2023: A Narrow Margin

We can all agree with what we’re all thinking of right now. 2023 can do one. We have the cost of living beyond its peak, schisms affecting society, mental health over breaking point… Saying that I was immune from all of this, I would be lying. I was 99% close to… give everything up. I’m not going to sugarcoat what 2023 has done to my morale. It’s one event after another, while losing a lot of money and falling into false safety nets. I’ve garnered help from our NHS and people that I trust. My composure, diagnosed anxiety and imposter syndrome since have lessened significantly. They tend to peer their heads round every now and again, but it’s more controlled.

Ah, let’s look at the positives! I call this my shot at redemption. I’ve witnessed/photographed a grand total of 78 shows and 4 festivals spanning 10 cities and two countries. There were a few first-time moments! I travelled over four thousand miles to Las Vegas, Nevada and cover Sick New World festival for my friends Metal Hammer. That was an excellent time, especially visiting Los Angeles, California and its iconic locations afterwards. This gave me my first seven page feature and Meet The Team segment! I got to collaborate with one of my biggest clients to date, LiveNation in the music festival circuit. This expanded my phototaking within branding and sponsorship. I had a lot of fun with their assignments! I obtained the Highly Commended status in both Portrait and Amateur categories at this year’s EPAs, which was a good result overall. I crowd-surfed during Lorna Shore’s sold-out Manchester Academy show (recorded of course)! To think I hadn’t even done a crowdsurf from my first concert up to this point feels like a crime. And well, it was an absolute thrill. Do you expect me to do another one in the future? You bet I am! Which band? I’m not sure, but I do have a few in mind.

Today, I celebrate 15 years since picking up my first camera kit. I look back at the many years of work and I’m extremely fortunate to not only work with many great and new names, but to see how my Art has grown, especially my confidence when photographing in the crowd. My total admiration to the folks of Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, Prog, Damnation Festival, Distorted Sound, Renegade, Punktastic and Rock Sins for once again allowing me to capture many moments from our strong live circuit. A massive shoutout also goes to my newest friends LiveNation, Chaos Zine, The Modern Record and Michael Kadnar & all of Downfall Of Gaia for broadening the opportunities further!

2024 is just around the corner and you would like to know of my path for the upcoming twelve months. I’m a little nervous because I don’t know what will happen. But, what I intend to do is grow further out of my comfort and join forces with more names within the industry. Another aim for the approaching year is go to Europe more often for the music festival circuit (returning back to Wacken after this year’s absence due to severe weather) and my upcoming solo photo exhibition with Dark Earth Records is in the works. Proposals are sent, so it’s now the waiting game.

I’m very lucky to be here and it’s only by a narrow margin. My books are now open for 2024 so take a look at my photo collection below and let’s collaborate. See you out there!

And of course, how can I forget about this moment? Phill and I are now officially married! There are not enough hugs, kisses, love and laughter to express how much Phill means to me. He’s my best friend, partner in crime, safety blanket.… I can go on. I’m very lucky to have Phill in my life as my husband. Thank you for holding my hand and not letting go. Ti amo moltissimo <3 Photograph taken by the wedding photo maestro Daniel Ackerley which perfectly encapsulated the day!