Philip Mynott Photographer

 The credit crisis and the slump in the housing market were high on the agenda when Professor Germaine Greer joined delegates for the largest housing conference in the East of England hosted in Cambridge by the Chartered Institute of Housing. Phil Mynott

 Large crowds turned out to watch the Cambridge City Centre Christmas lights switch-on by singer Laura White. Ms White was voted off TV talent show X Factor last week despite alleged massive public support, resulting in her plight being highlighted in Parliament! Yes, really.  View more Photos 

 Hermann Hauser and and Lord Broers with the mechanical piling machine they took control of to mark the start of work on the new development for entrepreneurship at West Cambridge, a joint project between University of Cambridge and Turnstone Estates.  View more photos

I was official photographer for this year’s Living Sport/BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sports awards. It was a great evening when the success of Cambridgeshire sports personalities in Beijing was revisited and future competitions were spoken about. Among the many of my personal inspirational elite sports favourites I photographed were cyclist Jody Cundy (pictured top),  javelin star Goldie Sayers (pictured bottom left) and swimmer Fran Williamson. Phil Mynott 

  Have spent the past few days enjoying the sun- drenched North Norfolk coast. There was a chill in the air, but the almost cloudless blue skies (apart from the family of wispy clouds in the above photo) more than compensated. I gave my D3 camera bodies (and my camera bag-carrying shoulders) a well-earned rest, opting to play with my Nikon compact Coolpix camera and I’m delighted to report that I wasted many enjoyable hours watching and photographing the ever-changing shadows and highlights, shaping the natural and man-made landscapes. Paused to view a new venture in the form of a photographers’ gallery in rural Norfolk, selling solely photography as fine art - collecting photographs for pleasure and investment is a fast-growing sector, so much so that photographic galleries no longer need to be located in cities to survive. On return to home, it was good to pick up inquiries about photo assignments. Running our own business - in this current economic climate - I appreciate having a constant workflow. Phil Mynott  

 Models spiced up my life when they fashioned this season’s “must-have” labels from retailers in the Grand Arcade. The bright and sharp styles are a welcome contrast to the current climate of doom and gloom - I like the way fashion always seems to mirror society’s mood. Keep smiling Phil Mynott  

 Today saw the launch of Using Competencies Successfully, a DVD written and directed by Hugh Murray. It is the seventh production I have now worked on as stills photographer for Mr Murray. Taking stills on set is akin to being a hyena, as you are way below the rank of King of the Jungle - that title goes to the film cameraman. You spend all day sitting around and then you have to leap into action at a moment’s notice - alongside Catherine de Salvo, who is responsible for marketing the film - to scavenge time from the schedule overrun and coerce the actors into posing for the images required from that scene! A plus point is that I do get to eat chocolate biscuits all day, the photos are used to promote the DVD and also illustrate the accompanying notes. For a great example of how to use images effectively, and to admire my handiwork,  visit the website of Scott Bradbury.  Phil Mynott  

   I’ve had the pleasure of photographing the new Stephen Perse 6th Form College in Cambridge. The building in my opinion - with its fusion of natural and artificial lighting - is truly inspirational and served only to reinforce my belief that a creative working environment is vital to achieving the best performance. The new college includes new laboratories, a language centre and fantastic new library facilities, and offers the prestigious International Baccalaureate alongside traditional A Levels. Phil Mynott 

 Marshall Group have come to the rescue of East Anglian Air Ambulance by providing overnight hanger accommodation and preparing the helicopter pre-flight each day for no charge. This means there is now no need for the helicopter to make the round trip of 120 miles daily to Norwich. To add a dramatic twirl to the static helicopter, I twisted the lens focal ring slightly and smoothly whilst taking the image. Phil Mynott

His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent GCVO cut the ribbon to open Cancer Therapy Unit at the Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital, of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge. During his visit he was greeted by former patient Gordon. Here’s a cute photo of mine, in my role as host photographer, of Gordon and his owner. Phil Mynott