The Guardian - Online edition

A couple of years ago I had the opportunity of a helicopter flight over my local area - fantastic fun and a great opportunity for stock photography too.

Numerous images from this flight have sold into print publication - the latest use example is shown below published in the online edition of The Guardian newspaper in the UK.

When I shot this I thought maybe it might be used to illustrate urban planning, road infrastructure or suburban homes - the link below shows it has been used in relation to gardening - that's often the way with stock photos, the client end use is often beyond my own initial ideas - great I'm glad it meets their needs.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2009/nov/05/gardens1

Solar panels

The stock photo image below shows an old office building that has recently added solar panels onto the vertical walls between the floors of the block.


With a south facing exterior this idea is sure generate plenty of solar electricity. It begs the question as to why modern new build office blocks don't incorporate such panels from the outset.

The image could be used to help illustrate modifications and alterations that could be used by local business to save themselves money and be seen to be going "green" at the same time.

License this image now from Alamy Images, just click through on the image or contact them via

For sales assistance:	sales@alamy.com
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Stock images - Book publications

As a stock image photogrpaher my images are licensed to appear is allsorts of publications all around the World. My images often appear in newspapers, books, magazines, company reports, education guides, travel brochures etc etc.

I've put a short link below that will take you to Amazon books - the link is set up to show you a small sample of the actual book titles in which my own stock images appear - these include books by well known international publishers such as Heinemann Educational Publishers, Readers Digest, Dorling Kindersley DK, Franklin Watts, Cambridge University Press, Berlitz, Fodor, Firefly Books and Ordnance Survey.

Take a look via


http://tinyurl.com/kpaqug


My stock photo images are available from Alamy Images and AGE Fotostock.

If I can help you directly with stock images or bespoke editorial commission projects then please contact me.

Steven May - UK

Warsaw Poland - Pegazy modern art installation

What's on in Warsaw - Warsaw is a vibrant capital city and currently is showing a public art exhibition entitled Pegazy ( Pegasus ) at the Plac Krasinkich.

This features a number of bright colourful sculptures by local artists Beata Konarska and Pawel Konarski of mythical winged horses.

This image is available for editorial image licensing now from Alamy Images - just click through or contact Alamy via the options below

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British Airways passenger boarding pass

Over recent years British Airways have lost many customers on its short haul European routes with the emergence of low cost carriers such as Ryanair and Easyjet.

The stock photo above illustrates a BA passenger boarding pass ticket with a destination of Istanbul, Turkey with a UK pasport in the background.

This image is available for editorial image licensing from Alamy Images right now - just click through to go directly to Alamy.

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Christian faith and belief

Christian faith and belief

The stock photo image below shows a small silver Crucifix cross in the palm of the hands of a believer. To me this image represents Christian faith and belief. A small iconic charm that for the holder offers comfort and love within a religious framework.




This image is available for image licensing from my agent Alamy Images - just click through on the image to go directly to their site with customer services contact details.

Harry Patch - Funeral service at Wells, Somerset - 6th August 2009

http://www.demotix.com/news/harry-patch-funeral-service-britians-last-trench-fighting-world-war-1-veteran-aged-111-years

Shared via AddThis

Turkey - Holiday Travel Visa

Summer is here - although the weather is very poor here in the UK. If you are lucky enough to be travelling to Turkey on holiday this summer you will need to get an Entry Visa stamp in your UK passport upon arrival - for tourists this will cost £10 and is valid for 90 days.


Make sure you go first to the separate Visa issuing office at the Turkish airport before joining the Customs Immigration queue for passport checks.

The stock photo image above is available now for image licensing from Alamy Images- just click through on the image to go directly to Alamy now 24/7.

Harry Patch - World War 1 veteran attends Remembrance Sunday service

The First World War veteran Harry Patch died today in the early morning. I live in the same town as Mr Patch and had been lucky enough to meet him several times. He was a very dignified and modest man and it was an honour to meet him. The words below relate to an earlier Blog entry from November 2008 when Harry attended the Remembrance Day service at his local church here in Wells.

God Bless Harry Patch.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Harry Patch is a veteran from the First World War one of only three left alive in the UK. What makes Mr Patch unique is that he is the sole surviving trench fighting "Tommy" soldier. He is a man of great dignity and grace and aged 110 years old, a true super centenarian.

This photo shows Harry Patch arriving to attend the Remembrance Day service in his home town of Wells Somerset on 9th November 2008.

On the following Wednesday Harry attended a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph in London.

This and other editorial photos of Harry Patch are available for licensing at the Alamy photo library - just click through.

Tearsheet- Department For Transport UK - Advice About Local Road Safety Strategies


The latest DfT report features one of my stock photo images on the front cover - the cycling image ( left ) was taken in my home town and placed with my stock photo agents Alamy Images.

The above DfT report was published in July 2009.

It's always very interesting to see how the customer ends up using your stock photos - if you click through on the above image you can see the original image as marketed by Alamy and see how it has been cropped to fit the cover design.

H1N1 Swine Flu

H1N1 Swine Flu

Here in the UK as across the World the H1N1 Swine Flu outbreak continue to grow and grow. The above concept illustration image shows the UK Governments Department of Health public information leaflet about this infection surrounded by used paper tissues.




The UK Government has now launched a Pandemic Flu website offering advice and a symptom checker - the screenshot above shows the home page of the www site launched at the end of July 2009.

The images above are available now for image licensing via my agents Alamy Images - just click through on the photos above to see the image licensing details at Alamy.

