Category: Blog

Because the Brits is long here’s a bullet points on what you ‘missed’ out on. Little Mix can’t dance nor sing. Emeli Sande wins best female but hasn’t done anything in 4/5 years? Better candidates out there. Breakthrough artists all look promising. Like legit! The 1975 “hack” was funny and made everyone talk about it. Kinda the point I suppose! Talks are wayyyy too long. I kinda think Coldplay shouldn’t have done the George Michael tribute. Do Coldplay turn down any gig? Little Mix won something… how? Why? Is anyone sober? Katy Perry mocking Trump and May? YES. Adele won global success. Well duh! Pointless awkward chats with drunk celebs. Why get Skepta to perform if you can’t even broadcast the audio? Get someone else or ask the artist to change songs/words. Some how Drake won something. Beyonce won something but no speech? Chris Martin jumps in the crowd and instantly regrets it. One Direction won on public vote… obvs as their fans love tweeting. Ed Sheeran and Stormzy bromance almost made up for the rest of the night. Robbie Williams “it’s almost time to go home” yay!

I woke up this morning to the news Christina Grimmie had been shot at a post-show meet and greet. The Orlando police later announced Christina had died, she was 22. Just let that sink in, 22. For those who don’t know, Christina was a singer who rose to fame posting her videos on youtube. She inspired a generation of youtubers and gained huge numbers of fans; or as she called them – frands. I have watched her videos for the past 5 videos, she was such a talented person. This is a life cut short because of lack of gun control. Now America, I love you, I have had so many experiences with so many Americans and they have been absolutely wonderful. BUT like anywhere, there are bad people and people who need help. These are not the only people who don’t need a gun, no one does. In the past when I’ve asked so why do some Americans believe they have the right to bare arms? They say protection. From what? Other people with guns. Why not just not have guns all round? Honestly, it breaks my heart that you even try to defend guns. They are evil. There are people who don’t understand the concept of death and how final it is. Like someone dies, that’s it – you’ll never see them again, you’ll never be able to talk to them again, you’ll never hear their voice, you’ll never know what they would have done with their life. Christina was not just a fantastic singer but also a genuine, loving and caring person who was bold and would be her in front of the camera. You just go watch any video of her and you just knows she’s the real deal, so genuine. She died doing what she loved; performing for her fans and meeting them. It makes me so incredibly angry that this sort of thing can happen. America, I’m angry this keeps happening, please make a push for better gun control.

So 2016 sucks, right? Celebrity after celebrity, legend after legend, icon after icon’s are dying. The likes of David Bowie, Alan Rickman, Paul Daniels, Sir Terry Wogan, Ronnie Corbett, Victoria Wood and most recently Prince have left us. It would seem God is planning one almighty festival in heaven this year! Now the question keeps coming up of who is going to carry the torch for our generation, the millennials (those born in the 80’s and 90’s)? I honestly think our generation is actually going to be the greatest in the long run, I’ve said this for a couple of years now. Here’s why, we are the last generation who understood the idea of doing something stupid and it not being recorded. We grew up as technology advanced meaning everyone now has a phone with a camera so they can capture their’s and their friends antics. We as a generation are become so self aware of our flaws, mistakes and what we’re great at. I mean we have Facebook reminding us what we posted 7 years ago on that day, lets be honest we all delete a huge chunk of it. We’re realising we will all have a legacy on the internet and do we really want our kids finding a status we posted in 2009 about getting stupidly drunk and how amazing it was? While millennials often get a bad rap (often from the X generation, our parents generation). They often say we are self entitled and narcissistic. The thing is, we were raised with the mantra of “follow your dreams” – So maybe it’s not all our fault. We are a generation who aren’t just the future leaders, we are today’s. For instance, Adele, Mark Zuckerberg, Lionel Messi and Malala Yousafzai. If you have no idea what impact they’ve had in their respective areas just go wiki them. The legends in music, comedy or what ever – like wine gets better with age. Over time we’ll realise who these iconic people are and how they’ve influenced their world. Trust me, we’re great and we are going to be amazing!

