As I enter another era of my business as a professional freelance photographer in Edinburgh, I thought I would share my favourite images, the passion behind my work and the motivators that drive me to succeed.

I’ve been photographing forever. In 2007 I was given the opportunity to leave my career in software development which is supported by a post graduate qualification in Software Engineering and a BA in Commerce, both gained from Napier University in Edinburgh. That year I came runner up in the Skye Photography Festival.

In the same year, I had work published in a national photography magazine. I’ve never looked back.

Photography in those days for me was about vision, planning and luck. You can see the light is coming from the west, it’s actually getting towards sunset which gave me the opportunity to capture the light on the distant hills and the iconic cliff face. The key in this photograph was to capture the connection with the rugged and auspicious Cuillin and the sea. I feel I managed to capture that effectively mirroring the smokiness in the sea with the brooding, threatening cloud hanging over The Cuillin.

My success with this image enabled me to develop my skills further. In particular the sunset shot of The West Sands was printed in 20,000 leaflets this year welcoming people to the town.

It’s the case in any profession we trust our instinct from time to time. I did mention I relied upon luck. As I became more creative, I realised that an investment in training would stand me in good stead enabling me to cope with the challenges ahead and create a service my clients could rely upon.

My business invested in a yearlong course ran by the inspirational Catherine Connor and her talented team now at Aspire Photography Training. At that time, the course was geared towards the business aspects of running a successful photography business. To enable me to develop my technical and interpersonal skills behind the camera I was fortunate to be mentored by Edinburgh based Trevor Yerbury for a year through 2010 and into the start of this year. This insight into the art and business of photography has given me a fantastic foundation and a great deal of confidence in any situation.

Apart from a wealth of skills and connections to some of the United Kingdoms finest photographers, this training gave me the opportunity to rely far less on luck. My skills in understanding the quality of light and it’s fundamental value in enabling me to create and capture a moment allows me to let my creative side flourish.

No longer having to strive to come to terms with the technicalities of taking a photograph I can rely on my creative edge to capture photographs that deliver a message. Every message is filled with my vision and passion as I seek to make each and every photograph better than the last. A photograph for me must have emotion, if it’s about a person, or desirability if its a plate of food that I photograph or a stunning business interior. As a proud business owner who values the benefits of photography, I really understand the value of getting your message out there, in the right form and to the best standard possible.

Regardless the project whether it be creating a business profile, including head shots and the products you produce or capturing defining moments in your life or the growth of your family that will stand the test of time, I have the skills to deliver.

I could talk about photography for hours I would love to discuss your next project, I’m sure that you if nothing else you will certainly be inspired following our chat.

This month I have had an article published in Scottish Licensed Trade News, another image in the media – Edinburghs Ion Magazine on this occasion and I have been featured in The Edinburgh Reporter.

I’ve been asked by The St Andrews Partnership who operate the charity Brighter St Andrews if I would supply one of my best selling images for them to use for their branding.

I am tremendously proud of my images of St Andrews, which have been on sale for several years and are famous the world over.

It is my passion for St Andrews that drives my creative spirit when it comes to photographing the town. I am delighted to make any contribution that assist St Andrews achieve its full potential by using my well-developed skills to capture attractive and breath-taking photographs of St Andrews.

The Brighter St Andrews initiative — billed as the first project of its kind in the UK — aims to make the town a better place to live, work and visit.

The project involves businesses and their customers contributing to enhance the vibrancy and appearance of St Andrews, heightening the visitor experience and creating an even better environment for local people.

Brighter St Andrews has already won the backing of more than 30 business partners. Organisers eventually hope to raise around £30,000 annually to invest back into the town and visitor experience.

I am also a confident and capable food photogrpaher, commercial photographer, fashion photographer and family photographer, including babies and children. Our rates are highly competitive, please get in touch to ask how we can assist your marketing strategy or create family photographs to treasure.

I am absolutely delighted that my image of The West Sands photographed at Dusk has been used to promote Chariots 2011.

Chariots 2011, a 5 kilometer beach race, is being held on Sunday the 15th of May 2011 at the West Sands in St Andrews to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film Chariots of Fire directed by Hugh Hudson and written by Colin Well.

The event is being organised by Ben McLeod who works in the town, you can sign up here Chariots 2011 Facebook Event Page

Chariots is the story of two British track athletes, one a determined Jew, and the other a devout Christian who compete in the 1924 Olympics. The race was filmed on The Iconic West Sands Beach, St Andrews, Scotland.

The event is in aid of the charity Sue Ryder who provide care to people living with complex long term and end of life conditions. It’s an extremely deserving cause, pleae sign up today !!!

A little about me: I was drawn to landscapes photography by the enescapable beauty and the stilness of the places that I’m drawn to photograph. When I leave, I leave with a piece of something that often takes my breath away.

In the final moments before the shutter is released the stillness settles and everything comes together, its a moment that brings a deep feeling of connection with something so fleeting that has now become tangible for everyone to share.

Now days, I’m not out as often as I would like. I spend my working day photgraphing families, fashion and commercial projects including food, bulding interiors and people in organisations.

For any one interested this photograph printed on A3 paper is for sale directly from me for £35.00 plus postage. It’s also for sale at the Guest House Six Murray park, St Andrews If you buy it directly from me, I will donate 20 percent to Sue Ryder.

We have sold two framed prints this week which led to a request for this image from my website. There is usually a good story behind my images and this is one of my favourites.

I don’t know why I’m attracted to this bridge. Perhaps I understand the econonic importance of bridges living in an area of Scotland which is accessed by two bridges, The Forth Road Bridge and the Tay Road Bridge. I think though the attraction stems from great photographs and American cop programmes broadcast whilst I was growing up. Regardless, this bridge has always held a special place in my heart and I set my heart on photographing it one day – and I did.

