Are Ya Dancin?

Are Ya Dancin brought together the thriving professional and community dance organisations within Dundee to celebrate the Delhi Handover Ceremony taking place at this year’s Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony.

Comprising a series of experimental workshops for schools, community groups and the public, the event was a fun, social and healthy celebration accessible to all ages and backgrounds.

The ‘Great Big Dance Show’ finale event will also provided an exciting opportunity for amateur dance groups to perform alongside professional dance companies at the Dundee Rep Theatre.

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Striking the right (Harpsi)Chord

Culture Minister Fiona Hyslop marked the announcement of more than £200,000 of funding for Recognised Collections of National Significance with a visit to University of Edinburgh's Collection of Historic Musical Instruments.

Fort George Colossal Event

In Historic Scotland’s largest event of 2010, hundreds of performers travelled from all over Britain to the impressive military fortification of Fort George.

Commencing with a grand parade into the central arena, the day unfolded with a series of exciting, informative, impressive and interactive shows, displays and presentations covering everything from the marching soldiers of the Roman period to the fighting troops of the twentieth century.

More images here on the BBC site.

Radio Forth on the Fringe

Radio Forth on the Fringe played to a sell out Playhouse Theatre on Saturday night - bringing together the very best the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has to offer.

This is the third year I have photographed the show for Radio Forth and the new venue added to the fantastic atmosphere.

Scottish singer KT Tunstall topped the bill which featured comedians such as Craig Hill, Phil Kay, Stephen K Amos and Reginal D Hunter. Britain's Got Talent dancers Flawless joined Drags Aloud and The Boy With Tape on his Face in the 3 and a half hour show hosted by Forth One DJ's Boogie and Arlene.

See the HIGHLIGHTS on my FACEBOOK PAGE or all the photos on the Forth One site here.

Racewall - Cowdenbeath

I was recently commissioned by Scotland on Sunday's Spectrum Magazine to photograph an afternoon and evening at the Racewall in Cowdenbeath - home of Scotland's Stock Car Racing. The photographs appeared in last Sunday's magazine.

Click here to read Peter Ross's Spectrum Feature

Starbucks Edinburgh Re-design

I have been working with Starbucks over the last couple of months to provide photography services for the redesign of their flagship store on Edinburgh's Royal Mile which has been completely renovated.

I was commissioned to photograph the store before and after renovation and also to provide press images (above) on the opening day. The press photographs show customers enjoying the new store and include portraits of Darcy Willson-Rymer, managing director of Starbucks UK and Ireland.

The press day also included an illustrated talk by Tim Pfeiffer, senior VP Global Design, coffee masterclasses by Alan Hartney, Starbucks UK Coffee Ambassador and specially created canapes by Edinburgh chef Tony Singh.

Into battle

I was up at Stirling Castle last week to carry out some photography of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum which is situated within the castle walls. Stirling Castle is home to the regiment which gave us 'The Thin Red Line' and which also boasts 16 Victoria Crosses (which are on display).

The photography is to be used to enhance the Stirling Castle website.

Well worth a visit and worth the admission price to the castle alone.

Joust The Job

Photographs to promote Historic Scotland's Jousting Spectacular which took place this weekend and continues next weekend (10th & 11th July). More details here.

Coverage was achieved in The Scotsman, Metro, BBC and other outlets.

Mackie's turn on the heat at the Highland Show

Scottish ice cream family Mackie's were blowing hot and cold on the opening day of the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh. The ice cream manufacturers launched a new limited edition flavour to their potato crisp range - Scotch Bonnet Chilli Pepper alongside the chance to cool off with a sample of Mackie's new 'Extra Posh' range of ice creams.

Many thanks to Flora, the prize winning Jersey cow for her patience.

More information on Mackie's here

James VI Heads for London

An early start up at Edinburgh Castle on Friday morning to capture the departure of James VI. A rare early portrait of the Royal monarch - thought to have been used as part of marital negotiations with the Danish court - is leaving the castle this week to appear in an exhibition of Stuart and Tudor art at London's Weiss Gallery.

The painting, which has been attributed to Flemish artist Adrian Vanson is one of the few remaining portraits of James and certainly one of the most significant covering the period prior to the union of the crowns.

