Born in Bristol, Phil moved to London in 1983 where he studied at the London College of Printing (later to become part of the University of Arts, London). He did graphic design with a strong emphasis in photography and video. One of his most influential tutors at the time was the American writer, photographer and independent film maker, Steve Dwoskin.

Following college, he was selected by the British Film Institute as a New Director to make a short film in the first year of this initiative.

Along with old friend, college peer and flatmate, the film maker, photographer and lecturer, Ian Wiblin, he spent three months in Wroclaw, Poland between January and April, 1989 – just months before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Other travels included Hong Kong, China, the USA as well as other locations across Europe where he has family.

He has spent most of his career as a graphic designer and video maker specialising in industrial, corporate and economic sectors.

He moved to Bath in 2008 with his wife Jill and their son, Conrad.

In 2014 he joined fellow photographers Jon Leahy and Carlos Ordonez to launch PhotoBath. A short time they were joined by Daz Smith and together they have forged contacts to collaborate and stage exhibitions of work by renowned photographer Sebastiao Salgado and others.

Since the pandemic, the group has reconvened and grown to engage in future exciting photography projects.