Whats New......

Hey,

So, Here I am, at home with a Lemsip. Im sure I have had one too many but not only is it a nice and tasty drink its also helping me with my cold! Yep, I have a bloody cold and it has forced me to have a day off from work.

Ok, one day off in nearly three years isn't too bad so I'm not going to feel guilty for staying at home :-)

Saying that, the afternoon is nearly over and I'm getting pretty bored. I have taken advantage of the time by updating my Photo Library with some recent freelance shots and trips, read a few chapters of my new book and browsed the web - Dig hard enough (Especially on Stumbleupon) and you will always find interesting reading & viewing. Browsing famous (and not famous to that point) quotes is a favourite of mine. I recently came over a brilliant quote from Mr Einstein:

I looked at this photo for ages.......

How true! Im sure you can apply this to many scenarios in your life - I know I could.....

YIK Telemarketing

Just as a quick update - YIK Telemarketing is going very well :-) We are working hard looking after clients helping them grow their business. What we have is special, our ethos has already helped us to satisfy customers above what is seen as the industry norm. We have another new recruit on board now and everything is going to plan.

It would only be right to drop a little sales line here:

If you have a requirement or know anyone who would benefit from YIK Telemarketing please get in touch at hi@yiktelemarketing.co.uk - We would be happy to hear from anyone and more than happy to help.

Ok Online Blog Sales over!

Now for some Bragging - Only a bit

The reason for me feeling so bad is because I have very recently returned from my holiday. I had a break in Iceland and enjoyed it so much. I stayed in Reykjavik and wow what a city & country! If you have not been yet I would absolutely recommend going soon - The culture, people, views scenery and heritage is breathtaking. I went for 4 days and took my Photography equipment and snapped over 1,200 photos.

I think my cold is due to the freezing temperatures outside along with the ridiculously hot indoor temperatures - I couldn't work it out why is was so hot inside? Anyway, this (I think) is the reason for feeling like cr*p!

I was out everyday taking advantage of being there. Grabbing a few hours sleep late afternoon was essential as the night life was pretty epic in itself. The locals were brilliant, with the population in Iceland only 300,000 you wouldn't believe how many times you would bump into the same people.

There was so much to do and I only touched a fraction of what Iceland had to offer. I went with a very good friend of mine so you can imagine the trip was full of belly laughs and great times. The best part had to be the day our at The Blue Lagoon - Talk about an epic amount of relaxing and chilling out surrounded by snowy mountains. The water was about 50c with the outside temperature siting at 0c. A few beers and a swim was all I needed that day.....

I have uploaded a few of my photos to my Facebook page. Please click the link here to get there and "Like" my page. I will keep you updated with the latest from 1018MM Photography.

https://www.facebook.com/1018MM

Heres a few pictures though - but please look a the rest on my page.

Reykjavik Harbour

Blue Lagoon Rainbow

Self Portrait

An onlooker at the Geysers 

Reykjavik Shop Window

Reykjavik Spaceship Church

All in all it was great Holiday and I loved it!!!

Birthday Fun

It was my birthday last weekend too - My friends put on a great day full of activities for me. The highlight had to be Laughing Yoga. Haha, yes its a real think just google it! We also had a few hours in Manchester clay pigeon shooting along with spa, teppanyaki and dog races.

After Laughing Yoga

During Clay Pigeon Shooting

The weekend before my birthday was a special weekend too - But i will keep that memory to myself ;-)

Anyway, I hope you liked my Blog and enjoyed my Photos. I hope you go through to my Facebook page and hit Like. If your feeling super generous you can share it with your friends too :-D

Ciao,

x

Just quickly heres a photo from our Fancy Dress Day @ Browns Distribution. We raised a great amount of money for the Dougie Mac (They don't know yet) and will be donating it soon. We had an award for the best dressed- Who do you think won?

Bye :-)

Change

Hi,

So its been way too long since I last Blogged but a lots going on - All good, positive and moving in the right direction. Ive had some great enquires through my photography website, which I have recently updated with new structure and images. Take a look and enjoy my photos; www.1018mm.co.uk
Ive already worked for clients with interesting briefs but im always happy and willing to help. If you know of anyone who needs a Freelance Photographer please pass on my details.

So the new project I mentioned in my last Blog has finally happened. Ive worked hard to bring this company to life and I now bring you YIK Telemarketing Ltd!

YIK is an outbound Telesales business that works with business building specific campaigns to boost sales. So far its gone great - We have worked with some brilliant companies and continue to help with their marketing efforts. I have a dedicated team that are great to work with and committed to our customers success. Our website can be found at www.yiktelemarketing.co.uk


With all thats going on I made time to read a few books of which one really had a great impact. "Who Moved my Cheese" took an hour to read and was excellent. It reminded me of so many people I have met and played with its ideas. I would highly recommend you take a look http://www.whomovedmycheese.com
Its a fun book about Change and how not changing/adapting can hold you back in life. Im sure that if you read it you will pick up your own messages but the ones I thought about the most were:

If you do not change you will become extinct!
and
What would you do if you weren't afraid?