For sales assistance:	sales@alamy.com
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DMA West Annual Dinner - Bath Pump Rooms - 18th June 2009

The DMA West regional branch of the Direct Marketing Association held its annual dinner at The Pump Rooms at the Roman Baths in Bath last week.

The black tie event was a great success at this lovely venue.

This year guests were greeted by Georgian footmen as they arrived at the venue.

Please do get in touch if you'd like me to cover your corporate event or annual dinner in the Bath - Bristol - Yeovil area.

Telephone - Steven May Photography via 01749 675108

Email - contact@stevenmayphotography.co.uk

Hay Festival - May 2009

Another very successful Hay Festival has just finished, the small Welsh town of Hay on Wye can now return to a quieter pace of life.



Author Andy Stanton creator of the Mr Gum series for children signs copies of his stories for his young fans

Hay Festival is the festival for books

The Festival offers the public the chance to listen to both authors and guest speakers from a wide range of backgrounds. Childrens authors, historical authors, environmental and political authors plus more.




When the sun shines it's a great place to sit and read on the lawns too. If you've not been make sure you come along in 2010.


All the images above are available for picture editors and researchers to licence directly from my representatives Alamy Images riht now - please just click through on the images.

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Glastonbury Festival 2009 - June 2009

Only three weeks to go - Big Thanks to Michael Eavis for starting and running this event - ENJOY, it's the best fest on Earth

Istanbul Turkey - Fried Fish seller at Eminonu waterfront

If you get the opportunity to visit Istanbul make sure you spend some time down at the waterfront at Eminonu. This is the major ferry pier area and offers great views of the constant ferry boat and ship traffic that dominates the Bosphorus waters that split this great city.




Eminonu is a busy hectic place with commuters and passengers catching ferry boats - the fast food vendors here offer fried fish sandwiches known locally as Balik Ekmek - grilled mackerel with salad and lemon juice - lovely.

The images below are all available for editorial image licensing from alamy Images right now - just click through.

European Parliament EU Polling Day - Stock photo

The 4th June 2009 will see voters across the European Union voting for a new European Parliament - voting cards have already been distributed to the electorate across the 27 EU member states. UK voters cast their votes for 27 UK MEPs.


The image above shows a European Parliament voters registration card alongside a map of Europe and is available for editorial image licensing right now directly from Alamy Images 24/7 - just click through to contact their Sale dept.

Education and Schooling

Perhaps the most important role that society has - the education curriculum is under almost continual change and stock photos need to show the concepts of learning and education.

Year 8 pupils learning about basic human anatomy in a science lesson

The education system has to recognise and provide a learning strategy for all children including those with special requirements such as dyslexia

Teacher and young pupil working together to provide feedback and encouragement


The above images are examples of my educational stock photography available to licence right now via Alamy Images ( just click through on the images above ) - I am also available for photographic commissions to shoot bespoke images specifically for organisations such as councils and local education authorities to provide images to illustrate their own public services in newsletters, brochures, reports and websites - please contact me via

contact@stevenmayphotography.co.uk

Priests Cove and Lands End Cornwall

A short break at Easter allowed a dash down to Cornwall. I was very lucky with the weather and managed to shoot some editorial stock photos that would be relevant to tourism and travel guide books.



Priests Cove is a tiny fishing harbour cove adjacent to Cape Cornwall on the Atlantic Coast

Cornwall has many miles of coastal footpaths including the South West Path that passes Lands End


The village of Sennen Cove and the sands of Whitesands Bay Cornwall

Hay Festival

The 2009 Hay Festival runs from May 21st to May 31 at Hay on Wye over on the Welsh/English border - a haven for book lovers and deep thinkers.

These stock photos are available for licensing from Alamy Images - just click though to licence



Author Malorie Blackman reading from her novel Checkmate at the Hay Festival 2006


The event always attracts a great selection of authors and guest speakers with some live comedy and music too. Take a look at the official Hay Festival website for full details via www.hayfestival.com

G-Wiz electric cars - recharging juice point in central London

Electric cars are a coming - on a recent visit to London it was good to see several Juice Points for electric cars to recharge their batteries.




Westminster Council have 12 such electric vehicle charging bays - free re-charging for three hours - sounds good and no Congestion Charge on these electric vehicles either - has the future arrived !

The G-Wiz is built by REVA in India and over 1,000 examples have been imported into the UK.

These images can be licensed for editorial image use now from Alamy Images - just click through on the image above now or contact Alamy via the details below

For sales assistance:	sales@alamy.com
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Morris Minor 1000 - classic vintage British car

What a great vehicle, a true design classic - remember the days when Britain had dozens of car manufacturers - nostalgia but at times they were a bit unreliable !

The above photo of a surviving Morris Minor parked on an hill in beautiful Bath city is available as a framed photogrpahic print from Redbubble - just click through to view in more detail and to purchase today

Royal Mail - will it be split up - a Large problem

The future of the Royal Mail looks uncertain - whilst this is nothing new it seems the Government in the UK has decided to split it up with part privatisation.



The stock photo image above could be used to help illustrate this subject as it shows a "large" issue stamp - click through on the above image to see a selection of other Royal Mail related stock photographs ready for image licensing right now from Alamy - simple

The Euro - Will this currency survive ?

With the World in global financial crisis some are speculating that the pan European Euro currency could perhaps split apart with individual nations returning to their own currencies.



Could we see a return to Francs, Marks and Psetas maybe - time will tell.

