David Ovenden |

by David Ovenden

Exceptional photography

for theatre and the arts

Exceptional photography

for events and conferences

Exceptional photography

for individuals, groups and families

Exceptional photography

for catwalks and catalogues

Exceptional photography

for advertising, websites and brochures

Exceptional photography

Hello,

my name is David Ovenden and I am a freelance professional photographer providing a wide range of photographic services to individuals and businesses.
I specialise in portraits (for social media, family and business), theatre, fashion and commercial photography but I can help you with all your photographic requirements. I offer studio or location shoots, and with my portable studio I can create studio quality shots in your own home, office or at your function.
I cover all areas of London and the South East, or further afield on request.

Below you will see some of my recent work. Bear in mind that a lot of my work is for private clients and and will not appear here to maintain client confidentiality.

Recent Work

SSSSPOTY 2023

I again shot The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year Competition at the Sondheim Theatre

Swansea-born Milly Willows, a third-year BA Hons Musical Theatre student at Italia Conti, was crowned the winner of SSSSPOTY 2023.

The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (aka SSSSPOTY) sees 12 finalists – whittled down this year from 250 applicants – compete for a £1,000 first prize by singing a classic Sondheim number, and also a song from a new or recent musical theatre show. But more important than the prize money is the opportunity to sing on a West End stage.

The runnner’s-up prize of £500 was awarded to Emily Botnen, a student on the one-year Musical Theatre MA course at the Royal Academy of Music.

The judging panel – chaired by critic and broadcaster Edward Seckerson – comprised Nicola Hughes (Into the Woods), Michael Jibson (Road Show) and Sondeim Society Patrons Jenna Russell (Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods) and Julia McKenzie (Follies, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd).

The competition was hosted by former SSSSPOTY winner Alex Young, who took home the first prize back in 2010 – marking the first time that a former winner has returned to host the event.

BEAM 2023

Musical Theatre Network, Mercury Musical Developments and Oxford Playhouse produced BEAM2023 on Thursday 25th & Friday 26th May 2023.

BEAM2023 is the UK’s biggest showcase of new musical theatre. This exhilarating two-day event showcases the most exciting, bold, diverse and high-quality new musicals being created. Selected from an extensive nationwide search, excerpts and songs from 29 shows in development will be presented, alongside a variety of provocative and insightful panel discussions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.
 
As the largest gathering of the UK new musical theatre community, BEAM2023 brings together writers, producers, composers, venues, investors, agents and development partners for two days of inspiring content.

Perfect Imperfection

After a series of four sold out concerts at the Union Theatre between 2016 and 2018, Robert Gould returned to present another evening of songs with his lyrics, “Perfect Imperfection”,

Amadeus

Peter Shaffer’s award-winning fictionalised account of the relationship between these two real life composers is a story for all time. Presented in a way which reaches far beyond the play’s historical roots, this production of Amadeus takes the audience on a wild ride through the trials and tribulations of music, genius, jealousy and revenge.

Carrie

Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel and the acclaimed movie starring Sissy Spacek, Carrie has been reinvented for our time in a new production sure to shake the Bridewell to its very core…

Carrie contains adult themes, violence and strong language. Special effects include strobe lighting, bright flashes, loud/sudden noises, haze/smoke and fake blood. We recommend Carrie for an adult audience.

Carrie: The Musical played at the Bridewell Theatre from 25-29 October 2022.

I took headshots, rehearsal photos and publicity shots

After Elijah

After Elijah is the 2021 winner of the MTI Stiles + Drewe Mentorship Award, a development programme run in conjunction with Mercury Musical Developments. This project has seen two progress labs take place and now we are delighted to invite all industry to come and watch the final presentation of the musical in full on Friday 1st July 2022 at The Other Palace.

Book, Music & Lyrics: Omar Baroud
Director: Matthew Xia
Mentored by: George Stiles and Anthony Drewe

SSSSPOTY 2022

Desmonda Cathabel from Jakarta, Indonesia, studying at the Royal Academy of Music, has beaten off stiff competition from 11 other talented young singers to be named the Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year.

She was crowned last night at the end of a hotly contested West End sing-off final – the first since the passing of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim – fittingly, in the Sondheim Theatre. The £1000 first prize was donated by Sondheim Society member Tessa Kulik, in memory of her husband Mark Jones.

Runner-Up was Ella Shepherd from Bird College Conservatoire, who was presented her prize of £500 from Society donor Jeremy Chapman. A third prize was also awarded, to Jade Oswald, also training at the Royal Academy of Music.