Photography has cost me quite a bit of cash to be honest. The ironic thing is that my favourite bit of kit is also the one that cost me the least – a 35mm prime lens (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-AF-S-DX-35mm-f1-8G/dp/B001S2PPT0).

You do have to work hard to get the shot you’re after. Not just physically, running back and forward, leaning, squatting, climbing; but also mentally, thinking ahead to what might happen next and where you need to be. With a zoom lens it’s way too easy to be lazy, and I’m never as happy with the results.

Getting your subject to play ball is another matter entirely. “Look at daddy. Evie. Look at daddy! Evangeline!” has no effect any more. “Look at the bird Evangeline”  however, got exactly the result i was looking for.

Claire and I went for a Venture Photography shoot before we were married. Back then, you had to take out a few mortgages to take a print home.

Venture’s business model has changed a bit since the world ran out of money, and you can now buy high resolution digital files! Mr Postman brought some for us today  I’m pretty damn chuffed with them.

Go take a peek at the full set in the gallery: http://www.matthewpark.co.uk/gallery/venture/

A rare moment where I’m not behind the camera, and we’ve managed to get a full family photo! My three girls all looked amazing today at Emelia’s christening.

Mental note – deploy teeth for next photo smile… bit of a smirk on, but hey. Thanks to http://www.kenhillsphotography.co.uk/ for the snap!

Lambie feels like my third child.

Neve Davies and Evangeline Park – Center Parcs, January 2012

Well January just flew past with me barely touching the camera. My baby Emelia is getting plumper by the day, and she has a smile that can break even the manliest of men.

Quick nip down the road this evening to test out a Nikon D3 stolen from work. Nikon like to shift the buttons around from model to model just to confuse me I swear. The river was as flat as glass when we first arrived, then the wind picked up which was a shame. Regardless, I’m pretty pleased with this shot.

Took a quick trip up to the Quayside this afternoon with Ken Hills of www.kenhillsphotography.co.uk. It was a bit of a mad dash up the A19 to catch the light in time, however I’m pretty pleased with this shot of the Sage. Didn’t get the Millennium bridge angle I was after – mother nature wasn’t paying ball.

I’m quickly learning that it’s very hard to get the perfect sundown shot… light goes from too bright, to too dark in just a few minutes. You really need to know exactly what shot you’re after well in advance. Hey ho. Will be back up there again soon. The Quayside is such a great place to photograph.

Had to share this:

Australian Scott Jones kisses his Canadian girlfriend Alex Thomas after she was knocked to the ground by a police officer’s riot shield in Vancouver, British Columbia. Canadians rioted after the Vancouver Canucks lost the Stanley Cup to the Boston Bruins.

Photographer: http://richardlampix.com/

We’ve gone all National Lampoons in the Park household. Merry Christmas and that!