Documentary Photography

Commercial Documentary Photography - Diabetes UK

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Commercial Documentary Photography Midlands

Diabetes UK

Type One Events

Recently I was commissioned by Diabetes UK to produce a still and moving image documentary of their Type One Events so they could use the images in their 2018 marketing campaigns.  The moving images were for a documentary film and a short trailer for social media.  

I'm always grateful for every bit of work that I get along the way and this assignment was no different.  In fact it was special to me because they chose me for my style of working and not because they just needed a photographer or filmmaker.  Their marketing team found my website and preferred my work above most of the other photographers that they came across.  So for me, this was special and encouraged me to really zone in on the assignment.

I can't show you the films yet because they're not allowed to be viewed until the proofing stage has been completed and I get the green light on the final production.  It is for their 2018 marketing campaign as well so I have to be careful where I show the work.  

Plus it needs a shed load doing to it in post production after the first proofing has been done.

What I can show you is a small selection of my favourite pictures from the Type One Event.  

These events are for 8-10 year old children who all have type one diabetes and are designed to allow the children to experience life together, with other type one children, to feel normal and inclusive.  They also learn easier ways to manage their intake of insulin in softer ways, so that they don't realise they're learning.  You can get more information about Diabetes UK and their Type One Events by clicking on their logos below.

Working with the children for the day was so special and they gave me a real zest for life, just by being themselves.  This helped me to be with them and make such a close body of work with the main brief being to work closely without interference, my speciality and no flash required...

CALM Night at Karns

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CALM stands for Campaign against living miserably and is a charity that's set up to raise awareness and offer support to males who have to deal with mental health issues that can lead to suicide.

Steven Faulkner organised this event in memory of Michael Rose who lived in Hinckley for all of his short life until he passed away at the age of 37.

The bands that donated their time and performed this gig are:

If you have a man or boy in your life, then please don't be afraid to talk about mental wellbeing. If you are worried then contact your doctor, speak to a family member or call a charity like CALM or Mind.

Beautiful Suicide

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Almost 20 years ago, I lost a very good friend to suicide.  Jamie was his name, he hung himself in the flat that we shared over a bout of hidden depression.  He left this world from the comfort of his own home.  It left a trail of destruction behind that has been dealt with but never forgotten. The feelings of pain, loss, grief, anger, isolation are too real when you're left wondering why.

Mental illnesses have been looked down on in the past by few but in 2016, more and more people are more sensitive to the very real nature of the beast, yet it still goes on.  As we approach the anniversary of the late celebrity Robin Williams, it seems appropriate to raise more awareness.

This project called 'Beautiful Suicide' is a disconnected view of an area of outstanding natural beauty along the Jurassic coast line of Devonshire, in particular the cliff top walk from Exmouth to Sandy Bay.  The walk begins with a sign for the Samaritans, which immediately draws your attention to the historical nature of human suicide through association.  Yet these cliff tops are so beautiful when looking out to sea and the surrounding countryside.  

It's hard to imagine somebody taking their lives when they have so much beauty staring them in the face but they do.

They leap to their deaths, leaving behind stunning views of the world.

Perhaps it's more beautiful where they go to?

Perhaps, to them it doesn't matter?

Perhaps, to us, they do!