Focus n stuff

Have been flat out doing some work for DNA art again, complicated stuff but great results. Finally, I have managed to grab five mins to chill and blog over a chicken soup and a can of coke zero. I have a bit of man flu going on so I am feeling a wee bit sorry for myself. It has been a funny week, very little paying work but lots of 'stuff'.

It was the annual pilgrimage to Birmingham for the Focus trade show sans the night out and stop over. After a lot of badly organised faffing about, five photographers crammed into Andy Gordon's vauxhaull thingy and headed north. Bit of a quick zip about this year although I did not see much that was new and it seemed quieter than previous years - Was good to see a few familair faces though, Hayley & Will, Simon Winson, the crowd from phototopix, Kevin Wilson, the legendary John Henshall and my good friend Tony Eatough who never seems to age - he dresses like an art student and listens to stuff like Kings of Leon (who are my top music tip for the week - fantastic latest album by the way) I did manage to pick up a couple of little essentials but was tempted away from the big things - much as I fancied the newish D700 - maybe next year! The drive home was quite sober really - in more ways than one - we all felt that we should have stayed and hit broad street for a testosterone filled night of beer and tapas!

Got a great full page feature on the Chamber of Commerce in this weeks Surrey Ad - out tomorrow, its in the business section and is a really positive piece about leatherhead, great in the current climate. OK, back to work on more dna profiles, ttfn. Oh and happy birthday to my Nan and Cousin Andi. xx

Get well Blue

Hey up again, just a quickie to say get well to Blue - and I publicly want to tell her to look after herself and take things easy! De as ah say no as ah de! (thats scottish bye the way!)

Just bumped into the great Steve O'Keefe who used to share an office here with me and is the S of S&P Photos when it was originally formed. After a brief chat which was cut short by me having to make Sainsburys before it closed, he informed me that with the credit crunch his business is right down to the floor (his exact words) - fact is it always has been - he runs a carpet cleaning business!!! I thought that was funny - hope it picks up as well as a dyson steve old boy!

Just got a copy of the latest Ashtead and Leatherhead Local - Well chuffed with the cover this month, ok, so it is a snow scene but we do not get them very often and it was such a nice shot, it had to happen. I am very proud of my association with the local and my good friend Zen who works very hard to keep it running at one a month. It is a great magazine and has become a bit of a shop window for me - there are even other photographers trying to jump in and compete with me which in a way is a compliment. sounds well arrogant and I dont mean it to be but I like my place with the mag and get lots of nice comments about the covers so I am not going to give up without a fight!

That Monday feeling!

For once I have had quite a relaxing weekend but now I have got the monday morning blues. The sky is white and dull outside and the high street is pretty deserted. Oh for some blue skies and sunshine - I cannot wait till the weather picks up and the trees have leaves on them - I despise this time of year.
Its Focus week again, which means hundreds of photographers will be making the annual pilgrimage to Birmingham to look at all the toys they cannot afford. I am undecided whether I will go or not - normally there is a little squad of us, made up of Mark Lewis, Andy 'Half Pint' Gordon, Leo Wilkinson and Martin, Mark's colleague (I had better not say assistant or he will boot me out of the car half way up the M40). This year due to the credit crunch we will not be doing the customary stop over on Broad street followed by a very hungover Focus shuffle the next day! More's the pity. I think I will probably just venture up for the day and see what is new. Andy is going for his MPA liceniateship while he is there so good luck and er....about time!
Hopefully I have minimised the typos this time (was picked up on this by my girlfriend's sister Kristin yesterday, it is somewhat embarrassing having my language shortfallings pointed out by a Norwegian!) Hm, Starbucks beckons, I need a caramel latte to wake me up somewhat.

All that Jazz

It is Thursday evening and I am wading through lots of editing jobs, catching up after a complex commercial project that took up most of the early part of the week but was successful in its conclusion. For once I have some jazz playing in the background which is making me feel quite chilled - Stan Getz, for those of you who are educated in such matters.Normally I have a bit of Springsteen or Coldplay on, or of course Deacon Blue who are one of my favourites but lately I have been in favour of less vocal music to enable me to concentrate.
Our local Rev - David Eaton was in this morning for some PR images - David has just informed me that he is retiring which is a shame for Leatherhead as he has always taken a big interest in the town and is a lovely chap - Enjoy your retirement David and don't forget us here in Leatherhead.
Yesterday I went to the sussex coast for a walk on the beach with my girlfriend and her dog Alfie who is a tiny yorkshire terrier that gets attention everywhere he goes - cute is not the word, he was accosted in a car park by loads of kids who thought he was adorable - he lapped up the attention! It was good to finally get a day off after a long period of late night working and stress, trying to keep up with the credit crunch. Big Eh up to Steve (Mello) up in Leek, Andy Park and Blue White whose name sounds even more like a washing powder than mine!

