I’m photographing a charity sector social media event next week in Edinburgh. This is my guest blog for their website:

“Social media is great at giving people a voice. It doesn’t matter who you are, there are amazing tools on the world wide web that let you share your views, promote your work, get on your soapbox, or just have a natter. The Media no longer talks at the public, the public is now a very real part of the conversation. I spent years running a TV show’s blog and message board, and learned how important it is to listen to and engage with your audience.

I’m passionate about Twitter, Facebook and the rest. I changed my life a few months ago – left a great career at the BBC to become a freelance writer and photographer. It’s exciting and terrifying in equal measure but one thing has helped my transition more than anything else: Twitter.

I’ve got commissions through it, I’ve met inspiring people who have helped point me in the right direction, and I’ve made great friends. And when I’m working in isolation there’s always a crowd to join… and procrastinate with . Twitter is, in many ways, my office.

As if this isn’t enough to whet my appetite for the Be Good Be Social event, I love being involved with charities. I’ve had the pleasure to work with OneKind and Dogs Trust recently. It feels life-affirming to have new opportunities like these, and it gives me focus. I know that sounds cheesy but it’s a far cry from the world of entertainment that I have inhabited for so long!

I’ll be photographing Be Good Be Social, sending out a few tweets on the night and eavesdropping on all the wisdom you have to share.

I look forward to being a part of it.”

So there you go. A guest blog! Woo! Never done that before. I hope it’ll be the first of many. Now excuse me while I go faff about on Twitter…