Dobson Agency Photography

2012-02-06T10:30:00.001Z

Press Photographers Association to have their say at Leveson Inquiry - TOMORROW.

Here’s a date for your diary: Tuesday the 7^th of February. “Why?” I hear you ask, well it is the day when The BPPA will finally get to appear before the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practice & ethics of the press.

See More here....

BPPA Gets its say at Leveson Inquiry

My Own Leveson Inquiry BLOG...

fleet street fox: Cheeky monkeys.

2011-12-09T11:17:00.000Z

fleet street fox: Cheeky monkeys.: THERE are a group of people without whom not a single newspaper would ever be produced. They are regarded as the very worst denizens of Fl...

FleetStreetBlues: A letter to Lord Leveson

2011-12-01T17:10:00.000Z

FleetStreetBlues: A letter to Lord Leveson: Dear Lord Justice Leveson, A few weeks ago, a senior journalism academic suggested that FleetStreetBlues should submit written evidence to...

Press Photographers being Labelled PAPS. WRONG!

2011-11-29T14:08:00.001Z

LEVESON INQUIRY: I wouldlike to point out the difference between PAPS & News Photographers. Thanksto poor journalism on TV & with Celeb's failing to make the cleardistinction between Paparazzi & News/Press Photographers when givingevidence, this has lead too all photographers unfortunately been labelledPaparazzi! Unfortunately the word Paparazzi has now been tarnished so much thateven some of the proper PAPS must get fed up.

I’m A Press Photographer & Very Proud Of It - By Edmond Terakopian (Photojournalist).

There is an ever growingband of out of control 'Paparazzi' photographers (Freelance/or Agency staff) onour streets who are managing to give News Photographers/Photojournalists likemyself and other photographers a bad name. And if we are not careful legitimatephotographers could lose the right to document our countries history & newsthrough the medium of photography for ever. We live in a Free DemocraticCountry & have the freedom of the Press, We cannot let these this happen!

There are many SubCategories within Photography, one of which is Paparazzi, and some of thesePaps are honest working and very good showbiz photographers. But we need to ridour streets of some of these low paid amateurs who are taken on with whatappears to be one rule only - Get the photo which makes the most money! Unfortunatelythis fuel is fed by the public who seem to demand these images by buying thisgarbage.

There are occasions whenNews Photographers are asked to photograph Celebrity's, of course, but onlywhen there is a new worthy angle and/or good reason. I find it disgusting thatsome of these 'paps' are happy with hounding & stalking celebs 24/7. Thisis NOT journalism!

I yearn for the day whenthe Newspapers will be full of stories about real people again, not thisunhealthy demand for Celebrity's. Please pass feel FREE to comment and pass this on to all you know. KeithMeatheringham (Press Photographer).

Wish List Dash with Jon Bentley

2011-11-19T22:30:00.000Z

I have been commissioned by one of my clients to capture four Wish List Dash Competitions in London, Stratford, Birmingham & Bristol in the last two weeks. The Client was Curry’s & PC World and they wanted me to capture their Wish List Dash give aways, where four stores were giving away up to £1000 worth of goods to the winning Wish List entry. Customers were asked to write down 5 different items in store with a combined total of no more than £1000.

The winning entrant would be picked at random by the Gadget Shows Jon Bentley (Pictured Below) who was in store at each location.

PicturedJon Bentley of the Gadget Show on Channel 5.

Below are some of my pictures on Flikr from the four different locations....

Wish List Dash, a set on Flickr.

You can Enter the Wish List online Competition below...
Currys Wish List - Win £10,000 prizes & more

Bear Face Cheek

2011-10-21T12:30:00.000+01:00

On Visiting Bury, Greater Manchester today, for a client of mine, I created this image of two Bears getting friendly at a Build-A-Bear Workshop shop opening and charity event....

Pudsey Bear is pictured getting friendly with 'Pawlette' (Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear)

I was commissioned to cover the opening of Build-A-Bear Workshop in Bury, Greater Manchester.

Hotel Photography

2011-08-17T16:35:00.016+01:00

I was commissioned this week to do some photography for The Brooklands Hotel in Scarborough.

They wanted some quality photos for a new brochure and their exsisting web site.

The shoot took me 5 hours and I was very happy with my results, as were the Hotel too.

Anybody want their Hotel Photographing please give me a call on 01723 860770 or 07802 530583.

The Brooklands Hotel

Old Character

2011-08-15T17:36:00.005+01:00

While doing some Hotel Photographs in Scarborough today, this Old Gent was dropped off.

I couldn't resist in firing off one frame of him walking towards me.

Looks like he has lost a Leg at some point.

Bet he is a real character and has many a story to tell.

Blipfoto - My Photo of the Day

Photographing Pearl Lowe

2011-08-02T23:00:00.003+01:00

I was commissioned by one of my clients this week to do some photography for a Wallpaper Company Feature on the home of fashion designer Pearl Lowe in Frome, Somerset.

They were producing a vodcast at the former Singer-Song Writers home and needed various photos of the filming and room shots showing the wallpaper.

Pearl is married to Danny Goffey, the drummer of rock group 'Supergrass'.

York Minster in the Evening Mist

2011-08-02T21:04:00.000+01:00

It had been a Beautiful day all day today, until I got back to North Yorkshire.

After working in Frome, Somerset all day photographing Fashion Designer & Former singer-song writer Pearl Lowe for a Wallpaper Design Company. I travelled back home to Yorkshire.

When I got back to York it started raining and there was a really thick evening mist around the City.

I first stopped to do some photographs of the sunset and then photographed the misty fields with York Minster in the distance.

Blipfoto - Picture of the day.

Grump Competition Winner George Dale

2011-07-31T18:06:00.004+01:00

Yorkshire Grumps do battle at the annual "Grump" competition.

Grump Competition Winner George Dale (76) of Newby, Scarborough.

The contest has been held for the past three years at the village of Scalby, near Scarborough, in North Yorkshire.

Participants are invited to moan for one minute during the knock-out rounds, with their rants judged based on the laughs and cheers of the audience.

The winning moaner George Dale received a special trophy and the honour of being the grumpiest person in the community.

Scarborough Evening News
Blipfoto - My Photo of the Day
York Evening Press
Yorkshire Coast Radio
BBC North Yorkshire

HARRY POTTER FAN CREATES WORLD’S LARGEST ‘SPOT THE DIFFERENCE’

2011-07-12T09:59:00.004+01:00

Boarded a Helicopter yesterday for a Photo Call at York Maze. Story Below...

HARRY POTTER FAN CREATES WORLD’S LARGEST ‘SPOT THE DIFFERENCE’

A Yorkshire farmer has created the World’s largest spot the difference competition as a tribute to Harry Potter.

Farmer Tom Pearcy has carefully cut out two portraits of the boy wizard in his crop of maize plants at his field near York. With some subtle differences between the two images it creates the world’s largest spot the difference competition.