The stock photo image above shows a 1 Deutsche Mark coin, the national currency of Germany that the Germans gave up for the new pan European Euro just a decade ago.

Click through on the above image to view a lightbox of stock photography images showing money and currency stock photos - all are available now for image licensing from Alamy Images 24/7.

Wells v Glastonbury rugby match Saturday 21.2.09

I managed to get along to this local rugby derby match between Wells RFC and Tor RFC. It was a very good game to watch in near perfect weather. The first half was all Tor both in terms of possession and territory with two tries - Wells scored a penalty kick. The second half was more evenly balanced with Wells almost scoring several times before Chris Saunders did touch down. A late try for Tor sealed their victory.

The image above and others from this game are available as photo prints - pleases use the link below

Wells RFC v Tor RFC images

Ambition - envy - desire -this stock photo shows a young teenage girl with curlers in her hair whilst reading a fashion style magazine. Teenagers love to make up and dress up to look like their trendy models.

This stock photograph is model released and is available for licencing from Alamy Images right now - just click through to licence.

School study - maths text book and calculator

Education and study stock photo image showing a school maths study text book with calculator and pencil alongside. This image shows the concept of student coursework, exam revision and homework.

This image can be licencsed for editorial use from Alamy - click through on the image for more details or phone Alamy sales on UK 01235 844600 quoting image reference B7BGFW

Noah and The Whale

Noah and The Whale - live concert track Set List

2008 has been a great year for me as I got the chance to go and photograph many live bands - Noah and The Whale had a very succesful year in 2008 and are currently recording their second album to follow up on the success of their debut album "Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down".


I saw them recently at The Thekla venue in Bristol - a really good small venue for the audience, real close to the bands.

This image shows their onstage Set List for that particualr gig - Get out there are go see some "Live" music - it really is the best way to enjoy music.

This and other live band images are available for editorial licensing now via the Alamy stock photo library.

Lightbox of Noah and the Whale live on Alamy


More info about the band via their own website below

http://www.noahandthewhale.com

Goodbye Woolworths - High Street Retail Recession

Woolworths store - the day after final closure

The recession is biting deep and perhaps the most obvious place to see this is on the High Street with famous retail brands closing down at an alarming rate. Not only is Woolies gone but some town centres are looking rather empty of shoppers too.

This image can be licencsed for editorial use now from Alamy - click through it to buy your licence now or contact them via

For sales assistance:	sales@alamy.com
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www Internet web browsers - stock photos

Mozilla Firefox web browser icon


Internet Explorer web browser icon


Which do you use ? Internet Explorer IE or Mozilla Firefox are the two most popular web browsers at the moment. These stock photos show the software icons to connect through to the web. Available for editorial use in newspapers and magazines or even online publications right now with Microsoft launching IE 8 - licence them now via Alamy - just click through to connect to Alamy.

Australian Red Wine Shiraz

Stock photo of showing Australian Shiraz red wine bottle, petit verdot oak aged from the Nericon district - the image shows a wine tasting session with wine glass and cork.

Perfect for illustrating an editorial feature of the fine wines from Australia and the New World.

Just click through on the image above to licence this image from the Alamy stock photography library.

Glastonbury Festival 2008 - busy tent city !

The biggest pop music festival in the UK and a fantastic visual and aural experience. If you've never been make sure you get along and enjoy a few days away from normality !


The dates for the 2009 festival have now been announced - June 24th - June 28th 2009 - the place to be for rock, pop, folk, indie, acid, world and rave music.

The image above is available for licensing now from Alamy - click through on the image to see more Glasto material.

Royal Air Force Tornado GR4 jet fighter aircraft

The Tornado GR4 fighter jet operates with the RAF as a fighter bomber and serves today on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Built by BAe Systems the Tornado has been in service over 20 years and has undergone major systems upgrades during that time. This photo shows the twin seat aircraft nose on with the inflight refuelling probe on the left handside of the cockpit.


I have a large collection of aviation and aerospace images available as stock photos available for image licensing through Alamy - click through on the Tornado above to see a Lightbox of aircraft images now

Discount Food


Shoppers are being a lot more prudent perhaps even thrifty in this current economic crisis - many supermarkets are now offering a wide range a value / discount label brands as shoppers try and save on their weekly shopping bills.


Click through on the above image to see a lightbox of similar images that I have available for licence at Alamy right now

Global economic downturn - the credit crunch recession

With the World in financial turmoil there is a demand for stock photo images showing this
economic crisis.


The concept image above shows this from a UK perspective with a penny coin along the the word
"recession" - this image is available to licence from Alamy right now 24/7- just click through now

Financial Crisis - Frozen Economy

We are in the midst of an economic downturn and a period of great financial uncertainty - the stock photo image below shows one concept on this idea - money frozen in ice - this images has plenty of copyspace too for you to drop in your text.


You can licence this image right now from the Alamy stock photo collection - just click through and call Alamy freephone.

Summer Weddings - 2008

Summer's just about over but for some this Autumn will be their first Autumn of marriage - nice !





If I can help you with your great day please do get in touch - drop me an email or give me a call and lets discuss your photo ideas for the day.

View more of my Wedding photography images via this link

Cute Dog


He's waiting patiently for his owner to return - nice short coat too.
Looks like he's a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or a Staffy cross bread perhaps. Available now from alamy 24/7 - click through to licence this image

Cabot Circus new shopping centre in Bristol opened 25th September 2008

I attended the opening of the new huge Cabot Circus shopping complex in central Bristol on Thursday 25th September 2008 - the new shopping centre is spread over three floors and includes top name like Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser - the images below can be used in editorial features and can be licenced from Alamy by clicking through on the images now.

