Quinnie

Photography found me halfway through my life, a perfect blend of the two things I’ve always loved: sport and people.

My journey began back in 2003 as the club photographer for Leicester Tigers. From there, I started working with young athletes, capturing the raw energy and emotion of kids in sport. What began as a passion slowly evolved into a new profession, alongside my main career as a publican.

In 1993, I moved to Newport, Shropshire and took over The Pheasant Inn, better known locally as "The Phez." That’s where most people came to know me as “Quinine.” I’m also a qualified chef, and for years, I balanced running the pub, cooking, and gradually growing my work behind the camera.It was during those early pub years that I started photographing birthday races, a brilliant local tradition that usually involved a few yards of beer, a lot of laughter, and an A2 print of the winner crossing the finish line.

At the height of The Phez’s popularity, we’d see up to 750 people crowding into the garden for major World Cup events. One of the highlights of those years was Phezitival, a homegrown music festival we hosted for over two decades, with eight live bands in one day and nearly 2,500 people coming through over the weekend.

In 2020, like many, life shifted. I developed long COVID, which meant I had to stop playing hockey. A tough loss at first, but one that opened new doors. In 2022, I was invited to photograph the Dundee Masters Hockey Tournament (not the golf one!), and from there, everything clicked. I’ve since made countless friends and now travel across the UK and Europe capturing the passion, grit, and joy of Masters International Hockey.

At 61, I’m retired from the pub trade, but busier than ever doing what I love most: telling stories through sport, one frame at a time.