I paged through countless family photo albums as a toddler, wondering where all these sepia people had gone. Though I'd never met any of them, I was getting to know them in a way only photographs can achieve.
I was a news junkie before I was a news photographer. I hoovered up all the papers, news magazines and books I could get my hands on.
The world needs news reported fully, fairly and accurately. Without that, informed decisions can't be made. A picture's ability to do this instantly can't be matched. Nor can a news picture's ability to remain as a record of past events.
After a false start as a chef, I started to study photography. I learnt to photograph by looking at countless thousands of photographs and shooting lots. The course was heavily technical and I dropped out.
I bought a camera, a stack of business cards and left my hometown for the big smoke. There were a few minor disasters along the way, but I've never been derailed for long.
I have simplified what I do to a large extent over the last few years - how I shoot, what I shoot... I plan to keep working on that.
Once upon a time I would lug half a shop's worth of gear on assignment - even if most of it stayed inside my huge backpack. Now my standard kit is two bodies, two lenses and a belt pouch.
I became a father three years ago. Assignments where I interact with small kids have a big impact on me. Not necessarily where small children are suffering, although that's more commonly the reality on assignment.
I feel my intentions as a photographer are more sincere than they were when, as a young person, I was just interested in being published. Now I'm less concerned with what others think of me and more concerned with what others think of my pictures.
I’m satisfied if my pictures inform people who otherwise would remain unexposed to a story of global importance.
I’m inspired by other photographers’ work. I still trawl through page after page of papers, magazines and websites. I have no problem recognising that a lot of inspiration for my pictures comes from others. That's natural. I also see a lot of ideas for pictures when watching films.
I am certainly not a one-man band. I talk to my colleagues multiple times every day. The closer these relationships, the more fully you can report the news.
As a news photographer I have a legitimate reason to witness incredible events and the warrant to record them. None of the challenges of the job beat this.
I'm not sure when it all sank in, but I have found out that I don't actually know it all. Furthermore, not all of my pictures are fantastic works of art.
I am most thankful to my wife. She enables me to pursue my less than family-friendly career.
