Final part of the graduation photographs. Here’s a final selection from the last couple of days. Featuring Gerry Marsden, Brian May and Nobel Prize winning scientist Sir Tim Hunt ‘papping’ me! Theres a ton more shots from the week obviously, I’m sure you’ll see them around in LJMU communications.
I went and shot A Hawk and a Hacksaw for Tract (new online photography and review orientated live music site) who were playing in one of my favourite Liverpool venues The Kazimier. Supported by the intriguing Trouble with Books and the ballistic a.P.A.t.T. – the show was pretty killer. Hawk and a Hacksaw are pretty damn unique, some weird and wonderful instruments including a fantastic accordion player with a big mouth.
Got the last of the blogs from graduation coming up, forgot to blog the last 2 days which were pretty good fun. Covered Adebisi Shank last night too, they were pretty great so they’ll be up today too. Theres been a fair few bits and bobs going on, but Ill keep this place for the more exciting stuff!
The top secret project that I’ve been hinting on since April is nearing now – all will be revealed 2nd September. To accompany this, I should have some nifty new gear to show off too. Cannot WAIT to get my hands on it. Will enable me to get out and try some new things.
A Hawk and a Hacksaw – Kazimier, Liverpool 2010 – Images by Matt Thomas
Middle of the week saw Chancellor of the university and guitar legend Brian May make an appearance. OK, I was a little star struck, but I held it together 
Got to talk to him briefly and photograph him inside the cathedral too which was a good laugh. Liverpool legend Alison Steadman received an honorary fellowship along with John Timpson CBE. Chrissie Maher CBE also became an honorary fellow and Phil Redmond received an ambassador fellowship award. Pretty big line up and they were all really great to shoot, friendly and obviously pretty excited to be getting fellowships.
More to follow!
Last week was probably as close to working 9-5 I’ve done in the last year or so. Liverpool John Moores University held its annual graduation week. Two ceremony’s a day, 5 day’s a week. I was commissioned to capture the great vibe of the week and to profile some of the many high flying students as well as the honorary fellows each day. Working together with the marketing and corporate communications team (who are probably some of the most fun yet professional people I’ve worked with) we covered everything from top to toe. I met some amazing people along the way.
Monday was a total blast, Hollywood actress and theatre star Kim Cattrall was made an honorary fellow by the uni and with her came the hordes of paparazzi and media, not to mention some of the weird and wonderful autograph hunters that awaited her exit from Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral – quite eventful being stuck in the middle of it all.
Other folk included Bernard Hogan-Howe and Colonel John Blashford-Snell, the sense of occasion is really great and unlike anything I’ve shot before. I’ve got hundreds of shots to edit through and deliver, maybe Ill post a few more up after this batch of blogs.
Plenty more to come…
I spent Monday afternoon photographing the rehearsals for the new Liverpool School Supersing event at Liverpool’s Echo Arena. The event features numerous schools from the local area forming a kind of mega choir and MEGA they were. It’s pretty amazing hearing that many kids singing stuff from The Beatles right through to High School Musical numbers. I photographed the concert itself too, hosted by a couple of ex-Hollyoaks/T4 regulars and featured the amazing Sense of Sound choir from BBC’s Last Choir Standing.
The event itself is put together with the Liverpool Philharmonic, Liverpool City Council, Culture Liverpool, Sing Up and Find Your Talent.
