Here's a little bit about me...
I've been keeping bees for only a short period, picking up my first hive in 2017, but became totally hooked!
My real job is as a photographer in the Royal Navy, currently seconded to Downing Street as the official photographer to the UK Prime Minister. A very unique and privileged position.
I joined the Royal Navy in 2003 as a Marine Engineering Mechanic (Submarines) spending four years on board the hunter-killer submarine, HMS Trenchant. After leaving Trenchant I requested to join the Royal Navy Photographic Specialisation. After successful application, including the seven month Defence Photographer Course, I joined the Fleet Regional Photographic Unit (West) in 2011.
From here, I joined the nation’s Flagship, HMS Bulwark capturing the Olympics in Weymouth and the Royal Navy’s headline deployment, Cougar 12. I've also deployed on board the type 23 frigate, HMS Kent, to cover anti-piracy and counter terrorism patrols in the Gulf.
After spending time working with the Royal Navy, I moved to become the Unit Photographer at Plymouth based 42 Commando Royal Marines before forming one part of the Royal Marines Combat Camera Team, based at Stonehouse Barracks, Plymouth. As part of this team I've deployed around the world telling the Royal Marines' story.
During my time as a Royal Navy photographer, I've had the pleasure of photographing The Queen, Prince Phillip, and David Cameron. I've also been fortunate enough to pick up a few photographic awards along the way including High Commended Photographer of the Year 2013, the Mark Hipkin Award at the Royal Navy Photographic Competition 2014, Commandant General Royal Marines Prize winner and Highly Commended RN Photographer of the Year and Video categories at the 2015 photographic competition. At the 2016 awards I won the first Navy News People’s Choice Award and the RN Video Award categories and achieved Highly Commended in the video category at the 2017 awards.
The highlight of my career so far was with 40 Commando Royal Marines during Operation Ruman; a Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief operation to assist the British Virgin Islands in the wake of Hurricane Irma and Maria in August 2017.