My Photo work April 22nd 2010

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Photos August 2007.  For Edinburgh festival 2007 and the Jazz Bar gigs I got a new lens.  I have been shooting live gigs over 2006. The photos I got there are very special to me.  After I realised that I was getting pretty good shots I applied to take some music festivals and I continue to receive good feedback. In 2008 I took at Celtic Connections and the buzz of doing this festival was so good. I felt like it was my journey of my own choosing - well it felt like I belonged and I work very hard on it all. There is loads to learn and getting those special shots doesn't come so easy at times!

Sometimes there simply are special gigs. I have had  commissions, photos used for promotions, CD artwork and photos picked up by festivals. 

I do my music and portrait photography in the hope that people get pleasure from my photos. I have studied great photo work in top magazines such as Vanity Fair, Vogue, Life since I can remember and I enjoy great photography.

It's certainly been an incredible journey for me the past few years. 
Its not only about photography though, because I adore writing music reviews also. Plus other things I am writing and also poetry. Poetry is actually the central thing for me - it informs music and motivates. The business side to photography and learning all about the music business, takes up a lot of  time.

Also I have started a small Review blog called 'Musicfootnotes'. If you are interested in a Photoshoot, please get in touch. I am eager and willing for new artistic challenges.  There simply is not enough time really - too many plans...I'd like to return to ink drawings and water colours. I miss it.

*My Photo work - March 2010

I have been busy 2010 with the Celtic Festival and the concert for Erne Parkin in Milngavie.

*'Celtic Connections' galleries and reviews January 2010. I've been adding many new galleries and my Celtic photos, which is the biggest event I do. My Celtic Reviews here - www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/

I heard several exciting new artists this year - Fyfe Dangerfield (who is a very talented song writer) The Low Anthem (made me think of hippies, very low key) Bellevue Rendezvous (stately and serene) Hobopop Collective (soothing Americana jazz) Laura Veirs (songstress who draws from nature) and 'The Future Tradition'. I enjoy the buzz of festivals. It feels a genuine, organic festival also and not about the hype or gimmicks. I notice my photos change each year for some reason. I am not sure if it is me improving or the festival changing? I wasn't sure if the colour was about the music on stage or the more vibrant stage lighting - maybe it was both. I had a hectic, fun, couple of weeks of music from such a wide variety of places, cultures and influences.  A thanks to all involved, especially the many talented artists and their music.

*Concert for Erne Parkin' gallery - I took photos at Erne's concert on 23rd January 2010. He was the chairperson for Mugdock music festival who died last July, and he will be sadly missed by the community here. My son plays with Erne's son in a rock band called the Viking Galaxy, and they played at the concert. There were in a band when they were 14, and this if their first gig back together for several years. It was fun to see how much they have come on. I even have photos of the band from way back, from this same hall and very same backdrop. Fun!! - this band are seriously going places so keep an eye out for them.

*My Photo work - Some good things recently. I've had photos in the local paper and I submit to two Glasgow websites. Some interesting things happening. This year I am being more selective, while I am also much faster processing, sorting and better at getting those right shots.

PHOTOS 2009 *My Photographic Art and Music Photography -

2009 has been an interesting, busy and wonderful year for my photos and I'd never have dreamed so many possibilities - while its been hard going often too. I've had positive feedback from managers, artists and promoters and that's been very encouraging. I hope do to more Art photography and to shoot weddings next year.

I love it. I have become friends with many wonderful artists this year and appreciate  their kind words. It's meant a lot. It gives me pleasure to know that people enjoy my work.

I took pics of Elton, Fleetwood Mac and the Nutcracker Ballet, all of which are dreams for me! Not without hitches though - arriving for Elton to find no Photo pass, nearly forgetting the ballet, being late when I needed to be early. I am sure these young twenty years old photographers have no idea what it means to have dreams as long as I have. The Elton gig was magic and wonderful how much he loves performing them. To be that close and see his passion for it all and he's been touring for years! He thrives on it. I love his upbeat and slower songs. I have also put in a ton of hard graft the past years to build my music portfolio and to make contacts.

Yet I enjoy best those small venue gigs - the Jazz Bar, Oran Mor, the live album shoot Manchester - have been awesome in different ways, intimate and engrossing.  A Big thanks to all the artiss I have had the pleasure of taking photos for.


Jazz Bar Edinburgh - On Nov 28th I took shots for an amazing Jazz band, The Magic Hat, at the Jazz Bar and the Bar Brel Glasgow also. ..

