About me...I like people, places and photography...simple really
I love to photograph people when they are having amazing moments in their lives. When they make the biggest promise of there lives, when they reach for that high note, get fully dressed up for carnival, or as a child they make their first steps I believe the world becomes a better place. To photograph people at these special moments of their lives is a real privilege. I find magic in that moment. And I believe that magic is good for our souls.
(And I have taken pictures of a child's fist steps, Amazing moment. I will try to find the picture and put it here :0)
I love taking photographs
I have been in love with the camera and the still image for all of my life (40 years and counting as a photographer). In a world of constant movement, I find it therapeutic to concentrate on one moment of stillness, I feel it is a life affirming gift of the photograph to allow the eye time to see details otherwise easily missed.
Personal Projects
I enjoy taking photographs of almost anything. Personal projects help keep my passion for photography alive and trying new skills and keeping old skills alive is an essential path for any photographer. I love photowalks for example...chose a route and take pictures on the way...keeps you fit and walking with your eyes open.
Many of these photographs are available for sale, £10 for social media friendly and £30 for printable high res images (licenced for personal use only) please contact me to buy.
Please tap the images to see photowalk images
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Fireworks
I do love taking photos of fireworks. Its a very real challenge combining technical skill, judgement and sheer good luck. If you miss a firework shot, you really miss the shot. When it works it is joyous!
Please tap the image to see more fireworks
I am a fan of the craft of photography
I love the physicality of the camera, the joy of the craft, realising that I could use photography to show how I see the world and I could use that vision to create my art. I look back at my original prints and I am back their, as a teenager with my friends and the Dartmoor landscape. They are my memory of the moment made real.
Today it is all still true. Though my cameras have changed and I have not loaded a film in years, it makes no difference. I am still in love with the photograph. I still love that moment.
My Dad gave me my first camera in 1978.... A battered, pull out bellows, manual 35mm film camera, (I've seen one in a museum!). I had to guess the exposure which, though a pain in the bum, is actually is a really good way to learn about light.
It all felt rather wonderful. It was a bit old fashioned and I had to manually set the shutter with a lever on the lens. Something inside of me changed that day and I have rarely been without a camera since.
Thank you to everyone who comments (and corrects my spelling), I do listen and I am grateful.
Today it is all still true. Though my cameras have changed and I have not loaded a film in years, it makes no difference. I am still in love with the photograph. I still love that moment.
My Dad gave me my first camera in 1978.... A battered, pull out bellows, manual 35mm film camera, (I've seen one in a museum!). I had to guess the exposure which, though a pain in the bum, is actually is a really good way to learn about light.
It all felt rather wonderful. It was a bit old fashioned and I had to manually set the shutter with a lever on the lens. Something inside of me changed that day and I have rarely been without a camera since.
Thank you to everyone who comments (and corrects my spelling), I do listen and I am grateful.
Cameras are fun too
35mm Film
I have used many cameras over the years, including a Konica TC, a classic, glorious, wonderful Nikon FM2 (using the equally glorious Fuji Velvia slide film). That was my golden age of landscape photography and it was a bad day when I lost it in a river Lyn.
Going medium format
I moved on to Bronica ETRSi and Fuji GA645 medium format cameras. They are gorgeous cameras that produced some stunning still lives and landscape images for me. Though I loved them dearly this was ultimately an expensive lesson that taught me I prefer the immediacy and intimacy of 35mm (and then digital) cameras. One day I will go through all my prints and slides and produce digital copies.
I moved on to Bronica ETRSi and Fuji GA645 medium format cameras. They are gorgeous cameras that produced some stunning still lives and landscape images for me. Though I loved them dearly this was ultimately an expensive lesson that taught me I prefer the immediacy and intimacy of 35mm (and then digital) cameras. One day I will go through all my prints and slides and produce digital copies.
