2023 had been full-on, so landing in January with a quiet month was a bit of a shock. (Things were definitely going to get busier).
But that made time for walking with friends, and enjoying dogs and deer in all their winter glory.
The first high profile event of the year was the royal opening of a biomedical science lab in west London, hosted by a dear friend. I had to lurk discreetly and get lots of “HRH sees science” moments.
The nominees’ reception in February, with two cheerful lads and one utterly fabulous suit.
And the other part of the Barbenheimer experience!
Equally fabulously, though less well known, Tony King (the guy who’d been just about everywhere behind the scenes as London swung through the 60s and 70s) did an excellent “in conversation” for Boardwave, followed by an evening of mentoring and networking in a beautiful riverside venue.
A nearby venue in March gave me an end-of-winter skyline view of Waterloo and Westminster…
…and across the river a hasty bit of screening was slapped together to cover the monstrosity of Banksy’s latest creation. What was the point of all that, hey?
In the world of actual art, Anne Desmet’s Kaleidoscope exhibition opened at the Guildhall Art Gallery in April, to critical acclaim…
…artistic scrutiny…
…and an inevitable visual pun from the photographer.
One character that made a real impact on me in 2024 was Mr Tweeds. The most handsome London fox, turning up for breakfast and dinner, but sadly taken away before his time by the side of the main road. I miss his face so much.
There are always some photos that I look back on as high points of technical achievement. It shouldn’t really make a difference: the picture is the picture, after all, but those hard-to-get shots are always fond memories for me. Here two of (my client) the NSPCC’s London Marathon entrants are caught, in the Wapping distance, side-by-side in a huge crowd. This degree of focal precision is challenging.
One of the most meaningful assignments for me in May was working with a vast range of local Somers Town businesses supported by Phoenix Court. Philanthropy done well, hyper-locally and with many characters like Javier, the Chalton St herbalist.
On the river many times with Greenwich Yacht Club, and here I’m steering as the redoubtable Shane at stroke helps the crew to power through Tower Bridge.
The prize for “trickiest light at an event” had to go to Frameless. The projection mapping effects weren’t for the faint-hearted, but the mirrors helped create some pleasing illusions.
There’s often a moment at a party when a client will say: can I get a nice picture of me? Over the years you learn some tricks; how to use available shapes and light for a classical look. T and I go back nearly 40 years as friends: I wanted to get this one right.
And more old friends in June: a Brighton wedding with so much absolute joy and beauty on show.
I love working with architects. Their appreciation for everything visual is obvious; and in this set of business profile portraits I had a wonderful subject in the CEO of one of London’s top outfits.
And finally, Boardwave again. Their events are always so inspirational, but something special happened at this one. I’d seen this little one playing nearby, and asked her mother if we could set up something bold and beautiful as the sun set over the City.
There’s a strength here that really got to me.
