Another year is almost done and in February ’16 I will have been self employed for two years since leaving PA. 2015 has seen me working with new clients again and covering numerous PR events but still covering the odd news event, plenty of sport and, more recently, portraits to accompany reporters articles for the Daily Telegraph. I feel like I am starting out again doing these. You rarely get more that a minute with the subjects due to them having to go to train or move on to another commitment. This year I have mainly just played around with one light but, with ideas for 2016, I expect, time permitting, to try a few new things out.
I will start though with the image that has meant the most to me this year. I began photographing boxer Anthony Crolla during my time at PA in 2008. He is one of the few sportsmen that I have photographed that I have remained in contact with throughout his career and, as some will know, he was left for dead after chasing off burglars in December 2014, just weeks before his first ever shot at a world title. He went on to fight for the title in July against Darleys Perez, only for the fight to be called a draw after any thought Crolla had won it.
The rematch, in November, resulted in Anthony knocking Perez out in the fifth round. I watched Anthony stood in the corner, waiting for his opponent to get up. You could see his eyes light up as he started to count along with the referee, “6….7…..8” he mouthed as he began to realise he may not get up. At 8 he started to shake his head, almost in disbelief as I too began counting as I watched through my camera. “9……10…..YEEEEEEEEESSSSS!” Sport is about emotion and it poured out of Croll in those seconds after the ref stopped the fight. He came screaming towards the side of the ring were all the photographers were. A man who less than 12 month earlier had been close to death, was a World Champion. Unbelievable.

Below are some of my favourite portraits from 2015. All that’s left is for me to thank you for looking, thank you for your support through 2015 and to wish you and your families a wonderful 2016.




