Introduction

From the Press Core to the Quiet Hills: My 35+ Year Photographic Journey

For more than three decades, my world was defined by the fast-paced, unpredictable arena of editorial, press, and public relations photography. From documenting members of the Royal Family and capturing iconic sports celebrities to portraying celebrated actors and covering major regional news, my career demanded absolute technical precision under pressure. Chasing breaking news and telling compelling human stories on tight deadlines forged instant adaptability and a sharp eye for composition that cannot be taught in a classroom.

After 35 years behind the lens, I stepped back from the daily rush of the newsroom to channel a lifetime of craftsmanship into an enduring passion: the British landscape. Based in the heart of Shropshire, I now translate my deep understanding of light, human gravity, and environmental storytelling into creating commanding, exhibition-grade fine-art images. The same precision required to capture a fleeting expression on a public figure is now used to capture the elusive, invisible light shifting over the Shropshire hills.

Seeing the Unseen: The Power of Infrared

Process: Working in infrared requires a dedicated camera system. My primary body is a fully converted Canon EOS R, modified to accept the full visible and near-infrared spectrum. Paired with a carefully selected range of optical filters, this allows me to isolate specific bands of light that the human eye cannot perceive - capturing what the landscape actually emits rather than what it merely reflects. For my visual colour work, I use a Canon EOS 1D X II with a range of lenses including a tilt-shift for precise compositional control across wide and telephoto focal lengths. Infrared colour captures the full-spectrum response of living tissue and atmosphere. Chlorophyll's intense reflection of near-infrared light transforms foliage into luminous whites and crimsons, while skies and water absorb that light into deep, dramatic voids. The result is a palette that exists nowhere in visible light. Infrared monochrome strips colour entirely, isolating pure tonal contrast. What remains is the architecture of light itself - luminance, texture, and form - reduced to its most elemental state. Both processes begin in-camera through optical filtration and are refined through meticulous digital development. No artificial compositing, no HDR blending, no composite manipulation. What you see is a single exposure, shaped by light and refined in the darkroom.

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The Editorial Archive:

Selected Historical Commissions:

Before dedicating my focus entirely to fine-art landscapes, I spent over three decades documenting the historical moments, public figures, and cultural heritage of Shropshire and beyond. This curated retrospective represents a small selection of the high-profile assignments where absolute precision, timing, and composition were paramount.

Queen Elizabeth II

Caption: HRH Queen Elizabeth II visiting Telford to mark its 40th anniversary, 2005. Official Host Photographer for Telford & Wrekin Council.

Princess Anne

Caption: HRH Princess Anne, President of the Royal Yachting Association, visiting Chelmarsh Sailing Club, 2004. Editorial commission.

Regional News

Caption: Freedom of the Borough RAF parade and ceremonial flyover, 2002. Regional news archive.

Celebrity Retrospective

Caption: K.K. Downing (Judas Priest) and cricketer Neal Radford, Lord’s Taverners Day at Astbury Hall, 2012. Press archive.