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the journey so far

meet doug

A Self-Motivated, articulate, mature individual. Extensive knowledge within Travel, Design, Graphics, Photography, Bodyshop, Creative Arts,

DIY/Construction industries.

 

Based in Chester le Street, Co. Durham

 but happy to travel nationally

or globally as required.

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Full UK Drivers Licence

No Points

Excellent Health

Non-Smoker

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Early-2023

Cruise Product Executive For Hays Travel

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The Cruise Industry is making a huge comeback following Covid, so what better time to join U'K's most loved independent travel agencies!

 With many years of photographing for Sail Croatia, I felt my new remit in the niche Cruise Industry was ideal for me.

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Late-2022

Kitchen Designer for Wren Kitchens

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Having a genuine desire to be more customer facing I made the transition into kitchen designing with Wren.

I found myself enjoying their tailormade 3D and Virtual Reality software which has a huge advantage when it comes to being able to display your designs.  

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Mid-2022

Surveyor for Hammonds Fitted Furniture

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With a love of new challenges, the opportunity arose to join the Hammonds Survey Team in the North East. 

Having an eye for detail and the ability to strike a great rapport with clients quickly, I felt this role would be perfect.  Drawing on my previous design and CAD knowledge definitely was an advantage. 

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Early-2022

The Coppered Kiwi

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Having survived the Pandemic the future looks bright, so as I contemplate the next life chapter I have chosen to use my creative skills to design and manufacture a range of Home Decor products made from Copper & Chrome tubes.

Take a peek here.. 

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Late-2021

Sail Croatia Senior Photographer

(Photo, Drone & Video Work)

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Having sadly missed the beautiful Dalmation Coastline in 2020 I was fortunate enough to be invited to return in 2021 for an 18 Day stint.

Capturing 4x different cruises was a highlight of a rather challenging year. 

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Mid-2021

Design & Build Project

(Split Level Composite Deck with Log Cabin)

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I've never been one to shy away from challenges so when a neighbour suggested this awesome project to me I was all over it.

To date, it has been the largest building project and the most satisfying to see it complete.

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Early-2021

Design & Build Project

(Large Patio, Garden Beds and Log Cabin)

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Exiting a lengthy Winter and with Covid restricting travel, I got asked to transform a mundane backyard into a cute beautiful sun-drenched patio complete with Log Cabin.

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2020-2021

Pandemic and Lockdown

(Transform my Woodland and Garden Terraces)

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April 2020 mid-Pandemic I moved 300 miles North to resettle in Chester Le Street.

It has proved to be the best decision I have made in years. With a new array of wonderful neighbours and my own private Woodland to reinvent, the summer months of lockdown was more like a pleasant sabbatical.

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2005-2020

Graphic Design, Creation and Installation

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A few years after arriving in the UK it was time to pick up the "Self Employed" baton again in order to reinvent myself. 

I started applying graphics to MINI's which quickly turned into a full-time Design, Production and Application Business. 

Primarily working with the BMW, MINI and Ferrari brands this, fortunately, turned out to be an overnight success story.

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2011-2022

Sail Croatia Senior Photographer

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Fate does have a way of occasionally showing up on your door, I guess you just have to know when to grab it with both hands,

This was the case when the Co-Owner of Sail Croatia popped in for a chat one day to ask if I would like to photograph their cruises. 

11 Years and 60x cruises later I can honestly say the collaboration has been a highlight of my life. 

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2005-2020

Official Royal Borough Photographer

 

I was invited to become an Official Photographer for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead. This immediately granted me unique access to events and locations to capture a wonderful array of photos. 

I still Own/Manage the Royal Borough Image Bank which has a vast selection of free images for promotional purposes.

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2005-2020

Official St Georges Chapel Royal Photographer

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Becoming the Offical St Georges Chapel Photographer in 2005 was a huge privilege and one I didn't take lightly.

I have been lucky enough to spend time with almost all the Royals and have attended numerous events in their company. 

The trust placed within me with the images I took was humbling, to say the least.

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2000-2003

Employed in the U.K. By:

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Bradshaw Webb Mercedes Benz

(Bodyshop Foreman)

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Sytner Sunningdale BMW

(In House Bodyshop Manager)

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Autotech Bodyshop 

(Senior Bodyshop Technician)

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1993-1998

My Beautiful 550 Spyder Project

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Hand-built over a period of 5 years my replica of a Porsche 550 Spyder was a joy to create.

This is now proudly displayed in Southwards Museum in New Zealand next to my Grandfathers Indian Speedway Motorcycle.

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1988-2000

Owner / Manager:

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As Owner/Manager of Coastal & Classic Panelbeaters in Whangaparaoa New Zealand.

I Specialised in a level of repair quality that was instilled in me from my apprenticeship days.

Sadly numerous insurance companies during this period chose to selectively offer work to those that had neither invested in equipment or were morally corrupt. Ultimately this left a once-thriving industry divided, broken and unprofitable..

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1997-2000

Licensed Vehicle Inspector in N.Z.  

(NZ Transport Agency)

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One of only 3x at the time who had the authority to

certify post-accident vehicles along with the vast

array of Japanese imported cars

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1982-1988

Employed In N.Z.  

(Senior Bodyshop Technician)

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Dornwell Panel & Paint

Milford Panelbeaters

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1978-1982

Early Apprentice Years

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Completed Apprenticeship with:

Dickey & Smith Panelbeaters, Auckland NZ

Won-Top Apprentice in NZ twice.

Won-Top Young Repairer in NZ.

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