What an amazing few days of sporting action I've had the pleasure of covering with four different sports in three days! I love the unpredictability of this field of photography but it can be just as frustrating in equal measures. I kicked off proceedings with a charity golf day last Friday - definitely a more sedate start to the plethora of activitiy. With eight teams to follow over the 18 hole course at Seaton Carew Golf Club, I was grateful for the aid of a buggy and driver

I feel that agricultural shows are a quintessential part of British culture. I have been fortunate enough to attend many over the years through my job as a photographer. Although they each have a similar makeup, they also each have their own unique attributes dependent on those exhibiting, the entrants to all of the classes on display and those who have come to observe. I don't set up pictures when attending live news events and it never seem necessary when going to agricultu

In addition to all of the fields of photography I regularly cover, weddings are a niche area that I tend to dip in and out of. I don't actively pursue these matrimonial occasions as I'm often busy at weekends with other commissions, but when I do get asked, I'm very happy to take up the reins for these special days. The responsibility of covering a marriage and all the build up before and afterwards is immense. The bridal preparation stage means being welcomed into a family h

The last two Thursdays, I've attended the opening of an envelope. In fact, quite a number of envelopes as the annual national results days took place at schools and colleges. Last week I was commissioned to attend Middlesbrough College as students arrived to received their grades: the culmination of A levels, T levels and Level 3 vocational courses. It's always a pleasure to see and capture the positive reactions on display as those involved enter the next chapter of their ca

I'm fortunate to have met some very interesting people through the course of my work, and the last couple of months has proved no exception. I've really enjoyed trying to create some interesting portraits of those featured in this blog post. Being able to build up a rapport with my subject is vital in ensuring a photoshoot is as productive as possible. Dennis Cheesebrough proved and engaging and interesting character to photograph. The 81 year old co-founder of Saks hair and

I've been involved in many facets of photography through my career and enjoyed almost all of them. One perhaps more surprising and unplanned area that I have recently encountered is that of gardens and flowers. The wealth of colour and abundance of natural beauty means all the ingredients are present when it comes to creating stunning images in this domain, and captured my interest. Since I've matured and acquired a garden of my own, my interest in nature and the skills inv

Yet another super weekend spent at Deer Shed Festival at Baldersby Park, North Yorkshire. The organisers always manage to put together a varied mix of predominantly new acts full of energy. Then for the following weeks I get to relive the musical experience from some of the curiously synchronised playlists of BBC 6 Music. My writer wife Lucy sums up the three day event far better than I can: The theme for this year’s Deer Shed festival was ‘into the labyrinth’ - a motif refl

It was very sad to hear of the passing of footballing legend Kevin Keegan yesterday. Loved on Merseyside and Tyneside for his tenacious skills as a player, but more recently in the latter region as manager of Newcastle United where he created a team synonymous with an attractive attacking style of play. Unfortunately major silverware wasn't secured but the Magpie fans loved him all the same. He had two stints as manager of Newcastle United with the first spell proving more su

As a continuation of a staycation, a not so short journey from Cornwall to South West Wales was undertaken - another part of the British Isles that I'm unfamiliar with. After a brief visit to the lovely coastal town of Tenby, we headed to St David's in Pembrokshire - the smallest city in Britain. Small in size but not in importance - a major medieval religious pilgrimage site with a beautiful cathedral and ruins, and in close proximity to the gorgeous coastline. It was from t

While I have been lucky enough to have travelled to some amazing overseas destinations over the years, my knowledge of the British Isles is somewhat lacking. A 500+ mile road trip to the South West county of Cornwall has opened my eyes to the beauty that lies closer to home. Jam first or Cream first? Spending much of my stay visiting the coastal attractions of this far flung peninsular, it would be easy to mistake that I’d ventured somewhere far more tropical. Palm trees aple

At times, it's difficult to keep up with all the comings and going within British politics. Very interesting to see then that Andy Burnham is back on the scene after his overnight victory in the Makerfield by-election. I've photographed the returning Labour Member of Parliament twice to my knowledge. The first time was on behalf of The Northern Echo back in 2013 when he came to Redcar as shadow health secretary to speak at a public meeting regarding the NHS at the Coatham Mem

With so much negative news taking centre stage, it was lovely to cover the story of 100 year old George Stafford and his charity walk in Consett yesterday. The centenarian undertook a 1.3 mile journey on foot to raise money for St Cuthbert's Hospice who had provided end of life care to his son's wife, Judith who died in 2022, aged 66, from oesophageal cancer. Supported by friends and family, plus a large group of children from Delves Lane Primary School en route, George compl

A few weeks ago I was commissioned to shoot the imagery for a campaign being run by Hartlepool College of Further Education (HCFE). This centred around an ethos that the College support students who are pursuing elite sporting goals alongside their full-time academic or vocational qualifications - the initiative demonstrating that those attending HCFE are supported in their extracurricular activities while still working towards qualifications to bolster skills and capabilitie

From the revamping of a train station to the 40th anniversary of a cathedral, and a community fun day to a black tie charity fundraiser, it's been a busy and varied few days. Taking selfies at the opening of the upgraded Darlington Railway Station. Friday morning saw the official unveiling of an extension to Darlington railway station, including two new platforms. The £140m development also includes a multi-storey car park, new entrance and concourse, which connects the new b

It was great to play a very small role recently in the celebration of Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday. Darlington Libraries commissioned a book bench with artwork including the face of the TV legend plus a selection of British wildlife designed by artist Lisa House. Long may the inspirational work of the BBC stalwart continue and I look forward to seeing Lisa's creative seat on display outside Cockerton library in the near future. @darlingtonbc @darlington_lib

Well, what a week it has been with four big evening events covered in seven days. Awards celebrations are one of several elements of my job as a photographer. With a large number of attendees and sometimes tight venue spaces in which to work, it can prove tricky to be in the right place at the right time to capture the key moments. However, the emotion on show from those taking part, and the stories of success and/or adversity overcome make them a rewarding experience. The re

Great to be back on sport duty lately with a couple of rugby matches covered. The physicality of the game lends itself to good photos with the players regularly throwing themselves into tackles, diving and jumping to gain possession of the ball and sprinting to the tryline to score points. The first of my two games involved a trip to Kingston Park, Newcastle for an evening Prem clash between Newcastle Red Bulls and Exeter Chiefs. I was working as club photographer for the lat

There's a misconception that portrait photography involves backgrounds, multiple lights and the very controlled conditions that exist within a studio. This is far from my experience and almost to the contrary: I rarely know what set-up will be needed on a photoshoot until I turn up. That keeps my working life interesting however, and means I have to have the ability and confidence to think on my feet very fast at times. Photography is a personal endeavour, and composition ver

I was really pleased and proud to have had my work featured on the front pages of three magazines in recent weeks. This is one of the best parts of my job and always brings a smile to my face on seeing some of these publications on display at the various businesses I visit. Shooting the cover feature for Aycliffe Business took place in November at an open day at South West Durham Training. The most difficult part of this shoot was trying to convince the young female apprentic

There was a sense of excitement in the air as participants of all ages gathered on a cold and showery February afternoon. They'd come together at Locomotion, the railway museum in Shildon, County Durham, to attempt to break the world record for the most people dancing to - fittingy - The Loco-Motion. The mass dance off was the final chapter in the programme of events to celebrate the Stockton and Darlinton Railway's 200th anniversary. Hundreds turned up to play their part in