It’s great to work with a bride and groom who are keen to try out a new backdrop for their wedding photographs. Sam and James didn’t want a traditional coastal scene so they loved my idea of trying out the newly restored Tynemouth Station. I hope they’ve been rewarded with some wonderfully individual images which will look great for many years to come!
And finally, the boys just couldn’t resist…
For a long while now I’ve been eager to take some images on the High Level Bridge in Newcastle. Not just because it’s such a historic piece of engineering (designed by Robert Stephenson and built in 1849) but also because I knew it would make a great backdrop, with a perfect mix of natural light and form. When I met with Peter Deans to take his business portrait, I was delighted when he explained the High Level is his favourite bridge and he was happy to have his portrait taken there!
Peter is an independent management consultant, whose strapline is ‘business mind, social purpose’. He was looking for a range of portraits, that characterised his approachable yet professional manner, to use for social media and more formal communications. It was a relaxed and enjoyable shoot, with some great results.
The Jubilee celebrations were the last thing on Jo’s mind as she walked down the aisle to marry the lucky Gav over the bank holiday weekend in June. The sun came and went but the smiles shone all day for the happy couple. They married in the beautiful All Saint’s Church in Huntington followed by an intimate, luxurious reception at The Grange Hotel, York. One of my favourite moments had to be outside the hotel, pressing the lights at the pedestrian crossing to stop the traffic so I could stand in the road to take a group photograph! All the very best to Jo and Gav in their married life together with their son Alfie.
It was an absolute joy to spend some time with Zane and his mum and dad, he’s so cute (that’s Zane, not his dad!). Newborn photography is a real pleasure and their tony features always make me smile. It’s great to visit the family in their own home too – the whole experience is so much more natural, and the final images are wonderfully intimate and individual. Hopefully, you’ll agree…
As always, it was a great experience to be behind the scenes at the latest big boxing show on Saturday with David Price v Sam Sexton top of the bill – as seen on Sky Sports One. What makes it particularly interesting for me is gaining access behind the scenes, documenting the tension as the boxers and their teams make last minute preparations and wait for their call to the ring. I’m always struck by the dedication of the boxers and the huge amount of physical and mental strength required for the sport. Hopefully I’ve captured some of the atmosphere in the boxing photographs, to help do them justice. I’ll be posting more images shortly but, in the meantime, you can see some of my previous visits to boxing shows here.
Congratulations to Margaret and Alan, who married in York Registry Office, followed by a relaxed and informal celebration at home in their beautiful garden. Margaret wore a stunning two piece from Ian Stuart which shimmered in the light, finished off with glorious silver grey heels and sweeping hat! I’ll be busy processing all the images over the next couple of weeks but, for now, here’s a taster.
The sun kept peeking through the clouds for Beaverplant’s Open Day in Stamford Bridge, York. Lots of people attended the business event, with experts on hand to answer questions. The day seemed a great way to keep existing customers engaged and to generate interest from new ones. The scouts provided welcome refreshments, raising money for their next trip abroad. I especially liked their fried onions!
In May 2010, 126 workers were dismissed from their employment with AEI Cables in Birtley, Gateshead, without any notice or the financial payments they were entitled to. Most had worked there between 20-45 years. I’m following their story and will be producing a body of documentary photography to highlight the devastating impact the experience has had on the workers involved.
Yesterday, I met George, who worked at AEI Cables for 27 years. He was off sick at the time he was dismissed – a vehicle had injured his leg at work eight weeks earlier; he’s since had four operations, with another one due soon and he will never be able to work full-time again.
“Fighting, to me, seems barbaric. I don’t really like it. I enjoy out-thinking another man and out-maneuvering him, but I still don’t like to fight.” Sugar Ray Robinson
