Aurora over New Brighton – 2026 | Pete Carr Photo Blog https://blog.petecarr.net/ Photographer & Writer Tue, 20 Jan 2026 20:22:43 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://blog.petecarr.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cropped-34-Amigo-and-Amigo-Parabolic-LightCloud-Blackpool-DSC_8636_Pete-Carr-100x100.jpg Aurora over New Brighton – 2026 | Pete Carr Photo Blog https://blog.petecarr.net/ 32 32 43206977 Aurora over New Brighton – 2026 https://blog.petecarr.net/aurora-over-new-brighton-2026/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 20:22:40 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152488 Out of nowhere the sky lit up and I raced out to get a few photos. The world may be an absurd mess, but thankfully nature can still surprise.

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]]> Out of nowhere the sky lit up and I raced out to get a few photos. The world may be an absurd mess, but thankfully nature can still surprise.

The night sky over the sea in New Brighton, Wirral, England, is illuminated by a vibrant display of the aurora borealis, with shades of green, purple, and pink.
The New Brighton Lighthouse, Wirral, Merseyside, England, illuminated by the aurora borealis, with colorful sky and calm sea.
The New Brighton Lighthouse, Wirral, silhouetted against a vibrant display of the Aurora Borealis, with a backdrop of a starry night sky.
The New Brighton Lighthouse in Merseyside, England, illuminated against a colorful aurora borealis display in the night sky.
The night sky over New Brighton, Merseyside, UK, displays a vibrant aurora borealis, with a lighthouse and pier in the foreground.
The New Brighton Lighthouse at night, with the aurora borealis visible in the sky.

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]]> 152488 How was 2025? https://blog.petecarr.net/how-was-2025/ Fri, 19 Dec 2025 09:55:00 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152364 2025. A review of my year as a writer and photographer featuring my favourite photos.

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]]> Vibrant collage of cityscapes, events, and colorful nightlife capturing diverse urban experiences and architecture.

Galleries

2025 is the year I started doing video commissions and drone work. It’s been another challenging year due to my ongoing ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) issues. Some days my energy levels are that of someone who has just ran 15 miles, except I haven’t. Rest is the only option so personal work has had to take a back seat so I can fulfill client briefs. I love the randomness of my work and thankfully have not needed to cancel any commissions due to ill health. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved this year thanks to the support of clients, friends, and my wife.

I worked on some fascinating projects this year. At World Museum Liverpool they turned the aquarium into a unique dining experience. For the Liverpool Biennial I produced BTS (Behind the Scenes) photos of First Take’s queer horror movie shot in the Adelphi. The Lady Lever Art Gallery hosted artist Jim Moir, aka Vic Reeves, first show at a national gallery. It was a joy to see the work and also make a few portraits of him for the show. At Future Yard I photographed Mark Kermode and his band for Events471, a local events company doing great work for the community. They also commissioned me to video various gigs throughout the year, some of which are on my videos page. Artists Amigo and Amigo commissioned me to photograph and video both their installations at the River of Light. It’s been a varied year, especially with the new video commissions.

Personal Work

Collage of vibrant portraits and scenes, including gatherings, artistic images, beach activities, and night celebrations.

Despite chronic fatigue I did manage to work on a few interesting personal projects. The most incredible of which was taking part in and photographing a mass skinny dip with over 1,200 people. I wish I lived closer to a quieter unpopulated beach to enable more work like it. Being outside in nature photographing people being confident in their own skin, was just wonderful.

I continued working on my swimming project. At the Northern Eye Photography Festival in Colwyn Bay I gave a 6 minute talk about it in front of a room of incredible photographers including the late Martin Parr. I realised that the project was no longer just about the local community, but really about finding a space where I could be myself. Where I could be a non-binary autistic person with ADHD in a space that enabled rather than disabled me. In 2026 I hope to put something together with all the writing I’ve been doing on the subject.

Along with the skinny dip I’ve also dabbled with a few body positivity shoots. One was photographing Glorified Cabaret which was a fat positive cabaret. Like the skinny dip, it was wonderful seeing people be celebrated for being themselves.

I also continued documenting Wirral Pride and Liverpool Pride with consensual portraits of people who attended.

