Portfolio
Welcome to my portfolio, a small selection of photographs which best represent my work and the images I have enjoyed making the most.
Portraits
Wally Mason
I caught up with Wally cutting reed with his custom scythe on the river bank for some editorial images used in the Broadcaster magazine. We were regaled with tales of a life lived on the river whilst he puffed on a rollup, the occasional chug of a boat and calls from overflying oystercatcher mixed with his Norfolk accent was a sublime feast for the senses. At 90 its likely he won’t be cutting for much longer, an era drawing to a close but a legacy that will no doubt be remembered by
Jesse Barrett
What is more fulfilling for a photographer than documenting ones family? I would say nothing, it’s a uniquely personal and meaningful process full of self reflection and intimacy. My brother is a really skilled musician working mostly with percussion, he found his feet professionally with the jazz trio Mammal Hands with whom he helped author several albums under the label Gondwana. Recently he had cause to leave the group, and to develop his more esoteric style of drumming, an album is on its way. Its good too, I have a test pressing so I know.
These two photos kicked off a 2 hour shoot we had planned to make images for his album release, they also mark the start of my documenting of him through his various transitional periods.
Jesse makes a lot of his own instruments including carving drums, he pointed out to me that this is what musicians have always done which I had never really thought too much about but makes perfect sense. These photos are taken in the corner of his studio where some carpet tiles have been pulled up to make space for a lathe and pillar drill, he is sitting on a set of draws that came from our Dad’s old workshop. I really like the photos, you get a sense of Jesse’s kind nature and bottomless curiosity.
Malca Shotten
This is artist and all round good egg, Malca Shotten. Malca approached me for some fresh headshots she could use for the press and her own website, over a cup of coffee and some ‘life chats’ we made some relaxed photos around her beautiful home. Malca fits into the rather large category of those who don’t especially want their photo taken but see the necessity in doing so, I really relish the challenge, seeing people relax and start to feel more comfortable in front of the camera is a very rewarding process.
Malca is a fantastic artist, based in Norwich where I live, I occasionally make photographic reproductions of her work for exhibition postcards and prints. Her pastel work is sublime, in fact I have 3 works by her hanging at home.
Lupa Pizza
Tucked away on Nelson Street in Norwich opposite probably Norwich’s best pub (The Fat Cat) is Lupa Pizza. I had done work for the previous restaurant in that building, the well loved Woolf & Social. So when they mentioned they needed photographs to kick-start their social media I put my hand up and said pick-me! Yes I photographed some crispy (and delicious) pizza but I took the chance to grab some relaxed photos of the staff in their outdoor space. If you are in town, check them out ;) I also designed their logo, but that’s another story.
Projects
British Journal of Photography Portrait of Britain Vol 8 - My entry Now Shortlisted!
I’d been toying with entering this competition for a while, having never done something like that before I was a little nervous.
I was kind of torn, on the one hand I might fail completely, a lovely gift to my already healthy amount of imposter syndrome and on the other, maybe, just maybe it might work out. In the end I just thought, well if the right photo comes along then just bloody do it.
So with that in mind I took my camera with me on every lunch break, walk and outing, something I had not done for several months. And then it happened. Down the street, side by side on a cool winters day walk Adam and his Nan. Adam, over 6ft tall, very striking and his diminutive companion, I look, a double-take. Yes ask them the voice says, you have a reason. So I do, a nice street portrait is made which I share with Adam, the family is really pleased an I receive some positive affirmation via socials. all good…. well other than I don’t think the shot is that good, to my eye it lacked intimacy and depth. I messaged Adam and I asked if we could arrange for another crack at the whip, explaining my ambition for the competition. A few months later I am drinking tea with them both at her house, it’s perfect. lovely light (by this time spring is in the air) they are genuinely lovely pair who generously share their stories with me (and listen to mine) I feel we are friends. We took very few photographs, 6 maybe, I two rooms of the house. This is one I submitted and it is the best, I love it. Hopefully the judges deem it as worthy as I know it is.
www.1854.photography/awards/portrait-of-britain/portrait-of-britain-vol-8-winners-shortlist/
Glynn Hugo
My father and I went to visit Glynn at his home in Suffolk together in November 2023, part of series we plan on continuing together, this was our first one. (he knows a few old potters and as a family we lived next door to a pottery studio).
An old friend of my dad’s Glynn had closed his Kiln about 5 years earlier, I believe his was 89 at this point. I don’t want to butcher Glynn’s past achievements by mis remembering them but in short he worked as a studio potter in Burton making table ware and then went on to design an make very fine art pieces in Suffolk. The piece photographed below was exhibited, according to Glynn upside down, something that Mondrian and Picasso both had trouble with.
Glynn and my father talked about his artistic life across his small round table, cluttered with medicine, art books and I assume the junk mail of that week. We visited his rather sad but atmospheric old studio full of unglazed work and I took a few photographs of him (his hands were marvellous). It was a strange experience, during the shoot I felt I photographing a memory, it was so out of time. Glynn past away about a month later.
Weddings
Tom and Katherine Waterfall - Norwich
Tom and Katherine approached me to record their special day as they liked my informal candid, approach and water a small locally based wedding. Both these two are really passionate about supporting local businesses alongside a good amount of DIY which really added to making the day memorable and unique.
Sophia and David - Bristol
A full on and industrious day in Bristol we started off in the city suburb with the bridal party for some prep shots and then taxied into the centre to capture the rest of the do. The couple had picked two very beautiful buildings for the ceremony and party, knowing Bristol I had to get them out onto the winding narrow streets for some couples shots which is always fun, you never quite know what’s going to happen!