At over 50m in diameter each head is also believed to be the largest image of Daniel Radcliffe ever created. The images have been painstakingly carved out of over 1 million living maize plants. The 10km of pathways form an intricate maze for visitors to explore. York Maze is the largest maize maze in Europe and one of the largest in the world.

Tom Pearcy’s previous incredible maze designs have included a Spitfire, Astronaut, the Statue of Liberty and the Flying Scotsman.

Says Tom Pearcy, “I’m a big fan of Harry Potter and the release of the final film this summer marks the end of an era. I wanted to do something imaginative to say farewell to Harry, so creating the biggest image of him ever made and making it a spot the difference competition seemed like an interesting way to do that.

York Maze opens to visitors on Saturday 16 July and will be open every day until Sunday 4 September. www.yorkmaze.co.uk.

Thanks to Anna Gowthorpe (PA) for photo of me in the Helicopter.

Just Me Myself and I

2011-07-08T12:00:00.000+01:00

Thought I would do a humerous self portrait while waiting to do a school leavers photo of my eldest sons class.

My Daily Blipfoto

X FACTOR favourite Katie Waissel

2011-06-02T14:50:00.000+01:00

X FACTOR favourite Katie Waissel leaves the Mayfair Hotel in Stratton St London.

I was in London on commission doing photos of various locations including the Mayfair Hotel. Bumped into a Paparazzi photographer who was waiting for stars including Katie Waisel, and Jedward.

Huge Fire in Newcastle

2011-05-19T11:39:00.002+01:00

I was in Newcastle today for one of my clients. When I finished I walked out to find a huge fire the other side of the river.

Links...

Daily Blipfoto

Photographing Former Olympic athlete Jonathan Edwards CBE

2011-05-19T10:23:00.000+01:00

Had the priviledge of photographing Former Olympic athlete Jonathan Edwards CBE at Gateshead Games Maker event in Newcastle for one of my clients.

Earlier this year, the London Organising Committee for Olympic & Paralympic Games (LOCOG) opened the first volunteer interview selection event to interview and ultimately find the 70,000 volunteers needed to help stage the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, they will be known as Games Makers and the presenting partner for this programme is McDonald’s.

Links...

London 2012 - Gamesmaker Event Newcastle

Texas Lightning

2011-04-24T09:07:00.001+01:00

We had some serious lightning last night in Texas. Decided to catch some on film.

LEGO WESTMINSTER ABBEY AND ROYAL WEDDING

2011-04-10T10:41:00.003+01:00

I was commissioned by LEGO through their UK PR Agency to photograph an amazing LEGO model of Westminster Abbey for a press story to co-inside with the Wedding of Prince William & Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey at the end of April. I even used my two boys as models for the photos.

I was always very confident that this would make the majority of the national newspapers & magazines in the UK as well as abroad, but Unfortunately, due to the timing of of their press release there had already been a similar press story done by LEGO LAND in Windsor, and even though I feel my pictures and the models were so much better than the one they did, the papers spiked it as they obviously felt this angle had already been covered.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

I was absolutely gutted when I found out. Still, it was good enough for other papers all round the world to use it - My photos and children were published in Thailand, Canada, the USA, Australia, Thailand and Pakistan.

Links...

Daily Blipfoto

Bangkok Post

Rex Features

Telegraph

Scarborough Evening News

Elton John Concert - What a Joke!

2011-04-07T13:54:00.005+01:00

Elton John Concert

I have been told today that our photo agency cannot get accreditation for an Elton John gig which is happening in the town where we are based and that the only photographers who are allowed in are the local paper who have had to sign a contract which probably severely limits how and where the images can be used. God knows what they are signing!

I bet the paper still turns up and gives them loads of FREE publicity – even if they are being told what they can do with their own images!

This is happening more and more nowadays with many of these music artists even getting editorial photographers to sign over their copyright.

The only way this is going to stop is by photographers and publications completely boycotting these concerts, and therefore not giving any publicity to them. There have been a few instances where photographers have refused to sign and editors have pulled them off the event.

What they are totally forgetting is that it’s partly down to the newspapers, magazines and their journalists & photographers who have made all them all who they are today.

Some interesting Links...

Rolling Stone Magazine
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/photographers-respond-to-lady-gagas-new-copyright-demands-20110307

Jeremy Nicholl - Photographer Blog
http://www.jeremynicholl.com/blog/2011/03/07/dear-photographers-lady-gaga-wants-the-copyright-on-your-work-oh-and-by-the-way-so-do-we/comment-page-1/#comment-1447

DOTTY DONKEY SAVES SHEEP

2011-04-06T09:18:00.000+01:00

Brave Dotty the donkey is honoured for saving
Stanley the sheep from dog attack

Dotty the donkey from Scarborough has received a coveted bravery award for galloping in to save her friend Stanley, the sheep, from being savaged by a dog.

The presentation of the PDSA Certificate for Animal Bravery took place on the farm in Throxenby today (Tuesday 5 April) where Dotty and Stanley were accompanied by their owner Ann Rogers (63) who was delighted with the award.

She said: “Dotty was so brave on the day of the attack. She saw her friend Stanley in distress and charged down the field to rescue him from the dog’s jaws. I am so proud of Dotty and so pleased that her bravery has been recognised by PDSA.”

Presenting the PDSA Certificate for Animal Bravery, PDSA Trustee John Murphy said: “When Dotty was faced with her moment of truth, her ultimate test of character, this brave rescue donkey did not shy away. And even if she felt fear, she did not show it for a second.

“We are not sure how donkeys think. But we know Dotty saw her friend Stanley, the sheep, being viciously attacked by a dog and was compelled to gallop to his rescue. Dotty saved her friend with, it seemed, no thought of the obvious danger to herself. Today, it is PDSA’s turn to recognise Dotty for her bravery and her overwhelming need to protect her friend.”
Brave Dotty’s deed took place on 18 April 2009 when a dog being walked close to the animals’ paddock launched a frenzied attack on defenceless Stanley.

Seeing the sheep’s plight, the heroic donkey intervened and pinned the dog to the ground until it let go of Stanley. As a result of the attack, the terrified sheep lost two teeth and suffered facial paralysis. Nearly two years on, Stanley is now fully recovered and never far from his rescuer – even sharing the same stable at night.

Elaine Pendlebury, PDSA Senior Veterinary Surgeon, says Dotty’s behaviour was outstanding: “Donkeys are very stoical and protective animals. Often when faced with a threat they will rise up to face their enemy, in this case an aggressive dog. Dotty showed herself to be a true protector of the animals she sees as her family and her bravery saved Stanley from further harm, and possibly death.”

Ann Rogers rescued Dotty three years ago when she saw the skinny and frail donkey tethered on the side of the road. She is stable mate to Stanley (five years old) who was orphaned as a newborn lamb. They share the fields around Row Brow Farm with a menagerie of pets and rescued animals including rabbits, goats, peacocks and llamas. Since the attack on Stanley, Dotty, who is the only donkey on the farm, has remained very protective of her ‘family’ especially around dogs.

