I’ve made it, the difficult first year is over and I’m still here, although that not really the full story. I’ve been doing this in some form for 20 years so it’s no surprise that I’ve managed another year, but as a full time business the year mark has now been past, so lets look to the future.

I’ve lots and lots going on, last month I took over 2500 pictures, more than the last 3 January’s put together, and most of that was ground work for new projects and exhibitions. Starting with exhibitions, my first starts on March 1st at Cafe Clique in Leek and is a celebration of Leeks canal. The next one is on ice for the time being as I am looking for a venue, but I’m still shooting for it.

I am also re-starting my photography courses, with 1-2-1 tuition, 1/2 day photography walks and a photography course all coming up.

I’m also booking a number of stalls at spring fairs and craft markets to show off my new range of prints, including my new panoramics, and cards.

To celebrate this mile stone I am going to run a few offers during the month so keep an eye on my facebook page or follow me on twitter.

A few pictures taken a couple of weeks ago of Ziggy, Max and Max’s humans.

Just time to share a couple of shots from my latest portrait session with Bella.

A busy and cold few days with lots of time spent out doors taking pictures. Thursday night and Friday morning saw me on the Roaches taking pictures for my exhibition in May, Saturday evening found me on the side of Rutland water taking yet more shots for the exhibition. In all I have taken 700 shots in 4 days, last Jan I took 488 in the whole month!
This picture is one of the out takes and is of Normanton Church, Rutland.

I’ve been asked by a couple of people if I will be running an introduction to photography course again this year, the answer depend on the amount of interest there is, so if this might appeals to you or someone you known could you let me known. I’m looking to focus at getting the best from any camera and exploring different styles of photography, trying to build a foundation to then let you carry on enjoying photography.

Picture is not cutting edge art, its more a lesson in not having you tripod set up in the road for a 30 second exposure, unless you are really sure there are no cars coming!

Busy year ahead with lots to look forward to.

Two exhibitions already booked the first one starts in March and is nearly finished just a few shots to get. The second starts in May and that one is taking up lots of time as the pictures are some of the most challenging I have taken.

I’m also working on a set of panoramic prints, I’ve always loved large sweeping views but never gotten around to having any printed up, well thats about to change as I’ve decided to get some mounts made just to fit these large images.

Other plans that are afoot, I’m looking to work with some local bands, I’m in the finishing stages of another web site for a new local business (as well as updating mine), I’ve agreed to photograph another charity ball and the wedding planner is starting to book up nicely.

All this on top of a long list of shots of local scenes for the Leek United web site and The Staffs Moorland Calendar. And it’s only the 3rd!

Photo from a pre Christmas shoot that was used as a gift so I was not able to show until now.

2012!!!
Happy New Year everyone. Hope the hangovers are not too bad.

To start the year I’ve a new project, and it’s another daily photo blog, Buxton Daily Photo, a photo a day taken in and around Buxton and the Derbyshire Peak District. Pop over and check out the first picture.

Nearly finished my first full year as a self employed photographer and it’s been a great one. 2012 looks to be even better with loads already planned and lots that I still have to do. Picture is from one of the many pre Christmas shoots that I could not post as they were to be used as gifts.

Well I know it’s not the big day yet, at least here in England, but as this is read world wide I thought I would post this today just to catch everyone. So Happy Christmas and also have a great New Year I hope it brings all you are looking for.

Yet another very busy month, loads of photo shoots, shows and planning meetings, on top of that my pc got hit by a virus and has been nearly 2 weeks in the fixing.

My big news is a collaboration with the Leek United building society,starting this month a selection of my images will form the back ground to the pages on their web site. The picture will change to keep pace with the seasons and help keep the web site looking fresh and interesting for their members. Here’s a link to their site Leek United and here’s a link to their news page all about me

That all for now I would just like to wish everyone a happy Christmas and a great New Year, I will leave you a picture of a moorland pony that right after this shot tried to eat my camera, every ones a critic!

Very busy month with loads going on, great to meet so many people at all the shows and the feed back from the radio Stoke interview has been fantastic.

It’s been a very busy few weeks with loads happening and I just have a few spare moments to get you all up to date.

The first thing is Staffordshire Life running a couple of my photos, one of which made the cover!!!!! Now it might not seem like such a big thing to you but for me it’s massive. When I started full time just under a year ago I had a list of things I wanted to accomplish in my first year and one of these was a photo in Staffordshire Life. Now I did manage this in February so I reset this goal to a cover image for sometime in the next 2 years, so to get it in just under 10 months is really pleasing.

Below is the second bit of good news, The Staffordshire Moorlands calendar has been going for about 20 year and this year all the images are mine. This is a wonderful showcase for my work and also looks to be an on going commitment with 2013 already being discussed. See here for more details.