COVID-19 Update

Theatre and Tourism are likely to be affected by the Scottish Government's COVID-19 restrictions for some time to come. This year's Edinburgh Festival has been cancelled, although more adhoc, local things may still pop up in August if the restrictions permit. Large indoor theatre  performances are likely to be some way off but some performances may start up as restrictions ease. There are commercial factors in play in the staging of theatre in front of physically-distanced indoor audiences.

• Small local gatherings are possible under Phase 3 but restrictions still seem to rule out most outdoor and all indoor events with an audience
• Larger events will not be possible until Phase 4 (By the current process no earlier than early August, but who knows?) 

However the restrictions are eased, it is likely that local events will be very important and therefore I intend to focus my attention on things happening in and around Portobello in the coming months.

In August Edinburgh is the home of the Festival and performers from all over the world arrive to put on their shows. Venues spring up everywhere and it feels like the whole the city is a stage. Whether it's for advance publicity, images to accompany reviews or simply to document the experience of putting on a show, all those performances need photography. And in fact it's no different the rest of the year - theatre needs photography.

Visitors come to Edinburgh all year round and while many of them will bring their cameras, not to mention their phones and mobile devices, sometimes there is a need for the services of a local photographer. Using a 'Vacation Photographer' is increasingly common and whether it is individuals, a couple or a larger group, the idea is to have a photographer on hand to take your pictures as you explore a new tourist destination. A way to avoid the selfie stick and a chance to concentrate on seeing the sights of Edinburgh for yourself rather than through a lens or on a smartphone screen.

If you do pay a visit to Edinburgh I'd thoroughly recommend a visit to Edinburgh's Seaside at Portobello. Two miles of sand make it a popular place for a day out, whatever the weather,  all just a short bus ride on a number 26 from Princes Street. But Portobello is about much more than sunsets at the beach, great as they are. It's people that really make a place and since moving down here a few years ago I have been capturing some of the local characters and events.