After years of photographing for my own pleasure, I felt I might do more with the results than simply share them with friends. Like many before me, I thought perhaps I could create cards with them. But cards that would have an extra cachet, that the recipient would cherish, and even think to frame as if they were art. Photographic cards such as I'd never seen before..Finally, I'm pleased to say, the results have been launched as a website: www.takingtimecards.co.uk. The site presents evocative photographs of the local area - and beyond - on premium boxed collections of cards. You can choose your own set of images from the galleries of photographs, or pick swiftly from the themed selections. The boxes of cards are designed as gifts, and this is the only place they can be found.I called the company Taking Time Cards for three reasons. You could consider that a moment in time is captured - or ‘taken' - when the image is made. But time is also taken when I create the box of cards, for all is done by hand. I ‘inlay' the photographic prints on the card, title, sign and initial each one in pencil, fold together their envelopes, swathe them all in softly sparkling paper and seal that with a hot-wax seal. The seal is definitely a very satisfying way of presenting them, although the process is demanding, for it never fails to raise a little gasp of delight when the lid is raised. To be frank, rarely today do you see such care as this.The cards are then encased in a subtly coloured presentation box and normally taken to Wood Street Post Office during my daily walk. Or sometimes delivered by hand locally.I like to think of my clients, in their turn, taking the time to send these cards and sharing our beautiful places. Mercifully, even today, there are many who still feel a card is a more considerate way to say ‘thank you' or ‘Happy Birthday' than an email or a text. Certainly I've come to realise that taking just a little more time makes the all difference!