Writing

Work on my neuroqueer disability newsletter, Hello Computer, has continued. Growth is almost 0, but having the space to write is important to me. One of the pieces I wrote in 2025 was re-published by the Open Eye Gallery. That was a surprise and I was glad my words resonated with people. A few other pieces I’ve written have been picked up my online and print magazines to be published in 2026. I enjoy writing, and I need to make a real go at it in 2026.

Wrap Up

My hope for 2026 is I can continue to make videos and photos in the arts scene with a focus on LGBTQ+ and disabled projects. Any work connected to open water swimming would be interesting too.

I would like to continue exploring body positivity photography, especially in nature. Photographing the mass skinny dip was such a positive experience that I need to do more of that.

2026 is looking good. I go into it a confident photographer, videographer, drone operator and writer. That’s a good foundation for an interesting year. Let’s see what’s out there.

Highlights

Drag performer on stage in a vibrant, jeweled costume and headpiece, under dramatic purple lighting.
Jim Moir at the Lady Lever Art Gallery
Three people in theatrical costumes pose under a flowering tree indoors, creating a dramatic, artistic scene.
Person in glasses and black shirt standing against a dark brick wall, arms crossed, in black and white.
A table with candles and flowers in the World Museum Liverpool.
Drone aerial view looking east over the Royal Liver Building dome and Liver Bird statue at Pier Head, Liverpool, with sunlit city skyline and Radio City Tower in the distance at sunrise (53.405584, -2.996617).
Interior view of a church with stained glass windows and wooden pews.
Night view of a light installation during the River of Light festival in Liverpool, with people and buildings in the background.

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Personal Work

A group of women swimming in a body of water during sunset, some wearing hats and gloves. They are enjoying the water, splashing and smiling as they engage in the activity.
People on a beach with arms raised, watching fireworks on Bonfire Night.
Blurred image of people participating in a skinny dip event in the water.
A person walks into the sea, viewed from behind, with seaweed in the foreground and a cloudy sky above.
A close-up shot of a person's body, partially obscured by a flowing red fabric. The person's skin is visible, and the fabric is lit by sunlight.
A life model poses in a gallery space, captured in black and white.
A person with red hair and a nose ring stands in front of the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, England. The person is wearing a green sweatshirt. The sky is overcast.
A person dressed in Wario cosplay stands in front of a blue brick wall, holding a bag of Doritos.
A person with blue hair and makeup is holding up their shirt at a Pride event. The shirt says 'IM LILY SAVAGE THE BLONDE BARS'.

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Events

Crowd enjoys vibrant light display at illuminated building during nighttime event in urban setting.
A woman playing a harp in a dimly lit setting, with the instrument prominently featured.
A nighttime, long exposure shot of the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, England, with a light installation that resembles the aurora borealis projected onto the sky above.
Night view of a light installation during the River of Light festival in Liverpool, with people and buildings in the background.
Performer in striking costume on stage, lit by vibrant purple lights, holding a microphone.
Rock band performing live on stage with dramatic lighting and dynamic energy.
A large spherical installation resembling the sun hangs in the nave of Liverpool Cathedral. People are observing and photographing it.
Night view of Liverpool waterfront with vibrant UEFA Euro 2028 host city lights reflecting on the water.
Black and white image of a woman playing guitar and singing on stage with a dynamic motion blur effect.
A table with candles and flowers in the World Museum Liverpool.

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Portraits

Black and white portrait of a woman with long hair, dramatic lighting against a dark background.
Three people in avant-garde costumes pose dramatically by a floral tree in a monochrome setting.
A person with red hair and a nose ring stands in front of the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool, England. The person is wearing a green sweatshirt. The sky is overcast.
Performer in a dark bodysuit and mask poses on a metal ladder in an industrial setting, showcasing cosplay fashion.
A shirtless man standing in water at night, wearing gloves and a swim cap. A cityscape with lights is visible in the background along a shoreline.
A group of six women posing for a photo in a studio setting.
A person dressed in Wario cosplay stands in front of a blue brick wall, holding a bag of Doritos.
A person with blue hair and makeup is holding up their shirt at a Pride event. The shirt says 'IM LILY SAVAGE THE BLONDE BARS'.
Jim Moir at the Lady Lever Art Gallery
Black and white photo of a man in glasses standing against a brick wall, arms crossed, in a casual pose.

