At the age of fifteen I unwrapped my first SLR camera and from that Christmas day on for the next 10 years I had a camera with me. Growing up in East Grinstead, I photographed everything – landscape, bands, local events and architecture. This early obsession lead me to four years of studying photography after leaving school, then I gathered more photographic skills working for a studio in Tonbridge. After two years of excessive hours and not much pay, I had a little change of direction. I was offered the opportunity to help a picture framer with a large framing contract with Laura Ashley, and after completing the contract I moved on to experience the dubious joys of the office environment. I think I lasted six months before the suits and office politics became to much to bear. So in 1995 at the age of 23 I started Oyster picture framing. My parents’ garage in East Grinstead was converted into a workshop and over the next three years the business grew to such a point that larger premises were needed. In 1998 Oyster moved from East Grinstead to an idyllic small Granary building at Carewell Farm, Lingfield. Since then business has continued to grow largely due to a very loyal customer base and a focus on precision and quality. Oyster Picture Framing is a small framing workshop, framing all sorts of art, both contemporary and traditional, using the best materials available to the modern framer. I stock a huge selection of frames, glass and mountboard. Oyster is conveniently located in Lingfield, Surrey with ample car parking and is within easy travelling distance of East Grinstead, Forest Row and Edenbridge.