Bath - city centre regeneration at Southgate

At the moment much of the south side of Bath city centre is a big building site. The old unloved 1960s Southgate centre has been demolished and in its place is a new Southgate development project. due for completion in 2010.



This photo shows what has become of the old bus station area - it is now a huge hole in the ground. This large construction site is well fenced off, but thankfully the developers have added in a few viewing holes. I was surprised to see the sheer scale of this hole - just look at the size of the workers among the reinforced concrete. This is going to be a new underground car park with shops and flats built above it in due course.

This stock photo image is available for now for licensing right now from alamy stock photo library, jut click through on the image - please email me if you'd like to commission me for photographic services for your company.

Double Yellow Lines

I was shooting in the city of Bath the other day when I saw this parked car - although the weather was rather dull I liked the image as it conveys a real concept, a message - the car almost becomes black and white. I've added some saturation onto the yellow lines to give them more emphasis - ie Don't Park Here !

The image could be used to convey many messages - law, rules, society, contempt, laziness among others.

If you want to licence this image for use please drop me an email now.

Crime - youth knife culture


It seems that hardly a day goes by without yet another terrible knife crime incident happening among our young people. Many teenagers are carrying knives, some to threaten, some in the hope it will protect themselves. The stock photo image below shows a model released young female teenager with her blade looking defiant -



this image is available now to licence from Alamy - just click through to arrange your end user licence.

Dacsha Live at Farm Fest


Last weekend indie band Dacsha played at Farm Fest near Bruton, Somerset. I've put a selection of images of Dacsha playing live up on my website - these are available for viewing or to purchase prints if you wish - please visit the link below

Dacsha


Dacsha are a three piece band from near Worthing Sussex, they describe themselves as Minimalist / Grunge / Concrete - visit their Myspace pages via

http://www.myspace.com/dacsha

Reminds me a bit of The Cure in very early days like their Three Imaginary Boys album - check them out if you get the chance.

Property Market Housing Pricing Credit Crunch

We seem to be living in a time of property price rise stagnation with the credit crunch biting hard on peoples personal finance - with high interest rates and mortgages in short supply these care tough times.

The stock photo image above shows this concept with pressure being applied to the property sector - this image is available for licencing right now as a Rights Managed image from Alamy 24/7 - just click through to purchase

Tour of Britain - Cycle Race 2008


This years Tour of Britain cycle race will once again visit the county of Somerset. I was commissioned to take photos last year at the race start on the Somerset leg starting from RNAS Yeovilton.


The event attracts top riders such as Britain's Mark Cavendish ( below ) and teams from across Europe.

Rider from the Dutch-Japanese Skil Shimno cycling team

The 2008 Somerset stage starts from Chard on Tuesday 9th September 2008 and finished on the coast at Burnham on Sea - contact me if you'd like to commission me to photograph on your behalf.

Glastonbury Pilgrimage - June 2008


The Anglican church celebrates the Procession of Witness as part of the annual Glastonbury Pilgrimage - this years event took place on 21st June 2008 in Glastonbury Somerset.


I have posted a selection of images from this years Glastonbury Pilgrimage and you can order prints if you wish too.


These can be viewed by following this link

DMA West Dinner 2008 at The Pump Rooms in Bath - June 2008

I always enjoy the opportunity to photograph corporate dinners, balls and PR events, people having fun and looking very smart in their best outfits.

A selection of photos from the event can be viewed via the link below

View DMA West Dinner at Bath Pump Rooms photos here

Berlin - A city unlike anywhere else

I've just got back from my first visit to the city of Berlin. I was very impressed, Berlin has a very wide variety of sites to visit and of course if full of history. Berlin was a pivotal point in much of the history of the 20th century. In recent years Berlin has seen a large number of new building going up on land that once divided the city - go and visit soon.


Trabant car mural on the Berlin Wall

One of the many symbols of Berlin is of course the Berlin Wall - erected in 1961 the Wall was a physical division, an eyesore for all ordinary Berliners. Thankfully time moves on and in November 1989 the impervious barrier was broken for good. Today the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall can be found running along the East bank of the River Spree between Jannowitzbrucke and Warschauer Strasse S-Bahn stations.

This 1.3 km section is called The East Side Gallery and features endless graffiti and wall art murals - 19 years on and this remaining section is looking pretty tatty in parts- alongside they are building the large new O2 arena - change and time is all around.

To view a Lightbox of Berlin 2008 images available now via alamy please click through here

Fresh Bagel bread with cinnamon and raisin - stock photo


Think bagel and you might think USA - good old fashioned American dough ring delicately flavored - just great for breakfast or a tasty snack.

Available now - freshly baked from Alamy.com stock photo library - just click through on the bagel ring to purchase an end user licence now.

The Cost of Living

We live in a World of rising prices, oil prices are going sky high and food inflation is very noticable each time I visit the local supermarket.

The image below is a concept of this idea of the cost of living and the credit crunch



The basic foodstuff fruit and vegetables and tinned goods with a £10 note and coins - this stock photo image is available for licensing right now from Alamy.com - please just click through to license it right now.

Britain security culture - CCTV cameras are watching you


Britain and London are full of CCTV security cameras - they are all over the place, up high tilted down to watch you and me. Many have appeared since the terror attacks of 2001. The image below is just one of many cameras now watching the Parliament Sqaure area of London and combined with the clockface of Big Ben makes a powerful stock photo image.

