Thanks to the awesome Emma, I got to go down and shoot Hyro Da Hero at The Borderline. I photographed him doing a stripped down set at Download last summer and managed to get a portrait of him. I'd seen loads of photos of his normal shows and he seemed to have a lot of energy and threw himself around a lot. I totally didn't realise until I was in the venue that Marmozets were supporting and they are really good (expect them to be huge over the next year or so).

The Borderline is a strange venue to shoot in as it has an odd shaped stage and lighting which is mostly ambient rather than spotlights/direct lighting. I shot Marmozets without flash which meant waiting for some of their calmer moments but for Hyro I wanted to try and use flash. I seem to always say this but I wanted to try and work on my flash technique and I'm fairly happy with the results. There's one shot of Hyro crowd surfing after his set which was a quick 'hail Mary' shot and the focus is out by a small amount which was frustrating. Sean Smith from The Blackout also joined Hyro onstage which was a bonus.

There are more Hyro Da Hero photos here.

I've also stuck up a couple of sets of photos from January which are Enter Shikari at New Slang which I shot for Photo Pit and a set of portraits I did of Moones in Highgate.

You can see more of the Enter Shikari shots here.

The rest of the Moones portraits can be seen here.

I had a photo published in last weeks NME of La Femme. It was my first commission from them which is kind of a big deal for me.

I've been a little slack at keeping this blog up to date so far this year. It's been quite a hectic start to the year with lots going on. I haven't been out shooting that much but there's been a lot of behind the scenes planning and sorting things out. A quite surreal opportunity might be opening up which would be a dream come true but I don't really want to go into detail about that at the moment.

I recently managed to go and photograph the Chinese New Year celebrations in London and although it was a good day I really wanted to get some decent shots of the Lion dances through China Town but it was too chaotic to be able to do this well. It was nice getting out and covering an event like this. I do really want to do more things like this that happen in the city. 

My photos from the Chinese New Year celebrations can be seen here.



Last weekend was the first London Rollergirls bout of the season and it was good having it back after the Christmas/winter break. The bouts were awesome as usual and it was good to see a packed crowd. Unfortunately I found myself getting really frustrated shooting as the lighting really seems to be getting worse in Earls Court (which I know isn't LRGs fault). I want to be able to take better photos and I feel the quality is suffering a little from the fact I'm having to shoot using slower shutter speeds, higher ISOs and then push it all in the edits. I may have to rethink how I'm shooting and may try and shoot flash at the next bout (which I'm not really comfortable doing). It is nice though having more photos to put on my events site. LRG are traveling about more this year and I'd definitely like to make it out to one of those bouts.

The photos from this LRG bout can be seen here.



I have some band portraits to put up as well as my shots from the Enter Shikari album launch show which I will do soon.

I shot my first couple of shows of the year a week or so ago and I felt like I didn't get off to the best start. This week though I got to shoot Enter Shikari for Photo Pit (which I'll write about another time) and Christina Perri.

I was hooked on Christina Perri from the first time I saw the video for 'Jar Of Hearts' and was really grateful to get a pass for her show at Shepherd's Bush Empire. I've only shot there a couple of times and the only thing I really remember is that it's one of the venues where photographers get kicked out of the venue after the three songs we are allowed to shoot.

When you shoot lots of shows that have poor or average lighting you forget how nice it is to photograph in well lit venues. The lighting in SBE was perfect for the show and made shooting that much more enjoyable. Christina Perri sounded amazing, her drummer really blew me away and as a bonus I got to watch the whole set. I came away reminded that this is the type of show and venue I want to be photographing in more often.

I'm trying to keep the momentum going of shooting shows and am trying to put myself in situations that might be a little out of comfort zone which will hopefully push me forward. January I think is always pretty quiet but February is shaping up to potentially be busy.



You can see the rest of the photos from the night (including photos of Jack Martello & Marcus Foster) here.

I really can't believe this year is pretty much over. It seems like one minute it was summer and then I blinked and Christmas was over. This blog is going to be a bit of a round up/look back at this last year and what it's meant to me and my photography. I really wanted to go into this year and really get back into shooting music and get back out shooting shows. I also wanted to take a step up with the type of shows I was doing (I wanted back into photo pits rather than only shooting club shows).