I promise read it and you will not be disappointed......

As for photography, Ive managed to go on a few trips and took some nice photos. I went to Talicre in Wales where there was a great Lighthouse and a moody sky. I went up on my own to sort some thoughts out, walking along the wet dreary beech helped. Anyway, Set my camera up on a tripod and by using a few filters managed to get some good images. This I think was my favourite of the day:

Ive also bought two film cameras for a bit of fun; A 1960's Zeiss Ikon and a 1950's Braun Paxette rangefinder. They are both awesome - Taking photos how they would have been taken 60 years ago. Here is the same lighthouse but in the Zeiss Ikon 120mm film.

I think its pretty cool right?

Anyway, Ill Blog again soon, Get the Book and enjoy these pictures.

Ciao,

Blog more? Really.......

Hi,

I hope everyone is good and enjoyed a well deserved Bank Holiday break - I know I did. Problem is, the next one is ages away! In between now and then I aim to tie up a few loose ends with my photography and see the birth of my new business. I don't normally do my blog this soon after my last but this is where constructive criticism comes into play.

Ive been told

a) Your Blogs don't sound like you
b) You should blog more often 

Ok, so these were given to me by separate people and Ive taken them on board so ill try harder. The thing about this type of criticism is that most of the time it can really help but you must be open minded and use the information as you see fit.

1018MM

1018MM is going really well, Ive already had a few enquiries that sound like a lot of fun. I took time out over the weekend (after a Swedish full body massage at Moddershall oaks) to got to Mow Cop castle with my camera. I knew it was incredibly overcast but I wanted to capture a moody, dark image using the available surroundings. I'm looking forward to putting them on my Blog and website this week. I'm not sure how they came out yet as I used my new ND Filters to get long exposures during the day along with my new Sigma wide angle 10-20mm lens........ Hopefully they will be ok!?

I read an interesting article in my latest photography magazine on Sunday and there was a quote that brought a smile to my face. It was in a context about taking better photos and I immediately though about it in every day life. In so many different aspects of life, no matter what you have or done there is someone out there who has done better or got more. With photography, you might take a brilliant photo that took hours to get but someone inevitably has done it better........... Well don't worry I smiled when I read;

"don't get bitter, get better"

A motto so many people could do with using.

Thats me for today,

David,

Just where has the time gone..........

Wow

I mean, really wow!

I'm still struggling to keep up with everything that is going on around me. I keep getting told to slow down and take it easy, but, the truth is I love it! I love thinking of new ideas and working out how to kick them off - If its something for later life, then it goes straight into my notes on my iPad. I have over 200 notes that are synced to my computer, iPhone and iPad so I cant get away from them. Some are put to one side others are moved up the list. Anyway, I'm going to give you a quick overview of what ive done since my last Blog nearly two months ago.

The Sentinel Business Awards

BOOOOOO I didn't win The Young Business Person of the year Award but runners up was still enough to put a huge smile on my face. To be honest, I got just as much publicity and media coverage (If not more) than the successful winner. I soon decided that there's always next time and I will have my chance.

BUT

WOOOHOO I did win The Training Excellence Award against some incredibly strong competition. So, I did get to go on stage, I did get my winners photo and I did take a trophy to the office the next day. I was so proud to receive my first award for something I hold close to my heart. The training I role out amongst our 120 strong workforce is imperative to what I believe is our continued success. Winning the category re-confirmed and strengthened my beliefs in creating a knowledge rich, empowered workforce. The award is proudly situated amongst our other awards, but stands out as a non selfish award.

Business Development

I set out over three months ago to strengthen a particular arm within the Browns Distribution, this was our Warehousing and Storage division. I decided to implement a strategy (yes, it was a note in my iPad) that was expand our warehouse service. It compromised of a huge redevelopment of out 7 acre site in Tunstall and its nearly coming to completion. The BEST thing is, my great Sales Department as nearly hit their targets with filling the new complex. Everyone involved has done a super job - I cant wait to see it all finished. I will absolutely upload pictures of the finished complex.

Heres a good one; I had Stoke on Trents Lord Mayor Denver Tolley come and see me last month. Its going to sound like im bragging here so let me put some bullets points down to take any "emotion" out of the context......

• Visit from The Lord Mayor and Mayoress
• Customer Open Day that was talked about on BBC Radio Stoke
• A Red Ribbon was cut by the Mayor to our new vehicle park
• Ride and Drive around Tunstall (on the day) with a fully freighted artic for customers
• A Visit from the sentinel (Printed shortly after)
• A short coach trip to our main central Hub for a full site tour (£20 Million Facility)

The Mayor and his good Lady, the Mayoress were such lovely people. We could not ask that a more dedicated pair represent our home town Stoke on Trent.

More Business Development

Ive managed to find time to start a new Ltd business. Yep, as if ive not already got enough to do. I don't want to say what it is just yet but its extremely exciting. Currently im finalising staff, objectives and tying up the loose ends.

