Bringing Back Tradition
Two wonderful ladies approached me recently to take some publicity shots for them as they are establishing themselves as a folk duo based in Scotland and northern England. I was excited to meet them especially as my background is music-based.
I first met up with Sally Thomas and Judy Barker in the Scottish Portrait Gallery cafe and we got on so well that we sat for a good two hours and drank what felt like a gallon of tea. This was going to be their first photoshoot with a photographer and, of course, they were both apprehensive and nervous about the whole process. Because I could relate to their worries, I soon put them at ease and they then, with great gusto, introduced me to their two wonderful, traditional, instruments.
Sally plays the English Concertina while Judy sings and plays the Scottish Small Pipes. Shamefully, I had never heard of either instrument so it was fascinating to learn about how they both work, the type of sounds their reproduce, how they are played compared to more common, similar, instruments, and what their history and backgrounds are. We then discussed possible locations for the photoshoot and how best to capture them with their instruments.
Sally’s preferred location was Amisfield Walled Garden near Haddington. This was a place I’d never heard of nor knew existed but when looking at the images of it I was delighted. We were right in the middle of autumn so their trees and beech hedges would look spectacular at this time of year. Judy suggested Binning Memorial Wood, near East Linton. This had a special place in her heart as her late husband is here. I was excited to see the place as, again, I didn’t know it even existed but I always wanted to visit a beech wood in the fall.
Amisfield Garden was a revelation. Beautifully restored and looked after by a team of volunteers, it was stunning! I will be visiting again as soon as I can. Equally stunning was Binning Wood. It was just magical to see tree-lined avenues with the golden leaves paving the way through the trees, and with the sun beaming through the canopes, it took my breath away.
We managed to capture a whole range of images for the ladies and I am delighted with the colourful outcome of them. I think they show the warm and human side of both performers but with both of them standing out from their stunningly beautiful backdrops. I wish Judy and Sally all the best for the launch of their professional careers as folk musicians and I can’t wait to see them perform next month at the Seabird Centre in North Berwick.
