Viva Lewes - The way we work (out) 2020

I had the pleasure of being asked to photograph Februarys Viva Lewes 'Way We Work (out)’ section. The theme was local personal trainers. I got to meet and photograph four lovely, motivated people. That made me feel extremely guilty for my lack of fitness.

I am so pleased with the results and the photographs, they look even better in print. I love that all the photographs have similar colours, so there is a cohesiveness between all of the photographs.

I first photographed Lisa Dickson at the new fitness centre called Body Happy in Lewes town centre. The gym is relatively new and was full of the most up to date equipment to help you get fit or retain your fitness.
I then photographed Katie Weir who runs Lewesfit and is also a weight loss coach. She runs her business out of The Southdown Club. She has such a positive attitude and I could imagine her being a great help to someone who needs motivation to get healthy and active.
Then I photographed Gyles Abbott who runs Soulfit. He’s a personal trainer, but Soulfit also offers yoga, boxfit and other fitness classes, as well as having a healthy eating cafe.
Finally I photographed Nick Williams from That Coach Nick. His story is very interesting. A few years ago he found himself in hospital finding out he was diabetic. He turned his life around and is now helping others to do the same whilst training to participation in an Ironman.

It was lovely to meet these amazing inspirational people, I felt healthier and fitter just being around them.

Viva Lewes - Photo of the Month

I was very excited as my photograph was picked as Viva Lewes ‘Photo of the Month’ for April’s edition. It’s always lovely to have people appreciate your work. They called it ‘Looking Back’. This refers to the fact that whenever I take my camera out when I walk, I always make sure that I look back because I could be missing a great photograph, but from a different angle. Which is exactly what happened with this photograph.

Something very special and happened after I won. I was contacted via Viva by someone who’s friend had had the bench put there in memorial for her husband, she was also very poorly and her friend wanted to give her the photograph, as a reminder, to help her feel better. I of course obliged and had one printed, I was so touched that I did it for no charge. It was my pleasure to do something special for someone who was having a difficult time.

It’s a very special feeling to think that something you have created will mean so much to someone else and give someone happiness.

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What a difference a year makes!

This time a year ago I was asked to do "The way we work" section for the local magazine, Viva Lewes. I had had photographs published in magazines before such as Red and Sussex Life but this was my first commission. 
I had pretty bad conditions, compared to the usual shoots they do. My subjects were all in the dark with floodlights or lack of floodlights. Even in the case of doing the rugby photographs of Billy we had mist and rain. 
Despite this they were very happy with my photographs and so was I. This gave me the confidence to think I could do it as a career. I had been told over the years by many people that I should be a photographer full time. So within the next couple of months I left my job I had been in for fifteen years and set up Mills and King with my cousin. 
I couldn't have done it without the support of family and friends. I am so glad I did as its one of the best decisions I've made. I had always wanted to be a photographer and at last after twenty five years I finally had the confidence to do it.  
It was very daunting and at points it still is. Occasionally I still can't believe I've done it I am not a spontaneous person. I am so scared of change.
As the months went on we got more and more jobs and we are slowly building the business. 
We are very excited for the future and what it holds for us and all the new people we will meet and photograph. 
As they say 'mighty oaks from little acorns grow'. 
 

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