One of my very favourite images from my past work. It graced the front cover of Wed Magazine @wedmagazine about twelve years ago.
Dancers make fantastic models and I’ve worked with lots of them over the years. Creating the shot was a calculated process, spending an entire day with model and dancer Charlotte Lodey practicing poses, lighting and execution, to ensure that when we finally received the dresses for the shoot, everything would be perfect.
The final shot used five Bowens flash heads; two lighting the white background, one to the far left lighting the piece of pink material, a second main light with beauty dish just to the left of camera and a final light on the right to fill shadows. I worked on photoshoots with Charlotte countless times and we produced some very successful images.
It is quite a while since I have shot anything fashion related and my practice has changed significantly, however it is something that I got a great deal of enjoyment out of and would be very interested in taking it up again. If there is anyone in the North East of England (or anywhere for that matter) who would be interested in collaborating at some point in the future please get in touch.
@wedmagazine
@charlotte_eve_explorer
@bowensflash
#dancephotography
#fashionphotography
#dancersofinstagram
#studiophotography
#northeastartist
#northeastengland
#photographersofinstagram
In 2016 I was commissioned by arts organisation Stanley Fringe to do some work in the former mining town of Stanley, County Durham. I spent six months documenting the town, photographing and interviewing over a hundred people. The project culminated in the screening of an hour long documentary and an exhibition of over two hundred printed images. It was a life changing experience for me.
Looking at the photographs now reminds me of how many friends I made during the project and how many of them I am still in contact with. While we are in lockdown, although I have always been fiercely independent, I have realised just how important people, conversation and friendship are in my life. There’s nothing better than chatting over a cuppa, discussing something in depth and putting the world to rights. Doing it online just isn’t quite the same.
@stanleycountydurham
@stanleytowncouncil
@whiteroomgallerystanley
@jaenelousie
@tracingaffleck
@emanuelletomato
@branalvere
@jpjgilbert1956
#stanleycountydurham
#thisisstanley
#northeastengland
#countydurham
#documentary
#documentaryphotography
In 2018 I had the privilege to work with the NHS Blood and Transplant service, documenting the work that they do. They are a little appreciated but significant cog in the machine that is the NHS. NHSBT collect blood from the public and deliver it 24 hours a day to hospitals throughout the country. They also deliver machinery and equipment not only during the current crisis but at all other times as well. NHSBT are delivering equipment, PPE and still carrying blood to where it is needed every hour of every day. When the time comes to distribute test kits and vaccines NHSBT will be distributing them.
While everyone is supporting the ‘frontline’ NHS staff, I would also like to thank all of those unseen people who contribute to the organisation; The Blood Service, the laboratory staff, the cleaners, the cooks, the people who work in the supply chain, who sterilise the equipment, who maintain the equipment, the drivers and staff who keep the supply chain working, the receptionists and secretarial staff who administrate every department, the ambulance drivers and everyone else who is putting themselves and their families at risk to fight this virus.
Out of a workforce of over a million people less than half of those working in the NHS are doctors and nursing staff. Thank you to everyone doing their part, no matter how insignificant it may seem, you all do a vital job.
@givebloodnhs
#nhs
#nhsbloodandtransplant
#coronavirus
#photogaphy
#documentaryphotography
#documentary
#covid_19
#stayathome
#clapfornhs
#nhsworkers
#protectheNHS
#nhsbt
#giveblood
I thought I would take the opportunity, during this period of isolation, to dig through some of my past photography. My practice has changed significantly in the past decade, so it is a chance to reflect on how far my work has progressed and perhaps an opportunity to reconnect with genres of work that I had previously abandoned and people I haven’t seen in a long time.
Shooting exclusively colour work now, it has been really nice to rediscover and re-edit some black and white work. Photography of food and the catering industry used to be a huge part of my work. These photographs (heavily influenced by Bob Carlos Clarke’s work in White Heat) are of Sarah Wright and Lucy Turner of The Round Kitchen, preparing for a wedding at Polhawn Fort in Torpoint.
I had the privilege to work with these two amazing chefs on a multitude of occasions and was privileged to be asked to photograph their wedding. They now run the Ring O’Bells pub in St Columb in Cornwall. Would be great to see you both again in the near future.
@the_round_kitchen @theringobells
#blackandwhite
#documentaryphotography
#foodphotography
#cornwallfood
#food
#chefs
#chefsofinstagram
#chefsoninstagram
Thankfully the madness seems to have calmed down today. Very little on the shelves now, plenty of bread though and they are staggering putting the milk out.When I entered the store there was no milk, after twenty minutes of wandering, there was milk on the shelves. People were taking a couple of cartons each, there was no rush or mad panic and nobody with overflowing trollies.
There is very little tinned stuff left, but plenty of fruit and veg and everyone seemed to be in fairly good spirits, particularly the staff.
