Perrier-Jouët at Collect - The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects at Saatchi Gallery

Last week at 2pm the phone rings with one of the agencies I work for, Campbell Bell Communications. I'm in my pjs sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea and pottering through a wedding edit and thinking about what I was going to cook for my friend Andy that evening. 'Can you be at the Saatchi Gallery at 4pm to photograph an event. Such is life as a freelance photographer. I grabbed my bag and headed over to cover the opening evening of The International Art Fair for Contemporary Objects. On display was work by Hitomi Hosono, the inaugural Perrier-Jouët Arts Salon Prize 2013 Winner. You can see the events I shot for both the launch of the prize at The Ritz and the selection of the winner at the St Pancras Hotel. The salon judges included artist Kate MccGwire, designer Stephen Jones and executive director of the Crafts Council Rosy Greenlees who said ‘We were faced with a challenging decision and exceptional talent within the shortlist of nominees, yet recognised Hitomi Hosono as an outstanding artist whose unique artworks truly evoke a contempoporary and beautiful interpretation of Art Nouveau’.

Salon London - Ma Cherie Amour at Adam Street, London

Another fantastic, stimulating and challenging night at Salon London at Adam Street as we tested our vocal cords with voice coach and trainer on The Voice; Juliet Russell, challenged our fuddy duddy image of sherry with wine writer/expert/broadcaster Jane Parkinson and tested our ratings as a psychopath with Professor Kevin Dutton. There was at least one borderline in the audience. Apparently we can learn a lot from them - and they are probably running your company if they are charming and influential. Never dull evening at Salon.

Perrier Jouët Arts Salon Dinner - selecting the winner

Back in January I blogged about the inaugural Perrier-Jouët Arts Salon Dinner which was meeting for the first time to launch a prestigious arts prize.  They came together again at the end of March to discuss the shortlist and make their selection of the winner.  I can't tell you who won as it hasn't been officially announced yet but the committee enjoyed a delicious food and champagne supper at the Royal Suite at the newly refurbished St Pancras Hotel in London. It's not something I do much of but my clients Campbell Bell asked me if I could film a bit of the event for a small showreel - here are my efforts.  I quite enjoyed it and look forward to incorporate film into my events offering in the future.

The Great Ormond Street Hospital Carol Service

I recently started working with a leading agency called Red Photographic and the first job I was assigned to was the 13th Great Ormond Street Hospital Carol Service in Knightsbridge, sponsored by Trailfinders.  Over 700 guests attended the concert in the beautiful St Pauls Church.  The concert featured performances from The Gallery Choir of Westminster Cathedral Choir and Tansy Bennett, plus readings from Downton Abbey creator Lord Julian Fellowes, Jonathan Pryce OBE, Penelope Wilton and John Standing.  Afterwards the guests headed across the road to The Berkeley Hotel to enjoy champagne and canapes and bid in the silent auction.  It really got me all Christmassy being part of the night - and for a fantastic cause as well.

It was truly a spectacular night for a first job with Red and I'm looking forward to much more this year.

A bit of Ascot sunshine on a grey day

Some sunny and cheery photos for this dismal and grey January, and something to plan for the summer; a day trip to Ascot! One of my regular clients is Ascot through agency RPM Photographic, for whom I cover various events and food photography.  I get to dress up and spend the day wandering through the crowds at the summer race days taking pictures of cute kids, magnificent horses, gorgeous girls and boys in their finest and... the queen!  She arrived with such little drumroll into the winners enclosure that I virtually had to be pulled out of her path by my colleague.

If you have children, the kids day is brilliant.  All the rides and entertainments are free once you are into the grounds and there is so much for them to do.