January and February were all about getting my new website off the ground and launching myself and Penny Bennett's idea of a new online magazine called Photo Pit Magazine.  Things started well and I got to shoot some good shows like A Day To Remember in Brighton (my first of the year) but we hit some bumps later in the year and it turned out harder than we both had imagined but we are keeping at it. I also got to shoot Glassjaw (one of the highlights of my year by miles), Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, Blitz Kids, Eyes Set To Kill, Iwrestledabearonce, Howling Bells, Rolo Tomassi and Versaemerge amongst others.

In one of the more random things of the year, I got to see Ellie Goulding busking near Trafalgar Square for Big Issue which lead on to me shooting her show at Somerset House which was fantastic. I love her voice and she is a great performer. 

There were several reacurring people/bands/events in my life this year and early on one of those people was Miss Led. We've done a lot of work together before but she had some really major projects to work on and I got to help document those which was a lot of fun. I also spent more time this year than ever photographing roller derby with London Rollergirls and have gone on to set up my LRG photography events site. I love being a part (no matter how tiny) of that community and they've been incredibly supportive and welcoming.

I got to spend a lot of time with Japanese Voyeurs and it's been a great time for them with their debut album now out. As much as I had fun with them, it wasn't always like that as during one of their shows, the shutter in my camera broke which caused a lot of stress. I probably had my first major wobble around then as I was weighing up whether it was worth carrying on or whether a broken camera was a sign to give up. I got through it and got the camera repaired in time for some big events.

After taking a large amount of time out from burlesque photography I sort of dipped my toe back into it at a festival as well as shooting a proper show and Dr Sketchy's (where I got to meet and photograph the amazing artist, Molly Crabapple). I had it in mind to get back into it more than I have but that's not the way things have worked out but I proved to myself that I can enjoy it again and I can do it. I have some ideas for things I'd like to do in the future in this area.

This summer was a massive one for me, I ended up shooting seven festivals (six of them as part of the official team of photographers). I've always said I lacked a lot of knowledge when it comes to photography but I was really thrown in the deep end with some really amazing other photographers and it forced me to learn fast and look at how what I do and how I do it. I learnt a massive a mount and I would like to think there's a big difference in my work before and after. The festivals were also a massive eye opener in terms of how much I lacked/was behind with equipment. Equipment doesn't make a photographer but it does get to a point where there is only so much you can do with the kit you have. When I was shooting as part of a team, it was important for every one's work to fit in together but to me my photos lacked a quality that was there for the others and the shots really stood out. The festivals were an insane amount of work and very long days/late nights, I had a lot of doubts in the middle of it all and came out of everyone thinking I should have done better. I've had a weird love/hate relationship with my work and no more so than the summer.

In the end I took the plunge and got a new camera which I'm happy about. I now need to spend 2012 working on getting some new lenses so I can keep pushing things forward.

After spending a fairly pack three months working my day job and shooting away I fell out of the habit of shooting shows again. It wasn't easy getting back into it but after talking to Penny I got my butt into gear and got back out there.

I photographed my first protest which I've wanted to do for a long time and with the way the year has gone it seemed like as good a time as ever. I went down and photographed the first day of the Occupy London protest outside St Paul's. It lead to two of my photographs being published in the New Statesman. I would love to be able to do more things like that.

Apart from Japanese Voyeurs, Gallows have been one of the bands of my year and I was blessed to spend more time with them which I've written about recently on the blog. They really capped off the year perfectly.

There's loads of people, events and bands which I haven't mentioned which I probably should have mentioned but haven't yet including Letlive, Tat, Architects, Kellen & the Johnny Cupcakes family, Emma Van Duyts, Clare Maxwell, Hearts Under Fire, Fuel Girls and more. You've all helped make this year amazing so thank you (as well as to all the bands I have mentioned, especially Gallows and Japanese Voyeurs)!

While I'm thanking people, I have to thank the photographers I've had the pleasure of working with, been supportive and have helped push me on. Penny Bennett, Ben Gibson, Andy Whitton, Danny North, Pooneh Ghana, Giles Smith, Ian Taylor, Andrew Kendall, Louise Roberts, Connor Mcdonnell, Loraine Ross, Jess Gilbert, Mike White, Ian Arnold. I also obviously need to thank Nic as well as my friends and family. Sorry if I've missed anyone out.

