BERMUDIAN Allan Davidson has a passion for photography.

He has been taking photographs for more than 40 years and 12 years ago this life-long hobby led him into a new part-time career ¿ creating a series of eye-catching calendars that set a new high-water mark for quality in Bermuda products.

"I've always been interested in photography," Mr. Davidson said.

"The first camera I bought was in 1964 and I've been taking photos ever since. When I worked at Island Traders in the 1990s I saw that distribution was possible for the vision I had of producing my own calendars."

He also raised the bar in terms of content when, seven years ago, he changed the format of one of the calendars to introduce the modern Bermuda Calendar with Local Recipes. For instance, in 2009's calendar there are some great traditional Bermuda favourites which include Sunday Breakfast Codfish and Potatoes (February), Bermuda Rum Swizzle (May) and Bermuda Glass Candy (October).

The recipes are straightforward and it doesn't take a Gordon Ramsay to cook them. For those just learning to those who are professional chefs, the recipe calendar has something for everyone.

For the recipe calendar, Mr. Davidson explained that his agent Bob Reardon and his wife Tommie get together and discuss what recipes should go into the following year's calendar. They listen to his ideas, contribute their own, refine everything and then settle on a variety of recipes that have proven quite popular over the years with both locals and tourists.

He also offers a pocket-size calendar and a full-size spiral calendar as part of the photo rich selection for sale.

And calendars aren't the only picturesque Bermuda product he offers. He also produces The Beautiful Islands of Bermuda Pictorial Souvenir Guide which is sold for $6. At that price it makes it one of the cheapest picture books of Bermuda for a top quality production.

The third edition of the pictorial guide was released five years ago and there is a newer, updated version in the works that will reflect all the changes to Bermuda, and Front Street in particular, in the last five years.

This year marked the first time Mr. Davidson entered the digital age with regards to taking photos for the 2009 calendars. The previous calendars were all taken from slides and Mr. Davidson finds the digital process easier because "you have instant access to the photos you take instead of waiting days for a roll to be developed".

Mr. Davidson noted: "If something doesn't turn out I know right away and can go out the same day or the next and retry the shot."

Bermuda is the perfect place for photographers, according to Mr. Davidson.

He said: "I enjoy the creative process of taking photographs and every time I look around, Bermuda looks pretty good."

With sales selling out every year the products seem quite popular indeed. Especially when you take into account the very reasonable price for the products. The recipe and spiral calendars sell for $11, and the pocket-size calendar and souvenir guide book sell for $6.

Mr. Davidson added: "We stick to the 32-page format and order a high volume of 15,000 at a time. The books are printed in Florida. This lets us set a reasonable price point and every year we sell out. Tourists buy calendars regularly and the biggest attraction is the front cover. Some years it varies as to what sells out the quickest, but we generally always sell out."

Every year Mr. Davidson ships about 500 calendars overseas as special orders and people wishing to buy the 2009 calendars and guide book will find they are currently sold across the island at all bookstores and at most major gift shops.