Curator

High Hill PenguinThe autographed model penguin is part of a collection relating to the history and development of Hampstead and raises revenue through the Adopt an Object scheme. Photographed by Ian Lillicrapp for Burgh House & Hampstead Museum.

Detail of an Illustrated biography of Milein Cosman by Ines Schlenker. Photographed by Ian Lillicrapp.

The Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust

“Ian is always extremely professional and imparts his knowledge of all aspects of photography and image reproduction patiently and clearly. A pleasure to work with, he is also very helpful in matters such as picture hanging. The first time Milein Cosman saw his photograph of an oil painting … she exclaimed ‘Wow, it looks better than the original!’.” Julian Hogg, Chair

Milein Cosman Capturing TimeIllustrated biography of Milein Cosman by Ines Schlenker. Works on paper photographed by Ian Lillicrapp for The Cosman Keller Art and Music Trust.

Doris Benjamin’s Cape. Photographed by Ian Lillicrapp.

‘For King and Country?’

“I have worked with Ian to install both temporary and permanent exhibitions. He has a pragmatic and creative approach to problem-solving which is vital when building bespoke displays. He always understands the competing needs of collection, design and the practicalities of the installation itself. Ian is an excellent team member as he can get on with everyone from curators to designers to external contractors. He is the best person to have around during the very stressful and sometimes extremely long hours of installation … he is always calm and finds a solution.” Roz Currie, Curator

Doris Benjamin’s CapeThe cape of a military nurse photographed by Ian Lillicrapp alongside exhibition delivery for the Jewish Military Museum.

AJEX

“Working with Ian was a real education in collections photography. He is immensely knowledgeable and experienced at photographing objects from tiny to enormous, old to new, incredibly fragile or very robust. He has a thoughtful approach to photographing collections which considers context and meaning but acknowledges limited time and resources. He also never gives up when looking for a shot.” Roz Currie, Curator

AJEX Memorial WindowStained glass window designed by Abram Games. Photographed by Ian Lillicrapp for the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX).

Guildford Borough Art Collection

“Ian is a fantastic photographer. I have worked with him on many collection projects at different museums. He is extremely efficient and creative and his images are always beautiful and, more important, swiftly processed and delivered.” Sarah Fairhurst, Collections Manager

Anna Louisa HalseyPortrait by John Russell RA, pastel on paper, c.1798. Photographed by Ian Lillicrapp for Guildford Heritage Services.

Painting by Milein Cosman. Photographed by Ian Lillicrapp.

Austrian Cultural Forum London

“From the outset of our collaboration for a joint exhibition of the works of the artist Milein Cosman at the Austrian Cultural Forum London, it was very evident that Ian was an expert in his field and very experienced in the preparation and setting up of exhibitions. He shared this knowledge generously and with awareness and sensitivity. This made the preparation positive and seamless and led to fruitful future collaborations on a number of exhibitions and cultural projects.” Andrea Rauter rtd., Cultural Projects Manager

Oil painting from ‘Lifelong Impressions - The Art of Milein Cosman’Photography of works on paper and exhibition delivery by Ian Lillicrapp for the Austrian Cultural Forum London.