The story of a photographer
My journey becoming a full time professional photographer started, like many i guess, as a keen enthusiast. I have been taking landscape photographs since 2005 and began with a Nikon D80 beginners SLR camera with a whopping 8 megapixels sensor ! I developed my skills and practised relentlessly, attending courses, reading around the subject and observing other people's work. There is no quick fix to becoming an accomplished landscape photographer and it takes hours of dedication, up early, to bed late (or not at all) and a desire to always do better. I'm still learning now and probably always will, that's fine by me. I always seek to push my knowledge both in terms of camera skills but also when it come to editing.
The move to being a full time photographer didn't come until 2019 when, after 27 years of public service in West Yorkshire Police, I made the move into the profession I had always dreamed of. In that time I have broadened my skills and build a successful wedding photography business which I also love. Interestingly, clients often book me because of my landscape photography skills especially for venues that are surrounded by beautiful countryside. Its a marriage made in heaven!
Being honest, my ultimate passion is landscape photography and there is no bigger thrill than finding a composition, making them image, processing it, printing it and then seeing it on display. To know my landscape photo prints are hanging on the walls of a gallery or a client fills me with pride.
Together, with my print sales to private and commercial clients I also run photography training courses in Yorkshire, both in groups and in one-to-one sessions. Helping people to develop their skills and see their improvement is a huge buzz and something I am looking to develop further.
Other stuff...
I'm married to Emma, my wife for over 20 years who allows me to follow my dream and visit destinations, or, as she calls it, 'VACATIONS'...
I have two kids, well adults now. Ella 19 and Tom 17. Where has time gone!?
Now in my (early) 50's I've decided it time to learn a musical instrument so am taking on guitar lessons with the very talented Alasdair at Olicana Music. If you need to listen to the opening chords to 'Lucky Man' by The Verve... over and over... then I'm your man!
I'm a keen cyclist and I'm a founding member of the Wharfedale Wheelers based in Burley-In-Wharfedale. 'Beers and Bikes' is our motto!
Oh, and I ticked off a life goal this year by completing the Copenhagen Ironman 140.6.
Question. How do you spot an Ironman in a room.
Answer. You don't need to, they will tell you!
woody and isla
If you own a dog you will know the pleasure they can bring, not to mention the benefits from the health perspective, both from the physical exercise in walking them but also in the joy they provide in just watching them bounding around. This mother and son combo often join me on my photography walks in Burley-In-Wharfedale, where I live, and on trips further afield to.
I'm never without a camera and use the Olympus (now OM Systems) Micro Four Thirds systems. The cameras are perfectly suited to what I do, they are light, compact and offer excellent weather sealing. The image quality and feature from the camera are amazing and means you don't often need to use a tripod (which I do use when needed of course - 3 Legged Thing is the brand I use).
My kit comprises:-
my guiding principles to LANDSCAPE photography
- Never stop learning. Critique yourself and accept criticism. No one ever succeeded without failing first.
- Immerse yourself into photography. Seek out other peoples work, read about your subject, look for new experiences. Do this and the improvements will come organically.
- Photograph the things and places you love. Keep going back, it never looks the same twice.
- Fill life with experiences and not things. What's worth more? A new shinier camera or visiting a new photography location or country...
- Learn to process your photographs. This is one of the biggest improvements you can make to your landscape photography.
get in touch - its good to talk !
Thank you for visiting my website, I hope you enjoyed browsing my landscape photographs. If you have a specific question or something you would like to contact me about, including commission and training enquires then please use the contact form below and i will get back to you as soon as i can.
Alternately you can contact me or leave a message on:-
07584623230