There is often a misunderstanding of the rights and laws for photographers so here’s a quick breakdown for you. 1. In the UK you automatically have copyright of any photograph you take and no need to apply or pay a fee. 2. Except if you are hired to take photographs then the copyright falls to the employer unless an agreement/contract states otherwise. 3. Copyright in the UK lasts for 70 years after the photographer’s death. 4. For an infringement of copyright a substantial part of the image must be copied, not all. 5. UK Copyright is acknowledged as copyright in 169 UN member states including the US and Europe. 6. You can take a photograph while on public land of anyone regardless of their age or consent. 7. Except if privacy is expected. So for instance, public toilets on public land you can’t go in there and claim it’s “for arts sake”. 8. You can take photos of someone/something on private land if you are on public land. This basically means you can take photos of anyones company building as long as you are on public land. Also, you can take pictures of someone sat in their lounge as long as you’re on public land – go figure. 9. Except if it’s somewhere they expect privacy, such as a bathroom. 10. On private land, the owner makes the rules. They can say whether or not you can take photos even if it’s an arena, cafe or swimming baths. 11. You can photograph the police and any incident and the police can’t stop you. 12. Police officers have the power to stop and search anyone who they reasonably suspect to be a terrorist under Section 43 of the Terrorism Act. 13. Police officers can not delete or destroy images in the process of a search only if there is a court order. 14. There’s only two public places in the UK you can’t photograph or film at for commercial purposes and they are Trafalgar Square and Parliament Square. (Without written permission) Please remember these are the rights and laws within the UK, they may differ elsewhere. What are your thoughts? Think this is fair?

I’ve never really spoken publicly about contracts for photographers before but I feel now is the time to speak out. In early 2014 I contacted Boyce Avenue’s management about shooting one of their UK shows as press. The reply I got was “Your photos look awesome and we would love to have you photograph at the show.” and then they gave me a contract to sign for the show. For the full contract find it below. Point 1 of the contract describes how the photographer can only use images with prior permission from the artist. But who’s to say you’ll ever get permission or a reply? Point 2 states that the artist owns all rights to the images including copyright. Forever. Yep, that’s right they own it all in perpetuity. It goes on to explain that the artist will credit the photographer where possible but is not contractually obliged to do so. Basically, “we probably won’t credit you”. Point 3 of the contract explains that you as the photographer will waive your “moral right of authors” which effectively means they can use your images for what ever they want without ever having to state it was you who took them. (Undoing any credit they may or may not give you.) I explained why I wouldn’t be signing the contract as it was extremely unfair especially as I wasn’t even being paid. Then this year, I again ask if I can photograph Boyce Avenue at one of their UK shows. I was told once again how they loved my work but can I sign this contract… again. Over recent years artists have been arguing people should value their art and should be paying for it as so many are either illegally downloading or using streaming services that devalue their music. Yet their management want me to give them all the rights to my images, have no chance of credit nor payment. This isn’t the only case of this happening, it goes on all the time. Taylor Swift famously wrote an open letter to Apple about artists not being paid during the trial period yet imposed a similar overreaching contract on photographers. When Taylor Swift found out about this contract he changed it to be photographer friendly. The thing is, I don’t blame the artists for this as I doubt they even know the contract exists in most cases. I think whoever is imposing these kind of contracts, management companies, record labels or whoever should really start to think about other arts and value them as much as they value music. In addition, part of the problem is photographers who value the opportunity to photograph a band or artist over valuing their own work. Trust me, it’s hard to turn down an opportunity to photograph a huge band but you HAVE TO so that the whole industry will start to value photographers. Certain labels and management companies know they can find someone to agree to this kind of contract but please, don’t. I’d like to make it clear, I’d still like to work with Boyce Avenue in the future IF the contract was changed. The contract: PHOTOGRAPHER RELEASE __________________ (“Photographer”) and Boyce Avenue Global, LLC f/s/o “Boyce Avenue” (“Artist”) hereby agree to the following with respect to the photographs (“Photos”) that Photographer will take, or cause to be taken at their specific direction and control, of the musical group known as “Boyce Avenue” on the date(s) ______________, 2014: 1. Photographer has the limited right and permission to use certain Photos that have been approved by Artist solely for Photographer’s personal, private, non-commercial use (for the avoidance of doubt, Photographer may use such Photos on Photographer’s personal or professional web site). Photographer shall have no right to otherwise use or re-use the Photos in whole or in part, in any medium or for any purpose whatsoever, including, without limitation, sale, promotion, advertising, trade, merchandising, or publication, or to authorize any third party to do the same, without Artist’s written consent. Photographer agrees to provide Artist and/or Artist’s management or representatives in a timely manner with high-resolution files of the Photograph(s) upon request. 2. For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, Photographer acknowledges and agrees that Artist shall own all rights in the Photos, including the copyrights therein and thereto, throughout the universe in perpetuity, including, without limitation, the copyright (and all renewals and extensions thereof), in and to the Photos. Photographer agrees that Artist shall have the right to exploit all or a part of the Photos in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, throughout the universe, in perpetuity, in all configurations as Artist determines, without Photographer’s consent and without any payment or consideration therefor. Photographer understands that Artist will give Photographer an appropriate photographer credit (“Credit”) where possible. Photographer further understands that all aspects of Credit shall be determined by Artist in Artist’s sole discretion and that failure to accord Credit shall not be deemed a breach of any obligation, express or implied. Photographer further grants Artist the right to use Photographer’s name, likeness and biographical data in connection with the distribution, exhibition, advertising and exploitation of the Photos. Photographer will, upon request, execute, acknowledge and deliver to Artist such additional documents as Artist may deem necessary to evidence and effectuate Artist’s rights hereunder, and Photographer hereby grants to Artist the right as attorney-infact to execute, acknowledge, deliver and record in the U.S. Copyright Office or elsewhere any and all such documents if Photographer shall fail to execute same within five (5) days after so requested by Artist. 3. Photographer hereby waives all rights of droit moral or “moral right of authors” or any similar rights or principles of law which Photographer may now have or later have in the Photos. Photographer warrants and represents that Photographer has the right to execute this certificate (“Certificate”) and that the Photos are and shall be new and original with Photographer and shall be capable …

