Richard Young is This Year's Speaker at Grays of Westminster's Christmas Dinner at the IoD

​​Sophia Loren by Richard Young

An extremely rare opportunity: An Evening with…Richard Young, Celebrating 40 Years of Photography

 SPECIAL NIKON PRIZE DRAW:A chance to win a pair of Nikon high-grade binoculars worth £450 courtesy of Nikon UK

London - Grays of Westminster, the London-based, multi-award winning exclusively Nikon camera shop, is proud to announce that the speaker for its prestigious Christmas Evening this year is Richard Young, who is currently celebrating his 40 years of photography.

The dinner, now in its 7th year, will be held in the magnificent Regency Restaurant at the Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall, London from 6.30pm on Friday 5th December 2014. After the meal, Richard Young, one of the most remarkable social documentary photographers of our time, will present his extraordinary images from a monumental career spanning forty years.

The itinerary for the evening is as follows:

Date: Friday, December 5th, 2014

Venue: Institute of Directors (IoD), 116 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5ED

Champagne Reception: 6.30 p.m. Introduction and Welcome

Dinner: 7.15 p.m.

Richard Young’s Presentation in the morning room: 9.15 p.m.

Cost of the evening: £155 per ticket

In addition to the dinner and talk, there will be a special Nikon prize draw included in the price of the ticket: a chance to win a pair of Nikon high-grade binoculars worth £450.00 complete with case, courtesy of Nikon UK!

The IoD is a grand Grade I listed Regency building and its sweeping marble staircase and vast walls covered in 18th and 19th century canvases provides a spectacular backdrop for the evening; the period restaurant at the IoD is a most fitting venue for this elegant, traditional Christmas celebration.

About Richard Young

“Richard Young is one of the most important photographers of the 20th Century.” Lord Snowdon

Richard’s body of work contains a wealth of iconic images from a distinguished range of famous subjects, from Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, from Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Junior to Tom Cruise, Princess Diana and Jackie Onassis. Over the years, he has covered the Cannes Film Festival and the Oscars in Los Angeles, as well as visiting orphanages in Romania with Michael Jackson and accompanying United States troops to Iraq.

In 2012, Richard was presented with the Ischia Art Award at the Ischia Global Film and Music Festival in Italy, and in the same year was featured as the subject of a four-part Sky Arts Documentary: Celebrity Exposed: The Photography of Richard Young. In 2013, he was awarded Le Prix Champagne de la Joie de Vivre, and later in the year, an Honorary Fellowship and the title Honorary Doctor in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Field of Photography from The University of The Arts London.

 About Grays of Westminster

 Grays of Westminster, located in central London, a short distance from the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Knightsbridge, was founded almost thirty years ago by Gray Levett with the idea of creating a world-class camera store, which would offer a service that was second to none. Grays of Westminster is to many photographers not just a camera-shop but an institution, one that has attracted customers from all over the world and from all walks of life. It evolved from a modest mail order company in the mid-1980s to its present, highly-respected position in the photographic industry with over 47,000 customers world-wide, that have included the legendary film-director, Stanley Kubrick, David Suchet, best-known in his role as Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famous sleuth, Lord Snowdon, world-famous National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg, Rod Stewart, and the late 1960s’ icon Terence Donovan.

Now in its 7th year, the Grays of Westminster Christmas Evening at the IoD has become a staple event in London's photographic calendar. Previous distinguished speakers include Neil Lucas, former producer of the BBC’s world renowned Natural History Unit for over 20 years, Mike Maloney OBE, the UK’s most decorated press photographer, Julian Calder, one of the world’s best portrait photographers, well known for having recently been commissioned to take official portraits of Her Majesty The Queen and HRH Prince Philip, and Jim Brandenburg, one of the world’s greatest living nature photographers.

For more information, please contact:

Gillian Greenwood

Grays of Westminster

40 Churton Street

London

SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925

info@graysofwestminster.co.uk

http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk 

Richard Young is This Year's Speaker at Grays of Westminster's Christmas Dinner at the IoD

Exclusively-Nikon Grays of Westminster Becomes the First Camera Shop in the World to be Granted a Coat of Arms

Mr. Robert Noel, Lancaster Herald of Her Majesty's College of Arms, presented the Coat of Arms to Gray Levett, founder of Grays of Westminster at a celebratory dinner held at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London on 29th October 2014.

