Big Fat Racist Britain

As I do not have a television (pause for dramatic gasps and thoughts of "What do you DO with your time") I have only just watched the last episode of Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. I cried! Not because at 30 I am now considered on-the-shelf, but because I am absolutely disgusted that this kind of abuse continues to be ignored in our society.
We think that Britain is so advanced and civilised and often tut, shaking our heads at the atrocities committed by 'less civilised' societies than our own. But yet we ignore Britain's blatant disregard for Travellers.

If you have any doubts - how about these example statements:
"Black family evicted - Not welcome here say locals"
"We don't want Gays in our village"
"Indian wedding reception cancelled when discovered they were Indian"
"Lesbians should go back from where they came from!"
"Disabled are thieves and scum"

Simply replace the red word with 'Gypsy'. It becomes an immediately acceptable statement! Not even questioned!

Why is this? Surely if we are as educated and as advanced as we believe, then why on earth are we perpetuating this racism. Is it because they are Caucasian that we fool ourselves into thinking we're not racist? Or do we think of reasons to continue our witch hunt?

I am originally from Dorset so have grown up with reports of Travellers pitching up on peoples land. The fear it created was unbelievable. Growing up I heard a lot of accusations thrown at the community, such as - They leave a mess! They steal things! They let their dogs poo everywhere! Mmmm... First of all, there is not a refuse collection on Travellers sites! A big problem!

Plus how many of you out there throw your can of coke, fag butt, crisp packet etc on the ground? How many school kids dabble in shop lifting! Adults claiming expenses that are not rightfully theirs! Dodging Tax! Claiming benefits while working! Pocketing cash-in-hand work! Eating grapes around the supermarket! Walking around my house it is constant poo jumping! It is like playing hopscotch! These are things our whole society are guilty of. There are also a lot of us that NEVER thrown rubbish, steal or leave poo on the floor. Just in every community in the whole world!

"But it is some ones land!" cry the die-hard right-wings! If the land isn't being used, what harm is it doing?? Seriously! What harm? And don't forget, all land in this country has at some point in history been stolen or 'acquired' from someone by someone! What made it theirs to begin with?

So what are the real reasons!? As always, we are scared of what we do not know, do not understand and cannot control. Acceptance is the only word that will truly unite. Until then we are all just animals marking our territory.

Million Dollar Quartet - "Mmmmm, Feels Good!"

I never get to go to the theatre so how excited was I to find out that Michael Malarky is currently starring as ELVIS in the new West End show, Million Dollar Quartet! 
It is at Noel Coward Theatre along St.Martin's Lane and although it has already started, it doesn't 'technically' open until 28th February! This still confuses me but I am told it is quite normal...

Upon getting to the theatre, I was greeted regularly by Michael with the other stars of the show: Robert Britton Lyons (Carl Perkins), Derek Hagen (Johnny Cash) and Ben Goddard (Jerry Lee Lewis) - which I thought was very welcoming! Here's Michael and I having a few laughs, singing a few songs, having a little pose before he had to get ready for the show!
I wasn't really sure what to expect as I am only a young bairn who also suffers severely with a lack of general knowledge. But Bruce - who is closer to this period in history - informed me that it really is a famous story! I guess that is why they made a musical about it... I bought a programme just to make sure of the facts though!
It is a lively piece with songs you know and songs you say "Oh yeeeess... So THAT is who sung that!" I previously believed that Elvis was the one who wrote Blue Suede Shoes. I learnt something tonight!*Bruce just told me that Elvis didn't write any songs! He is a fountain of knowledge!!!

All the performers were absolutely mind blowing! I could write about all of them, gushing about how talented they were, how I can't believe it was live, how when Ben Goddard flicked his hair he made the ladies weak at the knees ... In fact, I already did but have deleted it all as it was just embarrassing! You must go see it for yourselves!!! 
But you will have to join the queue to see Michael at stage door. I think he must have seen me taking the photos before the start of the show and legged it out of the side exit. Or maybe he heard the blonde girl next to me say "The truth is, I am just in love with the guy who played Elvis!" 
Either way, it was a cold, pitiful wait at Stage Door... But from just £5 a ticket before 28th I may just go again : )

All photos © Bruce (He asked for me to credit him... but it was my phone he used.)

Full Cast:

Sam Phillips 

Bill Ward

Carl Perkins 

Robert Britton Lyons

Johnny Cash 

Derek Hagen

Jerry Lee Lewis 

Ben Goddard

Elvis Presley 

Michael Malarkey

Jay Perkins, Bass 

Gez Gerrard

Fluke, Drums 

Adam Riley

Dyanne 

Francesca Jackson

Carl Perkins at certain performances 

Oliver Seymour-Marsh

Alternate Johnny Cash, Understudy Sam Phillips 

Justin Brett

Jerry Lee Lewis at certain performances 

Matthew Empson

Elvis Presley at certain performances 

Kevin Mains

Understudy Carl Perkins 

Steven Bor

Understudy Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Sam Phillips 

Mikey O'Connor

2nd Cover Elvis Presley 

Donovan Preston

Understudy Dyanne 

Sharon Clancy

Understudy Dyanne 

Daniella Bowen

Animal Hats!!!? For adults?

