Eleven O’Clock
On 11 November most French communes stop for a wreath, a short speech and a roll call of the local dead. Then everyone goes home for lunch. I have stood at the other end of it, and I have been thinking about it since Normandy.
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Utah Beach, and the road to Strasbourg
Last of three, and the one that surprised me. I went to Utah expecting the American story and came away with a French one, and I didn’t work that out until I got the pictures on a screen and started reading the writing on things. Two armies, two months apart, same sand.
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Sainte-Mère-Église
Forty minutes up the road from Pointe du Hoc, and a completely different kind of remembering. At Pointe du Hoc it’s in the ground. Here it’s on the houses, on the church, in the street names — and on a black plaque outside somebody’s front door that took me a while to properly read.
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Pointe du Hoc
Back to Normandy after seven years, and this time west into the Manche. I got out of the car at Pointe du Hoc at twenty to four and back into it at Utah just after seven. This is the first of three posts from that one afternoon — craters, concrete, and about six hundred thousand other visitors a year.
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Normandy, 1944 — All Sixteen
Two trips, seven years apart, and I only worked out this week that they were ever the same project. Sixteen photographs between Pegasus Bridge and Utah Beach, all in black and white now, all live in the shop.
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A Day in Paris with My Daughter: The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and 127 Floors
A day trip to Paris with my daughter Kate in July 2020 — the Louvre, the Pyramide Inversée, and more steps than anticipated. Shot on Fujifilm XT2. Republished six years on.
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Where I’ve Been: Life, Photos & Bursting Tyres
Life’s been moving fast—tyres bursting, kids flying the nest, and new creative paths unfolding. In this update, I share recent travels to Lourdes and Brittany, explore black and white photography, dabble in video and drones, and reflect on the ever-shifting balance between life, art, and storytelling.
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Tea Grommit – A Hug in a Mug
A quiet, nostalgic short film capturing the simple ritual of making a cup of Barry’s Gold. Tea Grommit blends gentle humour with old-school charm, inspired by French cinema and Father Ted. Shot solo on the Fujifilm X-T2—because sometimes, tea really is just a hug in a mug.
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Fujifilm X-T2 Review (2026): Still Worth Buying?
In 2024, the Fujifilm X-T2 remains a versatile and budget-friendly mirrorless camera option for photography enthusiasts. With a 24-megapixel sensor, film simulations, weather sealing, and 4K video, it excels in street, travel, and portrait photography. Discover why this timeless camera still holds appeal for passionate photographers today.
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A Day at Château de la Preuille: A Tale of Heritage, Friendship, and Unexpected Adventures
The story unfolds at Château de la Preuille under the skies of Saint Hilaire de Loulay, featuring heritage, friendship, and unexpected adventures. The château unveiled its history during the Journées de Patrimoine 2023, offering rare glimpses into its past. The day brought reunions, delightful discoveries, and a reminder of the power of connection, culminating in a celebration of heritage, friendship, and new beginnings. For those enchanted by the photographs, staying at the castle, which is popular for weddings, is a possibility worth considering.
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A Whirlwind of Joy: A Day of Celebrations
The unexpected turn of events on a Sunday morning led to a joyful day celebrating a couple’s 30th anniversary and their upcoming adoption. A broken camera miraculously revived, reuniting with old friends, and an impromptu orchestra all contributed to a memorable day filled with love, music, and gratitude, reminding the author of life’s beautiful unpredictability.
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Bretagne – a story of sea and stones
It has been a quiet week in Saint Hilaire… But it was a pleasant weekend in Brittany. Some may accuse the Bretons of being way too preoccupied with…
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