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Look into my eys, not around the eyes but into the eyes...

Russell Andrew Pullen

Born: 17th October 1968

Russell (Russ) was born in Margate, Kent and is the only son of Ivanhoe Baden Pullen and Janice Pullen.

Russell Married Emma Pullen neé Lockley on Saturday September 1st 2007 at The Old Kent Barn. Click here for some of the wedding photos.

Russell is the Father of Hetty Pullen.

Russ is a professional wedding photographer now living and working in Queensland, Australia with Emma and Hetty.

The following is a Russ's autobiography written in February 2005:

"I left school (on teachers recommendation!) aged 16 and spent the best year of my life at Broadstairs College. Met my best friend, Steve Elks there, over half a lifetime ago! As any typical 17 year old, had no idea what I wanted to do but did work placements (remember the YTS???) at Cromptons Amusement Machines (now skint) Marinair (now skint) and Navico (got in trouble and sold to the Japanese) All my fault possibly? I worked briefly for a Scotch Toolmaker called Kerr. My wages confirmed the legendary Scotch meanness and my absolute inability at engineering. One good thing though, Kerr was into RallyCross and watching a meeting did give me my life long love of motor racing I competed for a season in the sport.

After that, I worked for dad for quite some time, mainly in a sales roll driving a van round the crappiest bits of London dealing in the auto-electrical business. During this time I met Sharon Baker and we were together for 8 years, living in a little bungalow in Ramsgate. We raced Escorts in Hot Rods at Coombe Valley; the banger track Dad had opened 20 years before. In 1994 I decided that, after a number of years, I couldn’t face London anymore and, with dad’s blessing, sought my fortune in the big wide world.

I ended up in estate agency! I started with a company called Lovetts in Broadstairs and approaching it with an open mind, I found I was rather good at it. In those days, Lovetts was a “less than perfect working environment” and when two of the negotiators left to start their own company, I was delighted to be headhunted by them (makes you feel kind of special!). With all the arrogance of a youthful 27 year old, I wanted more and the guy who owned it wouldn’t invest, advertise or expand. So, together with a mate called Paul (Thomas Daniel McGuirk's father), who I’d met at Lovetts, we opened out own company, Parkland Estates, in Cliftonville in October 1995 with only 14 months experience, no formal qualifications and the biggest overdraft you’ve ever seen. It was so hard to turn the corner - there were plenty of times we thought “What Have We Done???” However, we survived and prospered – although we had 3 offices for a while, we closed one, which wasn’t working well, and the company is more effective as a result. So I now run the Birchington office, Paul has Cliftonville (Kosoville!). However, our ways have parted and as of March 2002 I split with Paul.

In 1999, a young lady by the name of Keeley Harrison joined the company and set an all time sales record. That resulted in the biggest mistake of my life, I married her…. And no, we’re not together any longer!.

I live in a reasonable three bed semi in Birchington with a three year old Staffie pup called Chutney who is the victim of a custody battle (seriously!). I own a flat just outside Marbella in Spain too – which makes a fabulous getaway!

Hobbies & Interests

  • Good living, meals out, nights in, music, friends, pubs and clubs (yes, I know I’m too old for all that!)
  • Motor cars. After a 5 year love affair, I recently sold my imported Subaru Impreza Sti. 300bhp, 4 wheel drive and loads of fun! 0-60 in 4 seconds – sweet! Replaced when it got a bit ‘chavvy’ with a Nissan 350Z which is slower, more grown up and snaps knicker elastic at 50 yards (Clarkson’s gag, not mine! J ). On balance, I’d rather have a powerful car than polar ice caps.
  • Hovercraft. This obsession is Dad's fault. I race and cruise hovers and love the hobby. I got to the dizzy heights of Formula One in 1999 and 2000 but unfortunately my undoubted driving talent is not matched by my engineering abilities! 2002 was a successful year and I emerged inaugural Formula 503 National Champion. In 2004, I placed 12 th n the World championships in a 100bhp Formula ‘S’ craft built. All craft now are factory built ‘Flying Fish Hovercraft’ by my Dad – thanks Pops!
  • I photograph as many weddings as possible – I love photography and spend way too much money on equipment.

Educational History

  • Chilton Primary School from 1974(ish) to 1979. 20 years after I left, I organised a primary school reunion in 1999. Very successful with 50 odd people turning out!
  • Chatham House Grammar School. From 1979 to 1984. Frank Muir, Ted Heath, Shaun Kearly (Olympic Hockey Player) and Rod Hull (famous Emu tamer and TV Aerial Installer) obviously all got a lot more from it than me! Hated it and couldn’t wait to leave aged 16.
  • Broadstairs College. Best year of my life. Discovered Beer, Cars and Women. Fluked a City & Guilds in Computing!

Miscellaneous Info

  • Believed to be the only person to Hot Rod a Lada Riva (and win!).
  • I was once sick over Barry out of Eastenders (finest moment!).
  • Staunch Tory – I want Maggie back but Howard will do.

Future Aspirations

  1. Long term? Getting out of Rip Off Britain and living somewhere with high temperatures and low taxes!
  2. To get that “One Picture” that every photographer knows is out there somewhere!
  3. Be a Hovercraft World Championship.
  4. Maybe one day a son to leave the empire to! "