Here’s a bit about me. Well, actually, it’s all about ME, ME, ME!…
THEN…
The first camera I ever owned was a Kodak Instamatic, given to me by grandmother when I was a child. I soon got frustrated by the camera’s limitations that I started saving my pocket money to buy a camera with manual controls. After that, I was hooked and I used to cycle down to the local camera shop every Saturday and spend hours drooling over all those expensive lenses and gadgets that I just had to have!
During my third year of secondary school, I spent a week’s work experience in the photographic department of my local paper, the East Kent Gazette. I enjoyed it so much that I asked if I could go back at weekends and in the school holidays. I just wouldn’t take “no” for an answer, so I was probably a bit of a nuisance at the start. Eventually though, I became quite useful to them and they used to ask me to help them out and to do the odd shift here and there.
When I finished my A levels, they offered me an apprenticeship. Although I had a course lined up, a paid job with training was worth far more to me than a degree, so that’s what I did. The training was the National Council for the Training of Journalists photojournalism course in Sheffield, which I passed with flying colours. I loved the course and I made some fantastic friends there who are also brilliant and successful photographers. After my apprenticeship I worked for the Kentish Times, covering the South London area before moving up to the Midlands to work as a senior photographer with the Coventry Telegraph.
I originally intended to go back to Kent, but I liked it so much in the Midlands that I stayed! In 1996, after five years at the Coventry Telegraph, I left to set up my own freelance photography business, and the rest (as they say!) is history.
AND NOW…
You will have seen from my gallery pages that I cover far more than press, PR and corporate editorial photography now. The quick reactions needed for press photography have led me to doing wedding photojournalism. I absolutely love it! Being paid to “people-watch” - what’s not to like?!! This documentary style of wedding photography (also known as “reportage”) is proving very popular with couples these days. I also enjoy the technical challenges of commercial, architectural and aerial photography. Overall, I enjoy the mixture of all of these specialities as every day is different. I think that is what keeps my photography fresh.
I now live in the village of Stoney Stanton in Leicestershire, with my lovely partner Joanne, our gorgeous daughter Sarah and our three adorable (if sometimes slightly neurotic!) cats.
When I am not working I have lots of hobbies to keep me out of trouble. Over the past few years, I have taken up salsa dancing. It is a great way to keep fit and enjoy yourself at the same time. I go to classes every week and I go to various salsa parties around the Midlands.
I have held a private pilots licence for over ten years and I get a great buzz from flying light aircraft. I have a share in an open-cockpit aerobatic bi-plane based at Leicester Airport. I love nothing more than to get airborne on a summer’s day and do a few loops and rolls etc. I just wish I had more time (and money!) to fly more often. Now, where did I put that lottery ticket?…
I have been into folk music since I was a child as I grew up in a family folk band. I still love playing the guitar and banjo. Yes, I‘ve heard all the jokes! Apparently the definition of an optimist, is a banjo player with an answer-phone… ;-)
I think that’s enough about me. What about YOU? Are you going to pick up the phone and give me a call about that photography job you need covering? I’d love to hear from you.
DON'T SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST! - Please give me a call now on 07973 638591 or CONTACT ME for an estimate or price list.
The first camera I ever owned was a Kodak Instamatic, given to me by grandmother when I was a child. I soon got frustrated by the camera’s limitations that I started saving my pocket money to buy a camera with manual controls. After that, I was hooked and I used to cycle down to the local camera shop every Saturday and spend hours drooling over all those expensive lenses and gadgets that I just had to have!
During my third year of secondary school, I spent a week’s work experience in the photographic department of my local paper, the East Kent Gazette. I enjoyed it so much that I asked if I could go back at weekends and in the school holidays. I just wouldn’t take “no” for an answer, so I was probably a bit of a nuisance at the start. Eventually though, I became quite useful to them and they used to ask me to help them out and to do the odd shift here and there.
When I finished my A levels, they offered me an apprenticeship. Although I had a course lined up, a paid job with training was worth far more to me than a degree, so that’s what I did. The training was the National Council for the Training of Journalists photojournalism course in Sheffield, which I passed with flying colours. I loved the course and I made some fantastic friends there who are also brilliant and successful photographers. After my apprenticeship I worked for the Kentish Times, covering the South London area before moving up to the Midlands to work as a senior photographer with the Coventry Telegraph.
I originally intended to go back to Kent, but I liked it so much in the Midlands that I stayed! In 1996, after five years at the Coventry Telegraph, I left to set up my own freelance photography business, and the rest (as they say!) is history.
AND NOW…
You will have seen from my gallery pages that I cover far more than press, PR and corporate editorial photography now. The quick reactions needed for press photography have led me to doing wedding photojournalism. I absolutely love it! Being paid to “people-watch” - what’s not to like?!! This documentary style of wedding photography (also known as “reportage”) is proving very popular with couples these days. I also enjoy the technical challenges of commercial, architectural and aerial photography. Overall, I enjoy the mixture of all of these specialities as every day is different. I think that is what keeps my photography fresh.
I now live in the village of Stoney Stanton in Leicestershire, with my lovely partner Joanne, our gorgeous daughter Sarah and our three adorable (if sometimes slightly neurotic!) cats.
When I am not working I have lots of hobbies to keep me out of trouble. Over the past few years, I have taken up salsa dancing. It is a great way to keep fit and enjoy yourself at the same time. I go to classes every week and I go to various salsa parties around the Midlands.
I have held a private pilots licence for over ten years and I get a great buzz from flying light aircraft. I have a share in an open-cockpit aerobatic bi-plane based at Leicester Airport. I love nothing more than to get airborne on a summer’s day and do a few loops and rolls etc. I just wish I had more time (and money!) to fly more often. Now, where did I put that lottery ticket?…
I have been into folk music since I was a child as I grew up in a family folk band. I still love playing the guitar and banjo. Yes, I‘ve heard all the jokes! Apparently the definition of an optimist, is a banjo player with an answer-phone… ;-)
I think that’s enough about me. What about YOU? Are you going to pick up the phone and give me a call about that photography job you need covering? I’d love to hear from you.
DON'T SETTLE FOR SECOND BEST! - Please give me a call now on 07973 638591 or CONTACT ME for an estimate or price list.