London - Grays of Westminster, the multi-award winning, exclusively-Nikon camera shop, renowned world-wide for its exemplary level of customer service, has become the first camera shop in the world to be granted a Coat of Arms.

Mr. Robert Noel, Lancaster Herald of Her Majesty's College of Arms, presented the Coat of Arms to Gray Levett, founder of Grays of Westminster at a celebratory dinner held at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London on 29th October 2014.

The Grays of Westminster Coat of Arms: "Lead in Order to Serve"

Distinguished guests at the dinner included Andrew Main Wilson, Chief Executive of the Association of MBAs, who gave the introduction, Mike Maloney OBE, Britain’s most decorated press photographer, representatives from Nikon Japan, Nikon UK and Nikon Germany, as well as journalists from the national and photographic press. Also joining the celebration were a number of Grays of Westminster’s clients, several of whom had travelled from Australia and Dubai to be part of the celebration.

Grays of Westminster founder, Gray Levett

For any person or organisation to have a legal right to a Coat of Arms, it has to be granted to them by England’s Earl Marshal, the 18th Duke of Norfolk, through the Herald at the College of Arms in London. Heralds are appointed by The Queen and are delegated to act on her behalf in all concerns of heraldry and the granting of new Coats of Arms. To be the recipient of this honour, the criteria that is taken into account before a Coat of Arms is granted might include awards or honours from the Crown, public and charitable services or eminence and good standing in national or local life.

The College of Arms worked closely with Gray Levett throughout the design process to create a Coat of Arms that was personal to Grays of Westminster and one which would visually identify their role in the photographic industry. It is painted on vellum using ink and 22-carat gold paint decorated by a herald painter, with the text written by a scrivener, the whole process taking a year to create. The College of Arms maintains an ancient English tradition of manuscript writing and illumination which can be traced back to early monastic scriptoria.

Heraldic Description of the Grays of Westminster Coat of Arms 

The symbolism within the image depicts a Lion (Gray Levett) amicably communing with the bird of Japan, the green pheasant. The mural crown around the lion's neck stands for responsibility to the public. Its right paw is resting on a camera lens. The cornucopia representing flourishing growth is replenished with flowers that represent various facets of Grays of Westminster and Japan. The tip of the horn has been modelled into an emblematic portcullis for Westminster. The rays of light emanating behind the flowers symbolise the derivation of the word photography, which means photo = light + graphy = writing. The rationale of the badge is an occidental phoenix with two heads for looking both east and west. It bears the motto:

Lead in Order to Serve (Praesis ut Prosis)

The crest, helmet, shield, motto and badge
of Grays of Westminster's Coat of Arms

On receiving the Coat of Arms, Gray Levett said:

“I am deeply honoured to receive this singular recognition for Grays of Westminster at the Institute of Directors tonight in the presence of so many key figures of our profession. To be acknowledged by Her Majesty's College of Arms is something very, very special, and the Coat of Arms will serve as an enduring inspiration for me to continue to offer the very best in service to our Nikon customers.”

About Grays of Westminster

Grays of Westminster, located in central London, a short distance from the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and Knightsbridge, was founded almost thirty years ago by Gray Levett with the idea of creating a world-class camera store, which would offer a service that was second to none. Grays of Westminster is to many photographers not just a camera-shop but an institution, one that has attracted customers from all over the world and from all walks of life. It evolved from a modest mail order company in the mid-1980s to its present, highly-respected position in the photographic industry with over 47,000 customers world-wide, that have included the legendary film-director, Stanley Kubrick, David Suchet, best-known in his role as Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famous sleuth, Lord Snowdon, world-famous National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg, Rod Stewart, and the late 1960s’ icon Terence Donovan.

Grays of Westminster now join the ranks of distinguished shops such as Burberry and Harrods which have also been granted a Coat of Arms.

