It's the end of a long day photographing a live training event for a client in Budapest, Hungary. The client and I are walking down the street to do a bit of street photography when we notice a man using an iPad to take photos of the outside of a new restaurant. So we strike up a conversation about camera's (I've got a 5D with a 50mm prime lens hanging off me) and it turns out that he's the owner of this new place and tonight is their first opening! It also turns out they do a mean selection of veggie dishes which is great news if you're a veggie like me!

Rafi is the bosses name and we get chatting. We're introduced to his staff and they recommend the best dishes on the menu. Rafi is also a keen photographer so I spend some time looking at his pictures and giving him a few hints and tips on camera techniques. I also get out my camera and offer to do a few promo shots of his place.

I love the way the camera is a universal ice breaker. Once you tell people you're a pro then it's instant rapport and a great way of finding common ground. I'm doing more and more oversees photoshoots and, as I discovered in Peru, even if language is a complete barrier all you have to do is hold the camera smile and those barriers just fall away!

The nicest part was the food was on the house and we made new friends in a Budapest!

It's well below zero and the ground is icy... but the full moon looks awesome! So I went out to photograph the moon but it disappeared behind some clouds... so it was time for plan B. Long exposure shots with myself moving out of frame half way through. This digital photograph was shot at f2.8 ISO 100 for 15 seconds on a 5D mark II using a Canon EF 70-200mm 1:2.8 L IS II USM lens on manual focus.

In post I did split toning, curves, levels, colour balancing, black levels and a few text layers.

I'll be sharing tricks like how to do this properly at my photography training course in Leeds in May. See you there!

So I'm guessing some of you probably got a nice new camera for Christmas? Or like many others you've been taking a fair few pictures at various parties and gatherings. Did you know that even simple relatively inexpensive cameras are packed with features and settings that, if you knew how to use, would allow you to take even better pictures?

There's so many really cool and simple to do things with a camera that most people will never know and I'd like to share them with people who are enthusiastic to take better photos.

I'm really pleased to announce that I will be running my "Take Photos Like A Professional" Photography Training Day in Leeds at the Hilton Hotel (situated near Leeds train station) on the 26th May 2012. This is a rare opportunity and I'll be keeping the numbers down. On this practical course I will be sharing my experience and knowledge on cameras, techniques and tricks as well as what to do with the picture after it's taken - photoshopping and image editing. I'll also reveal my professional workflow too!

Coming from London? I've got a number of people further south in London who are interested in attending so I've made the times suitable for those travelling up by train.

See you there!

Over the years I've done a lot of studio work and weddings but earlier this year I had the pleasure of merging the two together into a Pre-Wedding Studio Photoshoot. The bride and her maid of honour (well we can't have the groom seeing the dress before the wedding!) turned up, and with the hair and makeup professionals on hand to assist, had a great pre-wedding shoot.

Everyone will have a different reason for wanting a prenuptial photo session, maybe you want to send images to a relative who can't make the big day or perhaps family and friends overseas. Maybe it's because after all the effort you've put into the wedding dress you want to get some lovely pics of it away from the hussle and crowds on the big day. Or maybe you just want to have fun with your girl friends?

Find out more about a pre-wedding shoot. And if you're more into organic photography and nature then I'm happy to escpae the studio with you and shoot on location, for example: the beach; at a hotel; in the countryside; at a famous location... whatever you can imagine, at night, at sunrise, sunset?...

As a professional photographer, I sometimes find myself in "interesting" situations... It's York, Yorkshire, there's about 30 mins till sunset and I'm in the car with a client at the end of a long day of shooting inside and outside various properties in and around Yorkshire.

"Let's just get a quick photo of this property we're renovating, it would be a great promotional image for our website."

"OK" I say and so we get the owners permission and setup the shoot.

Normally I'd have my step ladder on me but this is an impromptu shoot and so I have to think out the box. Luckily there was a pallet of bricks that my clients team had on the drive way... perfect! You see when photographing buildings it helps to get elevation.

The images above were taken by the client who was entertained by my enthusiasm to clamber up the bricks. Well for me it's all about getting the right shot!