The PDSA Certificate for Animal Bravery was instituted in 2001and Dotty is the tenth recipient alongside nine dogs. Each story is a unique account of inspiring bravery.
For more details about the PDSA Awards programme including the PDSA Dickin Medal, PDSA Gold Medal and Certificate for Animal Bravery and Devotion recipients go to www.pdsa.org.uk/about-us/animal-bravery-awards

Capturing 'the Power'

2011-03-06T19:00:00.006Z

Photographing Phil 'The Power' Taylor.

I was commissioned by one of my clients (Grosvenor Casinos) on Sunday to photograph Darts Legend Phil Taylor at one their Casinos in Stoke-on-Trent.

He was making a guest appearance at a Poker tournament which was taking place at the Casino and my client needed pictures for local press, trade and
internal publications and web site etc.

I was great to meet Phil and I found him very amenable, relaxed and friendly.

Sir Matthew Pinsent

2011-02-18T14:50:00.002Z

Photographing Sir Matthew Pinsent in Slough for a PR campaign.

4 x Olympian Gold Medal Winner Matthew Pinsent launches JJB’s sports shoes recycling scheme, giving consumers cash for their unwanted sports shoes, in Slough this morning.

Links...
Sport.co.uk

Whizz Kidz

Lancashire Sport

Facebook - Whizz Kids

JJB Sports

Deborah Stephenson - Build a Bear Workshop, Bournemouth

2011-02-10T15:05:00.001Z

Deborah Stephenson

I had the pleasure in photographing the actress Deborah Stephenson this week, who was taking part in a PR event at Build-A-Bear Workshop in Bournemouth.

Links...

MORE PHOTOS

CHFED.org

Google Profile

2010-10-12T11:48:00.005+01:00

I have just created my own Google Profile

XtremeAdventuresUK - Web Site Photos

2010-10-08T11:08:00.006+01:00

This summer I was commissioned by a local extreme adventures centre, Xtreme Adventures UK, to create some stunning action photos for their new web site. Xtreme Adventures UK are based near Thirsk in North Yorkshire and offer numerous activities, including 4X4, Flying, Various Buggies, Quad Bikes, Clay Pidgeon Shooting, and Segways.

I spent nearly a whole day at the centre and really enjoyed doing their pictures for them. They are a very enthusiastic and friendly team, and a very welcoming and helpful. Their web site is now live and was created by E & P Creative based in Stainton, near Middlesborough.

It's a fantastic location and a great day out. I am thinking of doing some of their activities myself.

See the Gallery areas for more of my images...

Gallery of my images
http://www.xtremeadventuresuk.com/ourvehicles_4x4.html
http://www.xtremeadventuresuk.com/ourvehicles_segway.html
http://www.xtremeadventuresuk.com/ourvehicles_quads.html
http://www.xtremeadventuresuk.com/ourvehicles_sidexside.html

Behance Network - Portfolio

2010-10-08T10:49:00.004+01:00

Just created my first Portfolio Gallery on the Behance Network.

This is a Free web site and enables you to showcase portfolios of work to potential creative clients.

Projects can be built with text, image, video, and audio, using their intuitive and powerful Project Editor. You can also embed from Vimeo, Flickr, YouTube, and more.

My Blipfoto

2010-10-07T23:25:00.004+01:00

I am really enjoying using my Blipfoto account (an on line photo-diary journal).

Blipfoto is a web site for people who have a passion for photography. You basically join up and add a Journal photo - 1 picture per day. Simple as that, it's so easy to use.

Until recently, and before I discovered Blipfoto, my camera didn't get to see the light unless I was on a paid job, it was packed away in my camera bag, only seeing the light of day when arriving at the location.

Now however I keep my camera out of my camera bag, (where it should be) and I am continually thinking about what my Blipfoto of the day could or will be. This has been very motivating for me, and has helped me create so many lovely images, I certainly wouldn't have created if I hadn't started using Blipfoto.

Please view my Blipfoto Journal and see my daily pictures for yourself. And please don't hesitate in joining and subscribing to my diary photos.

Picture above shows some of my images when doing a member search for Meatheringham.

Waitrose Donates Past their best Fruit & Veg to Zoo

2010-09-15T18:17:00.005+01:00

I had a long drive to Colwyn Bay this week to shoot some press photos for Waitrose's press office.

Menai Bridge Waitrose has entered an agreement with Welsh Mountain Zoo to send them fruit and veg, which is past their best, to feed their animals.

I worked for Waitrose myself in the Warehouse Dept in Cirencester many years ago now, and I was always appalled at the amount of waste we threw away.

My Pictures were to be used to send out to the Regional & National papers.

Katie the Chimpanzee is pictured here tucking into some Bananas and a Pinapple.

The Zoo is a lovely place to visit and the staff are so friendly & fun, I would really recomend it to anyone.

See Links below to some of the places where my pictures have been used...

Waitrose Media Site
North Wales Chronicle

Meerkats

2010-09-14T09:48:00.005+01:00

I was at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, North Wales yesterday for one of my clients Waitrose.

The Menai Bridge store has entered an agreement with the Welsh Mountain Zoo to send them fruit and veg, which is past their best, to feed their animals.

We photographed many of the animals there, but I loved getting close to the Meerkats, one of my favourite animals. They behaved very well for us.

Thanks so much to Paul Mattock of PM Photography for the photo of me at work above.

Blipfoto of the day Uploaded - Leeds

2010-09-10T14:33:00.002+01:00

Leeds: Took this photo of people walking past this interesting looking shop window in New Market St, Leeds, West Yorkshire earlier today.

The picture I wanted to take was of some people queuing for the Bus against the window, but as soon as I raised my trust Nikon to take the picture they all turned their backs and therefore ruined the shot.

Documenting street life is not like the old days.

My Blipfoto Journal

Microsoft Outlook Signature Problems

2010-09-09T21:35:00.014+01:00

This week I wanted to create a neater and more professional signature for my emails, and in particular, I wanted to add the social networking Icons and links you see above.

I had many problems along the way trying to add the Icons and rather than elaborate on these issues, I would prefer to cut a long story short and explain how I managed to get to the final result above.

The first thing I did was use google images to find the Icons for Facebook, Flickr, Blogger, LinkedIn, Blipfoto, Skype and Twitter. I saved these all in one folder together. I also made a list of the URL to my home pages on each of these web sites.

For some reason when you use outlooks own signature editor due to ActiveX and other reasons, the images don't appear and it doesn't seem to work properly. My version of outlook is ancient (2002) and I am sure there must be better systems on the more modern versions.

I worked out in the end that the only way to do it was to create a html page and add the images to this from the same folder as the index file. I downloaded Kompozer, a free html editor. It's very simple to use, as long as you have a basic knowledge of html.