For more information, please contact:

Gray Levett FIoD
Grays of Westminster
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk

Exclusively-Nikon Grays of Westminster Becomes the First Camera Shop in the World to be Granted a Coat of Arms

Gold on Gold: Double Olympic Gold Medalist, Pete Reed MBE, visits Grays of Westminster

Olympic Gold Medalist Pete Reed MBE (right) in the second-hand department of Grays of Westminster with Gray Levett holding Pete's two gold medals.

The Olympic champion and dedicated Nikon user, Pete Reed, visits Grays of Westminster - something he has wanted to do for a long time.

London - Double Olympic Gold Medalist (in the Coxless Four - Rowing) from Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and keen Nikon user, Pete Reed, recently visited Grays of Westminster, the award-winning Nikon-only dealer in London.

Grays of Westminster founder, Gray Levett said, "We were very honoured to be able to welcome Pete Reed MBE to Grays of Westminster. He graciously showed all the staff his two gold medals and we told him what an absolute inspiration he was to us all. The triumph of the British athletes at the Olympic Games created a wonderful feeling of unity and pride within the British Isles; it is he and others like him that continue to encourage and inspire us at Grays of Westminster to push our standards of service and professionalism to ever greater heights."

Pete Reed spent nearly three hours in the shop and left laden down with a number of Nikon gold boxes. In a message to Gray Levett he said:

"You have a wonderful place and a cracking group of people around you and I pride myself on being a good judge of character.  It was an honour to have so much of your time and a personal tour all afternoon and it's great to know that I can come back anytime."

About Grays of Westminster

Grays of Westminster, the multi-award-winning Nikon-only shop, was founded over a quarter of a century ago by Gray Levett with the idea of creating a world-class camera store, offering a service that was second to none. It is superbly located in a quiet area of central London, a few minutes walk from Victoria Railway Station; the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Tate Britain, River Thames and Knightsbridge are all within easy reach. Grays of Westminster is not simply a famous Nikon camera shop; it is, to many photographers around the world, an institution. It can trace back its beginnings from a modest mail order company to its present, highly-respected position in the photographic industry.

For more information, please contact:

Gray Levett

Grays of Westminster

40 Churton Street

London

SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925

info@graysofwestminster.co.uk

http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk

Submitted By: WorldWidePR.net

Gold on Gold: Double Olympic Gold Medalist, Pete Reed MBE, visits Grays of Westminster

Grays of Westminster announce their Grand Christmas Dinner with Mike Maloney at the IoD

Prize draw: one lucky attendee will walk away with a brand-new pair of Nikon High-Grade 2012 Olympic binoculars worth £469.00, courtesy of Nikon UK!

Mike Maloney OBE

London – Grays of Westminster are delighted to announce their Grand Christmas Dinner at The Institute of Directors (IoD), London on Friday, 7th December, 2012, 6.30 p.m. – 10.30 p.m.

The guest speaker this year is Britain’s most highly awarded press photographer, Mike Maloney OBE.

The evening will comprise a superb Christmas dinner in the magnificent period restaurant at the Institute of Directors at 116 Pall Mall, London, followed by a unique opportunity to listen to Mike Maloney’s amazing stories as he presents some of his images from a thirty-year career at the top of his field. Proceedings will begin at 6.30pm with a Champagne reception followed by an introduction and welcome by Gray Levett (founder of Grays of Westminster), the Christmas meal, then Mike Maloney’s talk in the Morning Room.

Nikon High-Grade 10×25 London 2012 Olympics Binoculars worth £469

Special Prize

The prize-draw will be held during the evening and one lucky attendee will walk away with a brand-new pair of Nikon High-Grade 10×25 London 2012 Olympics Binoculars worth £469, courtesy of Nikon UK! Waterproof and fog-free, these binoculars offer powerful features (including a close focusing distance of 3.2m.), with a compact foldable design convenient for carrying. Environmentally friendly materials have been used for the body, eyepiece caps, case and strap and the eco-glass optics are free from lead and arsenic.

The IoD is a grand Regency building and its sweeping marble staircase and vast walls covered in 18th and 19th century canvases provides a spectacular backdrop for the evening; the period restaurant at the IoD is a most fitting venue for this elegant, traditional Christmas celebration.