This image is available for stock photography licensing now -please contact me to discuss your proposed usage requirements

Treblinka

A single word that sends a chill down your spine.

History tells us that 900,000 victims passed this way - Treblinka is located about 80 miles north west of Warsaw Poland.




The extermination death cap was built near to the main railway line from Warsaw to Bialystok close to the River Bug. A dead end branch line was built into the forest to feed the gas chambers.

The camp was raised to the ground by the Nazi Germans in late 1943 but their evil can still be felt - this is a powerful place. The Poles built todays memorial site between 1959 - 1963.

The route of the final rail track to the final platform has been marked by concrete rail sleepers.



The site of the holocaust gas chambers is marked by a large stone memorial marked with the phrase "Never Again". The whole extermination camp site is remarkably small and it is difficult to comprehend so much evil in such a small place.



Surrounding this memorial are thousands of stones each representing a city, town, village community the home of the victims. In August 1943 a rebellion was organised here and some prisioners managed to escape this terror.

Adjacent to the extermination camp at Treblinka is the site of the penal forced labour camp. Over 10,000 prisoners were worked to death or executed here, victims of forced work in nearby gravel pits - this camp closed in July 1944.




Today the whole site is surrounded by pine forest, peaceful and quiet with only some birdsong to be heard.

The images above are available as editorial educational stock photo images via Alamy.

Teenage haircut - Snipping scissors

Social photography - having your long hair cut can be daunting and lead to a certain apprehension for the customer. Here a young teenage girl shows her concern - thankfully the end result was well worth the initial worry !

Social photography - Documentary photography - Editorial photography - please call or email to discuss your photographic needs

Get a grip

The red heat of industry - under pressure - tight grip - the mechanics of life - right tools for right job.


Stock photos such as this spanner and nut can convey a variety of concepts and meanings. The striking red background brings a punch to this image. The image has been shot with a macro lens to allow close up detail and emphasis on the shape of the components.

This stock photo image can be licenced from Alamy right now, just click through.

Have suitcase will travel ?


I saw this old suitcase at a junk shop recently. Cases like this sum up the idea of a journey or travel. What's in this case ? Is it being used for a holiday or maybe someone moving to another lodging.


The baggage looks a bit tatty with a couple of old sticker labels. Imagine where this suitcase has been over the years !

I know where it is now though - it's available as a stock photo for image licensing right now 24/7 from Alamy - just click through on the image to license it now

The Cost of Motoring


Road Tax - the cost of motoring here in the UK just goes up and up - with diesel fuel now costing £1.11 per litre at my local garage. The new road tax disc above is for just 6 months and relates to a small car.
I supply contemporary UK British stock photos to stock photo libraries such as Alamy - please get in touch if I can help you with stock or commissioned bespoke photography.

Steven May Photography


Based in Wells, Somerset I offer a wide range of photographic services including Portrait and Wedding photography.

The examples below link through to my website - please click through to see more images




Please contact me if you'd like me to help you with your Wedding or Portrait photography.

The 12th Man

Rugby is a tough sport played in the winter season mud and rain - here the 12th man looks a little left out on the sidelines watching the match pass him by. Can you imagine having to wash all this kit !

The above image is available for licensing from the Alamy stock photo library right now - just click through on it.

A lightbox of other Sports related images can be found here.

Stock Photo Images - Luxury handmade milk chocolates - indulge yourself

Now is always a good time to treat yourself or give a box of expensive wonderful luxury chocolates - with Valentines Day coming soon these images could look great in your publication.

These images are others are available for image licensing via the Alamy stock photo library now - just click on them to access the Alamy site and order.

Banksy street art - here today but gone tomorrow !



"Hello, Hello, Hello, what's all this then ?" - "It's art officer, but not as you know it !"


I spotted this apparent Banksy art piece in Glastonbury, Somerset, UK in the summer of 2007 - unfortunately I had no camera with me. So I made sure I returned a few weeks later.

Here we see an image of a young girl with her teddy bear and picnic basket being frisked by a police officer - it's a satirical view of the security concious World we now live in.

The stencil artwork had been sprayed onto the side of a garage wall just by the Chalice Well near Glastonbury Tor - however by Xmas 2007 it had gone ! It's been over painted. Maybe the wall owner should have demolished the wall and sold it on Ebay complete with an original Banksy - now we are left with just magnolia !

This stock photo image is available to licence from the Alamy photo library 24/7 - just click through here now.

Pour yourself a whisky

Happy New Year 2008 - have a drink tonight on New Years Eve.

This stock photo shows a bottle of whisky being poured into a red glass tumbler with ice cubes - scotch on the rocks - it's a simple everyday concept - enjoy.

Click through the image to licence it now 24/7 from The Imagefile.

Education - Dyslexia and Words

The Xmas break gave me a chance to shoot a few stock photos relating to Dyslexia and the challenges of words and reading. This image could be used to help illustrate special education needs, letters and words jumbled upon a background of newspaper text.

Christmas 2008

Just a quick end of year Blog update to wish you all a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year. The past few months have been very busy here juggling many photo demands and opportunities.

Enjoy your time off and I look forward to hearing from you again in 2008 - Go Ape !