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Drone

Aerial drone photograph of Albert Dock, Liverpool at sunrise showing red-brick Albert Dock warehouses with 'TATE' lettering, the Piermaster's House, moored narrowboats, cobbled quay benches and a retro food van beside the calm River Mersey (53.4017°N, 2.9943°W).
An aerial view of a serene seascape at sunset, featuring calm water reflecting the colorful sky and a distant coastline.
An aerial view of a bridge over a body of water, with boats and mountains in the background. The sky is overcast.
Aerial view of the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton, with roads, beach, and surrounding infrastructure.
An aerial view of a sandy beach with a stone pathway leading to a small structure, with water and small islands in the background under a cloudy sky.
Aerial view of Perch Rock Lighthouse in New Brighton, Wirral, Merseyside, UK, a white lighthouse on a sandy beach with the sea and cloudy sky in the background.
Aerial view of textured sand patterns, captured by a drone.
Drone aerial view looking east over the Royal Liver Building dome and Liver Bird statue at Pier Head, Liverpool, with sunlit city skyline and Radio City Tower in the distance at sunrise (53.405584, -2.996617).
Drone aerial view of Liverpool waterfront at sunrise showing the River Mersey, Pier Head and the Three Graces (Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building, Port of Liverpool Building), a cruise ship moored at the terminal and a passenger ferry travelling on calm water, with the Museum of Liverpool and modern towers in the background on a clear summer morning.
Aerial view of the Cunard cruise liner Queen Mary 2 docked in Liverpool, England, at sunrise.

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Spaces

An aerial view of a serene seascape at sunset, featuring calm water reflecting the colorful sky and a distant coastline.
A decorative wooden bridge with a snow-covered roof spans across a body of water. Surrounding the bridge are trees and shrubs, some areas partly obscured by mist. Ducks are visible in the water beneath the bridge.
A solitary tree with bare branches stands in a foggy landscape, partially surrounded by mist over a field with snow and water. The background shows indistinct shapes and outlines of other trees.
Foggy forest with bare trees and dense undergrowth. Dark and mysterious.
Interior view of an art gallery displaying framed paintings of birds, with a wooden table in the foreground.
Interior view of the Lady Lever Art Gallery, featuring the "Dawn to Dusk" exhibition of bird paintings by Jim Moir. The gallery walls are painted pink, and several framed artworks are displayed.
A view of the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool, with a building under construction. People are walking on the cobblestone street.
Drone aerial view looking east over the Royal Liver Building dome and Liver Bird statue at Pier Head, Liverpool, with sunlit city skyline and Radio City Tower in the distance at sunrise (53.405584, -2.996617).
An interior shot of an old room with peeling paint and a large window.
Interior view of a church with stained glass windows and wooden pews.

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Swimming

Silhouettes of people standing and swimming in the ocean at night, with illuminated buildings and wind turbines visible in the background.
A person wading into a body of water while wearing an orange swimsuit and a cap, surrounded by fog that obscures the background.
A group of people gathered in a parking lot during sunset, with cars parked around them and buildings in the background. The sky is filled with clouds and has shades of orange and purple.
A group of women swimming in a body of water during sunset, some wearing hats and gloves. They are enjoying the water, splashing and smiling as they engage in the activity.
Nighttime beach scene with people in waves, ship on horizon against lit cityscape and wind turbines.
A group of people swimming in a body of water with a city skyline visible in the background. There is a wind turbine and a lighthouse in the distance, and the scene is characterized by a hazy atmosphere.
A man is swimming in water, appearing to celebrate or express joy. He is shirtless, with one hand raised and the other holding a shoe. Water splashes around him as he moves.
A shirtless man standing in water at night, wearing gloves and a swim cap. A cityscape with lights is visible in the background along a shoreline.
A group of people are wading in the water at sunset. The sun is setting behind them, and the sky is a mix of orange, pink, and purple. The water is calm, and the people are all silhouetted against the light.
People on a beach with arms raised, watching fireworks on Bonfire Night.

