I was an impressionable young teenager when the Beatles rocked the world. For all of my high school years, their music reverberated through my soul. It’s left an impression that will never leave so, when I had the chance to visit Liverpool this year, it almost felt like coming home.
On our first evening in Liverpool, we checked into the Penny Lane Hotel and headed straight for the Cavern Club. We were delighted that a Beatles tribute band was performing so we squeezed into the narrow, tiny bar and found a table that we shared with two sisters, Beatlemaniacs from Sweden. The walls, covered with memorabilia, told many stories of the origin’s of the club’s most famous band.





In Penny Lane there is a barber showing photographs
Of every head he’s had the pleasure to have known
And all the people that come and go
Stop and say hello
Penny Lane also mentions the roundabout, right beside our hotel, the fire hall and the bank. We visited all of these locations and marvelled at the songwriting ability that wove together all of these places he frequented.


Eleanor Rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name
Nobody came.
Father Mackenzie, wiping the dirt from his hands as he walked from the grave
No one was saved.
Standing in front of Paul’s childhood home (left) and John’s, we learned that Paul’s brother, Mike, was a photographer. Thanks to his photos, both houses, owned by the National Trust, are perfectly preserved. Because John lived with his Aunt Mimi who was home during the day, the two boys spent countless hours writing songs at Paul’s home. Michelle (in the foreground) is the taxi cab that toured us around.
There are places I remember all my life
Though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain




About the Photography
The photos in this post are simply documentary so there’s not much to say about them.
However, as a photographer, the songwriting talent of the Beatles challenges me. If they could write songs such as Eleanor Rigby that cause us to stop and ponder, can’t we also do that with our photography? Of course we can! Making photos that tell stories about our humanity is how we connect with others and cause people to stop and think. When I was a beginning photographer, I was more than happy with a pretty picture but now it’s so much more satisfying to tell a compelling story. It’s not easy but worth the challenge. After a quick search of my own files, here are some story-telling photos that I connect with. Do they speak to you?
For more on making photos that connect on an emotional level, check out the work of Mary Ellen Mark and Dorothea Lange.
And if you’re an old Beatlemaniac like me, you’ll probably enjoy The Beatles Bible. It tells just about everything there is to know, including the stories behind the writings of individual songs.
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Absolutely FABULOUS! One thing is obvious; you are having a blast and enjoying life to the fullest. Keep on truck’in!
Thanks, Chris. You are right, life is very good. So glad that photography is the ticket to so many great experiences. Almost like it is for you!
Wow! Fantastic Journey from another time not to be forgotten. Dennis you are such a Great Artist yourself and as I look around, although on a smaller scale, you have inspired so many people both through your teachings and your Photography itself. Perhaps one day a Memorial will stand as a testament to your valued contributions.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Joe! Wow, that’s quite a comment. Not so sure about the memorial but I do love the community of friends, including you, that photography brings. Thanks.