20210124-MereSnow-27-Edit-2

2020 – it needs few words!

It’s not going to be as difficult as I imagined to write a review of 2020 because quite simply there is very little to write about.  That’s it!

But there are a few things I need to get across before I start the more positive 2021 blogs…. Bear with me….

We were so lucky to be able to hold our photo journey course in Nepal in February 2020 (blog to follow) and we sort of knew that there were likely problems in the future with coronavirus. We ended up getting back just about two weeks before the problems really started.  Wow – that seems crazy now looking back.

To say that 2020 has been a difficult year for photographers is an understatement. I managed to keep myself busy trying to improve my marketing, and doing some free shoots for charity.  For example I had a wonderful morning with Ruth Wilson (of Jane Eyre and Luther fame) while she distributed PPE to medical centres in our local area. 

Ruth at a local Care Home distributing PPE
Ruth at a local Care Home distributing PPE

I spent a huge amount of my time (with Mark) at HQ and in Scotland designing our new Photo Journey course to Scotland, and looking at how we offer the Nepal course given the current circumstances.

Mark and the incredible Katy Parrot
Mark and the incredible Katy Parrot

So financially the year has not been my most successful (understatement – it’s been scary!) Because I am the director of a limited company, the government support has not been terrific. So we have had to live off savings and make sure that the business was in a good state to hopefully recoup the losses in 2021 and beyond. (Wiltshire council did come to my aid in early 2021, but that’s for another blog)

That’s not to say I didn’t make any money in 2020, I actually had four full days of paid work which was very welcome. I managed to photograph a couple of members of senior Royals, and I photographed in three schools for their websites which, as well as being really enjoyable was also really challenging.  They needed their photographs to be used beyond Covid which meant that none of the images could show facemasks or anything obviously relating to the pandemic. See here for our Video and Stills for School Website

HRH at Wellingborough School
HRH at Wellingborough School

I also spent a day making a video for the Victory Services Club in London so that they could demonstrate to visitors what their Covid response might be once the restrictions were lifted.

Lockdown winter also allowed me to photograph some personal projects.  The snow here in Mere was terrific and worth the very early start.

Mere Clock Tower
Mere Clock Tower

So, that brings me to 2021. So far, some of my bookings from 2020 have re-emerged and some have gone to the wire.  However, I am hopeful!  It’s definitely looking brighter and more positive. I know a number of fellow photographers have not made it through and have switched to other things to try to recoup some of their losses. But for us, we are focussed on getting back in the swing of things, and bookings are up! Woohoo!

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