Great Night at the Thomas Heaton Big Speaker Lecture Evening

Thomas Heaton Big Speaker Lecture Evening – Friday 15th Sept 2017

Thomas Heaton and Melvin Nicholson
Thomas Heaton and Melvin Nicholson

Following on from organising several previous big lecture evenings in Lancashire which have featured professional landscape photographers such as David Noton, Colin Prior, and David Clapp, last night played host to current YouTube landscape photographer sensation Thomas Heaton. I booked a huge 200 seat hall at the gorgeous Bolton School after Thomas had kindly accepted my offer to have him come and present a lecture for the evening. I approached several national companies to come along and sponsor the event and have them bring their photography related goods for sale whilst offering advice to those who were attending.

I was delighted when Toby Herlinger, Managing Director of Fotospeed agreed to bring a stand displaying their superb range of photographic paper (I just happen to use as them). Phil Norton Nisi Ambassador also agreed to attend and he brought the range of Nisi filter systems on show and Mick Ryan and Stuart Holmes of FotoVUE brought a well stocked stand of their outstanding range of landscape photography location guide books.

Event Sponsors Fotospeed, Fotovue, Nisi Filters and Melvin Nicholson Photography
Event Sponsors Fotospeed, Fotovue, Nisi Filters and Melvin Nicholson Photography
Event Sponsor Melvin Nicholson Photography
Event Sponsor Melvin Nicholson Photography
Event Sponsor Fotospeed
Event Sponsor Fotospeed
Thomas Heaton with FotoVUE's Stuart Holmes and their latest superb Peak District photo location guide book
Thomas Heaton with FotoVUE’s Stuart Holmes and their latest superb Peak District photo location guide book
Melvin Nicholson Photography, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team
Melvin Nicholson Photography, Keswick Mountain Rescue Team

Before the main evening got underway, raffle tickets were on sale to raise money for my chosen charity, the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team in the Lake District. A seriously worthwhile charity run by brave and hardy volunteers (including FotoVUE’s very own Stuart Holmes who lives in Keswick) who risk their own lives rescuing people on the fells and mountains of the Keswick area. I personally spend a lot of time in the Keswick area and I can only hope that I never have to rely on needing them to rescue me but I know that I am as safe as can be knowing that they will be there if required. That is worth all the money that I can raise.

I am delighted to be able to announce that we raised £459 in total so a genuine HUGE THANK YOU to all those who bought tickets. There were some fantastic prizes on offer including a signed framed print from Thomas himself, £100 gift vouchers from Fotospeed, Nisi filters and Melvin Nicholson Photography as well as six books from FotoVUE. A rather BIG THANK YOU too all the event sponsors for supporting the raffle too. It was very much appreciated.

The doors opened at 6pm with plenty of time to wander around the trade stands before the main show started at 7.30pm. I personally wanted to build some time in before Thomas started his lecture so that people could meet, chat and catch up over a drink. Many of these kind of events allow friends to socialise and this was important to me so allowing 90 minutes beforehand seemed the best approach. 7.30pm arrived and it was time to introduce Thomas to the lectern where he presented a selection of beautiful images whilst recalling some of the stories that accompanied them. For me listening to the story behind why someone took the photograph is as interesting as looking at the photograph itself and it somehow adds an extra dimension to the finished capture.

Me introducing Thomas Heaton to the lectern
Me introducing Thomas Heaton to the lectern
Thomas Heaton Big Speaker Event as organised and hosted by Melvin Nicholson Photography
Thomas Heaton Big Speaker Event as organised and hosted by Melvin Nicholson Photography
Thomas Heaton Big Speaker Event as organised and hosted by Melvin Nicholson Photography
Thomas Heaton Big Speaker Event as organised and hosted by Melvin Nicholson Photography
Thomas Heaton Big Speaker Event as organised and hosted by Melvin Nicholson Photography
Thomas Heaton Big Speaker Event as organised and hosted by Melvin Nicholson Photography

Thomas spent the first half of the evening recalling the stories that accompanied the images he showed which those attending enjoyed very much (judging by the comments made to me). Thomas went on to explain that his YouTube channel (which generates quite an incredible 700,000 visits a month from his near 154,000 subscribers) allowed him to build up such a loyal following from those who subscribe and watch his entertaining videos twice weekly (6pm Wednesday and Sundays) (me included) that it has presented him with a wealth of opportunities to travel the world courtesy of several large organisations and companies. Thomas has recently made the transition to go into landscape photography full time which affords him plenty of time to dedicate to his craft. Both he and I are ‘living the dream’ as we get to travel the world, assist fellow photographers with their own photography through running workshops as well as generally enjoying all the benefits of immersing ourselves in this fantastic and wonderful world that is landscape photography.

The second half of the evening had Thomas go into detail about how he films and edits his YouTube videos as well as the business side of become a full time landscape photographer. Naturally I was very interested in hearing Thomas speak on this subject since I turned professional almost four years ago now. As Thomas confirmed, working as a full time landscape photographer is very hard work and we’re often spinning several plates to not only deliver a quality product to the client but also in trying to push the business forward in visiting new locations for future workshops and all that it entails.