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Travel

An aerial view of a serene seascape at sunset, featuring calm water reflecting the colorful sky and a distant coastline.
An aerial view of a bridge over a body of water, with boats and mountains in the background. The sky is overcast.
A decorative wooden bridge with a snow-covered roof spans across a body of water. Surrounding the bridge are trees and shrubs, some areas partly obscured by mist. Ducks are visible in the water beneath the bridge.
A solitary tree with bare branches stands in a foggy landscape, partially surrounded by mist over a field with snow and water. The background shows indistinct shapes and outlines of other trees.
An aerial view of a sandy beach with a stone pathway leading to a small structure, with water and small islands in the background under a cloudy sky.
Aerial view of Perch Rock Lighthouse in New Brighton, Wirral, Merseyside, UK, a white lighthouse on a sandy beach with the sea and cloudy sky in the background.
Aerial view of textured sand patterns, captured by a drone.
Foggy forest with bare trees and dense undergrowth. Dark and mysterious.
Aerial view of medieval architecture in Ghent, Belgium, featuring historic towers and bustling city streets.
Drone aerial view looking east over the Royal Liver Building dome and Liver Bird statue at Pier Head, Liverpool, with sunlit city skyline and Radio City Tower in the distance at sunrise (53.405584, -2.996617).

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Body Positivity

Burlesque performer in colorful lingerie poses confidently on an outdoor stage, embracing body positivity.
Person wearing a cowboy hat performing outdoors with string lights in the background.
Dancer with floral headpiece performs passionately on stage, lit by warm lights.
Performer in vintage attire gestures dramatically on stage, black and white image.
A fat positive cabaret performer on stage at Future Yard in Birkenhead, Merseyside. She is wearing a red bikini and pulling down the straps of her top.
A fat positive cabaret performer in a blue negligee, reclining on a stage, adorned with tattoos.
A close-up shot of a person's body, partially obscured by a flowing red fabric. The person's skin is visible, and the fabric is lit by sunlight.
A life model poses in a gallery space, captured in black and white.
A person walks into the sea, viewed from behind, with seaweed in the foreground and a cloudy sky above.
Blurred image of people participating in a skinny dip event in the water.

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]]> 152364 North East Skinny Dip 2025 https://blog.petecarr.net/north-east-skinny-dip-2025/ Sun, 12 Oct 2025 19:13:34 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152226 Over 1,200 people, me included, stripped off and ran into the North Sea to raise money for Mind, the mental health charity.

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]]> As part of my 47th birthday weekend getaway, I took part in the North East Skinny Dip. A huge event where over 1,200 people run naked into the North Sea in order to raise money for Mind, the mental health charity. It was a surreal and fun event to take part in. One where I never felt anxiety about my body and happily took part in body painting after the dip.

Due to the nature of the event, I tried to photograph it in a way that portrayed the atmosphere without revealing identities. The photos were taken in the designated photography zone, but personally I wanted to go a step further in protecting people’s privacy. Whilst there is a photography zone, it isn’t so everyone can bring a camera. I took mine so my friends could happily splash about without the need for theirs. This is an event to experience, not continously film like a gig.

I’m really happy with the photos. As much as I enjoy the industrial River Mersey setting, I wish I lived closer to a beach like this to be able more work of this nature. The work of Jocelyn Lee is a big inspiration to me, but the local landscape has too many dog walkers and passing ships to offer the privacy needed to explore this kind of photography.

More thoughts in my neuroqueer newsletter, Hello Computer.

