Photo of the week.

Hippos, they're an angry bunch, right? You'll be told on most nature programmes that if you're ever in the vicinity of a hippo, then keep away – every other animal does. They're heavyweights with huge teeth and an attitude to go with it. Take a look at this photo though... Well that's gotta be a smile right there! This is a hippo with a different kind of attitude, they're just after a little bit of your love. 

Even a wild beast, every so often, sits and has a smile to itself from time to time, and hippo's, it seems, are no exception.
 
We can’t find out who took this fantastic photo, so if you know do please tell us so that we can credit it accordingly – editors@pocketfulofrye.co.uk
Words by Stephen Curry.



Weekly, i'm introducing a Photo of the Week for the website http://www.pocketfulofrye.co.uk/  
It's fantastic to see them promoting and celebrating great photography, and i'm honoured that they allow me to write a few words and display some of my work amongst them. So please join me, if you will, and let's celebrate some great images.

Launched in March 2013, Pocketful of Rye is aimed at yummy mummies and dishy dads on the look out for news, features and reviews covering all things family - homewares, babycare, toys, entertainment, food, health and beauty. Think of us as the mum's guide to a happy home!

Starting with The Mothering Instinct, weekly, i'll be introducing a Photo of the Week for the website http://www.pocketfulofrye.co.uk/  
It's great to see them promoting and celebrating great photography, i'm honoured that they allow me to write a few words and display some of my work amongst them. So please join me, if you will, and let's celebrate some great images.

Launched in March 2013, Pocketful of Rye is aimed at yummy mummies and dishy dads on the look out for news, features and reviews covering all things family - homewares, babycare, toys, entertainment, food, health and beauty. Think of us as the mum's guide to a happy home!

Photo of the week.

We're really fond of mums at Pocketful of Rye, and indeed, it's our belief that mum's are at the heart of the happiest homes. Imagine then, our reaction on seeing this chimp with her baby. If a photo is worth a thousand words, then those eyes really do speak volumes. 
 
All mum's are protective and comfort their children, and it's striking to see this chimp's eye contact with the camera. One look pretty much says it all. 
 
Why not take a few minutes here, and see what you can see. 

http://www.pocketfulofrye.co.uk/hot-topics/the-mothering-instinct
 
Photo taken at Twycross Zoo by Stephen Curry.
Words by Stephen Curry. 

Where do we go from here?

Given the economic climate and the ever changing world of photography, 2013 was one of those years of variation and change. Almost everyone in the industry, certainly those of us who aren't world famous or don't have a rather large agency behind us, have had to take stock and consider our options. 

What has this meant? For many it's been variation; Kids' photos, weddings, some corporate work, studio portraits, throw in a few animal photos, product shots, music gigs and a couple of street photography projects, oh, and some review writing here and there - to name but a few - and you have a fairly varied year. One of the most inspiring days this year was meeting the great Martin Parr, and watching him work. The overwhelming thought now is that i should have written more about it here! (Photo below)

It's pleasing to come out of the year with work i'm proud of. It's not all been relentless work that's creatively uninteresting, arguably you can find creative interest in most work with a little effort, it just depends what you're looking for, - and that can, to some photographers, be the difficulty with this business. I'm pleased with my wedding work, zoo photos, portraits, landscapes, music - work from many areas. Those seeing this business as a passion can often struggle to progress and it's easy to become mired in work that is creatively inspiring, but too personal to sell. 

So what will 2014 bring? Early days, but it may well be similar. I think the key will be to grasp opportunity and see where it takes us...

Stephen Curry