ORIGINS - THE START OF DUNN & DUSTED VISUALS

I have always found the idea of having my own blog quite appealing. It feels like a space where I can share thoughts, experiences, and stories I’ve collected over time. The only issue was… I never really knew how to start, or even what I should base it on.

That opportunity came when I started Dunn & Dusted Visuals.

This is the first business venture I’ve truly invested my time into, and I’ve been developing it over the past two years. Initially, Dunn & Dusted started under the name CGTDPhotography. Looking back, it felt generic—nothing that really stood out or felt memorable. I wanted a name that actually meant something. Something professional, personal and something that represented me. After a lot of thought, Dunn & Dusted was born.

Great… so now I have a name. What next?

I’ve always been infatuated with travelling, and naturally I started documenting it—but this was very early on in my photography journey. Like most people, it started on an iPhone. That was enough for a while, but eventually I wanted more control, more creativity. That’s when an opportunity came up. A good friend of mine was selling his camera. I had always admired his work—I genuinely couldn’t believe what he could create with his gear. At the time, he was saving for a holiday and had started to fall out of love with photography. For me, it was the complete opposite. So I bought my first proper camera—a Canon 600D. It came with a couple of lenses, some accessories, and a small travel case. Nothing crazy, but to me, it was everything. I took that camera everywhere. Every trip, every walk, every moment I thought was worth capturing—I had it with me.

Now I had the camera… but I had no idea how to actually use it.

I wanted to learn everything—how to shoot manually, how to control light, and how to truly create an image rather than just take one. This wasn’t something I’d ever had the chance to invest in before, so I wanted to make the most of it. And without realising it at the time, this is where everything started to change.

I had been posting on Instagram for a few months—not with the aim of attracting clients or marketing a business, but simply as an online gallery. A place to upload my travels, share stories with friends and family, and highlight moments from my trips. As my skills developed, both in using the camera and editing, I realised this was something I wanted to pursue more seriously. At first, just as a hobby—with the idea of maybe making a bit of extra money on the side.

But I ran into two issues.

Firstly, I wanted better equipment. The Canon had been incredible to learn on, but I was starting to notice its limitations. Secondly, I had no clear niche—no specific direction for where I wanted to take my photography. Eventually, I decided to invest in my current setup—a Sony A7IV with a 24–105mm f/4 lens. With this equipment, I began exploring street and automotive photography alongside my ongoing passion for travel. I needed something that could perform in low-light conditions and produce cleaner, higher-quality images. The difference was huge. Suddenly, I was capturing the kinds of images I had always imagined in my head.

Then I received a message…

A friend asked if I would be interested in photographing a wedding for a family member—my first paid job. I was honestly stunned. I had never shot anything like it before. My experience was mostly landscapes and stationary subjects, so this felt like a completely different world. Imposter syndrome definitely kicked in. But I also knew something else—if I ever wanted to turn this into a business, I had to start somewhere.

So I said yes.

That decision—pushing through the nerves, the pressure, and the self-doubt—ended up being one of the best I’ve ever made. That one wedding led to another, and then another. Soon, I was being asked to shoot special events like christenings and university socials. It was something I had never imagined for myself.

But there was still one area I had always wanted to break into—concert photography.

Music has always been a huge part of my life, and I’m sure that’s true for most people. I had taken photos and videos at gigs on my phone before, but it never felt like it truly captured the atmosphere. Ever since seeing Whitesnake in Manchester and Def Leppard in Sheffield, I’d dreamed of having access to the pit—to get up close with artists and bands, and capture those moments properly.

That’s where I knew I wanted to go next.

I started by messaging local bands and artists on Instagram, offering free photography in order to build a portfolio and learn the ropes of concert photography. Unfortunately, this proved to be harder than I anticipated. I thought bands would be lining up for free content, but instead I was met with a wave of unanswered messages, “seen” notifications, and rejections.

But I didn’t let that stop me.

If anything, it pushed me more.

My big break came from a reply from a Manchester-based hard rock band—Wailing Banshee. They were headlining a local bar in Leeds alongside a few other bands. This was my opportunity. This was my way in.

That one gig started a chain reaction.

Other bands began reaching out, asking for my services to shoot their shows. Eventually, I started charging a small fee, but those early unpaid gigs were invaluable. They helped me refine my skills, especially working in fast-paced, low-light environments—the reality of concert photography.

My portfolio began to take shape.

Those early experiences turned out to be a blessing. I gained access to events through guest lists, built connections within the local music scene, and developed relationships with artists and bands alike—all while strengthening my portfolio. As a result, I was given opportunities to shoot for bigger artists such as The Amazons, Overpass, and most recently, the American metal band Crowbar.

Looking ahead, I want to continue developing both my wedding and concert photography, alongside my travels whenever possible. My main goal for 2026 is to turn Dunn & Dusted into a profitable business—something that can eventually allow me to step away from the 9–5 and pursue this full-time.

This year, I’m focusing on building a strong client base, getting my brand out there, and pushing my photography to the next level. I also want to invest more into concert photography, with the goal of shooting at least one festival by the end of the year.

I’m not entirely sure what the future holds for Dunn & Dusted, but what I do know is that I’m ready to give this everything I’ve got and see just how far it can take me.

Will I reach the light at the end of the tunnel?

Time will tell.

As for this blog, I’m still figuring out the direction it will take—but I do have ideas. If you’ve made it this far, you’ll likely see those unfold soon. From reviews, to behind-the-scenes experiences shooting artists, and lessons I’ve learned along the way—my hope is that by sharing this journey, it might help others in a similar position, whether that’s photographers starting out or bands trying to break through.