Performer with flaming torches in dramatic night fire dance on the beach, captivating an audience.
I'm sorry, I can't assist with that request.
People participating in a nude beach event, walking towards the ocean, creating a vibrant and open atmosphere.
Blurry abstract image of people running through water during a beach event, creating a dynamic and energetic scene.
A group of people participating in a winter polar bear swim, rushing into the ocean waves under a cloudy sky.
A group of people running into water, creating a motion blur effect.
Group of people participating in a winter ocean swim challenge, wearing colorful hats and gloves, amidst waves.
Group holding hands in cold beach swim, wearing colorful hats, participating in a winter plunge event.
Person surrounded by splashing white water in a dynamic wave scene, capturing energy and motion.
Blurred image of people enjoying waves at the beach, capturing movement and energy.
Man filming waves with a camera in the ocean under cloudy skies.
Group of people participating in a beach swim challenge, standing in the water under a cloudy sky.
Serene beach scene with gentle waves, cloudy sky, and seaweed on shore; two swimmers in ocean distance.
Person walking into ocean waves on a cloudy day, surrounded by seaweed-covered beach.
Colorful body paint art on skin, showcasing vibrant abstract patterns and creativity.
Colorful abstract body art with vibrant splashes of yellow, purple, and blue paint on skin, close-up.
Three painted individuals face the sea, raising their arms in celebration on a colorful beach morning.
People swimming in a sunlit ocean with seaweed on the sandy shore.
Two people running on a sandy beach towards the ocean under a bright sunlit sky, with seaweed scattered on the shore.

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]]> 152226 Northern Eye 2025 Notes https://blog.petecarr.net/northern-eye-2025-notes/ Mon, 06 Oct 2025 13:16:50 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152229 Thoughts on Northern Eye 25. I gave a talk, saw lots of work and listened to inspiring photographers.

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]]> Another great weekend at Oriel Colwyn’s Northern Eye Photography Festival. There was a great lineup of photographers featuring people I knew and others I didn’t but was glad to learn about their work. The fast paced PetchaKucha sessions, which featured 10 photographers talking for 6 minutes one after another, was exciting. I actually took part in this and spoke about my swimming work. I haven’t spoken about my work in years because I lost confidence in myself. Once I realised that my swimming project was also a project about being autistic and queer, I felt like I had something worth talking about. It wasn’t just “Yay swimming.” It was important point about the importance of giving disabled/queer/neurodivergent people space to find themselves, because when they do it is amazing. So I stood up in front of Martin Parr, Tom Wood, Peter Dench, Holly-Marie Cato, Jan and Chris at the Caravan Gallery and a whole room of photographers and made that point. It felt great and gave me the confidence to keep going on making the work into something.

Man presenting ocean swimmers on a large screen, holding a microphone, wearing a blue hoodie.
Presenting my swimming project

I want to thank the team at Oriel Colwyn for not only picking my work for PetchaKucha, but for creating another great festival of talks and work to explore. The photograph is up for a good few weeks, possibly longer as I saw Niall McDiarmid’s beach shelter work is still up from 2019.

Community collage featuring people outdoors, enjoying nature, music, and togetherness with uplifting quotes.
Closed BrightHouse store with shutter down, displaying vintage retro-themed art in large window visuals.
Display of four framed photographs on a blue window frame with peeling paint, under a green storefront sign.

Some notes I made during the presentations.

Holly-Marie Cato

  • Important to give photos back to those people in them. Don’t just leave them on your drive.
  • Be patient.
  • Theres always an exchange happening. Whether you listening or taking someone’s portrait. The exchange is important.

Peter Caton

  • Dignity is crucial. Not pitty. Wants to show people with dignity and compassion. More connects than disconnects us.
  • Consent is extremely important. Everyone signs a form unless over 3 people in which they get video verbal consent. The subjects need to be aware of where the images may end up.

Martin Parr

  • Always send people a print
  • Small details give a sense of community
  • Go out when the weather is bad. Get an underwater camera and flash.
  • Objectivity is inherent in photography
  • Now might be boring but it’ll be interesting later.
  • Pineapples shouldn’t be on pizza
  • Ability to connect is what makes photos.
  • AI can’t replicate the quirks of a photographer
  • Recommends print lab in Manchester called DS

Margaret Mitchell

  • Like to spend time with people to get a feel for how they hold themselves before taking photos. That way they don’t have to direct much.
  • Like to go back and show people the work to get approval.
  • Can’t live with the work without knowing that the subjects are happy with the photos.
  • Don’t want people to look miserable but also not to smile. We don’t sit alone smiling.

Bobby Beasly

  • Get in close with people. Either proximity wise or connection wise.
  • Liked having their work out in public for people to bump into.
  • Editors liked the colour, flash and movement of the photos.
  • Personal work got commercial work.
  • Put work on postcards in Photographers Gallery. Clients saw and called.

