Stephen Markeson was a leading photojournalist on the staff of pre-eminent national newspapers between 1963 and 1994 covering assignments that included war zones, international leaders, royalty, celebrities, travel, and stories of human interest. He left school at 15 with no qualifications, starting out as a post-room messenger for The Times. He then worked as assistant to a leading show business photographer. He progressed through local papers and news agencies and went on to become the youngest press photographer in Fleet Street at 19. His career included working for The Daily Herald and News International, eventually becoming a senior staff photojournalist for The Times. He was present at many important historical events, producing iconic and memorable images.

In 1990 Stephen was awarded two Fellowships by The Royal Photographic Society, one for Visual Journalism and the other for Portraiture. On leaving Fleet Street Stephen enjoyed a successful career in the advertising industry. In 2021 Stephen published Fleet Street Exposures, a photographic diary of his 30-year press career that features the stories behind the pictures. Stephen now lives in the Cotswolds. He has given talks at many literary festivals and is an established speaker on cruises.

Click here to visit Stephen's website >> www.stephenmarkeson.com

Stories from behind the lens of a leading photojournalist.

1) Notes and anecdotes from the golden era of Fleet Street

Illustrated by iconic images embracing old technology, limitless budgets, and the challenge of ‘getting the shot’, including Rock and roll, a run-in with the white slave trade, the Paris riots, going undercover in an abortion clinic, the appeal of the Royal Family and The Great Train Robbery.


2) Bloody Sunday to Dancing with Elton John

From featuring on the fashion pages to being targeted by the IRA, working for the largest circulation paper in the UK was often a challenge, sometimes amusing, sometimes frightening - always different. Chartering a trident to access a news story, three years covering ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland, a Royal wedding, dancing with Elton John, being shadowed by the KGB, and more tales from a photographer whose lens witnessed the making of history.


3) Punks, Presidents and Prime Ministers

The outstanding opportunity of working for The Times when the stranglehold of the unions had just been broken. Anecdotes illustrated by legendary images including world leaders, punks, famous characters off duty, field sports, the Curse of Tutankhamun, and ‘pulling a fast one’ on the indomitable Maggie Thatcher.


4) Being a suspected spy and travel images with a difference

The perils of working in unfriendly territories, Camel Racing, commanding a Russian tall ship, and other stories and travel pictures with a difference - The challenge of Illustrating the ‘sense’ of a destination whilst avoiding the obvious landmarks.


5) It shouldn’t happen to a photographer! Mishaps, Mistakes, and Lost in Translation

Not the Sound of Music, losing my trousers, the problem of being an Englishman abroad, including whilst working for the largest circulation newspaper in the United States, and a 46,000-mile global assignment.


6) Fame & Fortune- The changing face of Fleet Street

How technology and one man's ambition impacted the culture of National newspapers, the power of the print union, and the life of journalists.

I have been booked for two further SAGA cruises in 2024, and another for Cunard transatlantic to New York.

Travel Insurance as a Cruise Ship Speaker
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The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.