Institute of Directors, London

Cost of the evening: £155 per ticket, £95 for current Nikon Owner subscribers.*

How to book

To book a place, contact Gillian Greenwood by email only with your full name, Nikon Owner subscription number if available, postcode, daytime mobile and landline, your menu choice (traditional or vegetarian) and the name of any guest you would like to bring with you. It is important to note that we are unfortunately unable to take telephone messages with regard to your booking. Anyone interested in attending this very popular event is advised to book early - places are limited!

gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk

*if you are not a current Nikon Owner subscriber, you are welcome to join Nikon Owner when we call you to receive the benefit of booking the Christmas Event at the lower price.

 

About Mike Maloney

Mike Maloney has won over 107 major photographic awards and, in 2005, became the only “Fleet Street” photographer to have been awarded the OBE for services to photo-journalism. Three times voted Press Photographer of the year, he was Chief Photographer for Mirror Group Newspapers before turning freelance in 2002. He also has numerous Royal tours to his credit, as well as photographing world leaders like Clinton, Reagan, Gorbachev and Yeltsin with resulting invitations to dine at both The White House and the Kremlin.

Mike is a Freeman of the City of London, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree by the University of Lincoln, his hometown, for “a lifetime’s work in photography and his help to young people.” At the ceremony in Lincoln Cathedral he was able to read out a personal letter of congratulations from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Mike was known to be the Queen Mother’s favourite press photographer.

He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and a fellow of the British institute of Professional Photographers. Mike has held several exhibitions of his work.

This year, Mike is to teach aspiring photographers at the University of Lincoln after accepting a Visiting Professorship.

 

About Grays of Westminster

Grays of Westminster, the multi-award-winning Nikon-only shop, was founded over a quarter of a century ago by Gray Levett with the idea of creating a world-class camera store, offering a service that was second to none.

It is superbly located in a quiet area of central London, a few minutes walk from Victoria Railway Station; the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Tate Britain, River Thames and Knightsbridge are all within easy reach.

Grays of Westminster is not simply a famous Nikon camera shop; it is, to many photographers around the world, an institution. It can trace back its beginnings from a modest mail order company to its present, highly-respected position in the photographic industry.

For more information, please contact:

Gray Levett
Grays of Westminster
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk

Submitted by: http://www.worldwidepr.net

Grays of Westminster announce their Grand Christmas Dinner with Mike Maloney at the IoD

Nikon Owner Magazine Makes All of its Back Issues Available Online

Another benefit to subscribers of the prestigious Nikon Owner magazine has been introduced: access to all back issues as PDF files

Cover photos of 20 of the 38 back issues of Nikon Owner magazine, now all available online

London: The distinguished magazine of the Nikon world, Nikon Owner, has introduced a new benefit to its subscribers. Every single issue (currently 38) since the magazine was launched is now online and can be downloaded as a PDF file.

“We were continually asked for back issues of Nikon Owner as well as requests to view the magazine online. Back issues were always a problem for us because the magazine is so popular, any surplus copies we might have don't remain in the office for long! The obvious solution was to make all back issues available as a PDF. We chose this format because it allows you to see each issue in its entirety as well as preserve the layout and quality of all pages and their sumptuous images,” says Gray Levett, the magazine's editor.

This is yet another benefit that subscribers to the glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine enjoy. Other benefits include:

• Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website: www.nikonownermagazine.com
• Access to Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline. Simon Stafford is a recognised Nikon expert and renowned photographer and writer.
• Special warranty on all new and second-hand Nikon equipment purchased from Nikon-only dealer, Grays of Westminster.
• 10% off Think Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster.
• Discounts on events and training sessions.
• Gold Priority waiting list for all new Nikon releases (top of the waiting list).

A cornucopia of delights awaits those subscribers who delve into Nikon Owner's sumptuous back issues…

About Nikon Owner magazine

Nikon Owner is a worldwide publication with the purpose of uniting Nikon owners and bringing them unique free offers that will increase their skill and interest in photography and Nikon equipment. Nikon Owner is dedicated to bringing the reader all the latest news and authoritative product reviews on Nikon equipment by renowned photographer and writer Simon Stafford. Also featured are reader portfolios and inspirational pictures from the world's leading Nikon professionals. It offers a unique perspective on the history, latest releases and events that shape the Nikon world. Then too, there are interviews with some of the greatest names in photography such as National Geographic legend Jim Brandenburg to Richard Young, the single most sought-after celebrity photographer in the world, and the much loved actor and keen photographer David Suchet CBE, best known as Agatha Christie’s suave Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.

