The CameronLife Photo Library was originally conceived by Charles Everest in the 1950's. It now has the primary objectives of conserving and promoting his film and photographic works for which his family retain copyright.
John Charles Everest or Charles (as he was known to colleagues during his career as a Newsreel Cameraman) was born 12th February 1929 with a hereditary illness - Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia, or HED. He was very fortunate to live beyond childhood and showed amazing will power and single mindedness to live a normal existence.
Born into a family with a tradition in service to sovereigns and aristocrats, Charles had an interesting and privileged childhood. The freedom to mix with a cross-section of estate workers gave this young boy a life time interest in people and the everyday lives they lead. A growing passion for photography, combined with mentoring by the renowned photographer and Royal Warrant holder James Sheridan (father of actress Dinah Sheridan), led to successful submissions to local newspapers, trade and county magazines and from there he achieved National media exposure.
National Service gave Charles an introduction to personnel records, camera work and to cataloguing and servicing military training films. After which, freelance work took him to Edinburgh and to the features company of 'The Scotsman' newspaper. Charles' work so impressed Roy Thomson (Canadian millionaire radio and newspaper owner; who was about to establish commercial television in Scotland), that he was given the opportunity of a career in filming for him. However, an offer from a BBC News contractor was too good to miss and resulted in Charles covering the Northern territories reaching to the Artic Circle and the many Islands of and beyond Scotland.
Tenacity, focus and attention to detail helped him carve out a successful career as an award winning newsreel cameraman, film director and stills photographer.
Charles sadly passed away in 2015.
Running of the day to day business of the CameronLife Photo Library now rests in the hands of his offspring and their families.