There’s a reason why I don’t like doing PR and to a lesser extent, press photography – deadlines and pressure kill my creativity. When it comes to my photography I’ve got to create at my own pace.

I was recently asked to join an award winning press photographer to photograph the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, just as an opportunity to build upon and refresh my technical skills in a different photographic context.

President McAleese was opening a new building for PIPS a suicide awareness/support centre in North Belfast. A charismatic woman, she spoke with conviction and sincerity about the impact of suicide on both individuals and the wider community.

I actually got to meet President McAleese a number of years ago when she visited Tasmania at a state reception the our local government had put on for her. She was very warm and it was very charming chatting to her. I was actually asked to be the official photographer for her visit to Tasmania, but declined, partially due to the fear of getting it wrong, and at the time I was engaging in more fine art studio work and not experienced enough in PR photography.

But as life swings in roundabouts, I got to photograph her again in 2009, and this time without any deadlines or pressures.