Nikon Owner is unmissable reading for anyone who takes an interest in Nikon camera equipment. Our special features are filled with unrivalled, compelling writing and superb photography.

For further information, please contact:

Gray Levett

Editor

Nikon Owner magazine

40 Churton Street,

London

SW1V 2LP, UK

+44 (0)20 7828 8971

editor@nikonownermagazine.com

http://www.nikonownermagazine.com

Submitted by WorldWidePR.net

Nikon Owner Magazine Makes All of its Back Issues Available Online

Gargantuan Wide-Angle Lens with a £100,000 Price Tag Goes On Sale at Grays of Westminster

The rare Nikon fisheye lens is said to be able to ‘see behind itself’, it weighs 5.2kg and measures 171mm in length with a diameter of 236mm

London – One of the few 220º Nikkor fisheye lenses ever made is now available for purchase and is looking for a buyer at London’s Nikon-only reseller, Grays of Westminster.

Nikon stunned the photographic world at Photokina in 1970 by introducing the 220º fisheye Nikkor with an astonishing speed of f/2.8. It is the world’s most extreme wide-angle lens to cover the 24 x 36mm image area (at the time) with a massive glass dome which dwarfs the camera attached. The 6mm is for scientific and industrial applications and special effects when shooting portraits, architecture and interiors, etc.

Lens production began in March 1972 and it was only made available to special order. This lens’s technical specifications are:

• 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye-Nikkor lens
• Serial no: 628024
• Lens construction: 12 elements in 9 groups
• Picture angle: 220º
• Diaphragm: Automatic
• Aperture scale: f/2.8-f/22 on both standard and aperture-direct-readout scales
• Weight: 5200g
• Dimensions: 236mm dia. x 171mm long (overall); 160mm extension from lens flange
• Distance scale: graduated in metres and feet from 0.25m (0.9ft) to infinity (∞)
• Filters: built-in skylight (L1BC), medium yellow (Y48), deep yellow (Y52), orange (O56), and red (R60)
• Front lens cap: Slip-on, delivered in a rugged metal case.
• Condition: MINT
• Price: £100,000

Founder Gray Levett said, "The background of this immense lens is that our vintage camera buyer Toni Kowal spent six months tracking it down from overseas, and we were fortunate to be able to find this example in such pristine condition. The lens was photographed by master photographer Tony Hurst. It is a stunning example of the optical expertise of the engineers and designers at Nikon."

Grays of Westminster can be reached by telephone on +44 (0)20 7828 4925 or by e-mail: info@graysofwestminster.co.uk

About Grays of Westminster

The legendary award-winning Grays of Westminster is a charming period shop, specialising exclusively in Nikon. Grays of Westminster offers knowledgeable advice and information on Nikon equipment, whether new, second-hand or vintage. They can provide a fast and reliable mail-order service on any Nikon item which is available to all world-wide destinations.

From their very beginning over a quarter of a century ago, they aimed at offering their customers the very best service and the finest in Nikon equipment. This tradition continues today.

Grays of Westminster also provides a vast range of photographic training sessions for its customers including subjects such as Mike Maloney’s Photographic Workshop at the House of Lords; Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops; Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture, Landscape and Macro Training Sessions; Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars.

Grays of Westminster is situated in a quiet location in central London yet within walking distance of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

For more information, please contact:

Gray Levett
Founder
Grays of Westminster Exclusively…Nikon
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk

Submitted by: WorldWidePR.net

Gargantuan Wide-Angle Lens with a £100,000 Price Tag Goes On Sale at Grays of Westminster

Grays of Westminster Wins Amateur Photographer 'Gold Winner' Good Service Award 2012

The Nikon-only camera shop received a large number of votes online via their Twitter profile, Facebook Page and blog

The esteemed Nikon-only dealer, Grays of Westminster, was presented with the What Digital Camera/Amateur Photographer 'Gold Winner' Good Service Award, as voted for by What Digital Camera readers and website visitors for the second year in a row.

