So, I thought it would be worth rounding up some of my favourite wedding and engagement shoot photos from 2012. Last year was my busiest yet for weddings, as I got to shoot six of them – not many by the standards of most wedding photographers but a figure that represents a steady climb for me, especially as it was done without any proper advertising. Anyway, here we go, starting with Finn and Stephen, who had a snowy e-shoot followed by a slightly warmer wedding day.

Next up was Leigh and Kevin who had a very sunny e-shoot followed by a movie-themed wedding that lead to some super fun portraits and an amazing wedding cake!

Third up were Kirsty and Sam, who had an amazing tipi wedding in a field near Kirsty’s parents and also took me to the same spot a few weeks before for a bluebell-packed e-shoot.

Wedding number four was Susanne and Nathan, who brought the sun with them for both their e-shoot and their big day.

My last wedding of the summer was Kate and Sean, who tied the knot on a scorching day in August. We also had great fun on their e-shoot, something helped immensely by the presence of their ace dog.

My last wedding of the year came in December and was a special one as it was two very good friends of mine getting hitched – Kate and Richard. In fact, Kate was one of Ellie’s bridesmaids at our wedding. We had a great weekend in Cambridge celebrating this one.

And now, a quick look forward to this year…back in June I headed to Cardiff to meet up with Carly and Phil for their e-shoot. They get married this May and I can’t wait to shoot it!

Here’s to a great 2013!

It’s that time of year again – as we head into 2013 here’s a selection of my favourite live music shots of the previous 12 months.As with last year’s roundup, I’ve decided to pick one shot of EVERY band I’ve shot this year, to almost give me a 2012 portfolio. Oh yes, this post also acts as a great big HELLO and WELCOME TO MY NEW WEBSITE! I likes it a lot, hopefully you do too. The observant ones will have noticed a new logo and WAY bigger images on this blog – hurrah!

Below are my favourites, in chronological order…meaning we start off back in February when the Devil Wears Prada hit Birmingham on their first ever UK headline run.

Later that month I was lucky enough to shoot the mighty Rammstein when they brought pyro galore to the LG Arena.

My final show of February was a belter of a tour, with four great bands laying waste to the tiny Academy 3 in Birmingham. First up were Admirals Arms…

…followed by Dead and Devine.

Direct support came from the totally amazing The Chariot, who I was also lucky enough to grab a quick promo shoot with beforehand.

Here they are on stage.

Finally, this behemoth of a tour was headlined by the always superb Norma Jean.

Into March and I headed up to Wolverhampton’s Wulfrun Hall to shoot Band of Skulls, who were ably supported by Broken Hands.

Band of Skulls – making plenty of noise for a threepiece.

A week later in March I was back to the same venue to shoot one of my favourites, The Union.

After the Union, the night was rounded off by The Answer.

On the final day of March I popped over to the NIA to snap guitar genius Joe Bonamassa.

Into April and I had an Easter treat at the HMV Institute in the form of another bumper metal tour, which for me started with the excellent (but terribly lit) Miss May I.

Next up was The Ghost Inside.

Before the brilliant Parkway Drive finished everyone off.

I then didn’t shoot a frame of live music until June, when I headed back to the LG Arena to first snap Twin Atlantic…

…followed by the All-American Rejects, who were in the Midlands offering direct support to…

…the legendary Blink 182.

Later in June I made my annual trip to Knebworth. Sadly it was not for Sonisphere festival after it got cancelled, but it was for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, which ain’t too shabby. First band of the day was Reverend and the Makers.

They were followed by the Wombats.

Dizzee Rascal then got the whole field bouncing.

Before the Chili Peppers rocked the night away (possibly my overall favourite snap of the year below).

I then had to wait an age – until October to be exact – for my next show, which was finalist from The Voice Vince Kidd‘s visit to Birmingham, where I was the only photographer.

I was also the only shooter at my next October gig, which saw Veil of Maya open things up at the Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton.

Direct support was from the Devil Wears Prada, who I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of shooting!

TDWP were supporting August Burns Red, who were ace and had red mic cables!

My next gig was the start of something new for me…in October I launched Second City Metal, which will be THE place to see my music photography from now on. My plan with the site is to cover the metal and hard rock scene in Birmingham as much as I can, giving coverage of a range of shows, from arenas to pubs. My first pub show was at the Adam & Eve where I got to shoot Destroyer BC…

…followed by The Orchard…

…then Birmingham’s very own Outlived…

…then Drawn In, another Brummie lot…

…and finally London’s Hang the Bastard – more pics plus a review of that show are here.

The next night I was back up to Wolverhampton, this time to the Civic Hall to shoot the king of shock rock, Alice Cooper. First up though, was Duff MacKagan’s Loaded.

Ugly Kid Joe were up next…

…before Alice rounded it off – we’re not worthy!

Still in October and I headed to the Birmingham Ballroom to cover Halloween Havok III. First band was A Hero At Heart.

Second was the excellent Carving a Giant.

Outlived were third on, note their Halloween costumes…chavs!

Next was Scotland’s Trial and Error.

Then welsh rappers Astroid Boys.

Birmingham’s Odessa were next.

Before Random Conflict reformed for a one-off show to finish.

In November I was back at the Adam & Eve to shoot another load of heavy, unsigned bands, starting with Coventry’s the Bad Times.

Next was Outlived, again!

Then it was time for hairography with The River Card.

Splitcase were next.

Before Irish headliners, Frsutration.

And so to my final gig of the year (I would have done more but a combination of work, illness, cancellations and Christmas messed things up a bit). This finale was headlined by Parkway Drive, but I got there in time to shoot The Word Alive.

I also snapped Emmure.

Before Parkway Drive – a mighty fine band to end the year on.

So, that’s it – I can’t wait to get out shooting again in 2013 and hopefully covering a real spread of established acts as well as some great unsigned bands. I’ve also got plenty of weddings to blog over the next few weeks, so please make sure you come back soon.

Have a very Happy New Year!

Direct support to Alice Cooper was a band that took me back to my childhood – Ugly Kid Joe. 20 years ago, these dudes put out a beast of an album called ‘America’s Least Wanted’ and it still sounds great today. They are a great live band and were super fun to shoot. Check out my shots.

Top stuff!

So, last month I got to shoot a true rock god – the legend that is Alice Cooper. He brought his Halloween spectacle to these shores for the third year running and I was one about 7 million photographers in the pit at the Civic Hall (minor exaggeration). Hope you enjoy my shots.

Great fun – cheers Mr Cooper!