It was my birthday yesterday, and a very lovely day. Cake and hugs were very much involved; and later on, a long slim flute of pink champagne with a friend at the glamorous bar in the Radisson next door. I swear I went to sleep smiling. To have been sent and be brought flowers was also a real treat. This morning I'm sitting here with the paper, about to tackle the big crossword, surrounded by flowers, with these peonies right next to me. They are so special...and they remind me of my little grandmother: they were her favourite flower of all. 

Here's a couple more images from the PhotoWalk, with Laura and Neil modelling. This area is a car park during the week, but empty at weekends. I must admit that I was a bit worried as the security guard walked towards us as we approached the site: we were a big group (30 of us, all but 2 with cameras) and eveyone slowed down in apprehension. I'd included the site on our route for the colour, textures and patterns of its various walls - they make wonderful backgrounds for portraits.

What a great afternoon on Sunday, on the PhotoWalk in Manchester's Northern Quarter: three hours of walking and talking, with a wonderful group of photographers. Laura and Neil were kind enough to join us for an hour, to demonstrate how brilliant the area is for portrait and pre-wedding/engagement shoots.  Here they are just a few minutes from Piccadilly Station, by the fork of the Ashton and Rochdale canals.

Down at Zion Arts Centre to photograph breakdancing classes, and it very quickly became clear that headstands are very important, and pretty tricky to learn. A soft surface helps (the hood of your hoodie will do, or the hoodie itself), as does some demonstration from Justin. But like many things in life, it needs practice, practice, practice!

On Saturday night, Clown Lab, Manchester's only Clown theatre company, presented an evening of entertainment featuring cabaret artists from across the country. The first part of the show was great - eight sets from wonderful performers, preceded by the great opener, a timely(ish) Easter sketch from Alice and Mark, the hosts, with a centurion...

I love telling stories through images, which features big-time when I photograph weddings - it's a delight that every one is unique.  This tastefully tattoo-ed bride, with her red-tipped fingernails and scarlet sash, arrived in a white car with blacked-out windows, decorated with black ribbons, for her wedding on the south coast. Her flowers were scarlet roses and gerberas with sooty black centres; her bridesmaids were in scarlet dresses with black sashes.  Stunning.

The Zion Youth Arts Centre is a brilliant place, and I really enjoy photographing there - the energy is infectious! Last night I visited three groups, one rehearsing musical pieces for an upcoming performance, and two drama groups for different ages - this was the older group, getting to grips with scenes and scripts in the main performance space. 

I do like photographing food, right through from the assembly of the ingredients to the heat and flurry of the cooking and the speed and technique of the kitchen team...and, of course, the finished product. This evening I was photographing an event at which some great canapes were served, so I spent a few minutes ogling and shooting them as well as capturing the attendees, sponsors and venue. And then I ate some, sharing a glass of wine with my client. Happy days! 

I love shoots that celebrate an event or milestone in a woman's life - perhaps a birthday or anniversary. I work with a hair and make-up artist, Roxanna, who is wonderful...very talented, with a gentle touch, bringing her film, TV and editorial experience with her. I ask my client to bring several different outfits and some favourite accessories, and we relax into a few hours of fun, shooting outside and inside the studio. Every shoot is different, but every single one is a wonderful experience, just as much for Roxanna and me as for our client, that's for sure! 

I really enjoy my travel work, and one of the loveliest places I've photographed is Capheaton Hall in Northumbria, a glorious house set in stunning grounds; rolling parkland in the manner of Capability Brown, amazing old greenhouses, a walled garden, pigs, horses, a fishing lake and tennis courts.  I first visited for Quintessential Bed and Breakfast, whose luxury offer suits Capheaton wonderfully - and vice versa.