This prestigious award was presented to Gray Levett, founder of Grays of Westminster, at the Amateur Photographer Annual Awards ceremony amid the glamorous surroundings of Quaglino's in London on 26th January.

Gray Levett said, "We were delighted to be honoured with this prestigious award last year and we are thrilled to have won it for a second year. Honours of course bring responsibilities, and that means we must continue to give our customers the very best service that we can. We are extremely grateful to everyone who voted for us; it is much appreciated. Thank you very much"


About Grays of Westminster

The legendary award-winning Grays of Westminster is a charming period shop, specialising exclusively in Nikon. Grays of Westminster offers knowledgeable advice and information on Nikon kit, whether new, second-hand or vintage, to customers who visit the shop in person, as well as a fast and reliable mail-order service on any Nikon item which is available to all world-wide destinations.

From their very beginning over a quarter of a century ago, they aimed at offering their customers the very best service and the finest in Nikon equipment. This tradition continues today.

Grays of Westminster also provides a vast range of photographic training sessions for its customers including subjects such as Mike Maloney’s Photographic Workshop at the House of Lords; Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops; Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture, Landscape and Macro Training Sessions; Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars.

Grays of Westminster is situated in a quiet location in central London yet within walking distance of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

For more information, please contact:

Gray Levett
Founder
Grays of Westminster Exclusively…Nikon
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk

Submitted by: WorldWidePR.net

Grays of Westminster Wins Amateur Photographer 'Gold Winner' Good Service Award 2012

Royal Photographer Julian Calder to Speak at Grays of Westminster Grand Christmas Dinner

Grays of Westminster Grand Christmas Dinner at The Institute of Directors, London with one of the world’s best portrait photographers, Julian Calder – 6.30pm, Friday 2nd December 2011

London – The exclusive London-based Nikon-only dealer, Grays of Westminster is to hold their Grand Christmas Dinner at the Institute of Directors, London on Friday 2nd December 2011.


The evening will be spent with one of the world’s best portrait photographers, Julian Calder. Following the superb three-course Christmas dinner in the magnificent period restaurant at the Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall, there will be a rare opportunity to listen to Julian Calder’s extraordinary stories as he presents some of his magnificent portraits. This promises to be an exceptional experience.

HM The Queen by Julian Calder

About Julian Calder

Julian Calder has photographed numerous stories and assignments for leading national and international magazines. He specialises in portraits and his work has been published around the world and has been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, London. His portraits of the Royal family formed the core of the Jubilee edition of Keepers of the Kingdom. Julian, who has been a professional photographer for over 30 years, was recently commissioned to take 16 official portraits of Her Majesty The Queen and HRH Prince Philip wearing the Orders of Great Britain and the Commonwealth, all taken on a D3X.

Julian Calder

“We are delighted to have booked Julian Calder to show some of his work and share some of his experiences with us at our Grand Christmas dinner,” says Gray Levett, founder of Grays of Westminster.

Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall

The grand Regency building, 116 Pall Mall, with its sweeping marble staircase and vast walls covered in 18th and 19th Century canvases provides a spectacular backdrop for the evening, and the period restaurant is a most fitting venue for this elegant, traditional Christmas celebration.

• Venue: Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall.
• Date: Friday, December 2nd, 2011
• Champagne reception: 6.30 p.m.
• Dinner: 7.15 p.m. (Traditional Christmas Dinner or a Vegetarian Option)
• Julian Calder's talk in the Morning Room: 9.15 p.m.
• Cost of the evening: £155 per ticket or £95 if you are a subscriber to Nikon Owner magazine

Booking Information
Grays of Westminster Christmas events are extremely popular and early booking is highly recommended. To book a place at the Christmas Event, please email Gillian Greenwood, gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk by email only with your full name, Nikon Owner subscription number if available, postcode, daytime mobile and landline, your menu choice (traditional or vegetarian) and the name of any guest you would like to bring with you. Please note there are limited places available, so do reply as soon as you are able to, in order to ensure you have a place. It is important to note that we are unfortunately unable to take telephone messages with regard to your booking.

