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Welcome to our Meet the Team series where we introduce the team behind the work. Find out what they love about their careers and just as importantly what makes them tick outside of work too.

After finishing university and taking almost a year out to travel, and having a working background in retail, Jon started his photographic career at Jessops – the camera shop. He made his way up to a management role quickly which taught him a huge amount about running a team and business effectively. This, coupled with a few hours a week of business studies on his university course, soon saw Jon gain enough confidence to approach going it alone as a professional photographer. Jon now has 20 years of experience behind him as a photographer and joins Fourwalls as our Regional Photography Manager for the South West, covering Devon, Cornwall and the West Country.

Introducing...
Jon Hare, Regional property photographer for the South West

What would be your superpower and why?

My superpower would be time travel – just think of the amazing people and places you could see and meet! Though far too many questions about the ramifications of changing the course of history……. hmmm!

How do you take your tea/coffee?

When out I love a cortado or macchiato. At home it’s builders’ tea: strong, sweet and milky please!

Tell us about your pets.

I have a scruffy Border Terrier named Paddington Hare. He spends half of his time looking at me like he wants to savage my ankles and the other half either asleep or trying to cuddle up with me. He absolutely loves people and is often mistaken for a puppy even though he’s almost 10!

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I love meeting people, visiting new places, architecture and being creative, so for me this is the perfect job! That’s probably why I’ve done it for so long.

Do you collect anything?

I collect cycling casquettes (caps). A bit niche but I tend to pick them up when we are away travelling, so I have heaps of cool memories go with each one.

What’s the best place you’ve travelled to, and the worst (and why!)?

My favourite continent is Africa and I have explored a huge chunk of it. If I had to choose a specific place it would probably be either Lake Malawi or Zanzibar, because I love the relaxed vibe of the people and just being near the beauty of the water with the sun on my back. I’m a country bumpkin so city breaks are my least favourite – but I’ll never say no!

Any guilty pleasures?

I don’t really do guilt, but I guess you could say I frequent a pub too often – but there’s nothing better than a warm ale in a cosy pub!

What’s your earliest Fourwalls memory?

My earliest Fourwalls memory is [sales director] John Williams trying to steal my umbrella at my interview in Bath when it started raining. I still have it!

What career advice would you give your younger self?

I have been super lucky in knowing I wanted to be a photographer from first picking up a camera when I was about seven, so my career advice to my younger self would be do the same! But generally, to find something you love and stick with it.

What is your definition of success?

My definition of success is to be happy, to love and feel loved in everything you do. Be satisfied and content in what you have as a lot of people have much less and there will always be those that have more – but are they successful, happy or content? I’m not really a materialistic person so don’t see money as a major driver or mark of success – just don’t tell Owen!

Email, Teams message or phone call – what do you prefer?

Phone call over messages any day! I’m a bit of a talker so any excuse! And I feel it’s always best to feel more connected.

What training or qualifications have you needed for your role?

I have had over six years specialising in photographic studies plus almost 20 years doing it for a living now. But being able to communicate effectively with people is still the most important part of almost any role I’d say! And still one I’m enjoying trying to perfect!