Gavin Evans officially opens the Institute

...and we were invited.

Gavin Evans, one of the top Scottish photographers decided to give up (at least for a moment) the photography rat race and venture into the calmer waters of artisan tea and cafe culture and he opened his cafe the Institute couple of months ago with an idea of creating a hub for all photographers and people interested in photography.

We have discovered the place just a moment after it was opened and soon we hailed it as one of our favourite places in Edinburgh to meet, chat and maybe even work a little (Simon loves working in the cafes while I prefer my home set up but I am not impartial to an odd cake and a coffee).

A lot depends on the space - there are just places which are full of light (always in demand in Scotland) and the Institute is a place like that with its huge windows and airy, calm and minimalistic interior .

However even more depends on the person behind the counter and Gavin is definitely a person who you would like to meet while having a free moment to sit in a cafe. He has loads of photographic experience and wisdom but also something that makes people to try be the better versions of themselves - in his company one relaxes, one cracks better jokes than usual (at least I do), one exchanges oppinions without dividing world into only black and white, one sees...a bigger picture (and supports The Big Issue vendor Kat).

It is a real honour to have this talented, welcoming and firendly man to put some optimism into you (and the photographers need a lot of that especially from their more successful, more experienced colleagues) and let him recommend some tea. I do not know what is the name of the tea that I am always having there but it really makes my brain ping a little brighter. I have to ask Gavin and promptly make a note in my iP.

Thank you Gavin for creating this space and long live the Institute. It has officially opened last Staurday with the exhibition of Gavin portraits of musicians ( called 'Silenced' with portraits of David Bowie, Dusty Springfield, Bjork, Tricky and...Wu-Tang Clan guys among lots of others) which will last until 18th January and then a programme of other photo exhibitions will follow.

And see you for coffee (or tea) and a good chat very soon!

Pictures courtesy of Sejin who came to see us (with John) at the opening in the most spectacular dress I have seen for a while. Go girl!  Others featured are Stripy Simon, Claudine (you know her from my 'renaissance style' portrait, she is another ubertalented photographer and my stepdaughter Liska, who we hope will venture into something more sensible than photography...).