Read more “One contract you shouldn’t sign”

I’ve photographed many punk, rock, metal and what ever else bands. You know the kind of bands who say how they are so excited for their latest gig and can’t wait to party with you etc? I’ve noticed the bands that progress and start to live their dream are the ones who show how excited they are to party with you and let rip when on stage. I get asked by some people “do you have any photos of me where I look happier?” or “do you have a shot where my face is visible?” The answer to both is always no. You look sad, bored whatever because that’s how you looked the entire time. You want to know why your face isn’t visible in any shot? You were looking at your guitar the entire time. Now I get that you may not be full of confidence because maybe you’ve just started out… BUT do you honestly think the crowd are ever gonna really engage in your music and what you’re doing if you aren’t engaging with them? At that point you may as well put you’re EP CD on, very little difference between the two. Look up, smile at people, give them a lil nod whatever you like, just acknowledge them. They’ve took time out their day and often spent money to come see you perform, so make them feel like it was worth it! For instance, I love going to see my friend Toby play drums as he actually looks like he wants to be there. He looks so relaxed playing the drums, smiling at people in the crowd, pointing his sticks at who ever and you know what? He makes me want to go back again and again. If you are wanting to play bigger and bigger gigs etc do you think anyone will want a band who won’t even in engage with a crowd in any capacity? Like how hard is it really for you to ask how the crowd is doing? Simple things like that go a long way.Bands seem to forget that they don’t need to play perfectly or sing flawlessly, stop worrying about all that and learn to relax and actually enjoy it with your fans! It won’t just make your gigs tons better but you’re fan base will grow.

There are two train of thoughts when it comes to documenting your life with images. Either you take photos of everything from your lunch to a selfie while in bed or of just the “important” moments in life. Why? Why only important moments? Don’t you reckon there are hundreds of important moments? If I was to task you list important moments in your life you’d say graduation, wedding, own home, kids, certain holidays, that kind of thing. But what about that time you went on a walk on your own, just with your headphones blaring your favourite tunes as you walk till the sun sets. Why not a photo of that? What about that time you felt like crap and grudgingly went round to your friends and played a board game for hours on end and they cheered you up? Why not those moments? When you’re grey and old why only have a couple of albums to look at that tell so little of your life? I want to be reminded about that time I travelled with my best friends to Chicago to visit Mike and got to see what he was working on. Spent two weeks in Chicago and New York half of which I was alone for just taking it all in. And how I photographed an American Hockey League game in Connecticut and had to travel two hours by train thinking about how cool it was to be travelling from one state to another all on my own. Now there’s gonna be some of you thinking “but I want to experience life for what it is, not through a camera/phone etc”. How long do you honestly think you spend taking photos? I took around 1,000 photos on my two week trip but if you ask a wedding photographer they’ll say something similar no doubt and that’s just one day. Memories unfortunately may not last forever buuuut can with photos. So, TAKE THEM DAMN PHOTOS!

I have recently started using Snapchat loads but one reason I didn’t like it to begin with was you are expected to snap interesting photos, funny photos, or selfies. That last one I struggled with, as I have for a long time hated the way I look. So I would take selfie after selfie, hating each one more and more till I would give up and just send a picture of the floor with the text I wanted to put. Most the things I dislike are things I can’t change about myself, such as the mole on my nose. I’ve come to realise I shouldn’t hate the flaws I can’t change, but accept they are part of me. That’s difficult and definitely was not helped from the years of nicknames and snide comments. That crap stays with you.   After a sending several snaps of the floor, my drink, my window, what ever, I got bored so decided I should probably start doing selfies if I want to use snapchat. As much as I hated it, I stuck at it so I could use the platform my friends seemed to prefer. After a while I started to get used to and even started to accept the flaws I saw in myself. That’s great if we start accepting the flaws that we can’t change about ourselves but can be dangerous if we start accepting the flaws we can change. For example, I have put the weight on that I lost several months ago. If I was to accept this perceived flaw I could allow myself to keep putting weight on. Which could lead to nicknames and snide comments that could then damage my self esteem and bring about self loathing.   The point of this post is simple, learn to accept the flaws you can’t change as they are part of you. The flaws you can do something about, then work productively and positively to change them. Whether this is about the way you look or a behaviour. Be self aware, be realistic, be you what ever that looks like.

