A press photographer who travelled the world with his job has told how a return to regional newspapers has allowed him to make music again.

Nottingham Evening Post picture editor Steve Mitchell was a full-time musician in various bands before becoming a photographer.

But when he joined sports photo agency Empics, long spells away from home meant he had to give it up.

Now he is back on the gigging scene with a new band – Shining Examples – and is at last managing to combine his passion for music with his love of photography.

Shining Examples: Steve, Bern, Tony and Keith

He became picture editor at the Derby Evening Telegraph in 2002, and is now in charge of the picture desk at the Nottingham Evening Post.

Steve, (48), said: “Before I became a press photographer I made a living as a full-time musician for about eight years and had a song writing deal with EMI.

“Through music I ended up taking pictures and came to the attention of the Nottingham Evening Post where I was eventually offered a staff job.

“When I joined Empics I had to pack the music in because I couldn’t guarantee where I would be, so when I joined the Derby Evening Telegraph I said to myself that I would put a band together.”

With Steve on guitar, he didn’t have to look far for a bass player – being joined by his brother Bern. Singer Tony Taylor is also a life-long friend of Steve’s, and he tracked down drummer Keith Gotheridge, who he had previously played a few gigs with, to complete the Shining Examples line-up.

The band write most of their own material, and Steve describes their sound as “well-crafted songs on top of a funky rhythmic beat, with a blues edge”.

Now, after a few delays because of work commitments and six months of rehearsing and getting a set together, the band are back in front of an audience.

Steve said: “We’ve done two gigs in Nottingham so far to test the water and the next step is to record an album.

“We haven’t got any career plans – I’d love to be a full-time musician but you’ve got to be realistic!

“There’s no question that music has always been my passion but I also love photography – and despite my efforts with a guitar it was a camera that took me around the world.”

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