I don't have a television or read glossy mags so sneaky trends that seem to edge into society tend to slap me around the face. It is like waking up after ten years in a coma - but there are still no hover-boards!


My latest "What the..?" are animal shaped hats!
At first I thought I had just spent faaaar too long in front of the computer and my eyes were playing tricks. Grown adults were walking round the shops, sat reading on the tube, queuing up for coffee... With the head wear of a three year old! Do not get me wrong, I am ALL for dress-up! What a laugh it would be dressing up as Flash Gordon every Tuesday or spending your weekend as Britney Spears. But what threw me about this disturbing accessory is the straight faces of the hat wearers. It is like you're hallucinating that there's half a panda face covering her head. And you feel odd staring!


It seems that this may be the start of toddler wear for the over 20's! I have been racking my brain at what could be next so, as an obvious trend setter (ahem), I have come up with the following! Just remember where you heard it first!!!

* Adult Bibs - these can have "Cutie" or "I'm with stupid" market slogans on the front. Must have a side pocket for your mobile - or lolly pop!
                                                                                        
* Hospital wrist tags - with your name, DOB and weight on! Uber cool green plastic with peeling laminate.

* Burping parties - The latest craze for the kidz! Stuff yourself stupid on fizz-wizz and alcopops and then smack eachothers backs in a circle until one of you pukes.

* Shoes that look JUST like 2 year olds - They come with buttons, bows and a little key for the girls and a transformer toy for the boys. (I actually love this idea!!! Always wanted those 'key' shoes... )                                            
                           






* Forget scooters, people will soon be pushing themselves to work in plastic wheeled fireman trucks, pink horses, tortoises... Just sit on their back and you're away!

* Instead of dress down Friday, there will be compulsory art and crafts on ALL Friday afternoons. Make your best friend a spaghetti card to tell him "Get Well" or your mum a Daffodil picture. Finger painting will take place in the Meeting Room and the Board Room will be for people that want to run around in circles (as there's lots of space there...)

* Finally (because I could actually go on all night) Whenever you meet a person for the first time you must announce how old you are (in years AND months) and tell them when's your next birthday. But they're not invited to your party!

                         




I have not taken any of these photos and unfortunately do not know which photographers have! But have referenced below the photos to their sites:
Pic 1
Pic 2   
Pic 3
Pic 4
Pic 5
Pic 6 
Pic 7

Trip, trip, trip to Peru!

Welcome to 2011 everyone! I am not going to ask you how your New Year was as I am SURE it was fantastic,fab but probably vague experience. So I will simply assume you all had a great long week of celebrations - but feel free to email and indulge me with your escapades if you feel the urge to share.

I have finally edited my Peru photos! Yaaaaaay! I spend so many long hours editing photos every week that I always neglect my own! So this is the start of my 2010 personal work featured on this blog. 

Peru was absolutely amazing! Loved it! The people, the food, the sights. An added bonus that my sister speaks fluent Spanish so I didn't have the usual problem of umming and ahhhing and pointing... I simply said "Sis, can you ask how much that is?"or "Can you ask if it comes in blue?" I did ALOT of shopping! I was rather scared of getting stopped by customs for smuggling blankets. Nine may be simply too many for any girl, but they were just SO pretty!!! And I wanted one in every colour!

I went to Peru to not only take photos, explore ( and shop) but to also experience the super duper Machu Picchu trek. My sister (who LOVES the gym) was rather concerned about my fitness ability (as I HATE the gym) and I was equally concerned about the older sister glare when I failed... You know the one! But, despite my miserable attempt at training by simply walking the Angel escalator three times and an ill executed Step class that left me with a dodgy knee... I did extremely well!!! Plus I had a chest infection the whole trip so deserved an extra gold star for that! And choosing to carry all my photographic equipment instead of warm clothing was a decision I didn't regret! Well... I did! But I don't now!

After the four days of walking MANIA, I was relieved but also disappointed to finally reach Machu Picchu. Not only because it meant that fantastic part of my trip was over, but also because there were loads and LOADS of day trippers at Machu Picchu. It was more like a day at Kew Gardens. The souvenir shop and restaurant at the entrance also failed to contribute to the sacred, hidden world we'd walked all that way to see...











If I could only give one... no two... no THREE tips for Peru... It would be to see Puno (shoppppping), the Uros floating reed islands on Lake Titicaca and Hunacachina - an oasis surrounded by sand dunes. In fact, I have uploaded a video of me going down the dunes on a snowboard - prepare to be astonished at my coolness...

