Photography
I've been hooked on photography since my first 35mm Zenith photosnipe outfit! And I've almost lost count of the cameras and lenses I've experimented with - my old time favourite was a Bronica medium format. Despite a hectic schedule I make an effort to get a fresh photographic perspective every year by spending time with another photographer. Last year I had a fantastic time going up hill and down dale with Joe Cornish, a Landscape photographer. The year before I pounded the streets of Bristol and produced some great 360 panos with the expert help of Jose Navarro. 2013 presesented a new and exciting challenge as I trained for and attained Google Trusted Photographer status.
Internet & Technology
I head up a small business Internet Service Provider - Netpresto – getting businesses connected to the Internet with broadband, domain name registrations, email, web sites and web hosting.
I’ve always been enthusiastic about new technology and excited by the fast pace of change in communications. The last 10 years has seen a phenomenal change in the way businesses use technology and I’m proud to have been able to help many local businesses take advantage of these developments.
Marketing
As a Chartered Marketer and a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, maintaining my Chartered Marketing status means keeping up to date with the latest techniques and trends. For me that is largely digital.
One of the latest marketing tools to become available to businesses with physical premises, is the combination of Google Virtual Tours, Google + and Google maps. Getting involved with Google Maps Business View means I can help local businesses utilize these new tools to reach new customers. Advertising in Yellow Pages doesn’t work anymore because people are searching on the internet instead. In a few seconds, using their phone tablet or pc, they can have reviews and links to lots of information. If your business information isn’t in the places where they're searching your competition will get the custom instead.
Google Street View
Adding the Google Street View Service to my portfolio has given me an exciting opportunity to combine my passion for photography, the Internet and marketing to create and publish Google Street View tours on the Internet for local businesses.
This new project sees me getting out and about in Newcastle speaking to business owners, discussing their existing marketing plans and finding out how a tour and photography can integrate into their online and social media activities. The plan being to bring more customers through their door.