I photograph only two weddings a year, and this one was particularly special – Dee and Rob’s big day was in Kilkenny with the full traditional Irish catholic mass.

Above: happy glow: lighting the marriage candles.

Despite torrential downpours for most of the day, and particularly after the service at St Patrick’s church, the couple’s happiness and the spirits of the many well-wishers was not dampened. But it did mean I had to change my plans for arranged portraits of the newly-weds. And all group shots had to happen in the far less soggy environments of the church and reception hotel – a challenge for any photographer.

Above: enjoying the warm after-glow of marriage… but in the relative dryness of an archway at Kilkenny Design Centre – which is dear to the bride’s heart.

Above: a white Morris Minor Traveller completes the picture – in the entrance of Kilkenny Design Centre.

Above: a circular window at the Design Centre makes for a natural frame to picture the bride.

Above left: all hands to the pumps!: bride and groom pull pints to kick-off the reception at Langton Hotel and Bridie’s Bar – one of the city’s most celebrated traditional pubs and a popular watering hole for all Kilkenny ‘Cats’.

Above right: no doubt about it: she’s a married woman now….! – the bride’s shoes say it all.

His Holiness’ official visit to Edinburgh’s Usher Hall and his ‘Edinburgh Lectures’ speech to an audience of Scotland’s VIPs from the religious and secular communities.

Above: nice to meet you… His Holiness greets well-wishers at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. And (below): good car-ma: His Holiness’ final farewell as he leaves Edinburgh for appearances in Dundee and Inverness.

Exclusive access to document the lecture and main events was granted only to myself (as photographer for the City of Edinburgh Council) and the Dalai Lama’s own official photographer – a privilege and an honour.

Above: the Living God arrives at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall for a 2-hour speech, musical welcome and cultural showcase.

Above: His Holiness delivers his speech, part of the Edinburgh Lectures series of events.

Left: answering questions from Edinburgh students from the stage. And (above): living in the moment – greeting well-wishers.

Published in The Times, BBC Scotland Online, the Edinburgh Evening News and The Edinburgh Reporter.

Photography commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council.

Creative Scotland and Age Scotland recently announced the launch of Scotland’s first ever creative festival for older people. Luminate Festival 2012 is part of Creative Scotland’s drive to increase the number of older people enjoying high quality arts activities – as artists, participants and audience members.

Creative Scotland commissioned me to document their “Creative Ageing” event at Perth Concert Hall as they launched the concept last year.

The programme is currently being compiled for this cutting-edge event, to take place in October – performers and arts companies can apply online to Age UK here.

My taiko drummers picture (above) has also appeared in Creative Scotland’s beautifully designed Calendar 2012, gracing the October page.

Above: creative clowning – Petal from the Elderflower clowning group (left); and performers mingling at teabreak

A restoration and litter-pick of a community woodland by pupils from Currie high school near Edinburgh. The cleanup is lead by former teacher Roley Walton, who the woodland has been named after.

Roley Walton mucks in to the cleanup with pupils and staff (above).

Commission for the Times Educational Supplement Scotland and to be published in the 8th June issue.

Above left: Pakoras made with dandelions picked in the wood and served at a post-cleanup barbecue.

“Imagine: How Creativity Works” – science writer Jonah Lehrer uncovers some of the profound mysteries of creative thinking in his book published last week by Canongate Books.

Above: blue, the colour of science – Jonah Lehrer in thoughtful mood.

Portraits and book launch event photography for Canongate Books and published in The Times T2 features section and other press reviews this week.

Above: Jonah with event host Amanda Tyndall – who is also deputy director of the Edinburgh International Science Festival – inspire an audience at Edinburgh’s Royal College of Surgeons.

As part of his journey through the exploration of the human mind from the first fluttering of neurons, Jonah looks at the cultures that influence creative work – from investigating drug habits and beer drinking (well, someone has to…), to the improv techniques of great jazzers. And how a warm shower or walk in the park can lead to a lighbulb moment or ‘bathroom breakthrough’.

See news of Canongate’s other book launch events here.

My part in documenting the National Theatre of Scotland’s “Five Minute Theatre” – a series of short plays streamed live on the internet.

This year performers took up the challenge of a ‘protest’ theme, to coincide with the international day of protest and human rights – May Day.

See more information on Five Minute Theatre, including details of a second season in 2012 here.

Pictures for the National Theatre of Scotland.

Above and below: “Tantrum” – performed by Heather Marshall and Robbie Gordon in Edinburgh University’s Bongo Club.

Below: “How We See It”: actors from Edinburgh and East Lothian schools act out a piece of improvised work around the common misconceptions about teenagers.

Above: Bongo Club staff in “I Love Bongo” – a protest aimed at the Bongo Club’s owners the University of Edinburgh, who are set to close the much-loved student venue.

Above: live internet filming and streaming from Edinburgh’s Bongo Club.

It’s Magic: acclaimed Magic Circle magician Kevin McMahon launches Edinburgh International Magic Festival 2012 with a butterfly theme.

The festival of wizardry materialises on 29th June, disappearing in a puff of smoke on 6th July and was launched at Lothian Buses central depot in Edinburgh’s Annandale Street garage (pictured below).

Pictures for Edinburgh International Magic Festival and Lothian Buses and published today in The Scotsman, STV News, The Big Issue Scotland and The Edinburgh Reporter.

Portraits for comedienne Jo Caulfield’s poster for her Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012 show. Jo’s “Thinking Bad Thoughts” tour promises even sharper wit, with extra bite and bitchiness – meowww!

Above: Coming to a lamp-post near you – the poster will be seen around Edinburgh from the end of July and will adorn every vertical surface in the festival city…..

Above: other pictures from the studio shoot

This is the third time I have photographed the lovely Jo – the first was an assignment for The Scotsman’s Edinburgh Festivals coverage in 2009. She approached me as other photographers have imposed their own ideas, wanting to make her look ‘wacky’ – which just isn’t her style…. Jo is the comedienne for a discerning grown-up audience.

Jo’s Testimonial: “Thanks so much for your excellent work. I’m really happy with the photos and I’m very rarely happy with my photos!”

Day two of documenting flourishing small firms for the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland’s local elections manifesto – in and around Glasgow.

Left and below: Michael Smith, head chef and owner of the friendly Smith’s Restaurant Uddingston – pictured with his team.

Above: Kenny Gair and Iain Hamilton of IT systems analysts company TECHNiPHOBiA.

Championing small enterprises for the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland’s local elections manifesto. Day one of two with friendly local firms around Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Above and below: Julian Angus and Malcolm Mack from Angus & Mack furniture designers and timber merchants.

Above: spokes-person for independent shops – Liam Dawson, manager at Macdonald Cycles ,Edinburgh.

Above and below: John Danzig of Danzig & Co – business advisers and accountants.