Taking Photos at Abbey Road

Jules Peters at Abbey Road

On this day three years ago, I took park in the world's longest song put together by Mike Peters of The Alarm. This session for The Scriptures took place in Studio 2 at Abbey Road, so it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and other fans to be part of something very special. I contributed lyrics to a verse and also played some rather dodgy rhythm guitar on anther verse, which is well hidden in the mix 😊It also gave me the chance to photograph Mike for the Lives & Times bowel cancer charity book I was doing. In this instance the location for the photography was everything. Just about every photo that I took that day, in such a special place, has some meaning for me. In this photo is Mike's wife Jules Peters. She had just finished playing an impromptu piano piece to the delight of everyone, and was beaming to the spontaneous round of applause echoing around the room. When I come to take people's portraits for this charity venture the location is an important element, but of course it doesn't have to be in a world famous recording studio. If I can take portrait photos that people will take pleasure out of looking at then I will be very happy.

Sometimes a photo can tell many stories. Jules was diagnosed with breast cancer towards the end of 2016, and her story has been documented in a television documentary. She is back on stage with The Alarm these days, and has been a great inspiration for many cancer patients, and fans of the band. The background of this photo is quite interesting. Jillian Mclaren-Odgers and her son Harry Marsden who I met on the day are now good friends, as is Andrew Dawes, who is a very accomplished singer songwriter in his own right. In the denim jacket there is Patrick Dennis a musician over from America. Tucked away is Dave Spragg, who sadly passed away from bowel cancer in 2016. I didn't know Dave that well, but I did get the chance to speak to him at Abbey Road about his and my Mum's cancers. Thereafter whenever we were in contact on Facebook he would always ask how my Mum was regardless of his own condition. He is very much missed by many people associated with The Alarm. At the time my Mum was in remission from bowel cancer, but after 18 months, and about 6 weeks after Abbey Road, the cancer returned to her left lung in November 2014. She passed away on August 29th 2016. The portrait photos I am offering will be raising funds for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity.

For more information please use the contact form, or you can buy a session from my bowel cancer fundraising website.

Portrait Photos Raising Funds For Beating Beating Bowel Cancer

Deborah Louise James

The idea behind offering portrait photograph sessions is to raise money for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. My Mum was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2012, and this very soon became stage 4 when it spread to her left lung. Over the course of four and half years she had five major operations, and also CyberKnife treatment when the cancer spread to her brain. She passed away on August 29th 2016. In May this year I met and photographed Deborah James for my forthcoming fundraising book. She was a truly inspirational woman, who had a very aggressive form of bowel cancer, and yet was so positive and full of laughter. Sadly Debs passed away on July 27th.

Much more needs to be done, both in terms of fundraising and raising awareness, to try and bring down the numbers of people that bowel cancer is taking. 41,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK, and 16,000 people are lost to bowel cancer each year. It is the second highest cancer killer, and yet if detected early it can be successfully treated in over 90% of cases. Only 10% of patients detected at an advanced stage (stage 4) survive for more than five years.

For the photo sessions I am offering two options. The standard portrait session will cost £25. I will travel to you, and take your family photos (pets included) in an outdoor setting. Included in the cost will be a link to the photos, which you will then be able to download, edit and print off to your own requirements.

The deluxe family photography session will cost £35. I will travel to you, and take your family photos (pets included) in an outdoor setting. I will edit the photos to your satisfaction. You will be able to choose two photos 8"x10" (or smaller if you wish) which will then be printed off and sent to you. Also included in the cost will be a link to the photos, which you will then be able to download, edit and print off to your own requirements.

I live in Berkshire, so any local setting is good. However I am happy to travel pretty much anywhere to take the photos, although long distance trips will have to be arranged at a mutually convenient time and location to make them viable. All proceeds raised will be donated to the Beating Bowel Cancer charity.

For more information please use the contact form, or you can buy a session from my bowel cancer fundraising website.