St Ann's Hospice organised their first outdoor "Tree of Lights" event in Oak Meadow Park in Cheadle Hulme, last week, where people of all ages came togethr to remember loved ones. It was an extension of the indoor services held annually at Manchester Cathedral, and was such warm and moving event. Lights are lit in memory of someone special, and the sight of these lights, shining so vibrantly, is a fitting tribute to the warmth these people brought into the lives of others.

The new iSleeve™ hit Manchester this week, a beautiful, luxurious, natural leather cover for an iPad or iPhone, in a range of colours. The pop-up shop at 6 King Street looked absolutely wonderful tonight at the opening party, glowing like a jewel-box in the dark, wine flowing, lots of smiles...

In a week of the worst weather since last winter, I've been struggling to fulfil a brief for a favourite transport client: I have a list of locations and have discussed and understand what the shots are needed for, but have had to endure grey skies, high winds, hail and general unpleasantness for several days. Last night, the "Blue Hour" came to my rescue, and despite rain and wind I got some shots at Media City that hit the spot. Phew!  Here's a couple. I should add that I really, really love the yellow Metrolink trams. There's just something about that new shape and great colour.

I didn't know I'd turn into a yellow tram geek, but I did, somewhere along the line(!). So - being asked to go to the depot and get some images for the Transport Authority meant it was beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.  Things I found out on my visit:  1. The yellow trams are referred to as 'bananas' by the staff. Not too inventive, but I can get that... 2. They're 'stabled' at the depot. 3. The toolkits are red with yellow dots. Love that. 

I've just finished another shoot for the gorgeous iSleeve - capturing images of more luxury materials for the beautiful iPad and iPhone covers of sumpuous leathers. suedes and patents. iSleeves are hand made in Manchester, and although only just launched this month, are flying out of the pop-up shop at 6 King Street in Manchester. Great to be part of the team, guys!

My first blog post, marking my move on 1st September to full-time photography after 18 months as a part-timer with a foot in two camps. I wonder what this blog will show as the months roll by? I hope you'll share the journey with me. I’ve had a couple of busy weeks since getting back from holiday; winding up my photography exhibition at the Portico Gallery (thanks to everyone who visited!), confirming the sale of a picture for a book cover, and some great shoots - including young people at the Zion Arts Centre preparing their Moss Side Carnival costumes - amazing colour and energy.

Victoria Station was opened in 1844, named after the monarch with her "gracious permission". I visited earlier this week,  to photograph for GMITE, who will be communicating over coming months on the refurbishment of the station, which starts in the spring. The station is very busy; trains and trams are going in and out all the time, of course, but it's also right next to and connected to Manchester Evening News Arena, the second busiest entertainment venue in the UK after the O2 Arena in London. 

I'm organising a photowalk in Manchester's offbeat and interesting Northern Quarter for Sunday 22 April, starting at 1pm, and ending at 4/4.30pm after a drink and chat.  It will be a relaxed, sociable event, for photographers of all levels of ability to walk, talk and shoot together. While I'm organising it with The Guild of Photographers, everyone is welcome - and it's free. I'll sort out the route nearer the time, as well as starting and finishing places, and would welcome any ideas/thoughts. 

High art, perhaps...I'm musing away here. The facts: The Halle held a fundraising event in the stunning penthouse at the top of the Hilton/Beetham Tower in Manchester. It was an awesome evening. Bonfire night - so the view was punctuated all around by fireworks. Inside, the space is incredibly serene on a normal day. Adding a couple of world-class musicians was such a very good idea. It was quite a night.

It's good to have a clear brief from a client before a shoot: it helps get best results for all concerned. That doesn't mean to say that nobody changes their minds, or that interestingly different things don't present themselves on the day. It's my job, of course, to deliver what I'm asked to deliver, as effectively, efficiently and attractively as I can. Adding value to the results through my technical abilities and "eye" is what I'm commissioned for - as is looking out for 'extras' - perhaps views or perspectives that add something a bit different.

I was asked  to go along and photograph a lighting workshop held in Manchester Cathedral, one of a number of "NightGeists" being hosted in various iconic locations by Bega. The workshops give delegates - most of them designers of one sort or another - an enjoyable way of playing with Bega products and taking a ‘hands on’ approach to the application of the luminaires and how they look in situ.

Manchester has a great tram system, which has been being upgraded over the last year, along with bright new yellow branding . New trams in the yellow livery have arrived and are gradually being introduced. Three are in service and one or two on test, so when I went out to photograph them for GMPTE today, I had to be patient. But they’re worth waiting for - really striking. Well. I think so.