I typed in all the contact information and then added the icons one by one, adding their link at the same time when inserting the logo. I also re-sized them all so they looked the same size, and Kompozer has a neat way of doing this, giving you the size as you re-scale.

Once I was happy with the layout I the html file in the same folder as the Icons. I then went into Outlook and went to Tools/Options/Mail Format/Signatures. I then chose New signature and gave the signature a name and making sure the 'Use this file as a template' was ticked I browsed for the file I just saved. And that is it - all done!

I hope this helps. I just hope now my emails don't start getting sent to my clients Spam bins, I will have to wait and see.

Cheers Keith

Blipfoto - First Entry

2010-09-09T12:09:00.003+01:00

Blipfoto Virgin no longer! - Just created my first journal photo for today, I will add a new photo every day. Enjoy....

I am hoping that creating a Blipfoto journal will help me become a little more motivated.

See my Blipfoto entry here - And please add it to your favourites.

GMC Shoots - Report Published

2010-09-02T11:08:00.002+01:00

Back in January this year I was commissioned by the General Medical Council (GMC) to shoot a number of features on 6 different subjects in Medical education jobs across the UK. See original Blog

The pictures were used in a report called 'The State of Basic Medical Education' Reviewing quality assurance and regulation (pdf Link below).

The shoots were in Norwich (above), Edinburgh, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Manchester and Leeds and my pictures were used on pages13,14,15,27,31,37,38,39,41 and 57.

See Link to the report PDF below...

'The State of Basic Medical Education' GMC
GMC Web Site

Staples Back to School Swapsies campaign - Bolton

2010-08-24T20:30:00.011+01:00

I was commissioned to take some photographs, at the Bolton branch of Staples, that the PR Company can use for local press to help reinforce the Staples Back to School Swapsies campaign.

It’s a great idea whereby children can bring in their old pens, pencils, calculators and pencil cases which will be sent to Africa to children in needy schools. They get £1 back to spend on stationery themselves.

Staples – Swapsies

Lindhurst Wind Farm - Mansfield

2010-08-03T21:20:00.008+01:00

Head for Heights.

We were recently asked by RWE npower renewables to photograph the first of five wind turbines to be errected at Lindhurst Wind Farm near Mansfield.

The Farm will start to take shape over the month of August with the five turbines being erected. They hope to be erected at a rate of two a week. The erection of the turbines follows eight months of preparatory work on site.

The work already completed includes upgrading the site entrance and access roads, constructing the turbine foundations and a substation/control building, installation of cables and a connection to the local electricity network. All turbines are expected to be assembled by early September with the wind farm fully operational by October.

Photos Published in.....

RWE Link
RWE Link II
Newark and Sherwood District Council

New Energy Focus
This is Nottingham

Lindhurst Wind Farm

2010-08-02T11:00:00.004+01:00

This is me on site in readiness for the first of 5 wind turbines to go up - Linhurst near Mansfield, Notts.

Been Commissioned by RWE npower renewables. First turbine will take two days to errect and I will be spending the next 2 days in a corn field.

Seafront Nurses

2010-07-26T12:09:00.007+01:00

26 July 2010
Scarborough’s seafront nurses on hand for holidaymakers

People visiting Scarborough this summer will be able to get medical attention from nurses stationed on the seafront should they need it.

A team of seven nurses drawn from local NHS services will be taking it in turns to man a station at Scarborough’s West Pier from 10am until 5pm, seven days a week during the school summer holiday period (26 July to 3 September 2010).

They will be on hand to examine and treat people for minor injuries (such as cuts, sprains, sunburn etc.) or refer them onto more appropriate services, such as Scarborough’s GP drop in service Castle Health Centre, or Scarborough Hospital for more serious problems.

Note: For this one we were commissioned by Nursing Times.

Our pictures were used for PR uses, for NHS North Yorkshire and York, in the following publications....

Yorkshire Gazette & Herald

Yorkshire Post

Northern Echo

Scarborough Evening News

BBC

More Opera Photos

2010-07-24T00:09:00.001+01:00

More pics from the Gala Opening night at the new Open Air Theatre Scarborough.

Opera Stars at Open Air Theatre - Scarborough

2010-07-23T23:43:00.001+01:00

Scarborough's new Open Air Theatre Opening Gala Performance by JOSE CARRERAS AND DAME KIRI TE KANAWA.

Yorkshire Opera fans were truly honoured to be able to see these two world famous acts, and the night was something I will never forget.

I am not an opera fan per se, but they are simply fantastic singers and with a great orchestra behind them and the most beautiful of locations and great weather the night was simply unforgettable.

Links..

Scarborough Open Air Theatre

Amputee loses benefit

2010-07-22T23:04:00.005+01:00

EXCLUSIVE: by Judith Broadbent. Daily Mirror 23rd July 2010.

I photographed the plight of Bridlington War veteran Aron Shelton who was lost his benefits just because he was honest and confirmed on a form that he could walk 400 meters.

Private Aron Shelton, 26, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, had his left leg amputated in December 2008 after he was injured in an explosion in Helmand province, Afghanistan only just one year earlier.

Links...

Daily Mirror
Daily Mail

Wine Feature - Yorkshire

2010-06-24T23:27:00.002+01:00

One of my tasks this week was to do some feature pictures for Waverley TBS of The Galphay Inn near Ripon, in North Yorkshire. The pictures were used in The Morning Advertiser (above).

The pub has been shut for 2 years and Waverley TBS have been helping Landlady Sue Robinson to choose the right Wine list for her pub.

Queen Visit - Scarborough

2010-05-20T20:00:00.007+01:00

The Queen visited Scarborough today I was there to photograph the event for the National Newspapers.

E-Training Feature - Liverpool

2010-05-18T23:50:00.004+01:00

I was in Liverpool this week to do some photos for a feature which was published in The Publican Magazine (above).

I was commissioned by Lisa Harlow and the pictures were taken in Liverpool's Revolution Bar of a new on-line training method called e-learning by CPL.

Links...

CPL Training NEWS
CPL Training NEWS II
CPL Training BLOG
Morning Advertiser

Red Kite - East Yorkshire

2010-05-05T22:20:00.002+01:00

Also stopped on way back from Pocklington, East Yorkshire when I noticed a lone Red Kite feasting on some fresh road kill in the middle of a quiet country road.

I slowed the car down and watched as this beautiful bird of prey settled in a near by wood. I parked the car and slowly made my way to where it was perched, it didn't take long for it to be alerted to my presence again and off it went again into the distance, but not before circling me once - almost giving me permission to get just one shot.

I haven't got the longest of lenses but this was done on my trusty Nikon 70-200 f2.8 AF-S VR Lens. (D300 magnification making it 300mm).

Out and About

2010-05-05T18:00:00.002+01:00

This scene caught my eye while driving back from a job.