Photos Nov 2009

I have been taking the smaller and mid size venues for quite a while now. I am still keen to do them. I've been taking music photos mostly in Glasgow and some in London. I've also taken several festivals - 2010 will be my third time at Celtic Connections. It's been incredible for me to shoot artists like Elton John and Fleetwood Mac this year. I guess dreams sometimes come true?? I've had managers, promoters and artists come back to me as they like my work. The live album shoot Manchester was so much fun - thanks Mat and Kirsty. Hope this will lead to good contacts.

Protecting my Business – copyright laws
In recent months several of my images are being used in print promotions without asking my permission. I am flattered people like my work enough to put on the front of a brochure or flyer – but can I live on praise alone. Images are central to promotions, and yet some appear to expect the use of photos for nothing. They wouldn’t dream of offering a plumber or a venue a link for a days work! Aspiring photographers fall into this trap. It is piracy - much as free music downloads are. There is masses of Copyright laws (see Wikepedia). The author of a photo should be asked for permission before reproducing the image in print. It is stealing – much as stealing a loaf of bread or pint of milk at Tesco’s… We all know that farmers expect to be paid and need to earn a living. Makes me realize how musicians must feel about all the ‘free’ downloading of their music.
Problems arise as aspiring photographers and musicians offer their work for free and the FREE internet access. There comes a point when you think – I’m not just starting out anymore. I have worked hard on my photography – studying, processing, working, shooting, purchasing good equipment. I hope I now offer a professional service that is not offered by everyone with a small digital. A big thanks to all who do value my skills, and don’t expect that I offer hi-res as ‘gifts.’ My good photographer friend who has worked 25 years in the business is upset over this issue, as it undermines and devalues professional photographers work. It was very nice being treated with respect for my work last week end at the album shoot. Thanks guys.
Paulinex

PS Just listening to a folk radio station – perfect.
Pss and Cara Dillon- hear her on the radio last year, perfect voice.

NEW PHOTO GALLERIES September 2009

I have many plans. I’ve been busy with EDINBURGH FESTIVAL 2009 - which was manic as usual! MUGOCK Music Festival, The Gathering Homecoming event Edinburgh, Dance - Venezuela Viva!

EIF Absolutely love it an my theme this year was ‘colours'.  I particularly enjoyed The Edinburgh Book festival and searching out poetry books, it is a haven of peace after the high street. Many famous authors give talks here, such as respected Scottish authors Iain Banks, Ian Rankin and more. I managed a very fun Broken Records gig at the  Queens Hall Edinburgh as part of the Edge festival - cool venue and lighting. I expect this band to make it big and they looked and sounded very good. They released their first album with 4AD June 2009, ‘Until the Earth Begins to Part’ and their cello, violin and trumpet gave their sound a Scottish feel.

I took mainly dance images at this year’s festival and interesting from a music and visual angle. Many shows come from all around the World – India, Malawi, Korea, France, Brazil, Venezuela… and more. Celebrating their own country’s culture. My next dream to shoot is the ballet. I am also in the middle of an exhibition at a local arts festival.
Please check out my new galleries – I am very excited about many of my new images. Some hot guys and babes!

My Photography August 2009

which I started to take seriously this year is going better than I ever dared to hope. I have 2 movies still shoots coming up. I’ve been having very positive feedback from those in the business. I recently shot at the Gathering Edinburgh and at Elton John and both events were an incredible adrenalin rush for me! Many artists post my photos on their websites and appear to enjoy what I do for them.
Paulinex

May 2009

May 2009
I’ve had some very interesting contacts this year - photographers, promoters, media. Perhaps that’s what this year is about for me?

Music, film and event photography
I covered a fashion party at the Corinthian Glasgow, which was fun the same day as I met a magazine guy and had an interesting chat. I’ve had images picked up for a wide variety of things – maps, magazines, press. I've had interest from an Arts agency – and been asked to take stills for a movie which sounds fun. It is all quite a strange business in a way.

It is all hugely competitive though and there seems to be loads more music photographers out there than say when I shot images of Patrick Watson at King Tuts in 2007, and I was the only shooter there! – great gig btw. Music photography is about the art of photography for me.

A few years back I read about Paul MacCartney’s tour photographer and how he got a lucky break being in the right place at the right time. I never thought I could ever aspire to this. I check others work and think I can match what they are doing. Sometimes it feels like this dream might be possible. Whatever – I can combine my love of art with my music. I regret not following my passion for art and now I can so I’m grateful for these opportunities. 

I was at a wonderful gig at the Tall Ship last week - the weather was blowing a gale outside but inside was a warm and cosy venue of music.
Please get in touch if you like my work and would like me to cover your event or take portrait or promotional shots – a lot of thought and care goes into my photos and I hope you enjoy them.