’15 done. Onto 16.

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.

Anthony Crolla celebrates as Darleys Perez fails to beat the referee's ten count during their WBA World Lightweight Championship bout at the Manchester Arena on November 21, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images) — Anthony Crolla celebrates as Darleys Perez fails to beat the referee’s ten count during their WBA World Lightweight Championship bout at the Manchester Arena on November 21, 2015 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

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.

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal poses for photographs at the clubs' Carrington Training ground in Manchester, Monday March 16th, 2015. Picture by Dave Thompson/Route One Photography — Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal poses for photographs at the clubs’ Carrington Training ground in Manchester, Monday March 16th, 2015. Picture by Dave Thompson/Route One Photography.

IBF World Welterweight Champion Kell Brook poses for photographs at Ingles Gym in Sheffield during a portrait session on January 15, 2015. Picture by Dave Thompson/Route One Photography.

Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham poses for a photograph prior to delivering a State Of The Leadership Race speech at the Royal Armouries Museum on July 28, 2015 in Leeds, England. Burnham is one of four candidates battling to become the new leader of the Labour Party. (Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

Manchester City footballer Kevin De Bruyne poses for a photograph following an interview with Daily Telegraph reporter Sam Wallace at the clubs training complex in Manchester, Thursday November 19, 2015. Picture by Dave Thompson/Route One Photography.

Liverpool's Danny Ings during a portrait session at Nando's, Salford Quays in Manchester on Friday October 16, 2015 — Liverpool’s Danny Ings during a portrait session at Nando’s, Salford Quays in Manchester on Friday October 16, 2015. Picture by Dave Thompson/Route One Photography.