Guess it's time for some photos right after you've endured this right?

It was tough picking out photos to try and sum up your year. I kept thinking I had missed something or that they didn't sum things up right but here goes:

A Day To Remember (Feb)


A Day To Remember (Nov)


Mimi Soya (Feb)


Versaemerge (Feb)


Versaemerge (Download - June)


Letlive. (Feb)


Letlive. (Download - June)




Letlive. (Oct)


Ellie Goulding (Mar)


Ellie Goulding (July)

Blitz Kids (Mar)


Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (Mar)


Glassjaw (Mar)


Gallows (Apr)




Gallows (Dec)




Japanese Voyeurs (Apr)


Japanese Voyeurs (Dec)


TRC (Download - June)


Download (June)


Trash Talk (Download - June)


Download (June)


Imelda May (Hard Rock Calling - June)


Bon Jovi (Hard Rock Calling - June)


Nero (Wireless Festival - July)


Wireless Festival (July)


The Sounds (Wireless Festival - July)


Optimus Motherfucker (July)


Young Knives (Truck Festival - July)


Truck Festival (July)


Justin Townes Earle (Truck Festival - July)


Feed The Rhino (Hevy Fest - Aug)


The Dillinger Escape Plan (Hevy Fest - Aug)


The Ghost Of A Thousand (Hevy Fest - Aug)




Shambala Festival (Aug)




Scarlett Girls (Facedown Club - September)

Bestival (Sep)




Paloma Faith (Bestival - Sep)


English National Ballet (Bestival - Sep)

Tara Mcpherson signing(Sep)


Molly Crabapple (Dr Sketchy's London - Sep)


Johnny Cupcakes x Nickelodeon London launch (Sep)




Johnny Cupcakes - Something In The Cupcake Mix launch (Oct)


Fuel Girls (London Tattoo Convention (Sep)




Tat (Facedown Club - Oct)


London at night (Oct)


Occupy London protest (Oct)


London Rollergirls (Oct)


Saves The Day (Nov)


Architects (Dec)



More than ever I have no idea what next year holds, this year has been eventful and I'm not getting my hopes up that it will continue this way but I have some plans and some ideas that I hope I get the chance to see through. I'd like to learn to video and the editing that goes with it. Fingers crossed for a good year.

So if you know anything at all about me or read anything on my old blog, you'll know how much I love Gallows. I sadly missed the last few shows with Frank Carter and normally when a band gets a new singer I'd be worried about their future. With Wade joining the band from Alexisonfire (who were amazing), I didn't need to be won over... I was in from the start (even without hearing the new EP)!

Gallows had a lot of people trying to write them off but I really hope their shows this week (Wade's first with the band in the UK) silenced a lot of those people. Tuesday's show at XOYO was genuinely one of the best shows of theirs I've seen. I got to photograph them over the two days which was amazing (apart from destroying my my 50mm lens). I also got to shoot some group shots too which I was nervous about before hand. A combination of the right venue and my lack of confidence with flash meant I decided to shoot them using the ambient light that was around, I know they aren't perfect but I'm fairly happy with them.

Massive thank you as alway to Clare, Stu, Lee, Steph, Lags and Wade. I cannot wait to see where this band goes from here.



The photos of Gallows, Sharks, Feed The Rhino and Brontide can be seen here.


I also went and checked out Lags Gallows new band (Moones) on Monday which was really interesting and I enjoyed their set.

There are more photos of Moones here.

I've photographed at Facedown quite a few times now and things are normally pretty standard but getting the chance to see one of my favourite bands at the moment for the last time this year will always peak my interest. Before the show I looked back and realised it was just just over a year ago that I first saw Japanese Voyeurs in the same venue (The Scala) as Facedown is in.As usual JV sound great and the lighting was pretty decent.

After doing a chunk of black & white recently I wanted to shoot in colour and without flash. I've been thinking a lot about wanting to start filming bands and shows, I tried a bit at FD and I'm not sure if the footage is any good or useable but it's something to practice editing with.



I also photographed Scarlett Girls who were also performing.



The rest of the photos of the night can be seen here.

