Dragging me out of retirement

Lou Smith

Aug 23

2 min read

This weekend has seen me back out covering for another photographer around Northamptonshire in the sunshine.

A former newspaper I used to be a staff photographer with needed cover for an annual brand new rugby event and another annual dog event. Perfect.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have owned pugs, photographed pugs and been covered in pug glitter since around 2005 :)

I volunteer for a local Facebook group - bucks pug group, which although has cooled of over the years (especially since covid for obvious reasons) we do still exist and keep in touch as we have all moved out of Milton Keynes/Bucks.

We are two years into owning Roxie, our pug cross (we think she's a cross) from Animals In Need, a charity I have volunteered for and worked with on their social media, marketing and reception duties - however, within six months I came home with Roxie and a corn snake. I cant be trusted.

Covering this years annual Pugchella was a great chance to catch up with old friends and new smushed faces - with the added bonus of helping them gather some well deserved publicity. Michelle and the team work so hard to run these events alongside their doggy day care.

Saturday saw me attending a huge new event for a local rugby club who were celebrating their centenary with a weekend of music, beer and games for their fans, players, families and supporters.

It's been around a decade since I last shot for my old paper, but quickly I was reminded why I missed it. The weather helps obviously, but it was really nice to be able to help them publicise all of their hard work. Anyone who has organised events, run their own business or been self employed will know the literal blood sweat and tears it takes to get an event up, running and a success!

This week should see the stories go out online in the news, with a few popping up on social media on the day (a change since I was staff)