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Professional Freelance Photographer
Kirsten & Danny's Wedding Photography
Kirsten & Danny’s Wedding Photography #3 [ Friday 28th October 2011
October turned out to be a great month for freelance photography work and developing my portfolio and contacts. After the wonderful madness of the photography residency for Arts Development UK I turned my attention to shooting a wedding at The Villa Country House Hotel in nearby Wrea Green for my friends Kirsten and Danny. The venue was fantastic and the weather wasn’t half bad either (especially considering it was the end of October…in North West England). I photographed everything from the guests arriving to the cutting of the cake and the bride and groom seem to love the final edit.
Arts Development UK Photography Residency
![Mike Garry [ Poet in Residence ]](BIGmikegarrypoetinresidence.jpg)
Mike Garry [ Poet in Residence ]
Taken at 10:01am. Friday 14th October 2011
Last month I spent two days working as the photographer in residence for the Arts Development UK National conference. The main task of the photography residency was to document a creative account of the conference that could be used to illustrate a published report following the event and circulated nationally. Over the two days I photographed a mix of keynote presentations, breakouts, study tours, and open forum discussion groups. This years conference, entitled ‘A Process of Illumination’, explored key issues including: the shape and future of arts development, the realities of the Big Society and navigating the political and economic landscape.
A Process of Illumination: AD:UK National Conference in Blackpool
A Process of Illumination: AD:UK National Conference in Blackpool
Three years ago I was commissioned as the Photographer in Residence for the NALGAO (National Association of Local Government Arts Officers) annual conference which, in 2008, was held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The underpinning theme of the conference was the contribution that the arts and creative industries make in building sustainable communities and supporting regeneration. The conference was a huge success and I had a fantastic time photographing keynote speakers, workshops and cultural study tours. Earlier this year, NALGAO rebranded itself as Arts Development UK and is coming back to Blackpool for the first time since 2008. I’m pleased to say that I’ve been asked back once again to undertake the role of Photographer in Residence.
Sarah & Matthew's Wedding Photography
Last year Sarah and her fiancée Matthew booked me as their wedding photographer and on Saturday 30th July 2011 their big day finally arrived. I’ve known Sarah since my college days in Newcastle-under-Lyme and I was delighted to be her photographer for the day. This was only the third wedding I’d ever photographed, so I’m grateful to them both for trusting me to capture this important stage in their lives.
Triptych From The Ben Jurin Commission
Triptych From The Ben Jurin Commission. Taken on Sunday 29th May 2011.
Last month, local architect Ben Jurin emailed me regarding a commission to produce a series of architectural photographs of a property he was overseeing the redevelopment of in Blackpool. I offered a competitive quote to shoot a minimum of twenty high resolution photographs for use on his forthcoming website and marketing material. Although I’ve never produced this kind of property photography before, Ben had faith in me and commissioned me nonetheless. We arranged an evening when we could both meet, talk about the property and shoot the photographs.
April & Doug's Wedding Photography
Last month I spent a weekend in the beautiful surroundings of Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria photographing April and Doug’s wedding. This commission was a departure from my usual photographic work and the first time that I’ve agreed to take the role of “wedding photographer” for a number of years. There were several photographs outlined several weeks prior as “must-have” shots, but other than that I was given complete freedom to capture and document the memories of the day as it unfolded.
Blackpool Public Artworks Photography Commission
'The Wave'. Taken at 07:23am in Blackpool, Lancashire. UK. Sunday 20th September 2009.
Last month I was commissioned by Blackpool Council Arts Service to photograph five new public artworks for their promotional postcards and permanent records. These artworks consisted of a WWII soldier sculpture in Salisbury Woodlands, The Choir Loft next to the war memorial near North Pier, The hoardings around the site of the old Yates's Building, illumination artworks on Dale Street and a number of installations (including the 'The Wave' sculpture) in the newly re-developed St. John's Square in Blackpool's town centre.
Bloomfield Talks Tea Party
Taken at 3:04pm at St. Peters Church, Lytham Road. Blackpool. Saturday 11th October 2008.
In September I was asked to document the website launch of the community-based arts project ‘Bloomfield Talks’. After the madness of the NALGAO conference, this was a nice way to round off a busy week of work. There were quiet moments where people would write down their experiences of the Bloomfield area juxtaposed with live web-broadcasts, balloons, cake, music & much more!
Blackpool Walking Tour: Ballroom Dancing
Taken at 3:38pm in the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool. Thursday 9th October 2008.
On the second day of the NALGAO conference there were a series of breakout sessions & a variety of tours for delegates. I chose the ‘Blackpool Walking Tour’ in the afternoon and had a fantastic time learning about the heritage & history of the Winter Gardens, Tower Ballroom, Grand Theatre, Grundy Gallery and Teenage Library Space. I took this photograph in the Tower Ballroom and it is a moment I’ve waited to take for a long time. Ballroom dancing used to be huge and I can imagine the ballroom brimming with dancers back in the “old days”. There is certainly a special atmosphere when you step into the Tower Ballroom and I’d love to go back to take some more photographs.
Blackpool Illuminations Tour
Taken at 8:37pm during the Blackpool Illuminations Tour. Wednesday 8th October 2008.
The conference was an exciting opportunity to photograph a number of events and presentations. The highlight of the morning was Wayne Hemingway MBE (Co-founder of Red or Dead & Hemingway Design) and his keynote speech (or should that be performance?!). In the afternoon there was an ‘Open Space’ forum which provided a major opportunity for delegates to discuss their ideas and concerns. In the early evening we all gathered for the annual AGM meeting at the Grundy Gallery, set with a beautiful backdrop of the current exhibition from Heather & Ivan Morison entitled ‘The Opposite Of All Those Things’. After the minutes were taken, we walked towards North Pier to be taken for a tram tour of the Blackpool Illuminations. I’ve never been on the tour before, so it was great to finally learn more about about it and take in the whole experience.
NALGAO Delegates
Taken at 2:27pm in the Spanish Hall at Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Wednesday 8th October 2008.
This is my first blog post featuring a photograph taken during my photography residency at the NALGAO ‘Switched On!’ Conference 2008. The three-day event was held at the spectacular Winter Gardens and was a fantastic experience. The NALGAO conference has become a key date in the national arts calendar and is an important event for local authorities and their delegates. As mentioned in one of my previous posts, this year’s conference focussed upon “the contribution that the arts and creative industries make in building sustainable communities and supporting regeneration”.
Photographer In Residence: NALGAO Conference
Earlier this month I was commissioned to be the photographer in residence for this year’s NALGAO (National Association of Local Government Arts Officers) conference. The conference is entitled ‘Switched On!” & will focus on “the contribution that the arts and creative industries make in building sustainable communities and supporting regeneration”. This annual event is held at a different venue each year, with this years being held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The photography residency will document a creative account of the event, including keynote speakers, breakout sessions & study tours.