I should hopefully be at two Gallows shows next week, the first in the UK with Wade on vocals and to say I'm excited is a massive understatement. Gallows playing London in December is fast becoming tradition. One I really hope continues. I may also have one more show before the end of the year but I'm waiting for confirmation on that. 2012 is shaping up to have some amazing gigs early in the year which I'm excited about.

I went and shot Saves The Day on Thursday at New Slang (a club night in Kingston), they are a band I saw live quite a few years ago but over the last couple I've really gotten back into them again. As they were performing before a club night they weren't on till pretty late but it was worth the late night. They played a really solid set and I'm glad I went.

Thank you to Zoe & Del for sorting this out for me.



You can see the other Saves The Day photos here.

I also photographed A Day To Remember a couple of weeks ago for Photo Pit and it came at a good time. I've been a bit frustrated with my work recently and have wanted it to be better and it didn't help that I realised I hadn't shot a 'big show' in months. I wanted the chance to shoot in that kind of situation and prove to myself that I could do it. I came out from ADTR pretty happy with my photos. I got to shoot along side Giles Smith which is always an added bonus. I've added a few shots here  but there's more on Photo Pit .

This past weekend was the second LRG bout of the season which saw London's All-Star team (London Brawling) take on Sioux Falls who were over from America. It was a really good win for London and I think it highlights how much they are progressing. As usual I had an awesome day and am itching for the next bout already (which isn't till Feb). Shooting this time was harder than usual as the lighting really seemed a lot dimmer than normal which meant shooting at higher ISOs and lower shutter speeds than I would have liked. Sadly this means my shots are a lot grainier and not as sharp as I'd have liked but at the moment with the kit I have, there wasn't a lot I can do about it.

I've been working recently on an events photography/gallery section of my website (similar to the festival galleries I shot over the summer). I decided as I want to do more roller derby photography that I would have a dedicated LRG gallery/site which I have 'launched' it with photos from the first two bouts. It allows for much better interaction with the photos and sharing on social networks. I'm hoping it should turn into something cool, especially as the season progresses.

Since moving to DPG, I really love galleries with large images. It allows you to really appreciate the scale or detail in shots but it can also really highlight the negatives in the work (especially when I look at my own). It's can be really hard to tell sometimes until a photo is up and online.

Anyway, hope people enjoy the shots and the new site (make sure you check out the link below).



My new London Rollergirls gallery can be seen here along with the rest of the shots from the second bout.

Wednesday night seemed to have a lot going on, there were several shows and an exhibition opening I would have liked to have gone to but I could only do one event. I had a pass for a show but that fell through, luckily I got to see Japanese Voyeurs at The Barfly in Camden (sometimes good things come out of plans that don't work out). I'm still very much trying to get back into the swing of shooting shows and this one was a good one to be that.

I struggled a little to get my flash settings right so I swapped to using my 50mm f1.8 lens and it was quite nice using it again. I haven't really had much need for it but it was a pretty good lens that night. At times there was barely any light on stage which made focusing a bit difficult but I'm quite happy with the shots.

Japanese Voyeurs are a great band (which I've mentioned before) and I always enjoy seeing them. The crowd got pretty rowdy during JV which was great but I have to say one of the highlights of the night was one of the support bands, Blacklisters. Despite some problems with their gear they played a pretty solid set. Must make sure I catch them again.

You can see the rest of the photos from the gig here.



I'm shooting another London Rollergirls bout at Earls Court on Saturday which will be fun. I've created a new part of my website dedicated to my LRG photos which I will put up once the ones from this coming bout are all edited and uploaded. I'm quite excited about putting it up as I think it will work quite well for this.

I am currently trying to raise money for Movember. If you haven't heard of Movember, the idea is to grow a moustache throughout the month of November raising money and awareness about mens health issues. It's a great cause and great fun to take part in.

Officially, you are meant to start the month fresh faced but I'm doing this alongside someone at work and we decided to grow out a beard beforehand and have down to a moustache at the the start of the month. We did this last year as well and although it isn't what you are meant to do it's still in the same spirit and as long as we raise money thats the important thing.

I took a load of self portraits during the various stages of my initial shave down. I am hoping to maybe to do other portraits of other people who are taking part.



The other photos I took can be seen here.

To find out more about Movember, click here.

You can sponsor me by clicking here.