The end of an era.

It's with sad news that I must let you all know that my journey with Harrison Photography is almost complete.

After nearly 17, yes 17 years, working with a great team of people, Mandy has decided to retire the business.

It was October 2001 when I got the phone call that literally changed my life. John Harrison rang me while I was working for the Ulster Star with the question "will you come work for me."

I was in the middle of moving house at the time and after discussing it with my then girlfriend (now wife Ashlie) I decided to go for it.

November 2001 was a busy month, new house, new car, new job, near nervous breakdown. Doing one of these is stressful enough.

Within my time at Harrisons I have covered some of the biggest political stories this country has seen, was part of every Royal visit to the province from I started, met three US Presidents and leaders from countries all over the world and photographed some of the biggest names in the movie and music business.

During my time with Harrison Photography I am pleased to say that I have worked with some of the best people in the game and became friends with each of them. Big shout out to the late John Harrison and Mandy, Aaron McCracken, Marie Therese Hurson (MT), Kathy Walsh, Ian and Tracy Bell and Mike Thompson.

The death of John Harrison in 2010 was a night that I will never forget the longest day I live.

We had been working at the CIPR awards until midnight that night and we were preparing for a long stint the following day as The Queen was flying in for a Royal visit. A few hours after leaving the hotel, I received the call.

Somehow we managed to continue with the visit that day and managed to produce great coverage in the papers but I truly can't remember much about it. I was covering the International airport section of the visit and must of been on autopilot because I can't recall anything from that day other than standing on the runway at the end of the visit photographing Her Majesty's plane as it departed the airport.

After John's death we were obviously worried about the future of the firm but Mandy stepped up and wanted the company to carry on. We got a good run out of it, but nearly seven years later and it's time for another change. Mandy has decided to retire, and who could blame her, I wish her all the best in the future.

And so, here we are. New website, new blog, new name.

Hopefully simongraham.photography can some day be part of your business and help provide the images your company requires.