It’s this time of the year again and we’re excited to see what’s on offer, indulge in finding out what new toys have been presented this time, what changes brought to the table and how the game has changed. Well, the good news is it hasn’t. As long as you are ready to develop your creative eye, practice and enjoy photography at the same time, you can’t go wrong with either of the offerings from all the companies I’ve seen this year. Whether FujiFilm, Olympus, Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax (, oh yes Pentax, with the reinvented dslr like system ), or amazing the recently amazing Panasonic, you’re in for a treat as the features expand and technology is pushed further. No Leica this time. Hmm…

It was actually really interesting however to listen to the speakers at the show. I’ve seen fantastic stuff from the educators so far and, although not everything new, I’m sure it helped the new comers and hobbyists in their early paths. And there was some fun to be had too as some speakers didn’t shy away from edging-on-inappropriate jokes… 

The photography show in Birmingham is a huge thing for me as I love to meet the like minded people and of course my beloved album providers, the n-photo company reps. You guys continue to amaze me year in year out so keep on going! 

What about you? Where have you been this weekend?…

Instagram is huge these days and in some circles it has overtaken Facebook as the portal for engagement with friends, clients, interests and other areas and people. But this entry is not about Instagram or Facebook. It’s about square format, something I’ve come back to over and over again this winter whilst preparing for a busy wedding season ahead. 

 Why square? 

Honestly, I don’t know. But there’s something magical about it. Composition and most of its rules fade, let alone braking them. Imperfection is king here as one focuses on the moment more rather than, well, anything else. And moment is key, an aspect so important especially in a busy wedding photography setting or street and travel photography scenarios hence an excellent point of reference and practice. 

During a recent get away I went to London to pay requiem to one of my favourite directors, german born Wim Wenders who in the early 70s took a polaroid camera, a prototype SX70 with loads of film paper sheets and traveled the U.S. to both record moments of the Americans of the era as well as prepare the visuals for his films. One of these is “Alice in a city”, where the polaroid camera plays subsequent role to everything happening in the short. Wim Wenders polaroids have been exhibited in the Photographers Gallery, London since October and I highly recommend going, forgetting oneself in the timeless memories and moments captured by the format as well as simply getting inspired to shoot. And shooting was on the menu after the exhibition when I walked the streets of London recording those simple moments and enclosing them in the square format afterwards. Yes, I know, it’s cheating a bit as I do not own a Polaroid camera and the post-work was completed digitally, but my intention was to come close to the square this way. Enjoy! :) 

For more information about the WimWenders Polaroids exhibition click here. 

For more info about the recent Polaroid camera and format click here.

For more info on Photographers Gallery London click here.

To learn about Wim Wenders click here.

Who doesn’t love the simple things in life? A shot of espresso in the morning, music, sunshine, a smile of a loved one, a walk with them holding hands, dipping toes in water or a kind word. I do. The simple things in life complete me.

I’ve recently had a look at the photographs from last summer (, I guess it’s my wedding photography break routine around Christmas time), and came across the album on my mobile which is dedicated to a monochrome app called Lenka. It’s all about the aforementioned simplicity here and what I love about it is the “what you see is what you get” approach. No messing around with filters (, which take longer to “choose” than actually to take the picture), basic view and design. It’s minimal. Like “dunes-desert” minimal it’s a pleasure to use. There’s more to it though. Created by Kevin Abosch, an atelier, the app is responsive, feels familiar because of its plain design and then, finally, there are the outputs. I have printed from Lenka and will still, they’re that good! The tonality is spot on right off the bat, at least for me and the gentle amount of grain reminds me of those shoe boxes I still use to keep my precious memories from the old days. 

Less is more! Stripped off distractions there is no selfie mode as the app only uses the back camera, no editing (allowed), no post shooting time wasting but you can (and should) of course share the images to Instagram, Facebook and send them via iMessage or email. And then there’s this feature of even stripping the app from focusing - the app does it for you! See something, snap, move onto the next shot. Focus on composition and light, not on focusing. For me a win win!

The app is available for both iOS and Android. See the iOS description of the app here.

It all started with the waves. Crashing. Caught in rampage movement and vivid energy. I was instantly hooked. I had to reach out… 

Jacob was a quiet one. I remember him listening, noting and most of all, thinking… Every so often in class he would start drawing. And it was amazing! Fast forward 5 years (?) I got in touch with him a couple of weeks ago, taken by his art and talent I coincidently spotted on Facebook and simply had to photograph him, the work he’s producing as well as the place he’s creative mind lets go. I was so glad when he responded with a “yes!”. 

Currently at Northampton University, Jacob invited me to his world and we talked art, the ever changing inner-seasons and their influence on art, relationships and even the past we shared. It’s hard to describe the feeling when you’re so close to experiencing somebody’s talent first hand, especially without any distractions, as we had the studios to ourselves. 

I felt it. And heard the sounds of the work I saw. And it stays with me… 

With the roaring soundtrack to the Santa Pod’s lively engines and an occasional Spitfire fly-over, you’re likely to miss a little but how typically and beautifully English village of Podington. Adorned by classical and warming architecture of small cottages and tamed colours of autumn, our wedding documentary commenced with a short session of the flower girls, in Jo’s parents garden. 

The reception took place at the Podington Cricket Club under a marquee which I loved photographing as it enclosed close friends and family in a beautifully decorated venue. And then the children! It had to be the wedding of this season where they took over with numbers and I couldn’t be happier in documenting their gazes, play time and, inevitably, getting into a bit of mischief:)

Joanna and Paul belong together. You feel it from the moment you meet them. Thank you both for entrusting me to report your wedding day. I couldn’t be happier for you both and for our paths to cross again. Have a lovely honeymoon and do stay in touch!:)