If you managed to watch the whole of that, well done! As it is LONG! 

Yes I am COOL!!! All the kids will be doing it this time next year. Thankfully my sister didn't film the following attempt with a group of tourists standing at the top and laughing at me. Anything to entertain...

Now there are far too many photos to put on here (although I will try...) but I have uploaded my favourites from the trip to my personal website: HERE!

New Facebook Page - Photography for the Arts!

Due to the arts funding cuts I have made a decision...! As do most, I take great pleasure shooting creative photo assignments and I realised that if there is to be a lack of money for performers, it also means that I will suffer in my own work!

SO I have opened up a new page on Facebook 'Photography for the Arts', which offers members of this page free short publicity images, free short live performance photography, an online web gallery and opportunity to purchase any images for a very fair price!

There is also a discounted Actors Headshot package - ideal for voiceover artists and those that just need a new photo, not a full on photo session!

I can imagine many people are asking "What's in it for you?"
Well! I not only get to continue working in fun shoots, networking with interesting people and producing images that I'm proud to show off. But also, the struggling artists of today are the Beatles/Cohen Brothers of tomorrow and when things pick up financially I will still be there to take more photos! Or I may also just have a fun half hour of photos which is also great! So win win I reckon!

If you'd like to join this page to make the most of these discounted rates, you may do so on this link: Photography for the Arts.

Class war or collateral damage?

So, it has been suggested that Sir Philip Green and his wife Tina are dirty tax dodgers!

Who would have thought it? When some one has a fortune of £4 BILLION surely they can help contribute to the country where they milk consumers and crush small businesses!? You would think! Don't get us wrong Sir.Phil, we appreciate high street prices at Topshop, Dorothy Perkins and Miss Selfridge but why should rich fat cats waltz around the UK tax free when we can no longer buy Hobnob biccies?

"Free to those who can afford it: Very expensive to those who can't!"*

They are not alone! According to the BBC, there is an estimated £125bn tax gap in the UK and £25bn of this is owed by wealthy individuals and big businesses! So, er, that is £25bn that we shouldn't be expected to pay! Right?

Unfortunately, we are not friends with Lords, Prime Ministers or bum chums with the elite. And for that failure we are expected to pay their share! Watch the temporary closure of the Oxford Circus branch of Topshop on the BBC NEWS: I love the guy who says "I just want to buy some clothes!!!" : )

But seriously, why should people who owe tax - and who without doubt can afford it - be protected when there are people are losing their jobs, extreme funding cuts and VAT rises!? Everyone is being told it is for the good of the country and to ride it out, but we're taking all the heat! The issue is no one wants to lose money, and this includes the people making the new rules. So we're carrying their costs!

By the way... The Topshop billionaire, was recently made an adviser on cuts by David Cameron. Mmmm... 

UK Uncut staged many protests on Saturday throughout the UK and caused havoc in branches of Vodafone. Boots and Barclays are also a big focus as they are apparently avoiding tax too!!

James Kelly, a UK Uncut spokesman: "Tax avoidance is a big issue and we believe this is the alternative to the cuts the government are making. Philip Green is a well-known tax avoider and today we're bringing our campaign right to the heart of his empire."


Richard Murphy, director of Tax Research UK, said he thought that UK Uncut's actions were justified. "I do think that what they're doing is appropriate, I do think there's a problem. Large businesses are paying a smaller proportion of their income in tax than many individuals and small businesses in the UK and that's unacceptable."


So, Arcadia, Boots, Barclays, Vodafone... All the UK tax dodging billionaires! I would advise that you start saving as we're coming to get ya!!!!

*Withnail and I - Oooh, I love that film!
Quotes taken from the Guardian. Read the full article HERE!

Contrast and Glittttttttter!!!!

This was an interesting shoot as it started out as simply an add-on to another photography session and was decided on only a day or two before! But I ended up being really excited about it... Mainly because there was going to be glitter involved!

There were some lovely moments and Nikki didn't grumble once - despite being in a nightie. Sinead O'Sullivan, the costume designer brought various items to choose from but the skimpiest one just look better!! Sorry Nikki : )

The make-up was designed by Anna Lewandowska who had free reign to do whatever she wanted - as long as it was dramatic and glittery! I love the green on the lids - beeaautiful!

We had a fab window with loads of light and a young model with fantastic bone structure! What could go wrong? Ah... you've guessed it! The glitter!!!

Not only did it not behave as it was required too - a gentle stream of glitter shimmering across the scene - but it also got EVERY where! Every where except in the photos! Infuriating! Thank fully we had covered the whole floor with bin liners and were extremely careful with the hired space - as I knew Simon, who rented us The Invisible Dot, already had reservations about the glitter. I only wish he could have seen me clearing up after, stalking every stray pieces with gaffa tape. I looked like a mad woman!!!

But I had learnt a lesson that day: I can happily work with animals and children... but never again glitter!