#coronavirus
#endoftheworld
#documentaryphotography
#documentary
#keepcalmandcarryon
#photographer
#northeastengland
#countydurham
#consett
People never fail to disappoint.
It doesn't take much of a crisis for people to show their true colours. I watched this morning as two women overloaded a trolley with everything they could get their hands on. It took me all of my strength to not say something to them about their selfishness / lack of consideration / greed. I could see that I wasn't the only one wanted do it. As I unloaded the shopping into the car, in a three quarters empty car park, an obviously anxious guy got rather irritated that I was stood in his parking bay. On the roads people were driving around like maniacs.
On the other hand the supermarket staff are courteous, calm and carrying on and should be commended for what is a thankless task.
I really believe that in times of crisis we truly reveal who we are.
Images taken at Lidl / Tesco - interesting that there is no shortage of fruit and veg and there are plenty of vegan, organic fake burgers to go around. A bit of a dent in the wine, but plenty of beer left.
#photography
#coronavirus
#outbreak
#supermarket
#documentaryphotography
#documentary
An incredibly difficult project about possibly the worst experience of my life. When my wife Suzanna was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, I put the camera between myself and the disease. It was my way of coping with the situation. The intention was to document her journey through treatment and eventually overcoming the cancer.
Unfortunately twenty days after diagnosis, on 23rd December 2018, she died at Willowburn Hospice in County Durham.
This is my final project for my Degree at @sunderlanduni which will be exhibited at Sunderland University during June 2020.
My intention is to provoke discussion about the subjects of cancer, terminal illness, grief and how we navigate the emotion of dealing with the death of a loved one.
I have already had an incredible amount of support and feedback from so many people with this project. In particularly @gilespenfound my mentor from the very start of my photography journey, who once again, twenty years later, has made me question my approach and the motivations of my work.
And thank you to my fellow students and staff who helped yesterday, deliberating and discussing my first round of test prints @if_i_say_its_art @michaeldaglish @lesatarn @craigames.artist @kezbeautyman98 @micaonfilm @venetiaparkins @zarronbarnes
and Peter Fryer
@sunderlandcreative
@nephotonetwork
@northerncentreofphotography
#cancer
#documentaryphotography
#exhibitiondesign
#northeastengland
#terminalillness
#grief
#photographyexhibition
#cancerawareness
Brilliant performances from all who competed in the Women's British powerlifting Championships.
Videos and still images available from www.fatboystrong.com
#powerlifting
#strengthsports
#athlete
#womenspowerlifting
#womenpowerlifting
@ynepf
@fatboystrongphoto
Missing the simplicity of this place. The days went so slowly. No electricity or running water, a million miles from anywhere, candle lit conversation and phones relegated to redundancy. Since I returned home the days are disappearing at an incredible rate.
Taken very early morning, lit by moonlight ( inspired by the work of @bamford_alex ).The night was absolutely still and was coloured by the ever so slight presence of Aurora. So peaceful you could almost hear the trees breath.
@intrepidexpeditionsuk
@vetrun180
#cabininthewoods
#adventure
#adventuretherapy
#forest
#amazingplaces
#ukpotd
#sweden
#swedishlandscape
#cabinlife
#tripofalifetime
My workspace. This room used to be the place I hid from the world. I spent three years here, staring at a screen trying to find an answer to the turmoil in my head.
Things changed when I accepted creativity back into my life and I began to pull myself back together. In this room I created a plan of how my wife Suzanna and I would spend the rest of our lives and I started to make things happen.
In Dec 2018 the darkness came back. Within a matter of weeks my wife lost a very short battle with cancer and I lost all meaning in my life. For the following year, every day was a battle. I could no longer see a point to anything.
In August 2019 I was offered an expedition with veterans charity @vetrun180 .Right up until the last minute I was resisting. A call from Matt Abbott made the difference. His positivity and passion really gave me the push that I needed.
The trip was fantastic. It was the first time in a long time that I felt I was in the right place. I got more out of the trip filming and photographing the other guys than I did from the activity itself, but I came away overflowing with inspiration.
As I drove home, I had to pull over. I was in floods of tears. The trip was the best thing that had happened to me in a while and I was returning to an empty house. Instead I went and spent hours walking in the hills to avoid the journey home.
For the next few months I threw myself back into work occasionally getting short bursts of enjoyment, but ultimately, every day returning to an empty house and unable to see a point to anything.
Mid January I received an unexpected phone call from Vetrun180. Do I want to go on a trip to Sweden? Of course I did. That trip was last week.
For the last couple of days I’ve sat in my room again, editing together a film for Vetrun. As I’ve gone through the footage, I’ve smiled and laughed and been lifted by the memories from both trips. Since I left the Army 18 years ago it’s the first time I felt accepted.
More than that though, editing this film is the first time since my wife died that I truly feel that I have a purpose and that there is a point to the work I am doing.
