I am sure I am not the only one thinking it, but where did 2011 go?! I can't believe we are into 2012 already! Sitting here today I thought I'd take some time to reflect back on the year and make some photography resolutions for 2012.

It really has been quite an amazing year photography wise, starting with a trip back up to Arctic Norway for 3 weeks.  I had been there 2 years ago in search of the Northern Lights, and like many people came back a bit disappointed as I didn't see it once in the whole 3 weeks I was there.  Things were a lot different this time, I was lucky for it to appear on 6 nights of my trip, it really is hard to explain the feeling of when you see it, something that I will never ever forget.  Here is a photo of the first time I saw it.

In May I decided it was time to concentrate on getting my work out there.  My main job was keeping me rather too occupied so I decided to get a social media company to help me out and what a great idea that was. Holly and Jan (http://hollyandjan.co.uk/), specialists in social media for creatives, have been brilliant in getting me started - I now have a facebook page for my photography, a blog, am on twitter and have become a member of various photography groups on LinkedIn. 

I also joined The Postal Photographic Club (http://www.postalphotoclub.org.uk/) which consists of groups of members who circulate darkroom prints, digital prints (maximum size 7”x5”), or projected images by post in the the UK for everyone else within the group to comment on. I belong to C1 group and I love it.  In August I found out I had come first in their Projected Image Annual competition with this photo, I even won a Salver!

In September I participated in the New Artist Fair's (www.newartistfair.com) first fair in East London, it was great to get my work out there for the public to see and I even won the public vote for 'Best Artist' which gave me a chance to exhibit in the Finalist's Fair in November, such a great experience. 

October was a busy month, I exhibited some work from my Trees Collection at Colorida Art Gallery in Lisbon (www.colorida.pt) and I went to Morocco for the first time.  I had wanted to visit Morocco for years but was a little concerned about going on my own.  I decided to just get on with it and am so glad I did, I was only there for 12 days but oh how I loved it, what an amazing country and what fabulous people.  Here is one of my favourites from Fez.

In November I took part in the 'Something Blue' exhibition at Cultivate Gallery (http://www.cultivatevynerstreet.com/) in East London.  Here is one of the pieces I had in the exhibition.

The year ended with two very exciting things. Firstly the Society of Authors used this photo for the front and back cover of their quarterly members magazine, it was so great to see my work published!

and I got shortlisted in the National Geographic Traveller Photo Competition 2012.  Who knows what will happen with that but what a great way to end an amazing year!

So what to do in 2012?  Well Morocco is definitely on the cards for April/May time, I want to go back to Chefchaouen and Fez but also venture further afield to Marrakech, Essaouira and then into the desert.  I need to concentrate more on the social media and marketing side so need to get more organised on that front.  I have two exhibitions already booked in, one at The Palmerston Bar & Dining Room (www.thepalmerston.net/) in February/March and a four month exhibition from May to September in Mayfair, so already it's a great start to the year!

Finances permitting I'd like to do a LOT more travelling and visit some of my 'Wish List' places, but more importantly I want to 'man up' a bit and get over my fear of flying.  Travelling everywhere from London by train (even to Morocco, Turkey and the Arctic!) is a fantastic experience but if only I could get on a plane then the world really could be my oyster ............