Southampton photographer Colin Lee dies suddenly aged 60

Born and bred Sotonian Colin Lee continually wowed Southampton residents with his eye-catching snaps, often taken in and around his beloved city.

His photos regularly featured in the Daily Echo and on regional news programmes, BBC South Today and ITV Meridian.

His sudden death on November 23, after he collapsed in the city centre, has left his family and fellow photography enthusiasts in shock.

'He found his voice through photography'

Southampton Old Cemetery (Image: Colin Lee)

Colin grew up in Freemantle with his eldest brother Malcolm, 63, and younger brother Jonathan, 55, and lived there all his life.

He attended Freemantle Primary School and St Mark’s C of E School, later joining Bellemoor School which is now known as Upper Shirley High.

He left school aged 16 and embarked on a career painting train carriages at Eastleigh Works for around 20 years.

Being made redundant saw Colin move to the Royal Mail Southampton Mail Centre at Southampton Airport.

During his life Colin developed a penchant for photography, starting with a film camera before saving up to buy his first digital camera.

"Colin was very quiet as a person and he found his voice through photography," his brother Malcolm fondly remembered.

L-R: Colin Lee with nephew James, youngest brother Jonathan, his nephew Joseph and Malcolm (Image: Malcolm Lee)

He added: “There was always an artistic flair there, from drawing and painting in school to design later in life.

“Colin started taking photos with a normal film camera, but when digital equipment came in that was when his hobby really took off.

“He was self-taught when it came to editing skills, like photoshop.

“If the weather was nice, he would go out and take photos, or it was a spur of the moment decision.”

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Boundless talent 

Colin’s creativity shone through on the Daily Echo Camera Club, a Facebook group he was a member of since 2017.

He had an undeniable talent for capturing the ordinary in a remarkable fashion, with an eye for beautiful photographs of nature.

He often featured in the Daily Echo’s Camera Club pages in the newspaper and on the paper’s Instagram page.

His photographs were frequently spotted on BBC South Today and ITV Meridian during the weather segments.

These achievements made his family exceptionally proud.

Malcolm said: “He used to save the pages of the Echo whenever he was published, he has a collection of the newspapers.

“Colin had photos published in the Echo, on BBC South and ITV Meridian all in one day before. We were all very pleased for him.

"They say a picture paints a thousand words, so he must’ve spoken volumes.”

'A lovely soul' 

Colin with his nephew James (Image: Malcolm Lee)

Colin’s sudden passing has shaken Malcolm and his family to the core, with his death currently unexplained.

However, it is suspected to be cardiac arrest.

Speaking on Colin’s passing, Malcolm said: “It’s a shock to everybody.

“It happened on Thursday afternoon when Colin went into town to do a bit of shopping.

“We think he intended to go on the Ferris wheel because he said he wanted to take some photos from the top of the wheel.

“Colin was fit and walked a lot as he didn’t drive – he never went to the GP with any problems.”

He added: “Being the eldest, I expected to go first and for my mum, as a parent, you never expect to bury your child.

“Colin was quiet and gentle, he enjoyed natural history and wildlife.

“He immersed himself in photography as that’s where he was happiest. He was a lovely soul.”

Colin is set to be remembered at a family-only funeral. 

Anyone who would like to make a donation is asked to do so in aid of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.