A little more about me and my love for landscapes
I can’t recall the definitive moment I fell in love with the landscape, because I don’t think there was one, I have been immersed and deeply rooted in the outdoors for as long as I can remember, and my earliest memories are filled with excitement and anticipation of holidays to Wales and the Lake District. I was lucky to grow up in the Peak District and Snowdonia, and never took them for granted, I was acutely aware of the beauty of my surroundings and spent every waking hour out exploring.
It was when I saved enough for my first Nikon SLR 30 years ago that the true passion for photography was ignited, and I was fascinated with capturing the fleeting changes of vistas that never looked the same twice, captured for eternity. I studied geomorphology and meteorology at Aberystwyth University, because I wanted to understand just how the landscape worked around me. I then worked as an outdoor and mountaineering instructor for ten years, because I just had to live and be part of the landscape, all of the time. It was a privilege to see how the landscape changed by the day and the hour, but one thing that was certain to me is I had to have my camera with me, and I just wanted to be taking pictures.
During this time, I worked as the expedition photographer for Raleigh International in Chilean Patagonia, which blew my mind, it was like stepping in to another world, the landscape was just incredible. Capturing the people, the story of the expedition and the landscape was the perfect combination for me. Move on 30 years and I now work as a full-time documentary wedding photographer and also as a food photographer, but my passion for landscape photography is still as strong as ever, and I photograph primarily for myself, and the enjoyment of others, rather than feeling pressured to make a living from it. At a wedding I may shoot 8000 images in a 12-hour day, whereas when I immerse myself in the landscape I might spend hours seeking just one image, it is an immensely refreshing and rewarding juxtaposition.
I love nothing more than watching the play of light on the land, anticipating moments, however fleeting, and that immense satisfaction of a moment captured to share with others.
Accolades
- Contributor to Outdoor Photography magazine
- Landscape Photographer of the Year – Highly Commended 2012, 2013, 2014 – One of my photos now has permanent pride of place in the gent’s toilet at Charing Cross station!
- British Wildlife Photographer Awards – Finalist 2016, 2018
- Outdoor Photography magazine – Cover image October 2013
- Pink Lady Food Photographer of the year – Category Winner 2016
