I do a lot of work for charidee mate.....

Been sooooo long since I updated this, so welcome back.

Still keeping busy, with lots of portraits and other events completed over the summer. Of particular note was the Slimming World/NSPCC Charity Summer Ball last weekend at Solberge Hall near Northallerton. Backdrop, lights camera and action..I never stopped from 8 till 1 in the morning. I met some fantastic people, and some of the pictures from later on in the evening were just fantastic. I would post them, but I haven't got permission yet, so I can't, but pop back and check out the new Morecombe and Wise...! Thanks to Donna and Michaela for making the night so welcoming, and thank-you for re-booking me for next year.
On a different tack, I was reading in the papers today about the remembrance service for Sir Bobby Robson at Durham Cathedral. To me, SBR was almost the last connection to an honourable age of football. You only had to look at the people who attended to see how much respect the man had within the game; and only because he had respect FOR the game. He was truly a giant.

Also, since I last posted, the world has lost another true legend in Les Paul. For those of you who don't know, Les Paul invented the solid body electric guitar back in 1939. What most people don't know is he also pioneered multi track recording, which is how songs are still recorded (albeit digitally) today. The word legend is applied too often I fear, but in these 2 instances, I think it is the most appropriate word.

Oh, nearly forgot. Had a great holiday in Normandy in August, with the family. Warm, relaxed and dog-free!!!

Another happy day

Well, this is the first time I have had a chance to sit down this week and commit to updating this blog.
First off, I just want to say a huge congratulations to Bev and Aaron on their marriage last Saturday. I had the honour of photographing their day, and had a fantastic time. Aaron is a member of our armed forces, and all the lads came dressed in number 2s. It is the first time I have done a forces wedding, and the uniform really helps to balance the shots. I wish them both all the very best of luck in their new life together, and I sincerely hope we stay in touch. Some of the shots attached



On a more personal note, I am off on holiday next week with the tribe, so I am planning on hammering the Olympus Trip. Will post some pics when I get back. Catch you later!!!

What a week.....

Hey y'all. How is everyone? Good I hope.

Have had a really, really busy, fun, exhausting week this week. Last Saturday I did a wedding in Essex for Clare and Rob. What a fun day that was. Rob is a Ska fan, and the lads turned up in Cherry Red DMs, shades and trilbies and looked the mutts nuts. I love weddings where the couple stamp their own personalities on the day, rather than the rather production line affairs that you generally see in magazines. Rob and Clare are dead canny, and made me feel really welcome. It was a real hoot of a day, and I just hope they like the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Then, on Thursday I was at a local nursery school. I made a concious decision to move away from the usual "school-photo" look, and to be honest I was dead nervous about doing this. However, I have had some really nice mails from the parents so I think the decision has been justified. Move to Thursday evening, and I could be found at the Marriott Hotel in Gosforth with the graduating VI formers from St Benet Biscop School, taking photos at their Graduation Ball. Thursday had been a HOT day, and the lads and lasses kept me busy from 7 o'clock till about 11. Surrounded by partying students and teachers, can you imagine how tempting it must have been to slip off for 5 minutes and enjoy a nice cold bottle of Budvar, but, being the consumate professional, I resisted and stuck to the iced water. Was a great evening, but by the time I got home and backed up the pictures, it was 2 in the morning. Getting up on Friday was hard work.
I just want to say thank you to Rob and Clare, Nicola Evans and Sophie Hawkins. I had a lot of fun this week

Phew...busy day

Had a fantastic day today. Spent all afternoon with a mate of mine called Mark. Now, Mark is a Mod, right down to the tips of his fishtail parka. The guy also has a fantastic Lambretta, a TV175. Now I like Lambrettas. To me, they are achingly beautiful. Stylish, with great lines that ooze coolness. Not built for speed but when they look this good, why would you not want people to see you.

Anyway, Mark and I had been talking for a while about getting him and his Lammy down to my studio for a while, and today was that day. Luckily, the sun went in for a bit so we nipped down to an old derelict mental hospital nearby for a few outdoor shots, and then back to the garage, I mean studio, for some more messing about. Output is posted.

My only regret from today? I turned down an offer from Mark to ride it!! Doh.

What the........

Came across this video on YouTube this afternoon having just finished a conversation that went along the lines of (edited highlights of course):

Caller: Hi, I'm looking for a photographer for our wedding

Me: Great.  Have you had a look at my website?

Caller: Yeah, and I like your pictures

Me: Fantastic.  So, what sort of thing were you looking for? 

Caller: What we would like is for you to get the whole ceremony, stay for the speeches and the disco, and if you could get some "getting ready" shots, that would be great

Me: No problem.  Are you looking for an album?

Caller: Not really. We would then take a CD from you and buy the photograph we like 

Me: Uhhh huhhhh

Caller: Yeah.  We have a look at the pictures, and if we see one we like, we will pay you for that picture.

Me: (Silence)

Caller: 'cos everything is digital now, you can do this can't you?

Me: Not really

Caller: What?

Me: In any quote from any photographer, a certain amount is for the time taken to actually take the photographs.  Are you suggesting I photograph your wedding, and all you are prepared to budget for is the price of one photograph?

Caller:  Yeah, but a big one.  You know, for the mantlepiece

Me:  I'm sorry, but I can't agree to that

Caller: Why not? Why do you have to charge so much when there will be other people taking photographs at the wedding.  Besides, their is a credit crunch on, and you must need the work

Me: Sorry!

Caller: Yeah.  Friends and family have got cameras and they will be taking photos.

Me: Great.  Why don't you ask for their pictures after the wedding and get prints made that way?

Caller: Because your pictures would look better

Me: That's why I charge

Caller: Oh.  There are other photographers cheaper than you, you know

Me: I do know.  Do you like their pictures?

Caller: Not really.

Me: Would you like to have a think about this and give me a call back when you have had a bit more time

Caller: Yeah.  OK.  Bye

Now, I love taking photos, and I love dealing with people, and have, in the past, been known to offer my services at, shall we say, a generous discount, but sometimes you have just gotta say No.

Men

I like Calvin and Hobbes.  And I am a man.  Therefore, this strip I think positions the attitude of men everywhere beautifully, and identifies that the "ask for help" gene is absent at birth in males!

Gutted

Well, the inevitable came to pass. Newcastle United were relegated from the EPL today after another abject display from the team. I am not sure what upsets me the most: being relegated, or the manner in which we went down.  You would have thought that Premiership survival meant something to these players and that they would have been fighting for their lives out there, but no.  The last shot on goal was in the 20th minute.  Says it all really. Mind you, I can't say I'm surprised. This has been coming for the last 3 seasons, and the on and off pitch performances this season have finally exposed the inherent weaknesses at the club. Millions of pounds wasted on average players, 9 managers in 3 years, bizarre appointments in the boardroom have finally taken there toll. The team has been woefully short on pace, imagination and flair and that is just not good enough in this league. I just hope that the club stick with Shearer, listen to what he says and rebuild the club based on the excellent talent we have in the youth team.
Peversely, I think this may be the best thing that could have happened to the club; it could be the wake up call that we need, and I am looking forward to seeing the likes of Vuckic, Ranger and Lua Lua really establish themselves.
Shay Given and Charles N'Zogbia must be killing themselves laughing.