Staff Wanted - Employment

Here in the UK the demand for skilled labour in the construction industry seems to know no bounds. Many city centres are full of cranes and scaffolding as new office and shopping centres spring up on re-development sites. This skill shortage has brought many migrants to the UK looking for such jobs and the first place they often look for such jobs in in the local newspaper adverts.

This image is available as a stock photo and can be licenced from the Alamy stock photography library.

The Great British Banger - Sausages


Look at these big fat pork and apple sausages, simply gorgeous, something very British !

Sausage with fried onions, yummy what a great smell. I always enjoy food photography as I get to eat my food afterwards !

I've a range of food images in my stock photo collection - you can view them by clicking through here on Food Images - all available for licensing right now from Alamy 24/7.

If you are a local restaurant, hotel or caterer and you need your food & meals photographed please get in touch to discuss a commission.

Bristol city re-development - Harvey Nichols store comes to Bristol



The Broadmead shopping district of Bristol city centre is currently undergoing a massive re-development. Among the many new stores being built is a new Harvey Nichols department store. This will be their sixth store here in the UK with others overseas. The new store will be on the lower floors and is due to open to the public in Autumn 2008.



Construction crane among a hive of building scaffolding


The new Broadmead re-development dominates the city centre of Bristol


All these images can be licenced for use right now via the Alamy photo agency - simply click through on any image to purchase an image licence now.

DMA West Ball at the Pump Rooms, Bath


I recently photographed an Annual Ball held by a trade association here in the South West - the venue was the magnificent Pump Rooms at the Roman Spa Bath, in Bath.





If I can help you with PR or event photography for your company, clients or staff in and around the Bristol and Bath area then please do get in touch for a quote.

If you'd like to see more sample images please email me and I'll gladly help.

contact@stevenmayphotography.co.uk

UK Postal Strike - Stock Photos Postal Service


Today postmen and women across Britain have started industrial action. I've shown below three stock photos that could be used to help cover this story - all available for licensing 24/7 from Alamy right now



Postal services and collection from postboxes are now delayed





Post deliveries will be affected affecting bills, business and letters





Royal Mail now face competition from other mail carriers such
as TNT Post

I've put together a lightbox of other postal services related stock photography images, just click here to view image lightbox

Hospital - The Patient

Going into hospital is no fun for sure. I was an in patient this week and my time at home recovering has allowed me to edit my own hospital patient stock photos !

This stock photo shows me, the patient with two armbands - the red armband warns hospital staff that I am allergic to penicillin, the blue band has my personal details. The pad on my hand was applied after they withdrew the saline drip.

This stock image is available to licence from Alamy right now - click through on it to now

Flooding - Wet Weather Chaos

July in Britain turned out to be very wet and for many in the Gloucestershire area it was a time of flooding and misery.



This image of an articulated lorry was taken in Gloucester, this road was closed to traffic but the lorry decided to force its way through causing more waves and flooding for those living alongside.

This image is available to licence as stock imagery from The Image File right now

Simon and Michelle's Wedding Day - Friday 29th June 2007

What a great day, lovely couple, great venue and fine company.

If I can help you with photogrpahic coverage of your wedding please take a look at my website

www.stevenmayphotography.co.uk

Greetings from Somerset where surprise surprise it is still raining - hopefully fine and warm in Cyprus for Michelle and Simon !

Diabolo Crazy - Children love them !


The latest craze among kids seems to be the Diabolo spinning toy. This old Victorian toy has made a big impression among children at the moment. Whilst the Victorians made do a wooden version the current ones are made of tough rubber and feature precision metal axles.




This image shows a young lad aged 11 years old "grinding" his Diabolo outside the Crescent in Bath, England. This image is available now to Picture Researchers looking for images showing the current youth culture - click through the image to be taken directly to Alamy for 24/7 licensing

Stock Images Valencia Spain - City of architectural contrasts

The Hemisferic contains an IMAX cinema and is part of the City of arts & Sciences complex

In recent years many stunning new buildings have been built in this Spanish city. The City of Arts & Sciences complex features many such designs on a huge scale - this really is a must see city. Combined with the historic old town centre and its splendid Cathedral, Valencia is a great place for a city break.

Palau de les Arts opera centre opened in Oct 2006

The images shown below are available now as stock photo images of Valencia and can be licencsed 24/7 via the Alamy photo library.

The Cathedral in Valenica features many architectural styles, this southern face is Baroque

Just click through on this link to see more examples of Valencia stock photos as a lightbox

Morlands re-development site, Glastonbury, Somerset, UK

Work is now in full swing at the former Morlands tannery site in Glastonbury, Somerset. This major brown field regeneration site is being brought back to life after many years of disuse and neglect. The South West Regional Development Agency ( SWRDA ) is leading this major project. New access roads are being built to aid the construction work. The site will eventually house a variety of local businesses and visitor attractions.





This project is being run under the Considerate Constructors Scheme which promotes best practice between contractors and the local neighbourhood.

The following images were taken in early February 2007 - all images are copyright Steven May











Considerate Constructors Scheme at Morlands site

Branscombe Beach Ship Wreck Pollution

In January 2007 the large container ship MSC Napoli got into difficulties in severe winter weather around the South West coast of Britain - the crew were airlifted off as the ship began to break up. The vessel was towed towards calmer waters and finally came to rest 1 mile off the Devon coast between Sidmouth and Branscombe. The Napoli is listing over by about 25 degrees and over 200 containers have fallen off into the sea - many of these have washed up on Branscombe Beach. This windfall brought many people to the beach and some have walked off with BMW motorbikes, wine barrels, nappies and gear boxes ! This scavaging also resulted in a large amount of debris and packaging being scattered on the beach making the mess far worse. Eventually on Wed 24th January 2007 the local Police sealed off the beach and the tidy up effort could begin.