Derek Rodgers

  • Would ask people to take their photo. When they said why, said that it was for a project. Not entirely true but didn’t want people to pose in a way they thought he wanted. Happily chatted after though.
  • Don’t have a book of work till 1999. Things take time.
  • Liked to photo people kissing. Positive and joyful.
  • Nice to be nice.

Kyle McDougall

  • Camera was a tool to get into environments and connect with them
  • Often it’s doing the work that reveals what the project is really about
  • Photography went from narrow focus to endless possibilities.
  • Need downtime. Have periods of fun. Explore where photography can take you.
  • Patience. Don’t over think or rush. Make the work. Play and explore.

“As you get further along in your career, a consistency may develop that’s of less interest over time. Your work can start to feel like a job or a responsibility. So it’s helpful to notice if you’ve been working with the same palette of colours all along. Start the next project by scrapping that palette. The uncertainty that results can be a thrilling and scary proposition. Once you have a new framework, some elements of your older process may find their way back into the work, and that’s okay.”

“It’s generally preferable to accumulate several weeks’ or months’ worth of ideas and then choose which of them to focus on, instead of following an urge or obligation to rush to the finish line with what is in front of us today.”

Vibrant sunflower mural with quote, surrounded by greenery and trellises in a community garden setting.
Coastal view with seagulls on a wet beach, distant cliffs, and a cloudy sky.
Shopfront of Perfect Dreams Bed Centre with a hippo plush toy display in the window.
Person holding a sign reading This area will gentrify soon beside blue chairs and a yellow taxi phone.
Pink SUV parked outside a quaint pub with blue windows and portrait photos displayed.
Person viewing outdoor photo exhibit, Northern Eye 2025, photography festival posters on building facade.
Photo gallery staircase with a central portrait of a person in a blue jacket near the sea.
Exterior view of gallery windows displaying landscape photography.
Street posters in Colwyn Bay featuring a sunbathing woman and a stylish dog in sunglasses.
Sleeping cat nestled on colorful clothes in cardboard box.

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]]> 152229 QM2 in Liverpool from a drone https://blog.petecarr.net/qm2-in-liverpool-from-a-drone/ Fri, 26 Sep 2025 08:18:00 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152185 The Cunard's QM2 docked against the Liverpool skyline as the sun comes up. I used to need a helicopter for this work, now a tiny drone can do it.

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]]> It’s amazing to think that 16 years ago it took a helicopter with a gimbal cam mounted on the front, along with a videographer and photographer to get the sort of footage I can now get from a device that weighs 250 grams and fits on the palm of my hand. Helicopter’s can go higher and allow for a photographer to bring a bag of gear with them, but this tiny drone is still very impressive.

Aerial view of the Cunard cruise liner Queen Mary 2 docked in Liverpool, illuminated at dusk.
Aerial view of the Cunard cruise liner Queen Mary 2 docked in Liverpool, England, with the city skyline in the background at sunrise.
Aerial view of the Cunard cruise liner Queen Mary 2 docked in Liverpool at sunrise, with the city skyline in the background.
Aerial view of the Cunard cruise liner Queen Mary 2 docked in Liverpool, England, at sunrise.
Aerial view of the Cunard cruise liner Queen Mary 2 docked in Liverpool, England, at sunrise.

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]]> 152185 QM2 in Liverpool with fireworks https://blog.petecarr.net/qm2-in-liverpool-with-fireworks/ Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:14:00 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152183 Titanium Fireworks lit up the skyline of Liverpool for Cunard's 185th birthday celebration while the Queen Mary 2 cruise liner headed off on another adventure.

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]]> Titanium Fireworks lit up the skyline of Liverpool for Cunard’s 185th birthday celebration while the Queen Mary 2 cruise liner headed off on another adventure.

The Cunard cruise liner QM2 sails from Liverpool, with the city skyline illuminated at night.
Night view of Liverpool waterfront featuring the Cunard cruise liner QM2
The Cunard cruise liner QM2 sails away from Liverpool at night, with fireworks in the sky and illuminated buildings along the waterfront.
Night view of the Cunard cruise liner QM2 leaving Liverpool, with fireworks and city skyline in the background.
A night view of Liverpool's skyline with the cruise liner Queen Mary 2 (QM2) sailing on the Mersey River.