Going digital
I went digital in 1999 with an Epson PhotoPC 650z 2.1mb camera that cost £650! It came with a "free" 16mb memory card. How things have changed. It was a wonderful day when I moved up to the classic Canon 5d full frame digital camera. There is something about Canon that just works with portraits and I was finally able to really follow my passion with people photography.
I went digital in 1999 with an Epson PhotoPC 650z 2.1mb camera that cost £650! It came with a "free" 16mb memory card. How things have changed. It was a wonderful day when I moved up to the classic Canon 5d full frame digital camera. There is something about Canon that just works with portraits and I was finally able to really follow my passion with people photography.
Quality counts
In over 40 years of photography I have learned that the the eye behind the camera and the viewers emotional connection with the subject in front to the camera makes the photograph. In many ways the kit you use is irrelevant....up to a point...when you are being paid to take photographs quality counts, and I have invested in that quality.
In over 40 years of photography I have learned that the the eye behind the camera and the viewers emotional connection with the subject in front to the camera makes the photograph. In many ways the kit you use is irrelevant....up to a point...when you are being paid to take photographs quality counts, and I have invested in that quality.
My amazing work buddies are now a pair of Canon 5d Mark 111 full frame cameras fitted with Canon 24 - 70mm F2.8 L series wide angle and 70 - 200mm telephoto L series lens (both extremely good and versatile lenses, I have bought cars that cost less!). I love the quality of the portraits the full frame sensor produces, especially in low light. Due to Covid I started plying with second hand prime lenses 20mm F2.8, 100mm F2 and 50mm 1.4...such fun!
Why being a part time photographer good news for you
The advantage to you is that I limit the number of commissions I do, which means I fully concentrate on you and I can charge a realistic price, with no hidden extras or hard after sales pitch. You will get your photographs on time time. I don't over promise.
Why am I a part time photographer?
Quite simply I have a job I love, just as much as photography and have done so for the last 12 years.
I work for NDVS (North Devon Voluntary Services) as a Project Manager for the Devon Access to Services Project (DASP). We are a team of two, both part time, who work to help isolated and vulnerable people access the services they need. A big part of our work is with more than 60 Community Car Schemes across Devon to help them provide their fantastic service. Their volunteer drivers give lifts to people who need help with transport to get to medical appointments and social activities. We provide advice and support, collect statistics, help distribute small grants and raise the profile of the work they do, which is mostly provided by volunteers. If you would like to know more about the work of Community Car Schemes and the amazing work they do please see the PDF Social Kindness report.
I have also been involved with National Trust Working Holidays for over 30 years and for the last 20 years have been a Driver Assessor Trainer for Working Holiday leaders who drive volunteers around in minibuses. As part of the volunteer team we train and assess the leaders to MiDAS standards
It's a great privilege to be involved with such brilliant work, and helps me be who I want to be.
I work for NDVS (North Devon Voluntary Services) as a Project Manager for the Devon Access to Services Project (DASP). We are a team of two, both part time, who work to help isolated and vulnerable people access the services they need. A big part of our work is with more than 60 Community Car Schemes across Devon to help them provide their fantastic service. Their volunteer drivers give lifts to people who need help with transport to get to medical appointments and social activities. We provide advice and support, collect statistics, help distribute small grants and raise the profile of the work they do, which is mostly provided by volunteers. If you would like to know more about the work of Community Car Schemes and the amazing work they do please see the PDF Social Kindness report.
I have also been involved with National Trust Working Holidays for over 30 years and for the last 20 years have been a Driver Assessor Trainer for Working Holiday leaders who drive volunteers around in minibuses. As part of the volunteer team we train and assess the leaders to MiDAS standards
It's a great privilege to be involved with such brilliant work, and helps me be who I want to be.
Why am I not looking for more professional work? Quite simply, family. I missed my kids growing up by being overly dedicated to my career. I now have grandchildren, and I do not want to miss them growing up by making the same mistake again. Time goes by so fast.
Long live life, love and happiness.
Long live life, love and happiness.
