In the meantime, who am I? Well, having served in Lothian and Borders Police for 30 years and been involved in all types of enquiries, at some point, around about 1995, the powers that be presented me with an expensive Canon 35mm film camera and asked me to take some pictures of bad people but they didn’t tell me how to operate the camera. None the less I persevered and developed both a love for photography and a bucket load of bad habits. So, after having retired I decided to do something about it and in 2005 enrolled for what I intended would be a 6 months Photography course at Stevenson College, Edinburgh. However, not being able to do things by halves, I stayed and 4 years later in June, 2009 I graduated from the college. Along the way in March 2009 I won the First Scotrail, Scottish Press PhotographyAwards, Student Award, was shortlisted in the final of the student category of the Scottish Region of the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP) Awards and became a Licentiate member of the BIPP.

Being the proud father of four daughters and even prouder grandfather of three girls, family portraiture is a long term pastime and this has developed. I like to think that I have an easy way with kids and this hopefully leads to a relaxed photo shoot, whether it be in a studio situation or at your favourite venue elsewhere. The main thing is that you enjoy the experience and that way the photographs will come naturally.

Similarly with weddings or any other speciall occasions, every care will be taken to ensure that even the formal photographs will have a relaxed atmosphere about them.

On leaving college I took up a post, on a 10 month contract, as a Medical Photographer at St John’s Hospital, Livingston. During this time I became proficent in the various aspects of photography as laid down by the Institute of Medical Illustrators and with my Police background, combined with experience gained whilst working freelance for a Private Investigation Agency, I am in a position to offer a photographic service to private Medical Consultants, Insurance Companies, Lawyers or Solicitors for Court purposes.

Following my success in the 2009 Press Awards I began freelance photojournalism for a Scottish Press Agency and also regular work for the Edinburgh Evening News, mainly shooting photographs for their Special Supplements and also sports events. I am therefore available for any freelance press assignments.

You will also soon be able to see a number of shots which fall into the range of Corporate Photography and I am available to discuss any requirements which you may have in that field.

Landscapes I do for relaxation and the aerial shots which you will eventually see under that category, were taken from a microlight over East Lothian.

What will I photograph? Virtually anything. Where will I go? Virtually anywhere, I am currently based at the northern tip of the Scottish Borders, close to the Midlothian and East Lothian boundaries. I am therefore convenient for any assignment in Melrose, Galashiels, Selkirk, Hawick, Kelso, Jedburgh or elsewhere in the Borders, along with Musselburgh, Prestonpans, Tranent, Haddington, North Berwick, Dunbar in East Lothian, all of the Midlothian towns, Dalkeith, Penicuik, Lasswade, Bonnyrigg, Loanhead and of course Edinburgh and into West Lothian.

If you have a project send me an email or give me a ring and we can talk about it. Look forward to hearing from you and please feel free to post any comments as this site develops. The good ones I’ll appreciate the bad ones I’ll pay particular attention to.

Cheers,

Jim

20080500a 204 20080500a 301 20080500a 329 20080500a 349 20080500a 443 P1000978