I know everyone has been writing up their summaries of 2011, but it’s been a massive life-changing year for me. Before this year I’d never really thought about a career in photography - I’d been doing it as a hobby for a while, but I never once considered I could turn it in to a job. 2011 proved otherwise.

I started shooting for my first online magazine in March, shooting The Blackout & Tek-One in a tiny, packed out Borderline. I felt myself improving with every single gig, learning as I shot each band, at every different venue, with many different lighting states. 

From back at those first shows I shot, absolutely bricking it and not even really knowing if I was any good at this at all (I sometimes still doubt myself), to being given the pleasure and honour of shooting 3 covers for Ourzone Magazine among many feature shoots and live gigs. Ourzone gave me a massive opportunity to work with some top quality guys and shoot some of my favourite bands. When Ourzone called me up and asked me if I not only wanted to shoot New Found Glory’s live show at the Electric Ballroom in August, but did I also want to do a feature/cover shoot with them, I nearly wet myself. New Found Glory have been one of my all time favourite bands since I was 15, and without getting all ‘fangirl’ about it, it was genuinely one of my greatest achievements to date.

Moving on from then, I’ve now done cover/feature shoots with a number of other established bands and had them featured in Ourzone Mag’s centre pages. I’ve done so much this year and shot over 100 bands live, including some of my favourites from years ago, at Slam Dunk Festival in the summer.

I’ve done so much that I’m finding it tricky to remember everything that I’ve done this year. One of the highlights, without a doubt, was having my cover shot of Deaf Havana voted ‘Best Cover of 2011’ in Ourzone Magazine’s readers poll. Meeting, shooting & getting to know the Deaf Havana boys was an absolute pleasure, especially considering the year they’ve had. Their headline tour will absolutely kill it in 2012.

I also started shooting for Punktastic towards the end of 2011 - An online mag i’d been reading for a few years and had always hoped i’d be able to shoot for eventually. I hope to continue shooting some awesome gigs for them and Ourzone Magazine in 2012.

Aside from music, I’ve been working on the portrait side of my photography - An aspect I’d never really had any experience in before, but given my love of photographing people, it seemed the most likely step forward. I’ve got a whole bunch of exciting shoots booked in January/February with some beautiful girls & guys and I’m incredibly excited to expand that particular aspect of my portfolio.

I guess all that really leaves me to say is a huge huge big massive fucking thank you to everyone who has been a part of my 2011 - Some of you probably don’t realise the impact you’ve had on me this year. Ryan Cooper, in particular, the writer/reviewer for that first show I photographed of The Blackout in March, has now become one of my best and closest friends - I probably wouldn’t have pushed myself to excel if it wasn’t for doing gigs with him.

Cliché as it may be, here’s to 2012. You’ve got a lot to fucking live up to.

This is Jack, 2011, signing out.