40 years of professional photography career ...

Forty years ago today I began my photography career. August 3rd 1981, aged 16 (pictured insert) I strolled into 10 Milton Rd, Cambridge and what a career to date it has been. I turned down the offer of unconditional entry (which had been offered to me simply on the basis that I was my secondary school's Head boy- rather than for academic reasons - what simple times I grew up in) to both of the local Sixth Forms, many thought I was mad, but I wanted to follow my heart and turn my photography hobby - caught from both my parents - into a career.
Due to my particpation in The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, I was very lucky to have been offered a £30 per week, three year indentured apprenticeship with the highly regarded Cambridge based photographer Michael Manni, and his wife Chris who ran the business side of things - occassionally Chris would support me when the boss gave me a well-deserved b***ing!, Mike and Chris employed a team of other photographers and photo technicians all of whom generously mentored me in all things photography and about the confusions surrounding life when growing into adulthood.
For the first six months it was hard work, long hours and to be honest unsatisfying as I wasn't allowed much access to cameras and was confined to the wet processes of the darkroom and hand printing other photographer's pictures, the only time I was allowed to see daylight was when required to lug the heavy camera gear and lighting - but what a great way to learn about lighting and composition by focusing on other people’s work.
Then bit by bit my boss allowed me out of the darkroom to cover less important shoots for clients - once or twice I made a mess of things, but they were all amazingly forgiving and patient. Gradually I mastered a complex ever-wider range of jobs- photographing shop floors in factories, making dull looking stuff look exciting, social events and press jobs for the national press - such as the pitch invasion at Cambridge United posted here. Whatever the assignment was I soon realised the one element I relished most was the interaction with people - something I believe is still very much the main draw of photography for me to this day.
I still remember the great feeling of pride and the thrill I experienced the first time I saw one of photos on the front page of several major national newspapers on the same morning - it was as good I'm certain as that felt by a gold medal winning Olympian.
Fast forward to today and I'm so grateful to have the career I have enjoyed to date, the many people I've met and worked for and with. So many of you have helped and supported me over the years - I've no idea why you keep booking me but a big thank you to you all - and to my wife Jane (RIP) whom although no longer with us was the key to us setting up our own business (prior to which I was for 6 years a senior press photographer at the then much respected award-winning Cambridge evening News).
A big thank you to Francine who despite running her own SME, now that I'm trading as a sole trader, has become if somewhat unplanned, my new unofficial advisor 'line manager'.
I will, throughout this month, try to make the time to post some highlights of the first 40 years of my photography career - based solely in the Cambridge UK area (how’s that for a geographical lack of career ambition).
Perhaps, one day I will - to use the expressions often said to me - get a 'proper job' but until then I'm more than happy to keep ‘just pointing a camera and snapping' .
Thank you all and it is now time for you all look this way and smile.