2023 marks the 15th year of self-employment as a freelance photographer. During this period, I have worked with amazing people, collaborated on international projects, produced inspiring short films, setup the charity Fotograf, been shortlisted for international awards and won numerous high profile photographic competitions for my portraiture and documentary work.
I began my photography journey back in the days of film, gaining inspiration from a visit by a newspaper photographer at my school, when I was just 11 years old. I remember the thrill of seeing a photo I had taken being developed in the red light of the darkroom. It was a moment that would go on to define my entire life.
I was given my first 35mm SLR in 1995 – a Pentax K1000 (which I naturally still have to this day) and shot hundreds of rolls of film. Learning the basics of photography, but also what inspired me and how to deal with people (remember a time when we didn’t have a camera on phone! – or a phone actually!)
In 1997 I shot my first mini documentary, working with the National Stock Car Association, I captured a series of gritty black and white images of the racing, drivers and atmosphere of this niche sport.
It was a terrific introduction to documentary photography. I was super pleased with the results and tellingly I still look back fondly at some of those images.
After graduating from Great Yarmouth and Anglia Polytechnic with a Distinction in photography (degree level) I was fortunate enough to obtain a position with the NHS as a clinical photographer. It provided a platform for me to develop my skills in highly complex environments (regularly shooting stills & video in theatre) as well as understanding where I wanted to ‘go’ in life with my photography.
In 2008 I held my first solo exhibition ‘Naturally Norfolk’ featuring a series of images of renowned Norfolk reed cutter, Eric Edwards. I had spent over a year visiting Eric on the marshes around How Hill, documenting his work and life. It’s a body which I’m still incredibly proud of.
Following the success of the exhibition, I left full-time employment and became a freelance photographer.
In 2012 I cycled from the UK to Rwanda in just 64 days, completing the 5500+ mile adventure unaided (well, aside from a replacement bike after a crash!) documenting the journey and importantly the wonderful people I met.
2015 I launched Give a Child a camera (now called Fotograf) – a photography & storytelling project working with young disadvantaged children in Southwest Uganda. Now in it’s 8th year, the project has become a UK registered charity and has worked with over 90 young people in East Africa.
To further my appeal and reach within an ever changing photographic world, I undertook the GWO training qualifications to be able to work in the wind industry. Move forward a few years, I have shot under sub contract to CHPV, still images and film for some of the biggest players in the industry, with my work featuring on magazine front covers, as well as playing to audiences worldwide. To work alongside my GWO I also have also completed the Bosiet training for Oil and Gas opportunities.
Personal work has always been a fundamental part of my photography. Yes I’m a professional photographer, but photography has always been more than just a job. Late 2018 I began documenting people from the region I live in, a personal body of work entitled Portrait. Telling powerful stories of people in our society stories through powerful portraiture. Capturing the essence of the person and their role within our society through outstanding imagery.