making new friends at london zoo

In a world that demands everything to be fast, instant, and "on-trend," I find that the best photography happens when I decide to slow everything down. Sometimes, you just have to stop. You have to sit, spend time with a subject, and wait for their true self to really shine through. I’ve found this to be especially true with animals. You can’t command a connection, and you certainly can't rush it. It takes patience. It takes sitting on the ground, making gentle eye contact, and building a quick, quiet relationship. Once an animal knows you’re not a threat and that you’re someone worth engaging with, their guard comes down. That’s the moment the true essence comes alive.

And honestly? People aren't that different.

We all have our "camera face." We all have our defences, our rehearsed smiles, and our nervous habits. My job isn't just to hold a camera; it’s to create the space where those things can fall away. That’s why I don’t believe in "rushing" a shoot. I believe in being patient, being responsive, and being ready to capture the real you, not just the polished, posed version, but the one that truly makes you who you are.

Whether you’re in front of the lens for a corporate headshot, a family portrait, or an intimate life event, you deserve to be captured with the this level of care and attention.

Wes-life: Exploring ‘The Archives’ at London’s Design Museum

During the Easter holidays, I took my son down to The Design Museum in London to witness 'Wes Anderson: The Archives'. Wes Anderson is famous for his obsessive attention to detail. Whether it’s the exact shade of "Mendel’s Pink" or the symmetrical framing of a 35mm shot, nothing in his universe happens by accident. I can relate.

There is a specific kind of magic that happens when a filmmaker’s world transcends the cinema screen and lands in a physical gallery. For a photographer, it’s a bit like stepping into one of your favourite photographs. Walking through the exhibition, you realise that what we see on screen is only the tip of the iceberg. Seeing the scale of the characters from Isle of Dogs and Fantastic Mr. Fox up close is incredible. The texture of the fur and the tiny, hand-stitched clothing are a testament to the thousands of hours spent on stop-motion. The intricate miniatures to the carefully curated stationery of The Grand Budapest Hotel, the physical craftsmanship of everything is mind-blowing. It's also fascinating part for any creative is seeing the sketches, storyboards, and reference materials that precede the final shot. It’s a masterclass in visual world-building.

As a photographer, seeing the actual objects used to create these compositions reminded me of the importance of the "micro-details" that the viewer might not consciously notice, but which contribute to the overall atmosphere and "soul" of a photograph.

The exhibition is a wonderful tribute to the design and detail that go into making these movies so unique. If you find yourself in London, I cannot recommend this highly enough. It's running until July 26th so hurry up and visit. It is, quite literally, a Wes geek’s wet dream.

Behold the see monster

After following the story of its journey here for over a year, I finally got to tackle the collosal beast on my birthday last week. It is a magnificent sight that looks like a crossbreed of an AT-AT Walker from Star Wars and a real life ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ marching its way across Weston beach. If you want to see it, you best be quick, as the structure is unfortunately due to be taken down on the 5th November. Shame really, as It’s the best thing to happen to Weston-super-Mare since…the installation of the first ‘Whack-a-Mole’ machine on the Grand Pier arcade or Banky’s Dismaland (which I unfortunately didn’t get to see) I think they should rethink its deconstruction and keep this marvellous metal monster for good. Visit while you can! https://seemonster.co.uk

home to a community of diverse and interdependent talents. At the core of the community based here, in this disused quarry, is a belief that collaboration and collectivism, sharing work, vision and ideas, are how all great creations take hold and manifest.

Bristol docks heritage weekend

I moved to Bristol in 1980. My family lived in a lovely house on Cliftonwood Crescent, overlooking the Harbourside, from the Underfall yard up to the Electric Cranes. I used to love waking up to this picturesque panorama and would often watch the dockside goings on with my Dad’s binoculars for hours. It’s a nostalgic walk at the best of times but never more so than when it’s Heritage weekend, where the hustle bustle of the harbour activity of yesteryear is in full force. Cranes in full swing, steam trains puffing, boats cruising the waterways, Brunel’s Buttery pumping out delicious wafts of fried delights, as I try my best to avoid getting attacked by Swans (I have a long history of problems!) The weather was a little overcast, so I thought I’d make use of nature’s soft box and go for moody black and whites. We are so lucky to have this in our city. It’s proper Brizzle and I loves it. 

home to a community of diverse and interdependent talents. At the core of the community based here, in this disused quarry, is a belief that collaboration and collectivism, sharing work, vision and ideas, are how all great creations take hold and manifest.

wake the tiger

The beast awakens: This summer I took my kids to Bristol’s brand new amazement Park ‘Wake the Tiger’ after coming across a random advert with a couple of intriguing looking pictures. I found out what I could but nothing could have prepared us for what lay ahead. I only brought my walk around camera, but none of my pictures could do justice to the sheer artistic brilliance and imagination that has gone into designing and bringing to life this kaleidoscopic fever dream rollercoaster ride. The love and attention to detail of this monumental project is like nothing I have ever seen. My 9 and 11 year old kids were as gobsmacked as I was when every turn of a corner took us into a different fantastical world. It’s like walking into a collaborative painting by Salvador Dali, M.C. Escher and Ralph McQuarrie or a mash-up movie of Labyrinth, Delicatessen and Bladerunner. It truly has to be seen to be believed. Make sure you visit as soon as you are able www.wakethetiger.com home to a community of diverse and interdependent talents. At the core of the community based here, in this disused quarry, is a belief that collaboration and collectivism, sharing work, vision and ideas, are how all great creations take hold and manifest.

Rockaway Park

Whilst entertaining the kids this Easter, I took them to a place I'd only heard about and been meaning to get out to for quite some time. Found on Cloud Hill, in Temple Cloud, just south of Bristol, Rockaway Park is home to a community of diverse and interdependent talents. At the core of the community based there, in this disused quarry, is a belief that collaboration and collectivism, sharing work, vision and ideas, are how all great creations manifest themselves and take hold. This place is like an alternative Mad Max film set in an abandoned theme park in the 60s, full of creative ideas that will keep you returning for multiple visits just to see what they come up with next. A hidden gem you must seek out to believe. Visit https://www.rockawaypark.co.uk/gallery to see more pics. home to a community of diverse and interdependent talents. At the core of the community based here, in this disused quarry, is a belief that collaboration and collectivism, sharing work, vision and ideas, are how all great creations take hold and manifest.

natural history museum

Whilst Disneyland and Harry Potter Studio Tours are very entertaining, they will also empty your bank account quicker than a speeding bullet. As Covid restrictions only allowed us to holiday at home in England, we took a trip to the Natural History Museum in London and the Museum of Natural History in Oxford. These two places are hands- down, more fascinating and exhilarating than any theme park and even better, they don't cost you a penny. I was like a kid in a candy store and, as my wife will confirm, far more excited than my kids. I could literally go everyday for a month and still not see all they had to offer. A truly mesmerising experience, that if you have not had the pleasure yet, should rectify as soon as you can. Also while in the Oxford branch, you should definitely check out the Pitt Rivers Museum. It's hidden away towards the back and is an astonishing treasure trove of oddities and antiquities from across the ages. I was literally too enthralled in it's offerings to take any more pictures. Click on the links to book now.