From 2002 to 2009, I was a “professional music photographer.”

“Professional” being a very generous term. My technical knowledge was shaky at best—case in point: I owned a zoom lens for three months before realizing… it zoomed. My skills were questionable, and I frequently fumbled opportunities with major magazines, who then (unsurprisingly) never called back. In short, I was terrible at it.

But I had fun.

I published a limited edition book of 550 copies, which somehow sold out almost immediately. I can’t bring myself to look at it now. Calling it amateur is an understatement. To those who bought it: thank you—and I’m sorry. It was awful, but I did my best with the scraps of budget, patience, and skill I had at the time.

I managed to exhibit my work multiple times around Ireland, the UK, Europe, and even twice in the USA. Still not sure how that happened.
I made some close friends, and somehow won a major European photography award, without even bribing them. Eventually, though, I realized I lacked the talent, experience, and drive to keep going. I just didn’t really want to do it for a living. And couldn’t, even if I tried.

No regrets.

I still take photos, mostly with my iPhone or random cameras. Occasionally, I even share them. Photography gave me seven of the best, most challenging, and often poverty-stricken years of my life. I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Below, you’ll find a gallery of my favorite photographs from my so-called professional era. In the past, I leaned on shots of famous people (often my worst work, but hey, they’re famous). These days, I’m more interested in images I took simply because I enjoyed them. So, for the first time, I am trying to ignore if they are famous or not and just put out my favorite shots.

The second gallery is a selection of photos from 2009 to the present day.

I hope you like them, and to anyone who supported me over the years, thank you.