The beginning of the year always moves quickly, don’t worry (I tell myself!) I think it’s the long nights. Luckily they pass into long days, where time feels slightly more abundant and we’re not restricted by the dark skies and heavy clothes.
On the first day of the year I got bitten by a swan, and, with the will to define my own destiny, I took that as a good omen. Thank you swan, thank you universe!
I travelled up to Derby for a few days of photographic delight with FORMAT Festival. I gave portfolio reviews and had some lovely encounters. It was a really positive experience. I probably should have stayed longer, because on the way home my car broke down and I ended up waiting for hours in the cold dark night. When the recovery driver arrived, he told me he’d been delayed… in the bath. No one gets between him and his bath, apparently.
I went with Catherine to the opening of the Lucie Rie exhibition at Kettles Yard in Cambridge. Absolutely remarkable pottery, so good I’m going back for another look next week.
Louise and I went to Bedford to see the Edward Bawden exhibition at The Higgins (and eat cake).
Grace announced their Women of the Year 2023, and I was surprised to find myself on the list for ‘founding the UK’s first initiative against hygiene poverty’. (That’s Toiletries Amnesty in case you wondered!)
I’ve been to see the sea.
I’ve been to see what I thought would be the sea, but it was just brown and windy.
I’ve been to London, to the Marie Claire Prix d’Excellence de la Beaute at the Corinthia, with champagne and canapés.
I was paying for something in a shop and when the cashier opened the till a fly flew out.
I happily found myself listed as a contributor to Vogue on their website.
Tutti had her teeth out.
Margaret marked the arrival of spring by laying her first egg of the year, a weird torpedo-shaped offering.
I bought a bunker.
I’ve been sent some interesting things in the post: a Cornish botanical non-alcoholic spirit, some chicken food and £40,000 worth of foundation.
This season’s reading list goes something like this: Cooking with Columbo by Jenny Hammerton / Autofocus: The Car in Photography by Marta Weiss / AUTO PHOTO 01 by Shutter Hub (yes, I love our books!) There’s not been time for much else.
We’ve been busy making more good things happen over at AUTO PHOTO. We’ve welcomed some brilliant new partners to the fold for 2023, Chicane magazine gave us a brilliant 6 page feature (and cover!), and the 2023 AUTO PHOTO Awards call for entries is now open.
Back in January we hosted a Meet Up and Pop-up exhibition of the Top 100 images with Motorsport UK for the first Sunday Scramble of the year at Bicester Heritage. There are some nice photos over here, and, if you’ve not seen it yet, the AUTO PHOTO 01 book is available now.
The first AUTO PHOTO Awards exhibition will run from 23 April – 05 May 2023 at Motorsport UK HQ, showcasing the winning and highly commended photographs from the AUTO PHOTO Awards 2022, judged by The Duke of Richmond and me, Karen Harvey.
And, on 28 April I will be co-hosting a AUTO PHOTO + Motorsport UK Meet Up at Bicester Heritage. Join us for an afternoon of fun – exhibition viewing, site touring lunch eating, sim racing… oh yes!
Aside from all the awesome AUTO PHOTO stuff, there are lots of other good things happening over at Shutter Hub these days!
Justin Carey’s beautiful exhibition NIGHT MOODS is now live online. A ram-packed curation of all things nocturnal. 150 images without sunlight that have to be seen.
This autumn we’re taking a new exhibition, TO THE SEA, to St Gilles Croix de Vie in France. Do you feel like sharing a photographic ode to the ocean? The call for entries is open to everyone, and the exhibition will be up for a whole year!
In early winter we’ll open the OPEN at Cambridge University, taking over all four floors of the Alison Richard Building and working closely with our friends, Art at the ARB. This is another fabulous opportunity for photographers to get involved and showcase their best work.
As part of the OPEN in Cambridge, on 10 December 2023 we’ll be hosting a Book & Zine Fair – showcasing a wide selection of artists books, zines and other printed materials. Want to join us and share what you do? Of course you’re invited!
And very soon we’ll be inviting all photographers to share their work in YEARBOOK 2023 – watch this space.
If you’d like to keep up with what I’m up to work-wise (talks, events, exhibitions, that kind of stuff), you can find my Agenda on my website. And, if you’d like occasional updates about all sorts of other nice things, in your inbox, you can join my mailing list here.