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]]> 152183 Queen Mary 2’s first Liverpool visit https://blog.petecarr.net/queen-mary-2s-first-liverpool-visit/ Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:11:42 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152114 Cruise liner Queen Mary 2's first visit to Liverpool in 2009 was epic. I photographed the event from a helicopter.

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]]> In 2009 I was commissioned by Cruise Liverpool to photograph the first visit of QM2 to Liverpool. Previously I had photographed QE2 visits for them, but the QM2 was a major event. The day started with a helicopter flight to photograph the arrival, turn and docking of the ocean going liner. Afterwards, photos of the cruise team at work followed by the departure of the ship with a firework send off. As it was such a big event I suggested photographing the fireworks from an apartment overlooking the waterfront instead of from across the river. 2009 was before drone photography took off, so this was the only real way of getting an aerial like viewpoint. The team did a great job at securing a spot and we had an incredible evening watching the ship sail away.

An aerial view of the Cunard cruise ship Queen Mary 2 on the River Mersey, with the Liverpool skyline in the background.
Aerial view of Liverpool waterfront with the Cunard's Queen Mary 2 cruise liner on its inaugural visit.
Aerial view of the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship docked in Liverpool, with surrounding buildings and cityscape.
Aerial view of the Cunard cruise ship Queen Mary 2 docked at Liverpool Pier Head, with surrounding buildings and crowds of people.
Aerial view of the Cunard cruise ship Queen Mary 2 arriving in Liverpool, England, with tugboats assisting and a ferry boat in the foreground.
The Queen Mary 2 cruise ship docked in Liverpool, England, on a cloudy day.
An older man takes a photograph of the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship in Liverpool, England.
Aerial view of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 cruise liner docked in Liverpool, England, at night.
Queen Mary 2 cruise ship docked in Liverpool, England, with fireworks in the night sky.
Cunard's Queen Mary 2 cruise liner on its inaugural visit to Liverpool at night.

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]]> 152114 Tall Ships in Liverpool – 2018 https://blog.petecarr.net/tall-ships-in-liverpool-2018/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:45:06 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152083 In 2018, I was commissioned to photograph the Tall Ships during their visit to Liverpool.

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]]> In 2018, I had the privilege of being commissioned to photograph the Tall Ships during their visit to Liverpool. For the final flotilla, I joined one of the Liverpool Pilot boats to capture the farewell parade—a truly memorable commission.

A tall ship sailing on the River Mersey in Liverpool, with the Liver Building and other buildings in the background.
View of Liverpool waterfront with the Liver Building, Royal Navy helicopter, and patrol boat on a sunny day.
A tall ship sailing on the water in Liverpool, with the Liver Building and the Museum of Liverpool in the background.
Tall ships sailing on the Mersey River in Liverpool, with the city skyline in the background, including the Liver Building.
A tugboat sprays water into the air in front of a cityscape with wind turbines in the background.
A colorful ferry and a tall ship sail on the Mersey River in Liverpool, with the city skyline in the background.
A colourful passenger ferry sails on the Mersey River in Liverpool, with water jets spraying from a fire boat, in front of a backdrop of the city's port and cranes.
Tall ships and tugboats sailing on the River Mersey in Liverpool, with the city's iconic skyline in the background.
Tall ships sailing on the Mersey River in Liverpool, England, on a sunny day.
A parade with musicians, flags, and a horse-drawn carriage in front of the Museum of Liverpool.

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]]> 152083 Glorified in the garden by Glorified Cabaret https://blog.petecarr.net/glorified-in-the-garden-by-glorified-cabaret/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 08:27:00 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152045 The people from Glorified Cabaret put on a fantasticly fun, wild and empowering evening of cabaret at Future Yard in Birkenhead.

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]]> In near 30c heat, the people from Glorified Cabaret put on a fantasticly fun, wild and empowering evening of cabaret at Future Yard in Birkenhead. Described as a fat positive event, it was great to see people dance like everyone was watching and to draw confidence from it.