In the last couple of days there has been many reports about Taylor Swift taking all her music off streaming services such as Spotify. Now as a fan of  Taylor Swift and a Spotify user you may be annoyed to find you now can’t listen to her latest and greatest album. Before I was going to write this post I wanted to do as much research as possible as to why Taylor and other artists would pull out of streaming services. Taylor Swift’s reason for the bold move is she wants music, an art, to be valued. So we’ll have a look and see how an album is valued on Spotify, iTunes and traditional CD’s. Lets do a little maths for this… (skip the next two paragraphs if you don’t care for numbers ;] ) On Spotify for every play of a song the artist receives somewhere between £0.004-£0.005* where as if their physical album costs £8 the artist will receive around £1.04** per sale. Lets just assume it’s £0.005 for streaming to make it easier. You’d have to stream songs from an artist 208 times for them to receive the same amount as if you just bought the physical album. I suppose on the average album you’d need to listen to it from start to finish around 20 times for that amount of money. For avid fans of an artist listening to the album 20 times will happen with ease and very quickly but for most, they probably won’t listen to the album anywhere near that much. Now would this average out to be the same price as if they could only buy the CD? I highly doubt it would!  Now we can’t talk about CD’s and streaming without downloads being discussed. In 2013 the revenue of downloads was around 30%*** of the total revenue in the UK and the US while streaming was around 20% and physical sales were the other 50%. Now if a signed singer songwriter sells on iTunes they receive around 22% from the sale. So using our £8 album example again they’d receive £1.76 per sale. That suggests you’d make more selling on iTunes getting £1.76 rather than you do selling the physical CD and making £1.04. So from the numbers I’d definitely say for artists it’s best you download their music on services such as iTunes rather than buy the physical CD. Yet downloads and CD’s are still trumping streaming. Whereas for consumers streaming trumps downloads and even more so for CD’s. That for me is the issue, it’s cheaper and easier to stream therefore people will continue to do that. Now streaming isn’t all bad, I have found so many artists because of Spotify cause I play genre radio stations. As I’d find a song I liked I’d go listen to more of that artist’s music and end up buying their music either physical or download. As others have said artists maybe then need to stop thinking of Spotify as a way of making money but a way to be discovered. Unfortunately, this only works when consumers use Spotify as a discovery service though. For me, I think Taylor Swift has completely nailed it. We need to give music and all forms of art the value they deserve like we do with so many other types of products. And as the revenue from the music industry had slowly been on the decline over the last few years but as CD’s started to decline Downloads increased at pretty much the same rate. I just think we need to keep buying our music as downloads for now till a fairer streaming service comes along. What are your thoughts? How do you pay for your music? I found the following data in several places but these are just an example of where. All info found no older than 2 years so it can be somewhat relevant to now. *http://business.time.com/2013/12/03/heres-how-much-money-top-musicians-are-making-on-spotify/ **http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23840744 ***http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/18/music-sales-ifpi-2013-spotify-streaming

When ever I speak to a photographer I always ask what got them into photography. Often it’s the enjoyment of it or the sense of achievement when they capture a great shot. For me these didn’t come into play as much as you may expect, so here is the real reason I started photography. While at university I was down, the lowest I had for many years. I won’t say why as I don’t feel it’s appropriate to put here but trust me, I was not in a good state. I kept trying to find a way out of this pit of self loathing but the more I tried the deeper the pit became. This went on for about 6 months where I was completely on edge, snappy and unsociable. Then one day I was laying on my bed playing with the camera on my phone thinking of interesting things I could photograph. I then just got up and went for a walk to find things to capture, this walk lasted nearly 4 hours. In this time I started to actually relax and feel at ease for the first time in what felt like forever and I was enjoying something. A couple of weeks later I bought my DSLR camera and for a long time you wouldn’t see me without it. For what ever reason photography completely and utterly releases all the stresses I have even if for a short time. This is why I always had my camera with me as I knew if I was feeling down I could just go out and shoot. Didn’t matter what, where, how or when but just doing it helped. I saw that the student’s Union at Keele was looking for a photographer for their nights so I went along and was given a trial period. For the first time in a while I was socialising and actively wanting to. I wish I could describe how it feels, imagine having the biggest headache of your life and it’s completely destroying your life and then you take some magical pill that takes away that tension and that pain completely straight away. That’s what photography does for me, it just makes everything okay for a while. I think we all need those times where we stop worrying and stop getting upset even for a moment and just live.  Even if it’s only so you can get in the right frame of mind to sort out the initial problem. So what helps you relax and feel all okay? Please comment below your thoughts!