More information from www.weissgallery.com

Burns in Space

The mission has landed - at the Scottish Parliament! NASA astronaut Nicholas Patrick touched down at the office of the First Minister Alex Salmond yesterday to present him with a miniature book of Burns poetry which was on board the latest space mission to the International Space Station.

The project was the idea of the Scottish Space School which is a programme delivered by the University of Strathclyde. The book, which also contains a fragment of Jean Armour's wedding dress will be put on display at the new Burns museum which opens later this year.

Corporate Portraits

I was recently commissioned by TC Young Solicitors to provide portraits of their law staff for use on their website and also for inclusion in tenders.

We agreed to shoot the portraits against a white background to give the images a clean, fresh modern look. This also complimented the new look of the website.

I took along a portable studio to their offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh and set up in the board room, allowing for staff to pop in for a portrait session and importantly cutting down on the time away from their desk.

A bit different from a mugshot using the office camera against a door!

To find out how I can help you show your employees in a good light, please get in touch for a consultation.

Make Your Own History

Historic Scotland has launched a Family Challenge to encourage Scottish families to see how many of its outstanding heritage attractions they can visit by 11th July.

The Family Challenge is part of the current 'Make Your Own History' campaign which promotes the opportunities for great family days out at Historic Scotland attractions throughout the country, including Edinburgh, Stirling and Bothwell Castle which is pictured above.

More info here.

Every Boy's Dream

14 year old Billy Leonard fulfilled his dreams at the weekend when he visited Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade's Museum of Fire. The museum held an open weekend as past of Show Scotland which is Museums Galleries Scotland's show case of the best of their collections.

More information on how you can visit the museum here.

BUPA Great Edinburgh Run Press Call

Elite athletes Kipligat, Soi and Tulu share a joke at The Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh at the press launch of the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run which took place over the weekend. Kipligat went on to won the womens elite race in Sunday. More info here.

The Dakota Forthbridge

You've probably driven past it countless times on your way to the Forth Road Bridge. It's the big black building with the blue neon sign saying only 'Dakota'.

I was commissioned by the Dakota hotel this week to photograph their private dining areas, restaurant and the Edinburgh Suite which is pictured above. The photographs will be used in their new brochures and on the Dakota website.

It's a fantastic looking building inside and out which made it very enjoyable to photograph.

The client loved the images too:

'The images are fantastic, exactly what we were looking for. Thank you for being so patient and for really understanding the Dakota Brand, it really shows in the images.'
Michelle Orr
Sales & Marketing Executive

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A Little Bit of Joy

The 2009 Christmas Card which was originally a commission from Scotland on Sunday's Spectrum Magazine last year and appeared on the front cover of the magazine.

A very Merry Christmas to present and future clients and warm wishes for 2010.
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David Calder

I first met David Calder a couple of years ago when I photographed him for his weekly fitness column in Scotland on Sunday's Spectrum Magazine. When David set up his new fitness, wellness and therapy studios in Edinburgh's West End I was delighted when he commissioned me to provide images for his website and advertising.
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Caledonia clears Perth Concert Hall

Back to work after a couple of weeks off and straight to Perth for the finale concert of Dougie MacLean's Perthshire Amber festival which ended with the Caledonia concert. I must say it's always a joy to photograph Dougie and get the chance to listen to some great music at the same time keeps those back to work blues at bay.

The show ended with a star studded line up onstage to sing Dougie's most famous song - Caledonia complete with pyrotechnics during the last verse. Unfortunately the smoke set off the automatic fire alarms and the hall had to be cleared before the cast could perform the final number of Auld Lang Syne. Rock and roll.
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Ollie and Forbes and Twitter

The power of social media. I found a new client recently (or they found me) through using Twitter. For the past six months I have been posting tips, comments and links to my website and PhotoBlog. Edinburgh based on-line children's gift service Ollie & Forbes began to follow me and before long commissioned me to carry out product photography for their website which goes live early next month.

Client Quote:

'Just a quick note to say thank you very much for the photo's, they are great!! Really appreciate all your hard work. We have just done a test upload and they look fantastic, so pleased!'

Gillian Burke
Owner
Ollie & Forbes
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