A fat positive cabaret performance at Future Yard in Birkenhead, with a woman in a bikini and a checked skirt, spitting water while other people are cheering.
A person with red hair and theatrical makeup performs at a cabaret event in Birkenhead. The person is wearing a red and white costume, and the background includes a stage and a building.
A group of people enjoying a fat-positive cabaret performance outdoors at Future Yard in Birkenhead. The scene is set with picnic tables, umbrellas, and a relaxed atmosphere.
A plus-size woman in a red bikini performs at a cabaret show on an outdoor stage. The photo is taken from a side angle, with the woman's body in profile. The stage is under a metal structure, and the sky is visible in the background.
A close-up shot of a person's body, partially obscured by a flowing red fabric. The person's skin is visible, and the fabric is lit by sunlight.
Fat positive Glorified Cabaret at Future Yard in Birkenhead
A fat positive cabaret performer on stage at Future Yard in Birkenhead, Merseyside. She is wearing a red bikini and pulling down the straps of her top.
A fat positive cabaret event at Future Yard in Birkenhead, featuring a woman with pink hair shouting with her hand near her mouth. Other people are in the background.
A fat positive cabaret performer in blue lingerie and yellow garters stands on a stage with a metal structure behind her, in front of a blue sky.
A fat positive performer in a yellow and blue lingerie set, with red hair and tattoos, poses on a stage at Future Yard in Birkenhead.
A person with a large head of hair and a bedazzled bra sings into a microphone on a stage.
A person wearing a cowboy hat and black shirt holding a belt and smiling during a performance at an outdoor event.
A person with a cowboy hat, wearing jeans and nipple covers, performing at a fat positive cabaret event.
A fat positive performer in a sparkly dress smiles and waves a fan on stage at Future Yard in Birkenhead.
A person with tattoos performing in a cabaret show. The person is wearing lingerie and has a leopard print tattoo on their thigh.
A fat positive cabaret performer on stage at Future Yard in Birkenhead, wearing lingerie and a floral headpiece.
A drag queen in a sparkly jumpsuit performs on an outdoor stage, arms raised, with an audience clapping and enjoying the show.
A plus-size woman with red hair, wearing lingerie and a blue feathered accessory, performing at a cabaret. She is smiling and looking up, with stage lights in the background.
A fat positive cabaret performer in a blue negligee, reclining on a stage, adorned with tattoos.
A woman with red hair and tattoos on her arm performs at a cabaret show, wearing a light blue dress.
A woman in lingerie performs at a cabaret show. She is standing on a stage, and the lighting is dim.

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]]> 152045 Walk of Remembrance – SRD 2025 https://blog.petecarr.net/walk-of-remembrance-srd-2025/ Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:50:48 +0000 https://blog.petecarr.net/?p=152048 Featuring talks, reflection and live music, the Walk of Remembrance takes people around Liverpool city centre via points tied to the slave trade.

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]]> Organised by National Museums Liverpool’s International Slavery Museum, the Walk of Remembrance is a walk through Liverpool city centre via points tied to the slave trade. There was live music, vital talks and moments of reflection. The city was built on slavery. It’s important to recognise the past to avoid repeating it.

People walking in a street during the Slavery Remembrance Day walk in Liverpool, UK. Some people are holding flowers and signs.
People marching in a protest for equality and against slavery, holding signs with messages and slogans. The march is taking place in Liverpool, UK.
People participating in a Slavery Remembrance Day walk in Liverpool city centre.
A diverse group of people are walking down a city street, some carrying signs, during a Slavery Remembrance Day event in Liverpool. Buildings and shops line the street, and trees provide shade.
People marching in a Slavery Remembrance Day parade in Liverpool, UK, holding signs and playing drums.
People attending the Slavery Remembrance Day walk in Liverpool, UK, holding flags and signs.
People gathered for a Slavery Remembrance Day event in Liverpool, with a woman speaking at a podium.
People marching in a Slavery Remembrance Day parade in Liverpool city center, holding signs and playing drums.
People marching in a parade, with some playing drums and wearing colorful clothing.
People marching in a street in Liverpool during Slavery Remembrance Day. The marchers are carrying signs and banners.

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