I felt impelled to stop the car and take some picture of some sheep who were being reflected in a flooded field in East Yorkshire whilst on my way back from a magazine job near Pocklington, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Not very often us press photographer get time to stop due to deadlines etc, so was nice to have a bit of time to spare.

The Boathouse Tewkesbury for Waverley TBS

2010-04-08T16:00:00.002+01:00

Published Feature with my photos from my recent Waverley Feature in Tewkesbury, Glos.

The Boathouse Feature - Tewkesbury

2010-04-08T12:00:00.002+01:00

We were commissioned to do some pictures for a feature to be published in 'The Wineseller' section of the Morning Advertiser.

Link...

The Boathouse
Wavereley TBS

Waverely TBS - New Financial Director Portraits

2010-01-18T20:00:00.002Z

We were asked to photograph Waverley TBS's new Financial Director in their Edinburgh offices.

GMC Shoots x 6

2010-01-13T19:00:00.001Z

I have been commissioned by the GMC to photograph six different subjects across the UK for featurs in there annual report.

The shoots were in Norwich (above), Edinburgh, Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Manchester and Leeds.

SNOW JOKE

2010-01-08T13:30:00.006Z

One thing the Papers Love is Weather Reports.

Been busy this week doing Snow scenes around the North & East Yorkshire areas.

Above is one picture I did in Stamford Bridge.

Rowers set sail in bid to break Atlantic record

2010-01-08T12:48:00.004Z

ROWERS set sail in bid to break Atlantic record

TWO Yorkshire rowers have finally set off on a 3,000-mile challenge to cross the Atlantic Ocean after months of practice off the Whitby coast.

Alex Macdonald (23) and Luke Grose (24) from Settle, have raised more than £50,000 in sponsorship to buy and equip their handmade 23ft wooden rowing boat, JCT600 Yorkshire Challenger, and have trained for over two years in preparation for the epic Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race.

Known as the world’s toughest rowing race, the race has been completed by fewer people than have climbed Mount Everest and Alex and Luke are hoping to break the world record of 40 days for the crossing. “The lads have prepared well and these delays to the race start have been hugely frustrating, but we are delighted that Alex and Luke are finally under way in their bid to win the race and record for Yorkshire,” said Team JCT600 sponsor John Tordoff.

The rowers are equipped with state of the art satellite phones and data devices and have hundreds of followers on their Facebook pages on the social networking site.

They are planning to send blogs via their Team JCT600 website directly from their boat during their challenge.

PHOTOS: I was commissioned by their PR Company who wanted us to do some action photo's of the pair in the Sea off Whitby. They Wanted a selection of pictures, some showing them in rough seas, and some showing Whitby in the background to for a more local angle.

Here are some links where the story has been used...

TeamJCT600
Their BLOG
JCT600 Photo Gallery (My Pictures)
Whitby Gazette
Craven Herald
Craven Herald
Just Giving
Woodvale Challenge
The Wharfedale Observer
BBC
FACEBOOK

London Chess Classic - London Eye

2009-12-14T11:34:00.008Z

London Chess Classic - London Eye Dec 2009

Two of England’s finest chess players, Nigel Short and Luke McShane, went head to head in a game of blindfold chess in the Merlin Entertainments London Eye before locking horns in the London Chess Classic at Olympia from 8-15 December.

We were commissioned by a new client of ours, PITCH, to officially cover a London Eye Press call & Launch for the London Chess Classic.

Our objectives for the client were to capture creative branded photography of English Grandmasters Nigel Short and Luke McShane playing blindfolded chess in the London Eye, and to achieve press coverage of the images in national and London regional press

We had to ensure that an iconic background of London is captured in the images.

I have a fear of hights, and so being 443ft above the City of London is not my idea of fun - But in saying that. You feel so safe in the Glass Pods, and the view is really breath taking and something not to be missed.

When you are concentrating on doing your job as a Photographer you tend not to notice it as much, but I didn't feel uneasy at all.

Press Release...

For the first time in 25 years the UK will be hosting a world class chess tournament at London Olympia from 8-15 December.

The best chess talent in the world will be up against England’s four leading grandmasters: Nigel Short, Michael Adams, Luke McShane and David Howell. Russian former world champion Vladimir Kramnik and Norwegian Magnus Carlsen are joined by Hikaru Nakamura, aka ‘H-bomb’ for his destructive style of play.

Links...

Pictured above is Norwegian Magnus Carlsen next to his portrait, and Nigel Short & luke McShane playing on London Eye.

My Halloween Discovery

2009-10-29T10:33:00.016Z

I made an eerie find last weekend. I was in Gloucestershire visiting relatives, when I discovered a rare find indeed. There hanging on a twig at the side of my parents garage was the skeleton of a Bat.

It must have died, then fallen from the roof and managed to get hooked up on a twig of a bush on the way down.

My children were really excited with the find, when I asked them what it was my youngest asked if it was a Dinosaur - when you see it's teeth on the photos you can understand why he made this assumption. The head looks like that of a Miniature Tyrannosaurs Rex.

I have found many skeletons in my years but never a Bat. Another unusual thing was there curled up in the Bat's rib cage was a Spider using the torso as a shelter or home.

I decided to do some photography of this strange find. It turned out to be a very tricky customer to photograph. Unfortunately the body had been twisted a little out of shape which made it harder to capture on camera due to the unusual shape.

I used a cheap close up lens I had in my bag for photographing small subjects like this and varied the direction of the flash to try and show off the teeth the best I could. I could have really done with a proper close up lens or some bellows to do it real justice.

Press & PR Photographers Throughout the UK - Editorial Photography
Yorkshire Press & PR Photographer

Dobson Agency signs up 100th photographer

2009-10-19T09:48:00.014+01:00

The Dobson Agency are celebrating this week after registering our 100th professional photographer.

We are based in Scarborough, recently crowned as Britain's most enterprising town, and provide photographers for PR agencies, magazines and corporate businesses around the clock - and around the UK & Ireland.

Director Keith Meatheringham said: "This is a fantastic achievement and shows that we provide an innovative and reliable service to our clients. They appreciate the standards we set in PR and corporate editorial photography."

Instead of clients facing hours of trying to track down a photographer in many locations, one call to Keith can fix that in one go.

Keith said: "Once we get a job from a client, I arrange the photographer/s, brief them and organise getting the photographs back to the client.

We've established ourselves as one of the country's leading agencies to provide this service - we are cost-effective, efficient & give a friendly service which is why clients keep coming back to us.

“Every photographer that works for me has to keep to the high standards I set and therefore they produce high quality creative photography.”

Recently we were commissioned by a major supermarket chain to shoot portraits of 34 managers throughout the UK.

“A bespoke-designed website means that our clients have access to their images very quickly after a shoot or event. Our secure client login area enables our customers to view and download their photographs themselves.”

For more information about The Dobson Agency - whether as a potential client or as a photographer looking to sign up and get some rewarding work, go to dobsonagency.co.uk or call...