FLAT OUT

I guess it has been a few days since I last blogged - that is largely due to pressure of work, editing, meeting mag deadlines and the like.
I went, along with 45 or so Chamber of Commerce members to the new Unilever building on Tuesday, who kindly hosted a breakfast for us - what an amazing place and a great environment to work in - they have a gym, bar and a really modern attitude to working - very refreshing!
I did photograph the beatles the other day - or at least 4 people that were dressed up like them as they were on the cover of the Seargent Pepper album - all in aid of the Children's Trust in Tadworth - they were the promo shots for their Marathon Attempt which was being undertaken by representitives from Allied Dunbar, Lloyd Scott, who was the guy in the deep sea divers outfit at last years marathon and GMTV presenter, Priya Kaur Jones. It was a very fun and colourful shoot - and the submarine they will be carrying was fantastic - heavy but very well created!
I suppose I had better get back down to the grindstone. Mohammed was not able to go to the singapore mountain (or Hill) but the mountain is coming back to me tomorrow so I am a happy camper - that is the great thing about Blogs - you can put a load of stuff in that some people will understand because they know the score and others will be totally baffled by! back to work, lots to do........

Happy Saturday!

Last night I was the photographer at the youth showcase awards at the Dorking Halls. It was great to see enthusiastic and talented kids being recognised for their efforts and it was a very well organised and enjoyable evening - well done all those who were nominated and won awards.
Loads on at the moment - not so much in the studio but Chamber of commerce wise, planning for the future of my business and reworking the website. Thanks to Blue for your comments - it is a shame I had to manage on my own again, credit crunch and all that and yes there have been times when I could have used a skilled editor - people are always asking after you down here! Have you got your charity promo sorted yet Mrs?
Wish I was somewhere hot and sunny just now - this cold weather is depressing - somewhere like Singapore maybe - I have been told it is the place to be right now - there is a very beautiful hill right by the sea that I would like to relax by.........
anyway, I am waffling now, better get on with some work, happy birthday's to Knut Huse and my old pal Random Ed by the way.

BUSY ONE!

Yep, twas all go today, some prospectus shots this morning then a meeting with my good friend Frank Scolaro who creates art from peoples DNA, really good stuff it is too, the art , not the DNA although that is pretty amazing stuff I suppose too. A couple of sittings and lots of emails and Chamber of Commerce stuff. The weather has been pretty naff today, the snow is melting, its cold, foggy and dank! roll on summer eh?

Had my first comment on this blog - from Tony Eatough who has given me a lot of support over the years - thoroughly nice chap and a good friend, thanks Tony and congrats on being the first to respond - you may of course be the only! Not sure if anyone is reading this yet but hello if you are.

Locked myself out of my house yesterday when the key snapped in the lock, not ideal, especially in this weather, at least my car is back on the road after I dug it out of a snow drift!
all in all its been an unusual week!

LONG DAY!

Yep, been a long day today - ready to go home and chill! The snow is melting which is good as I have some driving to do tomorrow ....someone built an igloo in the car park behind the high street - quite good it was too - had to take a pic of course - well spotted Hilde!
Spoke to a very good friend of mine today who was on a bit of a downer - he knows who he is if he is reading this - chin up old boy and if you need a shoulder - I will try my best not to knock you off with my humungus ears!

Hopefully soon I will catch up with everything - I so need an assistant sometimes.
au revoir!

White out!!

So the world has come to a stop, or at least Leatherhead has - most of the shops are shut and everyone seems to have taken the day off. What a fantastic sight though! I have never seen so many people out walking their dogs and dragging their kids along on sledges - everyone seems to be enjoying the novelty of it all.
I am sure that novelty will wear off after a few days of no public transport and taffic jams! Meanwhile enjoy!!