My Story
When I first started my career in 2008 as a junior photographer, I wasn't sure how it would pan out. Nobody I knew did it and when the company I worked for went under, my supportive dad consoled me with "well you gave it a try, maybe it's time to get a proper job". Four years on from that moment I invited my dad to RAF Coningsby, where I was stationed as a Combat Camera team Photographer, to sit-in on the pilots briefing for HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee flypast over London; the first time Typhoon aircraft had performed a 'diamond-9' formation. I was the one giving that briefing and my dad sat quietly in the corner, beaming with pride. He stood quietly at the side of the runway as 11 Typhoon aircraft thundered into the sky and waved me off as I disappeared into the clouds. He was sat in the crew bar with a cup of tea, patiently waiting when I returned with a big grin on his face. I could write a book about how hard it was to get that opportunity, or how hard the job itself was, but I knew in that moment I could make a living out of this. My dad had watched me turn a hobby into a way to not only pay my way in life, but to see and experience things most people never could. If I could convince him, I could convince anybody.
My Story
In the 15 years since taking that first job, creating visual media has been my sole source of full-time income. I've worked with some of the quirkiest and most disgustingly-talented creatives in the industry, learning anything I could from them along the way. It made sense that I could edit my own media content, so Photography made way for Retouching, as Video made way for Post Production. I picked up Graphic Design, Marketing and even Branding along the way. I've worked on high-end fashion campaigns, running busy sets with models, stylists and HMUAs for giant brands. I've shot Ferraris on-location in the early hours of the morning. I've helped friends rebrand their own businesses and produced engaging content that I've seen keep food in their families mouths. I've worked with military Explosive-Ordnance Disposal teams in the desert, I've been hit with petrol bombs working with the Police, I've pulled 9G in fighter jets and I've been winched out of helicopters. I've worked with TV personalities and Royalty, working dogs and the emergency services, stylists and the SAS. I've lost count of the amount of times I've been published, I've earned commendations for my work, been featured in multiple interviews and I've won awards for my work that have been covered by mainstream news outlets.
I STILL get a kick from content creation; it's like showing somebody a magic trick. Creative-problem solving and translating someone's thoughts into visual content that they will remember are the things that keep this profession truly fulfilling. I've used my knowledge and experience to teach others, but the truth is I'm still learning too.
I never particularly thought I'd leave a legacy with my work, but it's hard to deny that one image above the rest has resonated with people in a way I could never have imagined. A pretty straight-forward and opportune shot taken in 2013 that I still see find being published ten years later. It's easily my most sold, most requested and most stolen piece of work that evokes emotion in people from all kinds of backgrounds and for that I am incredibly grateful.
Long term friends and client 'Motorsport & Performance' very kindly asked to feature my work on their channel, here is what they had to say:
