Peter Chillingworth did a lot of work for the local community, being involved with
the John Jempson & Son Social Club, Chairman of the Rye Community
Centre and secretary of Rye Camera Club. His interest in photography
began when at 21 he was bought his first camera by his wife Sheila, his
camera followed him everywhere. His hobby soon became an obsession and
his results earned much respect from others. He was a technical expert in most aspects of photography. You could ask him for
information or advice on just about anything photographic.
He gave talks to the club on a number
of occasions. He
had his own darkroom and printed
all his own
professional work.
By 1986 his professional
driving career ended due to arthritis, but he continued with Jempsons
working in the office until the early nineties. During this time, his
hobby developed into a part time job, trying out wedding photography
for the first time on his brother Nicholas.
He decided that this
was his future, infact he became so inundated with work that he took
the decision to go on his own, hence the birth of Peter Chillingworth
Photography. In 1993 he won the Society of Wedding And Portrait
Photographers’ Wedding Photographer of the year, and again in 1996,97
& 98.