Obituary – Brian Ollier

22nd June 1945 – 22nd August 2014

Margaret, the widow of Brian Ollier, has led tributes, following the sudden death of the popular local photographer.

Brian turned his boyhood passion for photography into a successful career which lasted half a century – only retiring last year – planning to travel the world with his devoted wife.

Brian had only recently discovered that he was suffering from stomach cancer – and died on 22nd August following complications during surgery.

News of his death shocked the town prompting 100’s of tributes on local social media websites.

Paying her own tribute, Margaret said: “Photography was all Brian ever wanted to do. He could take any type of photo but it was portraits that were his real love.

“During one of the annual baby competitions he took 1,200 portraits in just 10 days which is an amazing figure. Brian loved every minute of his work and was committed to spending as long as it took to get the right shot. He took the photos of generations of the same family. I like to think that most homes in Macclesfield will have an ‘Ollier’ somewhere.”

Born in Macclesfield in 1945, Brian grew up on Chapel Street with his parents, Florence and Colin.

As a boy, he discovered a love for photography – practising his craft around the town and on school trips – developing his images in a cupboard under the stairs at his home.

Brian’s ability even earned him his first paid photography commission, when at the tender age of 13, he was booked for his first wedding.

After leaving Macclesfield Central School he got his first (and only) job at the Macclesfield Express as a junior photographer.

In an age before film, early cameras required the use of glass plates to capture images for the news stories each week.

Margaret said: “He was sent out on his bike to six jobs with six plates. It left no room for error, so Brian had to make sure he got it right first time. It taught him about trying to get the perfect picture first time, something he carried with him for his whole career.”

In 1964, aged just 18, Brian set up his own studio on Sunderland Street – in a shop rented from his godmother Lena Whittaker.

He spent the next 50 years taking thousands of portraits, weddings and corporate photography images. The studio moved to Mill Street in 1980, then early last year to Queen Victoria Street.

During those five decades Brian retained a strong connection with the Macclesfield Express and became a mainstay of the paper with his popular ‘Looking Back’ column.

Outside of his work his other passion in life was his family.

He met Margaret at Krumbles discotheque in 1970 – and the pair became inseparable.

When they set up home together on Brook Street, Margaret left her job, as a cook, to help run the studio.

Over the following decade Brian found fame and success in his original pastel portrait style and the couple travelled the world extensively attending lectures and seminars.

In 1983 they were married, and by 1992 had three children James, Joe and Sarah.

Brian retired in July 2013 – planning to travel the world with Margaret in their new motorhome – before he fell ill.

Margaret said: “Brian saw great changes in photography throughout his career, finally embracing digital photography. He never lost his enthusiasm for his art and leaves a legacy of thousands of images spanning almost 50 years.”

Brian’s son James also paid tribute. He said: “I am such a proud son. He will be sorely missed by us all.

“Luckily we are surrounded by wonderful family and friends, and that thought also helped ease his passing, knowing that people are there for us when he couldn’t be.”

The studio is planning to celebrate 50 years in business in December this year.

Brian’s funeral will take place at St Michael’s Parish Church, Market Place, Macclesfield on Friday 5th September at 11 am.