AS ST VALENTINE swaggers back into town, and optimists’ eyes begin flirting with the backs of letterboxes, the chill in the air gives way to a bit of warmth.

It has to be the most romantic time of year, at least for those melting in thoughts of who penned the billet-doux that lit up their welcome mat.

The 14^th day of this month is also the opportune time to propose; and if a traditional one’s not forthcoming, audacious girls are given licence to take the bull by the horns by getting down on their own bended knees on the 29th…

For the photographer charged with recording the wedding, an appreciation of the emotions, the build up and the organisation is paramount. What else would better help a couple re-live the best day of their lives but images of themselves among their friends and family?

My approach is simply to work around the couple, unobtrusively, capturing the details of the day, including the laughter, the tensions and the dancing. A group shot here and there is as integral as confetti, assuring couples they’ll have a memento of everyone who attended. But few want to spend half the day with fixed camera grins, I find.

Building trust begins at a pre-wedding meeting, to the extent that, should events become a little overwhelming, as they did for the bride and groom in this photo, they can rest, assured their big day’s best moments are being captured forever.

And they’re being captured as high resolution files with Canon’s top-of-the-range digital cameras, coupled with its professional, L-series lenses. The digital images can then be shared online, or can be used to produce album prints or even large format pictures to adorn any interior wall space.

[February 2012].

(Unframed 12″x18″ print available for £55 + UK postage, on Epson enhanced matte paper. Email for further details).

THE TYNE BRIDGE is the north east’s number one landmark; with Antony Gormley’s Angel hovering just below it.

The bridge has become the region’s icon during its 84 years. It forms the backdrop for everything filmed in Newcastle, from the Likely Lads in the 60s to Our Friends in the North in the 90s, to the film Get Carter somewhere in between. Annually, since 1981, 50,000 pairs of legs have swarmed across it on an autumn Sunday to compete in the world’s biggest half marathon, The Great North Run.

Brewed since 1927 Newcastle Brown Ale bottles – the champagne of the north – depict its silhouette on their famous blue star labels, like a Meccano sun setting over the Tyne. Side on, straddling the river, is how it’s mainly been photographed, and therefore this is how it’s become crystallized in people’s minds.

But viewed from this slightly different angle provides more architectural context, and you can admire some of the beautiful Georgian buildings, between which it was slid in 1928, as a ship into the river.

I took it while I was moseying around the quayside looking for, well, a different angle from the one along the river, and I hope you agree that the bitter morning stroll was worthwhile.

Happy 2012.

[January 2012].

THE END OF THE WORLD IS NIGH. It’ll probably happen in 2012 in fact. Or at least it might seem this way for anyone trying to make a living from photography.

The fact that this crazy post comes without an image seems to back up my apocalyptic pronouncement. Yes, I had a little drink last night and, yes, I am feeling a little hazy this morning. Bit blurry. Which, generally speaking, isn’t ideal for most things, and definitely isn’t ideal for photography.

But blurriness won’t be much of a problem in future. The future, apparently, is quite blurry. Continue reading →

DRIVING INTO BBC Birmingham’s studios to photograph some of the station’s presenters I tune the radio into WM to get up to speed with the local news and views. Joanne Malin is talking to a woman from Bromsgrove who has written a book about curries and, as their aromatic conversation oozes from the speakers, I do optimistically wonder if any spicy snacks will be on offer when I arrive.

Their mouthwatering chitchat takes my mind away from the fact that I’m driving towards a fairly unappetising amount of work. Not the photography itself, more the lugging of gear from A (level 2 carpark) to B (the reserved room on level 9 of BBC Birmingham). Continue reading →