The images below were all taken on Wed 24.1.07 - please contact me directly if you wish to use these or related images - these images clearly show the damage and pollution caused by this shipwreck to the Devon coast line.

All images copyright of Steven May - www.stevenmay.co.uk





Wrecked container from the MSC Napoli, Branscombe Beach




Pollution on Branscombe beach seen from Beer Head



The MSC Napoli has beached about 1 mile off Branscombe with a
further 2000 containers still on board

Click Here to see a full selection of images showing the pollution on Branscombe Beach, Devon caused by the ship MSC Napoli - all avaialble now for licensing via the Alamy stock photo library 24/7

Rescue Me - Animal Rescue

All this dog wants for Christmas is a new loving owner - shown here at a local Animal Rescue Centre this dog is keen to find a new home to live in.

Just look at those eyes - I hope he gets re-homed soon.

Support your local animal rescue centre - they do great work.

This image can be licensed through the Alamy stock photo library - just click on the image to licence 24/7 now from Alamy.

Lightbox of of Animal images available through Alamy

The Cloister Conspiracy by sculptor Philip Jackson




This sculpture was one of many works by British artist Philip Jackson displayed in the Bishops Palace in Wells, Somerset, England during the Summer of 2006.

The statue shows a group of hooded monks meeting and planning in a tight group - who knows what they are conspiring !

Philip Jackson is a leading British sculptor and has been chosen to design a statue of famous footballer Bobby Moore due to be placed outside the new Wembley football stadium during 2007.

This image is available for editorial licencsing through the Alamy stock photo library - click here to link through.

Pond dipping - School study field trip



What's in the jar ? What's in the tray ? What's in the pond ?

Pond dipping is a great activity for school children to discover and learn about the thriving World of diverse life that lives in the natural World around us.

This image was taken on a secondary school science field trip - the creature in the jar is a male red throated Stickleback fish.

A small collection of images relating to this school science nature field study trip can be found via the link below - all are available now for licencsing on Alamy 24/7

LINK to school science nature field study trip images

The cold beers are in the fridge - help yourself

I like this image - to me it has a surreal look, they could almost be a pair of glasses or a pair of binoculars. However they are of course none other than a pair of chilled beer bottles, pretty cool !

I shot this image inside my fridge using a tripod and experimented with a variety of exposure times.

Needless to say the beer inside has since been consumed and the green glass bottles dropped off in the local bottle bank ( hopefully to be re-filled and to re-appear in my fridge another day ! ).

A series of these images will be up on Alamy for licensing in a few days - if I can help with your images needs then please email me.

The crazy World of food miles - where do your groceries come from ?

As a stock photographer I'm always interested in new trends, these often act as a source of some inspiration for new stock image material.

Going through my weekly supermarket foodshopping recently I was concerned to see from where on this Earth my food has come from.

I love fresh food but is the price just too high - I am referring to the extreme distance some of our food travels - the term used is "food miles" - these green beans are delicious, but they have travelled to Britian from Morroco, North Africa, approx 2,000 air miles.

What happened to the idea of seasonal vegetables ? I guess we've all grown accustomed to expecting year round fruit and veg - apples from Chile, mangetout from Kenya all flown in as air freight.

Food and Drink stock photography has to reflect these changes, it's a serious issue and one consumers will take more and more notice of.

I have a selection of Food labelling images to help illustrate such trends - take a look at the Link to these images below or call / email me to discuss your stock photo needs.

Food and Drink Stock Photographs

Bristol harbourside summer 2006

The city of Bristol is an historic port on Englands west coast. The explorer John Cabot sailed from Bristol in his ship The Matthew - Bristol then went on to become a major slave trading port.

Today Bristol harbourside has been re-developed with many new office and residential apartments - this shot shows the Princes Wharf quayside thankfully left undeveloped and moored alongside the old dockside cranes are some historic ships including the old steam tug boat The Mayflower. The wharf itself has been turned into the home of the Bristol Industrial Museum which house a fine collection of motor vehicles, aviation engines relating to the former glories of the Bristol motor and aircraft manufacturing heritage - go take a look when you visit Bristol

Click on this link To view a collection Bristol stock photo images available 24/7 from Alamy

Summer Flowers 2006

The summer in Britian this year was pretty good with great weather for much of June and July. Gardens and flowers bloomed and I found myself spending a lot more time looking at plants and nature with fresh eyes.

I found these beautiful five petaled white flowers on a climber in a garden in West Wales in July 2006 - thanks to plant photographer Jason Smalley I understand this plant is the Potato Vine - Solanum jasminoides - I think they look fine and elegant against the summer sky.

Fox Hunting

I live in a rural area and Fox Hunting is popular with many local residents - Fox hunting is a contentious issue here in England. The local hunts operate in the Winter season and appear well supported. The Hunt is a very traditional event and is quiet a sight as the riders gather. The riders wear these vivid scarlet red jackets which make for colourful photos.

View my Hunting and Rural stock photo images via this link to Alamy.

Summertime - Time for flower baskets

We only have a small garden, most of which we have turned into a paved patio area - still I enjoy gardening and love watching flowers grow and bloom. Here I am busy preparing this summers hanging flower baskets with a selection of potted trailing plants - since this photo was taken the hanging basket flowers have burst into life and look great.