My wife and I planned a trip to America, stopping off in San Fransisco, time was short and I started gathering information from locals as soon as I arrived in town. I was told to walk up Hyde, it’s a rather relentless steep hill, a real heart breaker. I got to the top and the bridge was miles away. Not to be put of I turned right and walked two blocks and came across a yellow cab. The time – 4 or 5 am and my deadline was Sunrise. The pressure was on.

The Golden Gate Bridge is miles out of town – gulp. The cab driver dropped me off at a car park, in the pitch black of night. I had no idea where to go. I could see the bridge but couldn’t get a clear shot. A police car drove up and being very understanding and possibly because I was Scottish he pointed me in the right direction. A picnic area. No ! It was pitch black still and I thought I wouldn’t live to see the light of day. I was expecting homeless people and drug dealers to appear out of the darkness. Eventually the light lifted enough and I spotted a path which took me down to a quayside where locals where illegally fishing for dungeness crab.

They made me very welcome and I even took pictures for a families Christmas Card. They had got up early to drive to the bridge to take a photo to send to family round the world and they used mine.

Dawn - marked my arrival at the Golden Gate Bridge

The scale of the bridge can be seen clearly here

Two days later, the bridge wasn't visible due to mist. I used this opportunity to photograph the San Fransiscan Sky Line

We woke up yesterday to fresh snow. I’ve been so busy over the past few weeks, I’ve struggled to find the time to relax and take pictures just for me. It was a real treat to be able to pick up my camera and wander out. I had no deadlines, no places to be and was just really happy to be snowed in. The scenery was outstanding and the lighting just perfect as Abi our golden labrador and I ventured out into the snow in Strathkinness just out side St Andrews for our big adventure.

I ventured to Port Nis (Buile Muigh) on my visit to Lewis. I got chatting to a genuine gentleman named Si, a member of the Cuilin Mountain Rescue Team. We were both heading for the Lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis.

He explained that he knew an area behind the lighthouse, off the beaten track where I would get a great shot. He offered to take me with his friend Helen Alexander. Helen is a fantastic artist based on Lewis.

So off we tripped, I eventually found myself sitting on a rocky outcrop with a raging sea beneath me having the time of my life. A rain storm blew in and we huddled amongst rocks sheltering as best we could from the rain. When it passed, I photographed this shot.

Butt of Lewis, Rubha Robhanais Lewis

I’m sure you would think that was an incredibly nice thing for these guys to do. But there hospitality did not end there. They took me back to their home and cooked dinner for me. They fed Abi my beautiful Labrador. We chatted for hours.

Never in my life have complete strangers been so caring or generous to me. I think that living on the mainland, we are too caught up in our own thing. It taught me a lesson, I will be reluctant to forget.

I have thanked them a million times. This is one million and one.

Thank you so much

Things have been a bit quiet around her lately as I build my business up. A friend I met at a Creative Fife event – David Cruickshanks and a marrketing executive from Visit Scotland suggested I submit some photography to Scotish Viewpoint.

Any excuse for a trip north, I say. So off I popped. On my travels I drove up through Glencoe where I made a few nice images. I then headed up through Skye to Uig so that I could pass Eilan Donan Castle on the way. I never miss an oportunity to visit this majestic castle situated on Loch Duich.

I then went on to take these dramatic images on the Hebridean Islands of Harris, Lewis and Uist.

I had an awesome trip. I hope you enjoy the images.

Following on from the launch of our affordable range of signed prints that complement our greeting card range – The St Andrews Collection:

A selection of the prints are available to buy in Little Johns Restaurant & De Ja Voo Coffee shop in Logies Lane. They can also be ordered directly from my contacts page. They are priced at £79.00 + postage (we can deliver to destinations around the world). They have been professionally framed by the Enid Hutt Gallery. They represent excellent value for money and look absolutely stunning.

A big thank you to all of you who helped us make this project a success.

The cards are also available in the town or directly from our studio. Our retail price is £2.50 + postage.

It’s always been a dream of mine to visit Rackwick Bay on Hoy. Enclosed by high red sandstone cliffs and heather covered hills, it is one of the most beautiful spots in Orkney.

To be able to be at one with your own country can be incredibly difficult. Rackwick bay is two ferry trips and several hundred miles from home. Thankfully the weather held and I was rewarded by a beautiful sunset whilst there.

I also was able to spend some time at The Ring of Brodgar. The Ring of Brodgar is the finest known truly circular late Neolithic or early Bronze Age stone ring and a later expression of the spirit which gave rise to Maeshowe, Stenness and Skara Brae.

I have been working tirelessly over the past weeks promoting my range of greeting cards and prints. We had the cards professional printed and they have been a great success for us. They have been snapped up by the best outlets in St Andrews and are selling really well.

Following on from that success, I launched a range of framed prints. The aim was to connect with local business’s to help us market my brand.

I was blown away during the process when Yvonne and Paul from Six Murray Park asked if I could provide a 36″ print for their private lounge. The piece was Sunset – The West Sands – St Andrews.

I visited them yesterday and the framed print looks absolutely stunning on their wall. It’s a real treat to have your work printed so that you can see every single blade of grass.

Paul and Yvonne’s business is going from strength to strength. Every time I visit, they are always fully booked. I think that it’s really exciting as they are so passionate about their business and pay a great attention to detail.

They are currently rated 7th out of a total of 53 Guest Houses on Trip Advisor. Which is an amazing achievement considering they have only been open for business for a short while.

Sunset – The West Sands – St Andrews