Sadly 10.15pm rolled on by all too quickly and it was time for Thomas to finish and in doing so, he received a rapturous applause (much deserved too I must say). The only job left to do before leaving was to draw the raffle and there were several very happy people who won a variety of prizes on offer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”8057,8058,8059,8060,8064,8063,8062,8061″ img_size=”large”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So that was another very successful Big Speaker Evening over and done with and I have to say a few thank yous to some very important people whose support made the evening possible.

  • Firstly Thomas Heaton himself for very kindly scheduling some time to join us for the evening. It was an absolute pleasure meeting him.
  • Alex Fowler, Assistant Event Manger, Bolton School. Superb communication with Alex and the event ran so smoothly with plenty of staff on hand (including the brilliant bar staff) and the school itself is so beautiful including the Main Hall that we were located in. I shall definitely be using them again.
  • Mick and Vonda Rawcliffe for manning the ticket desk and selling the raffle tickets. Their support ensured that we raised £459 for the Keswick Mountain Rescue Team
  • Tony Higginson, professional wedding photographer who very kindly agreed to be the event photographer at very short notice. Many thanks Tony for capturing the evening on camera. Much appreciated.
  • Toby Helinger, Fotospeed / Phil Norton Nisi Filter Ambassador / Michael Ryan & Stuart Holmes FotoVUE books for attending, sponsoring and supporting the event. It was fantastic to have you along for the evening.

And of course to all of you who bought a ticket and attended. Without you all, the event would not have been half the success it was so a genuine HUGE THANK YOU from me for coming out and supporting the event. Perhaps I will run another one next year but who to ask to present a lecture? Let me know if you would like to see someone attend on the night.

Until next time, keep shooting, keep smiling.

Best wishes

Melvin Nicholson Photography

17 thoughts on “Great Night at the Thomas Heaton Big Speaker Lecture Evening”

    • Hi Andy

      The pleasure was all mine. I really enjoyed putting the event together and hosting it too. I thought Thomas was entertaining and inspirational to many that attended. A great night out indeed and many thanks for joining us. I really appreciate it.

      Best wishes Melvin

      Reply
  1. Hi Melvin what a very enjoyable evening ,pleasure to meet Thomas but also to listen to a very well put together talk which I found very interesting and inspiring and credit to you for organising it , top marks for that and thank you .

    Reply
    • Thank you Andy. I really enjoyed it too although as the organiser, you can never really relax and enjoy the show as there’s too much going on but so long as the rest of you did, that’s all that matters to me. Here’s looking forward to next year’s event.

      Best wishes Melvin

      Reply
  2. Excellent night at a first class venue.
    Really well organised and good to see the trade stands located at the rear
    of the hall.
    Thanks very much, thoroughly enjoyed it.

    Reply
    • Thank you Brian. Another fantastic evening of landscape photography. I felt the trade stands really elevated the show this year and I shall look at doing the same next year. Thanks for coming and supporting us.

      Best wishes Melvin

      Reply
  3. Great event Melvin. Throughly enjoyable and inspirational talk. Many thank for your efforts organising. I look forward to the next one.

    Reply
    • Thank you for your kind words Steve. I personally get a lot of satisfaction in putting together these large scale events for I know the enjoyment that people experience in coming together for an evening of quality landscape photography.

      Best wishes Melvin

      Reply
  4. A BIG thanks to Melvin for organising the BIG lecture evening with Tom Heaton a great night witch i thoroughly enjoyed.

    ABSOLUTELY STUNNING

    Reply
  5. Thank you Melvin it was a wonderful evening, well put together, a superb Event i thoroughly enjoyed it and a nice bonus at the end of winning a book. Looking forward to more events like this.

    Reply
    • Thank you Tina. It was great to have you and the additional eight members of Lancaster Photographic Society attend. Local support for local events. You cannot beta it and go easy on that Cornwall and Devon photography location guide book too. I have visited both those counties recently and there are way too many locations to shoot such is the beauty of the places.

      Best wishes Melvin

      Reply
  6. Looked like a fantastic evening,well done on organising the event & raising a great sum of money for a very good cause.well done Melvin & Thomas & all the sponsors who supported the event.

    Reply
    • Thank you Gary. I’m a bit of an old hand at organising these large scale lecture evenings but this one was the biggest for sure. It was so heartening to see so many turn out and support the event, not forgetting the event sponsors too who helped to make it the success it turned out to be.

      Best wishes Melvin

      Reply
  7. Hi Melvin, I’m always happy to hear about your successes. I enjoyed reading about this event and I’m sure it was even more enjoyable for those who attended. It must have been a hard work to organize it and put all the tiny and not so tiny details together. But you did it in a professional way, as always. Congratulations Melvin!

    Reply
  8. Hi Melvin, what a fantastic night, really enjoyed it. I’m glad we got there early to look at the items on sale and gain valuable information. Well done for capturing a great photographer and organising such an event in a great venue. Looking forward to the next one and hopefully more of us from LPS will attend.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  9. Thank you for a great evening it was a very revealing talk and I did learn a great deal but I suspect like a few did not realise how bald I was from that rear shot

    Reply

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