Spring has Sprung

At last Spring is here - we've had a long old dreary winter here in the UK.

This photo of a beautiful red tulip flower was taken with a macro lense early one morning, catching the morning dew on the scarlet petal - it makes you feel good to be alive on a day like this.

To view a lightbox of Flower stock photo images of mine at the Alamy stock photo library please click here

Summer by the pool

This is the life, well it was last summer ! We rented a villa with private swimming pool over in Majorca, Spain. First time we've ever done this and I have to say we all really enjoyed the holiday. Whilst in Majorca I took the opportunity to shoot some stock photo images and this compostion sums up many peoples idea of a so called perfect lifestyle.

This stock photo image is available for licencsing via the Alamy stock photo library - click on this image see a selection of swimming pool related stock photos and licence them 24/7 from Alamy

Homemade Biscuits - that's Cookies to all you Americans out there !

My daughter made these simple ginger flavoured biscuits the other day - here they are on the baking tray ready to go into the oven - I like eating the arms and legs off the person shaped biscuits, must be something sadistic about my nature !

Indian Takeaway Food

Yummy - my favourite takeaway meal. I really love a biryani or a chicken korma, such a great aroma and taste. Add in a lager beer or two and you have yourself a feast. This image is available for licencing 24/7 via www.alamy.com - image reference number A0WCW9

Looe by night

This picture was taken at Looe in Cornwall, England - Looe is the second busiest fishing port in Cornwall. The fishing quay is in East Looe, with the houses on the hillside in this image over in West Looe. I took this shot at about 8pm on a 2 second exposure, the boat itself was certainly moving around on the tide.

Airbus A380

It's coming to an airport near you soon. The Airbus A380 is a two tier double decker passenger aircraft - the largest passenger plane in the World. Currently under going test flying the first schedule service is due to be operated by Singapore Airlines in late 2006. The aircraft is built in many sub componets across Europe before final assembly at Toulouse in France. In Britain BAE Systems build the huge wings at Broughton near Chester.

LINK to Airbus A380 Stock Photos

Football Boot

I really enjoyed photographing this new soccer boot - I like the detail, the new leather and the slight wonky way it stands upon its studs - nice soft focus shallow depth of field, makes you bwant to get out there and kick a ball around.........almost !

LINK to Sport Stock Images

Triumph Speedmaster motorbike

Once upon a time Triumph motorbikes were dominant here on British roads - Triumph ran into difficulties with the rise of Japanese motorbikes in the 1960s and 1970s - old bikes, old technology & old styling - the company went bust and eventually rose again from the ashes. Today they are building quality bikes again like this parallel twin and have found a niche market for themselves - aaahhh what a sound - great to see British bikes again.

LINK to Classic Car and Motorbike stock images

Wonderful Venice, Italy - Stock Photos

This image of the Grand Canal was taken from the lovely wooden Accademia Bridge late in the afternoon. The beautiful domes of the Santa Maria della Salute church can be seen in the distance, whilst a vaporetto water bus passes a small motor boat.

If you've never been to Venice make sure you go - it really is a unique city.

LINK to Venice Italy Stock Photo Images

Dereliction & Industrial Decay

Taken yesterday in Glastonbury, Somerset, England - Glastonbury is of course better known for the legendary Glastonbury Tor and the huge Glastonbury music festival.

This building was part of the old Morlands leather factory- it has been derelict for maybe 20 years. At long last the site is being redeveloped with most of the factory now gone - I don't know the fate of this building - perhaps renovated it would make a fine art gallery ? Think of all the people who used to make a living working here.

LINK to Industrial Buildings Stock Images

Majorca - Fishing Nets

These colourful fishing nets have been left out to dry in the hot Spanish sun on the island of Majorca at Port de Soller on the West coast. For this shot I used 200mm telephoto to compress the distance between foreground and background. I guess the different coloured nets allow the local fishermen to identify each others nets more easily.

LINK to Majorca Stock Photos

Aviation is one of my special Stock Photo subjects - I've always enjoyed being around aircraft and airfields and can happily spend a day watching and photographing airplanes. This image shows an Air France Boeing 747-400 Jumbo Jet taxying in the evening sunshine at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. I wonder where those passengers are bound for ?

LINK to a selection of my Aviation Stock Photo Images

Image Zone

Last week I was shooting in Bristol, UK - there is a lot of re-development going on in Bristol at the moment with large parts of the old Broadmead shopping centre being demolished. Closer to the harbour side I came across this old office tower block being dismantled whilst pedestrians wander nearby - I guess this office is deemed just too out of date

Not sure I'd fancy being the crane operator !

LINK to Construction Industry Stock Images

Image Zone

A Photo from my home town - do you recognise this UK location ?

These marvelous chimneys can be found in Vicars Close, Wells, Somerset said to be the best preserved original medieval street in Northern Europe. Vicars Close was built to house the clergy and church workers working at the adjacent Wells Cathedral. The City of Wells is the smallest City in England and is about 20 miles south of Bath. Make sure you visit Wells if you get the chance.

Link to Wells Image Lightbox

Welcome

Hi - Welcome to my Blog

I am an avid photographer and supply Stock Photo Images to several Stock Photo Libraries including Alamy, The Flight Colleaction and Ifimages.

I am based in the Mendip area of Somerset, UK and hope to feature my local area plus a selection of Aviation realted images.

I would welcome any feedback or comments you may have

Regards


Steven May - UK
Photographer

www.stevenmay.co.uk