Personal work…

Its no secret, I love being a wedding photographer, I get a real high being around people on such a special day, but as a creative person I also like to experiment and my outlet for this is my personal work.

When I first started talking to Fleur about modeling for me, she told me she had a music degree and was in her final year of a degree as an opera singer, this got me wanting to create something theatrical and dramatic. This photograph, inspired by Charlotte Bronte’s Wuthering Heights took shape in my head. When Fleur told me she worked in the costume department of the theatre and could borrow this outfit I knew we were going get something magical.

I chose Saddleworth Moor near the TV mast as the location because it had the right look and is acessable from the M62. This stretch of the M62 is the highest motorway in the UK and as such can be pretty inhospitable – this night was one of those nights…

…As soon as Fleur and I stepped out of the car we were greeted by seriously strong winds. Its not just about being a photographer willing to brave the elements and lug heavy equipment into inhospitable places, its also about having the right model who is willing to go the extra mile (literally in this case). So carrying 30 kilos + of camera equipment and Fleur’s costumes we hiked our way across the moor in search of a more sheltered area. About a mile later we found our spot and I set to work rigging my lights which took a lot of weighting down due to the weather. Once ready Fleur stepped into place and we made our images.

My special thanks to Fleur for her hard work, makeup, costume sourcing, never complaining and sharing my vision – this shot would be nothing without her!