My job as a North East photographer takes me all over the region, photographing everything from businessmen to brides, and celebrities to community champions.
One of the ways I judge my success as a professional commmercial photographer is when clients come back to me time after time. A recent three-year contract from Stockton Borough Council (my second long term contract with them) made me reflect on what a vibrant, lively place Stockton is, and the diverse range of photoshoots I’ve done around the borough lately.
The images that I returned with from the launch of the £7m restoration of Preston Park Museum and Grounds,near Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, were amazing. Over 1000 tickets were sold and the crowd was entertained by a spectacular 3-D light show arranged by Novak Collective that took people through the long history of the hall.
Changing colours and tricks such as butterflies coming out of flames made this a visual treat to photograph, even in the dark conditions. I was joined by several photographers from regional and national arts magazines, and former colleagues from my press photography days, as eager as I was not to miss out on some fabulous pictures.
Christmas shopping and festive fun were on the agenda for December’s Stockton Sparkles, promoting Stockton High Street’s independent shops and its Christmas market as the perfect shopping destination. This was another night time shoot where I was glad of my Canon 5D Mark III camera, and its ability to photograph with pin-sharp clarity in even the most inky conditions.
When her Majesty the Queen carried out the official opening of Stockton's £6.4 million international white water course at the Tees Barrage International White Water Centre near Thornaby on Teesside, I was very pleased to document the event and add it to my list of ‘royal’ jobs. My set of long lenses were essential for this event, giving me some lovely clear shots of the Queen and Prince Philip that made the next day’s papers.
It’s certainly a commission that keeps me on my toes, with pyrotechnics, giant figures roaming the streets and all kinds of activity going on it’s a good job I’ve developed a knack of being everywhere at once!
The sheer variety of the job takes me back to my days as a press photographer based in Middlesbrough, and it’s partly the range of different jobs I go out to on a daily basis that keeps my work fresh.
Developing a long term relationship with clients helps me to really get under the skin of what they are looking for and how they want the images to be used, whether it’s for brochures, the side of a bus, in the press or online.
As well as being able to think up a fresh angle and a different approach, I pride myself on being available and professional, delivering the photos on time and always paying close attention to customer service.
Whether I’m doing sport, press, documentary wedding, commercial or advertising photography, my one aim is that my clients are delighted with every image. Every time.
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