Flashback Friday: Moments That shaped My Craft

As a commercial photographer, my days are filled with creating compelling images that speak for brands, tell stories, and capture the attention of modern audiences. But every so often, I find it refreshing and necessary to look back—back to the early days of my journey and those moments that shaped my path in photography. That’s why I’m excited to kick off Flashback Friday, a space where I’ll share images from my archives, dive into the stories behind them, and reflect on how those moments influenced the photographer I am today.

Each image I revisit reminds me how photography has evolved, not just technically but in terms of style and creative vision. Some of these throwback shots may be rough around the edges, a bit unpolished compared to my current work, but they represent milestones—each one a stepping stone.

Here’s to the power of looking back, learning from our past, applying to the future and appreciating the journey.

The first image is from only three years ago, Nov 2021 so the recent past.

H&W commission me to photograph the yard as it was pretty much full that week with ships in for inspections, repairs, service etc. If my memory serves me, I want to say 7 vessels (I could be wrong!) were in the yard at one point during the week. Unfortunately, on the day that we were scheduled to shoot and fly the drone the weather was uncooperative, so we had to delay for better weather. This also meant I had to get updated permissions from Belfast Harbour Police and City Airport to fly my drone as its restricted air space. I have to be honest, it’s a lot of pressure an a little unnerving flying a drone only a few hundred meters from a busy airport, thought I was never in the air when aircraft where on approach or taxing for take off. The control tower always gave me a window that I could fly in and I had to confirm when I was about to take off and back on the ground, so never any danger, but it does focus the mind.

Harland & Wolff Shipyard, Belfast

On the day that we completed the shoot the weather was fantastic, it cooperated fully! We also had a few of the vessels depart as the work on them had been completed.

Next time I’ll dig a little deeper into the archive.