All In Attitude - All Out Effort
How It Started
Before photography became the intense passion it is today, my focus and my energy was directed towards my career within the Fire and Rescue Service. Over the course of 30 years, I worked across the west of Scotland in a variety of posts whilst being promoted numerous times over the duration of my career. During that time, I also gained a range of vocation, professional and academic qualifications with my most prestigious undoubtably being awarded my MBA with Distinction from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Although there were some dark and challenging days, there were also many memorable moments and being a member of the Fire and Rescue Service family has played a big part of who I am today. After being given the honour and privilege of being the Area Commander for Ayrshire following the creation of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, I served in this post for 6 years up until my retirement.
My career in the Fire and Rescue Service is now a closed chapter in my life but the ingrained psyche of a continuous cycle of learning and developing from my professional career is now underpinning the creative experiences I encounter through my photography work.
How It’s Going
A life changing event in 2015 resulted in evaluating parts of my life which became the catalyst for the passion and mental release that I now experience in my photography today. Whilst I enjoy various photography genres,
I discovered a fantastic Black and White Fine Art Architecture video by Ben Harvey and was immediately fascinated by the images presented by Ben. I knew this was the type of photography that I wanted to go deeper into and have spent the last 7 years immersing myself in this world, discovering the work and teachings of others along the way.
In the last few years, I have become more comfortable in sharing my work and I have been fortunate to have seen some of my work recognised in various forms such as publications, awards and recently within exhibitions. I will be forever grateful to those who have taken the time to acknowledge, encourage and support the results of my creative endeavours.
How It Started: A Legacy of Service
Before photography became my primary lens on the world, my energy was dedicated to a 30-year career within the Fire and Rescue Service. Serving across the West of Scotland, I rose through the ranks to the position of Area Commander for Ayrshire—a role I was honored to hold for six years until my retirement.
While my professional chapter involved high-pressure environments and academic rigor—culminating in an MBA with Distinction from Glasgow Caledonian University—it also instilled in me a permanent psyche of continuous learning. A life-changing event in 2015 served as the catalyst for change, leading me to seek the creative release and mental clarity I now find through the camera.
The Evolution of Vision
My journey into architectural photography began in earnest in 2018 when I discovered the work of Ben Harvey. His approach to black and white fine art resonated deeply with me, setting me on a path of exploration that continues to evolve. By immersing myself in the teachings of others and committing to a disciplined process of self-learning, I have developed a signature style that seeks to move beyond simple documentation.
Creative Philosophy
The majority of my work is presented in black and white. In this medium, I seek to strip away the distraction of color to reveal the essential qualities of a structure—allowing line, form, texture, and contrast to take center stage. While I occasionally capture in color when the palette adds a specific emotional depth to the scene, my primary interest remains in the way a building occupies space through light and shadow.
"Ultimately, my photography is about interpretation rather than documentation. I am less concerned with recording a structure exactly as it appears and more interested in conveying how it feels."
The discipline developed over three decades in the Fire Service remains my bedrock; those values of growth, reflection, and perseverance now underpin every image I create. I aim to invite viewers to pause and see architecture differently—not simply as functional structures, but as sources of beauty, abstraction, and quiet connection.
Recognition & Milestones
In recent years, I have been fortunate to see my work recognized through international awards, prestigious publications, and exhibitions. While these milestones are deeply appreciated, the true reward remains the process: exploring locations, refining my vision, and sharing the results with those who connect with my work.
I will be forever grateful to those who have taken the time to acknowledge, encourage, and support my creative endeavors.
Awards
2025
International Photography Awards : 5 Honourable Mentions - Architecture (Various Categories)
International Photography Awards : 2 Official Selections - Architecture (Various Categories)
Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3) : 7 Honourable Mentions - Architecture (Various Categories)
ND Awards : 3 Honourable Mentions - Architecture (Various Categories)
2024
International Photography Awards : 3 Honourable Mentions - Architecture (Various Categories)
International Photography Awards : 3 Official Selections - Architecture (Various Categories)
Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3) : 2nd Place Architecture Photographer of The Year
Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3) : 1st Place Architecture (Bridges)
Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3) : 5 Honourable Mentions - Architecture (Various Categories)
ND Awards : 1st Place - Architecture (Bridges)
ND Awards : 3 Honourable Mentions - Architecture (Various Categories)
2023
International Photography Awards : 3rd Place - Architecture (Other)
International Photography Awards : 1 Honourable Mention - Architecture (Buildings)
Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3) : 2nd Place – Architecture (Industrial)
Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3) : 3rd Place – Architecture (Cityscape)
ND Awards : 4 Honourable Mentions - Architecture (Various Categories)
2022
International Photography Awards : 2 Honourable Mentions - Architecture (Various Categories)
ND Awards : 4 Honourable Mentions - Architecture (Various Categories)
2021
International Photography Awards : 1st Place - Architecture (Bridges)
International Photography Awards : 1 Honourable Mention - Architecture (Buildings)
Publications
B&W Minimalism Magazine Issue 41 - September 2024
PX3.17 Yearbook – 2023 Edition
International Photography Awards Yearbook – 2023 Edition
Let’s Create (Your Photography) – 2021
International Photography Awards Yearbook – 2021
LEMAG Issue 35 (Front Cover) – August 2021
LEMAG Issue 33 – June 2021
Exhibitions
2024 Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3)
Galerie 24-b Paris
House of Lucie Athens
House of Lucie Ostuni
House of Lucie Budapest
2023 Prix de la Photographie Paris (PX3)
Galerie 24-b Paris
House of Lucie Budapest
House of Lucie Athens
House of Lucie Ostuni