There is still nine months to go until Joe and Pip celebrate their nuptials at Berkshire’s Wasing Park, but I was keen to experiment with a unique take on the ‘standard’ prewed shoot concept by adding bio-commentary and moving images alongside the stills I usually capture. This documentary-short is the result. 2011 has been an interesting creative period for me. In documentary terms I can see my personal photographic style evolving and maturing. In composition terms I note that images of people now naturally vignette many of my favourite images and the contrasty, perhaps filmic look I started to embrace in 2010, provides a definite stylistic direction in 2011. And now with a new year tapping on our door, an old friend has returneth. Just over two decades ago I began my creative journey, albeit in sound, in radio within the hallowed corridors of the BBC. And now in 2011/12, as a photographer, my fascination in sound makes a pertinent return. This film, and similar sound events on my Vimeo channel, demonstrates what happens when pictures and sound collaborate. The adage; a pictures speaks a thousand words is indeed a truism – and it’s what fuels my fascination for documentary photographs. Equally though, sound can glue a tapestry of senses together. It was always said to me during my radio training that decent sound will paint pictures for the listener. So as we raise a glass for Christmas and take a slice of Haggis for Hogmanay, I look forward to 2012, the emotions I’ll witness, the photographs I’ll capture, and the sounds I’ll capture. Happy Christmas to all, and to all, a good night. x