Tel: (01723) 860770 or mobile: (07802) 530583 or contact us by email: pix@dobsonagency.co.uk.

Press Release by Urban Media PR, York. More information contact...

Steven Lumley

Director

Urban Media PR

Clifford House,

7-9 Clifford Street,

York YO1 9RA.

Telephone: 0845 833 0716

Mobile: 07939 114313

Email: info@urbanmediapublishing.co.uk

Web: http://urbanmediapublishing.co.uk

Press & PR Photographers Throughout the UK - Editorial Photography
Yorkshire Press & PR Photographer

Pickering War Time Weekend 2009

2009-10-19T09:35:00.002+01:00

Picture of my family and I when we got dressed up for this years Pickering War Time Weekend.

We had a great time, and I would recommend this event to anyone. There is a really good atmosphere and it was so interesting to see everyone dressed up. There is plenty to see and do, and the event is getting bigger and bigger every year.

I managed to pick up an old uniform from the local saleroom and my wife did a great job trawling Ebay for outfits for my Boys and herself. The outfits might not be totally correct for the era, but we did feel more involved.

Pickering War Weekend

2009-10-19T09:19:00.007+01:00

Great time at Pickering War Weekend.

Pickering in North Yorkshire held it's War Time Weekend, 16-18th Oct, and I was there with my camera. I even got into the spirit of things and got dressed up with my Wife and two Children.

Pickering in North Yorkshire recaptured the spirit of the second world war, with its annual War Time Weekend. It is a tribute to the men and women who kept Britain's railways running throughout the war. Hundreds of skilled re-enactors helped create the authentic atmosphere that has earned it an international reputation for authenticity. Other North Yorkshire Moors Railway line villages including Goathland, Levisham and Grosmont took part with wartime signs, notices, sandbags and taped up windows, and re-enactors everywhere, showing how life was during the war years.

On saturday, there was a parade through Pickering of period civilian and army vehicles and in the evening, a superb costume dinner dance, complete with NAAFI canteen and Glen Miller type orchestra.

Links:

Gazette & Herald
Glendale House - B&B Goathland, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Pickering Online
Press & PR Photographers Throughout the UK - Editorial Photography
Yorkshire Press & PR Photographer

What Links do I have?

2009-10-01T22:28:00.000+01:00

I decided to do a search of Links I have to my web site today on google. Here are my results...

It's surprising how many Search Engines are out there.

Major neuromuscular services review in Scotland announced

2009-09-23T20:00:00.003+01:00

In September I was commissioned by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to Document their recent trip to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

Pictured: Families and MSPs at Scottish Lobby in September 2009

Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, yesterday evening pledged that people with muscle disease in Scotland will receive the care support that they need after announcing a thorough review of neuromuscular services.

Campaigners had called for an urgent review of health and social care services.

The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's Building on the Foundations in Scotland report revealed that the 5,500 adults and children living with muscle disease in Scotland face a ‘postcode lottery' of specialist services.

The announcement of a review was made as families and supporters gathered at a lobby yesterday at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. One of the crucial issues raised was the fact that there are currently only two part-time Muscular Dystrophy Care Advisors (RCAs), which is inadequate to care for the 5,500 people with muscular dystrophy in Scotland. The Regional Care Advisor posts are a vital resource for coordinating services and providing support, especially during the transition to adulthood.

Links..

Major neuromuscular services review in Scotland announced

Press & PR Photographers Throughout the UK - Editorial Photography
Yorkshire Press & PR Photographer

Barcelona Bangers rally

2009-09-04T21:01:00.001+01:00

I was commissioned by a PR Company recently to do some pictures for SAAB one of their clients.

A local team of adventure rally drivers has completed one of Europe's toughest driving challenges, raising money for charity in the process, with the help of car dealership Alexanders Saab York.

The team, comprising drivers Neil Gulliver and Mark Dennis, competed in the 2009 Barcelona Bangers rally - an event which saw 50 teams gather in Calais on 10^th September before embarking on a three-day cross country journey to Barcelona, travelling in a car purchased for less than £200.

In order to successfully complete the rally, each team had to drive this vehicle over the 920 mile route - during which they crossed the French Alps - to the finishing line, completing several challenges along the way.

The team selected a classic Saab 9000 to transport them across Europe, which they purchased for just £10. Local dealership Alexanders Saab York then checked to ensure the car was roadworthy and also made a generous contribution towards the cost of the team's fuel, allowing the team to complete the rally and raise money for their chosen charity - Macmillan Cancer Support.

See the Story Here...

Alexanders Saab - York
Barcelona Bangers Rally - 2010
Press & PR Photographers Throughout the UK - Editorial Photography
Yorkshire Press & PR Photographer

WWII Bomb - Detonation

2009-08-18T20:58:00.014+01:00

Spent today photographing a story, for the Daily Express and other Papers, about a 500lb WWII Bomb which was discovered while someone digging up a second world war bomber which crashed in the village of Ebberston near Scarborough.

We had a Press briefing this morning at 10am and we were told their was a 1,600 meter exclusion area - which was not going to be perfect for photography. I decided to set up a video camera at the edge of the field just in case. I was glad to find that the camera was still in perfect condition on my return, so too were the ITV & BBC Cameramen's more expensive Cameras.

Unfortunately I have a problem with my old manual Tamron 300mm f2.8 and so I had to rely on my Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 without a 2x convertor! So I had to crop it quite considerably. If only I could warrant buying a £7500 400mm f2.8. In my dreams.

Interested in the Story see below...

Yorkshire Post - I'm in this video.
DAILY MAIL
Newstin
BBC

Press & PR Photographers Throughout the UK - Editorial Photography
Yorkshire Press & PR Photographer

Seaham Hall for our Wedding Anniversary

2009-08-03T09:28:00.011+01:00

Our wonderful stay at Seaham Hall, Serenity Spa Hotel in Co Durham.

Last week I booked a surprise Hotel & Spa for my wife and I for our 11th wedding anniversary, we had a fantastic time, and we enjoyed every minute. It's not very often I stay in a 5* hotel, and I was very impressed.

First impressions are that the hotels exterior needs a good lick of paint. Unfortunately the Water Vortex Sculpture 'Charybdis' in front the building could also do with cleaning up too, such a pity you don't get to see the best of the great work of art by William Pye.

Once inside the Hotel, we were made to feel very welcome and special and the porter was really helpful. The Hotel interior is fantastic, there are a few places here and there which need touching up, but unless you are looking for faults you really don't notice them.

We had room 11, which was a lovely large room and the bathroom is equipped with Double free-standing Bath, Shower and his & hers basins. The room was lovely and had a view out over the beautiful gardens. The Bed was the most comfortable bed we had ever slept in. The room felt like a suit not a bedroom.