I am the Managing Director of "..................." Keep you posted ;-)

Ha ha. I figured out that when im not working, well, im not working so ive started a little private photography business called 1018MM Photography. The 1018 refers to a focal point of a lens that I like using as it adds to great composition in shots with a lot of drama. Ive decided that I enjoy taking photos so much that I will start my own part time business. (Oh, this is nothing to do with my other business above).

1018MM Photography will focus on

Fashion | Event | Portrait | Automotive & maybe, maybe weddings just so I can throw in a photography cliché 

Please take a look at my website. I built it myself and would love to know what everyone thinks of it. You need to be patient as your going through the gallery as the images are very large. Ive purposefully left them large for better viewing. Have fun....... and ill speak to you in a min when you have finished looking at my site.

www.1018mm.co.uk

So, what did you think??? I suppose now would be a good time to say - "I will look after your photography needs"

I think thats it for now. I'd also like to say thanks to all my great friends as Ive truly had a wicked weekend filled with great food, fine drink and lots and lots of laughs.

Bye for now,

Please get in touch if theres anything I can help with

Ideas | Ventures | Business 

David,

p.s Heres some new pics you might like.....

Bye again..........

Busy Busy Busy

So I know its been a couple of weeks since I last Blogged but WOW what a few weeks!!
With new projects at work (That are really going well), social events and charities to relaxing I've not had a minute spare to update everyone. Ive not even had time to get my Camera out. That said I made sure I enjoyed the nice sunshine we had last week - Bring on Summer.......

Whats happening next?

Well on Tuesday I will find out if ive won the Sentinel Awards Young Business Person of the year. I'm not sure if you know but I was short-listed down to a final three finalists and some pretty stiff competition. I've wanted to win this award since 2004 where one of our companies won Small Business of the year and I watched someone win Business Person, I knew that I would work towards that award. I figured keep it local with the Sentinel then after go on to bigger and better awards.

So Tuesday I will know. My Tux is ready but im not - I am nervous but excited! I'm pretty sure that's normal as I want it pretty bad. Either way if I don't pick up the 1st prize I know that even been short-listed as Young Business Person of the Year is quite something. I have proven my worth and can concentrate on the huge projects ive got going on.

One exciting thing that's happening to me this week is a visit from The Lord Mayor to discuss my views and anticipations of today, tomorrow and the future in our industry. I've invited him to pop over to explore opportunities within Stoke on Trent. While he is with us at Browns Distribution Services Ltd I've invited over our top key accounts for a full site tour. Im really looking forward to this as we have recently undergone a huge re-surfacing of our vehicle park and the Mayor is cutting a ribbon to officially open the site. I've organised a drive and ride morning with an articulated vehicle to show the perspective of a lorry driver for everyone and as always ive had great support from the Sentinel who will be there to take pictures of the day. After ive got a coach trip to our main central Hub where a full site visit (And of course a buffet) to show the logistics freight model our customers freight sees.

I know, pretty cool stuff - Right?

Here is a picture while the work was going on. I will upload some pictures of the day with the Lord Mayor.

Browns Distribution Re-Surfacing project

Catch up soon Amigos,

David,

That Feeling

So I found myself in the dark waiting, watching for the moment. I hung on, Radio 1 in the background and look at my watch. Its 8.00pm and ive got all night. Got it, again and again - Its going well until I look down at my watch and realise a few moments had turned into hours.

This is exactly why I enjoy photography! What I have done tonight is completely out of the ordinary for me; I managed to switch off from my day-to-day routine of stress and pressure and concentrate on nothing else but the world pass me by through a lens...............

After spending hours outside I am happy with the few pictures ive taken. The problem with tonight is its been way too misty and as the hours went by I could feel the air cooling my skin and making the pictures very tricky - This aside I got one or two good photos.

Oh almost forgot - Below also is Marley, my three year old Siberian Husky. He insisted on been photographed as he thinks he is very photogenic?!

Bye for now.

P.S I need to get a few more followers so help me out and ill love you forever :-)

Next ones a Biggen

Ive got to head back to the office but ive been thinking about my next Blog and its going to be a good one. Its been a mega busy day today so far and a good wind down tonight is just whats needed. That said, gym will be first. Ah, I can feel the Steam Room now.......

Ciao for Now

David,

My Work - A Taste...........

Focus on Imaging and my New Toy

So I went to the Focus on Imaging event on Sunday and to my absolute surprise I bought a new camera. It was an easy decision as there is really only one camera that fits the mark. Nikon D300s with an 18 - 200mm lens.

What can I say? It does the job and wow, what a great job. So, excited with my newest addition it was time to take some photos and where better to go in the evening but Buxton to catch the Sun going down. A few pictures later and I captured a shot that I was happy with. Like any new gadget its important to get use to the workings and make sure you are using it to its fullest potential.

On this occasion I was merely playing with its various settings but time will tell............... Im hoping to go out again early tomorrow morning so fingers crossed, ISO high, exposure soft and apature closed - I will add another great memory to the collection.

Sunset over Buxton