Sunday in Castlefield was just lovely. The annual Manchester Day Parade was going on close by, so there was lots of bustling and music and some great costumes all around. Dukes'92 and Albert's Shed were both absolutely buzzing, including the courtyard, which was full of people enjoying the sunshine. In the midst of all of this activity, and after being together for ten years, Karen and Ben got married, surrounded by their friends and family, and with the help of the amazing Dukes team.

Another day, another detour. This is a reflection of a tree in the still water of the Castlefield Basin. The sky was grey, the day stayed gray, but it didn't rain. (Looking on the bright side, here!)

This must be one of the most photographed buildings in Manchester - which sets a challenge for me... Here's my view, last week. Will be different again next week! This must be one of the most photographed buildings in Manchester - which sets a challenge for me... Here's my view, last week.

Karen and Ben's wedding: at Duke's '92 in Castlefield, on a beautiful day, with wall-to-wall smiles, and more than a few happy tears. Ben nearly lost his voice as he said the words he'd prepared to explain what he felt about them and their commitment. Karen was serene and heartfelt as she did the same, in a loving roomful of their family and friends. We took a few minutes to cross the little bridge and take some shots afterwards, celebrating their day and their happiness. Trains and trams rumbled overhead; inquisitive geese examined us for signs of sandwiches.

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.

The museum of science and industry is a major attraction in Manchester, and has been steadfastly improving its appeal over recent years. This includes new, extended and renovated buildings, close attention to service standards, an enormously high level of interactivity (?) and some absolutely world-class exhibitions . I was on my way to Castlefield one evening at sunset and saw this image, with the  - well, thing - that marks the museum's skyline against a dramatic sky. A bit of experimentation followed, and this was the result.

Well...Mrs H is now in Mauritius with her new husband, both still (they say in todays text), on Cloud 9. Me too! And Mark (and it WASN'T just the Ferrari, he swears - and they both SO know it wasn't!). It was an utterly beautiful day...about which I've promised them I'll blog a little. So here goes...

The Haughin wedding: part 2. This wedding involved a lot of lovely things. One of them was red. It had Neil's initials as the numberplate (how did he/they DO that?) and it was drop-dead-gorgeous. Mark Rawlings very kindly came up from London to second-shoot this fabulous wedding with me: who'd have thought one man could take so many pictures of one car, eh, Mark? 

I just LOVE the rings. That blue diamond of Neils is exceptional, and the glitter and sparkle of Laura's gorgeous wedding ring is - well - swoon - words aren't enough! Second-shooter Mark and I arrived at the best man's house promptly. We knew we were in the right place by the sound (1st) of the Ferrari and then the sight (2nd) of it shimmering outside the door. Exhale.

Neil arrived at St James's Church with best man Dave in a Ferrari Spyder; Laura arrived with her Dad in a vintage Daimler, at a rather more stately pace. The dress was astonishing: a perfect fairytale, fitted above, floating from the waist down like a proper princess dress. The bouquet? Stunning in every respect - from roses, to arums, to ivy, to berries. As she got out of the car, the bells were pealing out. I was in position inside the church, at the front looking back towards the door, listening to the organist playing as people took their seats.

Just spent some time walking and talking with cameras: a photowalk - my favourite way to see my favourite (and home) city, and a very mellow way to share enthusiasm, looking for light and shape in the cityscape. Buildings, bits of buildings, strange juxtapositions, water (the cascade picture below was at one of the Castlefield locks), graffiti - there's so much to catch the attention.  Jo, pictured here,  is a trained fine artist who produces stunning oil paintings, a few of which I'm lucky enough to own, and it's fascinating to see how her eye turns to photography.

What's happened at Salford Quays over the last couple of decades is amazing: and the place is a real favourite with photographers, local and visiting. There's enough room, not least because of the huge tracts of water, for big skies to showcase stunning bulldings and structures - the bridges themselves are epic - and there's such strong colour and shape. These exteriors are well documented, but there's lots to see inside as well. The interior of The Lowry is so rewarding for a snapper - bright Lego colours juxtaposed brilliantly, and so much light and shade to play with...

Yesterday at Manchester Cathedral, Warren Smith, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, as the Queen's representative,  presented the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to St Ann's Hospice. That he himself is involved with the hospice made it even more special. The volunteers (including me!) turned out in force.