We had an a la carte meal in the White Room for dinner (Michelin Star Restaurant). The Chef is Kenny Atkinson from the TV series the Great British Menu. It was a 3 course meal with canapes in the lounge, and extra dishes thrown in between courses, and special treats with your coffee too. We even took our own bottle of wine and they didn't charge us corkage. They also wrote Happy Anniversary on our desert plate in chocolate, which was a lovely touch. The meal and service was truly exquisite and the only small thing that let it down was the Pan fried Confit of Pork Belly was very fatty all the way through even for belly pork, and we were not keen on the Pigs Ears in batter canapes. Pushing the boundaries a little too far I thoink. ;-)

The Spa was great too, and so relaxing. We made full use of the Spa on the day of our arrival and on the day of departure. I think it's so nice of the Hotel to let you use the Spa facilities, before you have checked in and even after you have checked out, for the whole day if you like. I also think the 12pm check out time is perfect too, this really lets you relax and unwind before you vacate your room.

All in all I think there are a few things they need to address, but overall it is a fantastic Hotel, and I would love to stay there again, and I would really recommend it to anyone who is not over critical.

Thanks Seaham Hall - My wife loved it.

Dog wins Gold Award

2009-07-29T11:36:00.009+01:00

I was up in Cumbria this week shooting pictured for a national story on behalf of PDSA for a press release. See story below...

Labrador wins Gold Award

Bosnich (Bos), a devoted black Labrador-cross from Brampton in Cumbria, has today been awarded a PDSA Gold Medal - the animals’ George Cross - for saving the life of 73-year-old Mark Corrie, who was missing for two days on the Cumbrian fells.

Links...

BBC CUMBRIA - You might even be able to see me taking pics ;-)
PDSA
Press & PR Photographers Throughout the UK - Editorial Photography
Yorkshire Press & PR Photographer

Great time in Northumberland

2009-07-29T10:40:00.009+01:00

I had a job for the PDSA in Brampton in Cumbria this week. I decided to do the job myself and take my wife and children too for a couple of days away.

Had a great couple of days in the neighbouring county of Northumberland staying at the lovely Wydon Farmhouse B&B in Haltwhistle.

Linda made us very welcome and our children really enjoyed their stay. Linda even left a couple of glasses in the room while we were out as we had brought our own bottle of wine. Nothing was too much bother and we will definitely be staying there again.

We stayed in family room called the Bluebell room one of three en-suit bedrooms seperate to the farm house, which look like they have been converted from an old barn. The rooms were clean and well equipped, with ours even having a wet room. The cooked breakfast was really tasty and the local sausages were to die for. The location was lovely. I popped out at midnight to get something from my car and because it was a clear night and there is no light pollution in the area - the view of the stars was breath-taking.

Hadrians Wall

We visited a few Roman sites in the area like Vindolanda and the Roman Army Museum at Carvoran, but we found Housesteads Roman Fort to be the best of all of them. We visited it in the evening when the place was officially closed, but it was fantastic, and the views were amazing. We bought a joint family ticket for the Roman Army Museum and Vindolanda which saves you about £6. It's certainly a beautiful area, and worth staying a few days to see everything.

Links
Wydon Farmhouse B&B
Vindolanda
Housesteads
Roman Army Museum

Happy Guests Lodge - Warrington

2009-07-11T12:07:00.000+01:00

I had to stay over in Lancashire recently after getting a job in the same area the next morning. I found it very hard to find somewhere for under £60 for the night. It would have been cheaper for me to drive all the way back to Yorkshire and back the next morning. So I really needed somewhere for around £40 to make it worth while. Eventually the office found me some accommodation for under £50 at the Happy Guests Lodge near Warrington.

The Lodge is run by a Chinese lady and her husband who are very friendly.

They were really nice on the phone when booking and on arrival the location was a little off putting at first, but once inside the reception staff made me feel really welcome and the service was very good. It's an unusual set up with a kitchen just behind the reception where they offer chinese meals - I had a chicken curry & rice which was lovely, and they even brought it to my room for me at no extra charge. They even have a fridge behind reception with cold cans of beer and other refreshments.

The rooms and facilities were VERY spacious and clean with modern design and furniture. They had wireless internet too which is a must for me. But unfortunately this is only available in reception and the lounge area upstairs.

Links
Happy Guests Lodge
Happy Guests Lodge BLOG

Lawnmower Collector

2009-07-10T11:47:00.001+01:00

Lawnmower Collector has one for every day of the year

I did some pictures recently with Caters News which made the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph.

Stan Hardwick from Scarborough has collected over 365 antique lawnmowers over the years and stores them in his house garden and sheds.

Press & PR Photographers Throughout the UK - Editorial Photography
Yorkshire Press & PR Photographer

Tyne Tunnel Photography Commission

2009-05-07T16:55:00.004+01:00

Tyne Tunnel Wall - Jarrow

One of our Clients has commissioned us to do some progress photography of a wall they are building in Jarrow, Newcastle.

Tensar are supplying materials for a long wall that will be used to retain earth behind it, alongside the slip road entrance of the South Entrance to the new Tyne Tunnel being built.

The wall is constructed by putting in a thin concrete foundation (Phase 1 photo) then laying geogrid into the earth behind the wall, fastening the wall blocks to the geogrid, then filling earth over the geogrid.

This is done in successive layers – Phase 2 is a mid-construction photo stage showing the wall half way up with all the construction detail, and Phase 3 is the finished wall, with shots showing each of the 2 different colours of wall block used.

Press & PR Photographers Throughout the UK - Editorial Photography
Yorkshire Press & PR Photographer

Trip to Parliament

2009-05-07T16:17:00.005+01:00

My Trip to Parliament.

I was commissioned this week to cover the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign's trip to Parliament.

Disabled commuters are forced to pay more for an inconsistent and inaccessible public transport system across the UK, as revealed by a three month undercover investigation published by the MDC Trailblazers team.

The investigative report End of the Line which was presented to Parliament on the 5th May, includes over 200 mystery commuter journeys. The trips were undertaken by young disabled campaigners in order to assess the state of our nation's public transport system.

Read the evidence from you region here.

For more information - See the MDC Web site below...
Muscular Dystrophy Campaigne - Trailblazers

More about the 'End of the Line' Report HERE

Watch the London Tonight Video HERE

Dog Swallows Homer Simpson

2009-05-07T15:53:00.009+01:00

Doh - Silly Dog!!!!

We did some photography this week in Aberdeen for one of our clients 'PDSA' about a Dog called Dixie who swallowed a whole Kinder Egg and ended up having a Homer Simpson Toy in his stomach.

Our photographs made the National Newspapers and lots of other on-line news & media outlets.

If you have a similar story please get in touch, or want us to handle a good Press story - Please contact us.

Just some of the links where our photos were used below....

