Is it Christmas already? What happened to the last year? Where did it go? Is that Father Christmas with a Gorilla? Don't panic Mr Mannering!  All will become clear soon enough. 

As usual I'm very organised and have everything ready and under control for Christmas. Well when I say ready I have written my to do list! But there's no need to panic, it will be fine I have several hours left before the big day and sometimes waiting until the last minute can be the best approach. My plan this year is to wait for the rush to die down then nip out, whizz around the shops and get all my Christmas shopping done with ease. It's a truly excellent plan, as long as no one else has thought of this approach though! Still it's not completely my fault I'm not ready for the big day. It's been a very busy few weeks and I have covered some great photography assignments for past and some new clients which in the New Year I hope to share with you. Until then and before I head off and brave the shops I thought I'd share some Christmas photos with you. Looking through my photography archives I wanted something a bit different than the normal Christmas tree photo and I found it. Over ten years ago now (wow doesn't time fly) whilst I was working for a press agency in Kent and I was sent on a very important Christmas photo assignment to photograph Father Christmas delivering presents to some Gorilla's at a local wild animal park. The Port Lympne Wild Animal Park (more info here) in Kent is unlike an ordinary zoo as it's part of The Aspinall Foundation (find out more here) and allows visitors to see conservation in action. The staff and volunteers work hard to help endangered animals and they do a great job. Clearly the Gorillas had been well behaved that year as Father Christmas had decided to drop in and deliver some presents and I was dispatched to photograph the encounter. As Santa handed out the presents and I took my photographs I wondered to myself what a Gorilla would really want for Christmas? I have enough trouble buying gifts for my friends and family but a large hairy 10 year old Western Lowland Gorilla called Emmie! Thats a real challenge. As you can see from the photos Emmie loved receiving the gifts but just like my kids when they were younger in the end the christmas wrapping paper, empty boxes and even Santa's boot was all Emmie the Gorilla really wanted for Christmas.  

So till next time may you have a wonderful Christmas and very very Happy New Year. Scott the Photographer. Now where did I put that to do list? Car keys anyone? …….Has anyone seen my car keys. ARGH look at the time!