For more information, please contact:

Gray Levett
Grays of Westminster
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk

Royal Photographer Julian Calder to Speak at Grays of Westminster Grand Christmas Dinner

Nikon Awards Crystal Trophy to Grays of Westminster for 25 Years of Outstanding Contribution to Nikon Users

Nikon UK awards Nikon-only dealer, Grays of Westminster, for its outstanding contribution to Nikon users at the company’s gala luncheon at The Goring, the exclusive five-star hotel in Belgravia where Kate Middleton stayed before her marriage to Prince William

London - On Tuesday 26th July, Grays of Westminster, the legendary Nikon dealer, was presented with a stunning, heavy crystal trophy by the Managing Director of Nikon UK, Mr. Michio Miwa, during a celebratory luncheon at the exclusive Belgravia, London hotel, The Goring.

The trophy, which features a 3D image of the legendary Nikon F camera laser-etched into the award, reads:

“Presented to Grays of Westminster to celebrate their 25th Anniversary and their outstanding contribution to Nikon users.” – Nikon UK Limited

Grays of Westminster was founded a quarter of a century ago by Gray Levett who had the idea of creating a world-class camera store which would offer a service, second to none. The concept began to take shape and ultimately came to life as Grays of Westminster.

In a letter to Gray Levett, Mr. Makota Kimura, the President of the Nikon Corporation, Japan wrote: “Grays of Westminster is a well-known and respected business that has become almost a household name amongst professional photographers during the past twenty-five years. This is no doubt a result of your commitment to your customers and understanding of the Nikon brand.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on such a momentous occasion and would like to express our gratitude for your support of the Nikon brand. I am looking forward to a continued mutually beneficial relationship during the coming years.”

The distinguished actor David Suchet CBE and long-term customer sent a message with his regrets, “Thanks so much, but sadly can't be with you, filming Great Expectations for the BBC, playing Jaggers. Have a wonderful celebration. Congratulations!!! Love David.”

Amongst those taking part in the celebrations was Richard Young, the UK’s most successful celebrity photographer; Mike Maloney OBE, Britain’s most decorated press photographer; Andrew Main Wilson, Chief Operating Officer of the IoD (Institute of Directors); founder, Gray Levett; co-director, Uri Zakay; Gillian Greenwood, Nikon Owner magazine director and author of In the Company of Legends …a history of Grays of Westminster, as well as senior staff from Nikon UK.

Receiving this award, Gray Levett said: “This is a significant moment in our history. I am delighted and honoured to receive this beautiful crystal trophy from Nikon. Grays of Westminster started a quarter of a century ago from humble beginnings with just £100 and no stock to speak of; to be accepting this award in the grand surroundings of The Goring today is something I could have hardly imagined.

“Grays of Westminster has what is probably the widest range of new, second-hand and vintage Nikon in the world. From the very beginning we aimed at offering our customers the very best service and the finest in Nikon equipment. This tradition continues today. The fact that we have survived over the last twenty-five years has been made possible by our very loyal customers, the hard work of all of our staff and our strong relationship with Nikon UK and Nikon Japan.”

About Grays of Westminster

The legendary award-winning Grays of Westminster is a charming period shop, specialising exclusively in Nikon. Grays of Westminster offers knowledgeable advice and information on Nikon kit, whether new, second-hand or vintage, to customers who visit the shop in person, as well as a fast and reliable mail-order service on any Nikon item which is available to all world-wide destinations. Grays of Westminster also provides a vast range of photographic training sessions for its customers including subjects such as Mike Maloney’s Photographic Workshop at the House of Lords; Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops; Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture, Landscape and Macro Training Sessions; Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars.

Grays of Westminster is situated in a quiet location in central London yet within walking distance of Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace.

For more information, please contact:

Gray Levett
Founder
Grays of Westminster Exclusively…Nikon
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk

Submitted by: WorldWidePR.net

Nikon Awards Crystal Trophy to Grays of Westminster for 25 Years of Outstanding Contribution to Nikon Users