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I’ve been taking pictures since I found a hidden darkroom in my school back in 1648. Back then I had to use water from a nearby stream and mix my own chemicals from cow dung and pumice stone.

That darkroom, and the opportunities it gave me to bunk off ‘proper’ work, has stayed with me ever since. After school I went straight on to an NCTJ press photography course, at the time the only one in the country. I was incredibly lucky to get onto that.

After a year of being shouted at, it was out into the wide world and my first newspaper staff job on the daily Leicester Mercury. I loved that job.

Whilst there I picked up various Ilford and Kodak awards for my news, features and sport photography. Taking pictures of all sorts for 10 hours a day for a few years taught me a lot about photography and, more importantly, people.

As soon as I was fully qualified, I went off around the world to see what I could see. Upon my return I concentrated on shooting features for magazines rather than pieces for newspapers. I still feel more at home in a newspaper, though.

I try to find stories that concentrate and highlight the beauty and diversity of our world rather than seek out the darker side. I am intrigued by the quirky, the misfits, and the oddballs.

In 2001, I gained access to Star City, Russia’s cosmonaut training centre. I had spent 18 months trying to get in, and eventually my persistence paid off. I was the first western photographer to get access in 20 years. I was rewarded with a unique set of pictures and a World Press Award.

Since then I have been shooting international features for a wide range of clients. I was made a contributing editor to UK Marie Claire for my reportage photography. In the last couple of years, I have seen my editorial commissions and rates drop.

I have been moving into teaching and training, and working together with Ben Chesterton on the duckrabbit idea. We are putting a lot of effort into that. It is a joy to work with Ben, a true professional and a master of his craft. Our paths crossed by pure chance, one night along the Nile, and I am so glad they did. Our hope is that more people see the power of a well executed multimedia piece. It really is a fabulous way to tell a story. I am excited by the creative opportunities open to us and I hope to exploit them fully.

Click here to read all my posts on RESOLVE.

Duckrabbit website: duckrabbit.info

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