#veterans
#mentalhealth
#veteranshelpingveterans
Working through my final degree project with fellow students at @sunderlanduni .
The project currently titled 'unspoken' is about my wife Suzanna losing her short battle with cancer in 2018.
The last year or so has been incredibly difficult and up until we lay these images on the table, I wasn't sure it was right to do this project. Hearing other people's opinions and views proved to me the project was worth continuing.
Thank you to everyone who was present including Photographer Peter Fryer, @aliedge_ , @kezbeautyman98 @lesatarn, @micaonfilm @gramgooch
@sunderlandcreative
@nephotonetwork
@northerncentreofphotography
#photographyexhibition
#cancer
#cancerawareness
#iok2nbok
#mentalhealth
#memories
#photographer
#documentaryphotography
#photographydegree
#universityofsunderland
End of another amazing trip with @vetrun180 . A week of adventure in Sweden with a group of other military veterans. An honour to spend time with an inspirational group of guys who have really helped me with my journey, while moving on with their own.
It's the first time since I left the army that I've felt comfortable enough to talk about my past. Thanks guys for being there to listen, to discuss, to genuinely care and to provide some of the best laughs I've had in a long time.
Brilliant meeting you all, looking forward to seeing you all again in the future.
@vetrun180
@intrepidexpeditionsuk
@sy1four
@dave.radband
@cojeenius_the_spectre
@joey1leg_
@k.raffs
@ion2bok
#veterans
#veteranshelpingveterans
#sweden
#swedishlandscape
#military
#militaryveteran
#britisharmy
#royalmarines
#motivation
#mentalhealth
#memories
Amazing winter landscapes in Sweden with @vetrun180 who support military veterans through adventure therapy. This awe inspiring place is the perfect location for both adventure and relaxation with like minded people.
@intrepidexpeditionsuk
#veterans
#veteranshelpingveterans
#militaryveteran
#sweden
#swedishlandscape
#adventuretherapy
#adventure
#veteransupport
#therapy
#mentalhealth
#britisharmy
#britisharmedforces
#royalmarines
#winterlandscape
#scandinavia
#soldier
#ptsd
Another day of adventure therapy for veterans in Sweden with @vetrun180 .
The cabin has no electricity or running water and lit by candle light and heated by log fire, perfect getaway from the pressures of modern life. Outside during the day temperatures are around -15c, at night and drops to -20 and below.
@vetrun180
@intrepidexpeditionsuk
#sweden
#swedishlandscape
#snowmobiles
#veterans
#veteranshelpingveterans
#militaryveteran
#britisharmy
#britisharmedforces
#royalmarines
#adventuretherapy
First day in Sweden with @vetrun180
#landscapephotography
#sweden
#swedishlandscape
#militaryveteran
#scandinavia
#veteranshelpingveterans
#motivation
#adventuretherapy
#adventure
#abstractphotography
First day in Sweden with @vetrun180
@intrepidexpeditionsuk
@sy1four
@dave.radband
#expedition
#sweden
#veterans
#ukveterans
#veteranshelpingveterans
#adventuretherapy
#britisharmedforces
#royalmarines
#britisharmy
#snowmobiles
#militaryveteran
I rarely post images of myself, this is the first I have posted on instagram. It was shot at Slaley Forest in Northumberland as part of a project called 'Artist?' Three years studying at The University of Sunderland has been spent working out how I want my practice as a photographer to progress in the future, how my work fits into the art world and whether I can or should call myself an artist.
For this project I have spoken to people who I perceive to be 'artists' to gain an understanding of where I fit.
@sunderlanduni
@sunderlandcreative
@nephotonetwork
@northerncentreofphotography
#portrait
#photography
#artist
#artistsoninstagram
#universityofsunderland
#Northumberland
#photographer
#environmentalportrait
#slaleyforest
Superb morning at @3dstrength in Darlington, being put through my paces. I was offered the opportunity while filming a few weeks ago to return to 'train' with the strong men and women at the gym. It was a very different type of training to what I've done in a while. This shot is of Ben Williams @ben_strongman one of the regulars at 3D Strength.
#strongmantraining
#strongman
#strongmanmotivation
#athlete
#sportsphotographer
#sportsphotography
#sport
#strengthsports
#gymphotography
#Darlington
#northeastengland
Brilliant catching up with artist Kathryn Thompson after several years. Kathryn is a community artist working in a variety of media including felt which can be seen in the image.
Part of a project on artists for the final year of my degree at the University of Sunderland.
@sunderlandcreative
@nephotonetwork
@northerncentreofphotography
@kathryn0509
#artist
#art
#communityartist
#environmentalportrait
#northeastengland
#northeastartist
#creativeminds
#portraitphotography
Just a few of the people who have contributed to my 2019. Thank you to all of you and the positive impact you have had. I look forward to seeing you all again in 2020