Recession be Damned Beer

2009-04-23T14:04:00.007+01:00

‘RECESSION BE DAMNED’ BEER LAUNCHED IN RESPONSE TO DARLING’S ECONOMIC STRATEGY

Entrepreneurial licensee, Paul Boggia, from the award winning Kingston Arms in Cambridge, today launches a tongue in cheek attack on Alastair Darling’s budget and plans for our economic recovery.

The Kingston Arms, renowned for consistently serving a wide range of outstanding real ales, has joined forces with industry drinks supplier – Waverley TBS and The Publican newspaper’s Proud of Pubs campaign – on their Local Hero cask ale programme.

We were asked to do some pr photography for the above story for a PR company to coincide with the budget.

The story went as an exclusive in the Sun. See Link below...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/money/city/article2393117.ece

Photographed Absolute Radio's Breakfast Show Live from Whitby

2009-04-03T12:17:00.007+01:00

I was commissioned by Absolute Radio this week to photograph Christian O'Connell's Breakfast Show live on board a boat, The Chieftain, in Whitby Harbour.

The radio station, formerly Virgin Radio, are celebrating the release of the new film The Boat that Rocked, by making their way down the the east coast of England in true pirate radio fashion - on a boat!

Join the team from 6AM to 10AM each day as they broadcast the show live from five different locations. See Link.

It was a lot of fun, and they were a great team to work with, especially with the lovely Vicky Butler-Henderson doing the traffic.

Links...

East Coast Tour
The Breakfast Team
On Board in Whitby
Boat Leaves for Grimsby
Brian's Jump for the RNLI

Whitby Gazette request my Photography services

2009-04-03T12:03:00.007+01:00

Photographer for 2 days on the Whitby Gazette.

This week I was commissioned by the Whitby Gazette to provide two days photography cover for the local by-weekly newspaper.

I love Whitby in North Yorkshire and really enjoyed working for the newspaper.

It's a beautifully preserved traditional seaside resort with a fantastic history.

See Links of my published Photography on the Whitby Gazette web site here...

Celebrations for centenarian Joy
Make souvenir badge at museum
Absolute Radio broadcasts live from Whitby

Don’t Cut your PR Budgets in a Recession: “If I were down to my last $1, I would spend it on PR. Bill Gates, Microsoft.

2009-03-26T13:23:00.006Z

Importance of Maintaining PR through a Recession

Don’t Cut your PR Budgets in a Recession: “If I were down to my last $1, I would spend it on PR. Bill Gates, Microsoft founder.

It’s common knowledge that during a recession, businesses that succeed are the ones who don’t cut their PR, advertising & marketing budgets. Therefore this is the perfect time to rise above your competitors.

The danger, in a PR context, for businesses in a recession is that most tend to withdraw, and stop communicating with the outside world. All that happens then is that the outside world stops talking about you.

All dialogue can be then lost with the specific markets and communities in which the business operates and the company’s brand and status is therefore weakened. Unfortunately cutting PR budgets, is a natural response. And unfortunately most of our clients seem to be doing just this.

In better times businesses know that PR is no longer a luxury item but it’s a necessity. This doesn’t change when times are bad. In actual fact PR becomes much more important than ever before. If you start reducing your PR spend, you begin to create a problem that will come back to haunt you for months and years ahead. This problem can usually be very hard & expensive to rectify.

On a positive note during this current economical climate, most PR / Communications Companies and also PR photography companies like ourselves are more than willing to negotiate discounted rates with our clients. It’s also worth bearing in mind that you will also find Web Site Design & SEO companies willing to reduce their prices, giving you the opportunity to promote your web presence more cost effectively. I recently paid a company around £250 for some work on my web site recently is already reaping rewards. It’s also the best time to negotiate Advertising fees with Newspapers, Magazines & Television companies.

Just remember that when we do start turning the corner and heading out of these bad economical times, which we will, it’s the businesses that have spent more on PR that people will be going to first because of their ongoing PR & communications strategies.

Another point worth thinking about is that most of the news we see & read is so depressing. Contrary to what most people believe people are always interested in more positive stories. Every Company has plenty of these so use this to your advantage. Most companies don’t realise they could be getting press coverage almost once a week if they have a good relationship with a good PR company.

Never underestimate the power of PR.

Dobson Agency now has it's own FACEBOOK group

2009-03-20T17:34:00.005Z

We have recently created our own Dobson Agency Facebook group which you are welcome to join and find out more about us and our photography services. We look forward to getting to know you better. See you soon. Join us Keith

Photographing Neil Morrissey at his new pub, in North Yorkshire

2009-03-16T13:02:00.015Z

I recently had the pleasure of photographing actor Neil Morrissey & celebrity chef & fellow business partner Richard Fox at their pub Ye Olde Punchbowl in Marton-Cum-Grafton, in North Yorkshire.

I was commissioned by The Publican Newspaper to do some photography for a feature on Neil and Richard’s micro brewery, where they produce their own MorrisseyFox brands of beers.

It’s a really lovely pub they have, with a very stylish mixture of old and contemporary design. I didn’t have chance to eat this time, but, the food looks fantastic. So I’m looking forward to booking a table in the near future and sampling their menu.

I was impressed with their beer too. While I was there I had a glass of MorriseyFox Blonde which I found to be a very refreshing pint. It’s a hybrid of Larger and Ale, and if only I wasn’t driving I would have quite happily sunk a few more.

Before I left I asked if Neil if he could right a little message to my son, as he is struggling with his English work at school. One of his favourite TV programs is BBC’s Waterloo Road, in which Neil stars as Dept Head of School Eddie Lawson. Neil very kindly agreed, and my son was over the moon. I must say we have noticed him trying harder since.

Link to the feature & photographs in the Publican… CLICK HERE

Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Tesco Charity of the Year 2009.

2009-03-10T12:44:00.006Z

We were recently commissioned by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign to photograph 32 of their Tesco Charity of the Year photo-shoots throughout the UK. All of these were completed within 5 days.

All the images from the 32 locations were uploaded by our photographers directly to each individual assignment created on our web site’s secure client area for the charity to view & download when they please. Making life much easier for them, and saving them a lot of time and hassle.

More information below on Muscular Dystrophy and the COTY, please see below…
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign has been selected as Tesco Charity of the Year 2009 as the staff and customers of Britain’s biggest retailer aim to raise £3 million for the Giving children equipment to be independent campaign. Tesco staff and customers can help us buy vital specialist equipment for children with muscular dystrophy, allowing them to lead happier, more independent lives.

http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/tesco

FREE Bottle of wine & Chocolates - For any Client who commissiones THREE or more jobs in the same calendar month.

2009-02-10T10:52:00.012Z

We are offering all current or future clients a FREE bottle of wine & box of Chocolates to any individual client who commissioned THREE or more jobs within the same calendar month.

Each gift will be delicately wrapped and delivered to the address of your choice (UK only).

Starts 1st March 2009 Offer is limited to one gift per client per month, and does not include multiple clients within one company.

Note: This does not apply either to any discounted work.