“I like seeing what you see”: analog photo session with Sarah
Our initial plan was to walk to Jack Bridge together, but Sarah texted to say, “actually I’m happiest pootling around the village,” so I saw Heptonstall through her eyes and she saw it through mine! I’m really glad she considered the location again because I want to do this work with people where they love spending their time, and feel connected. It’s a very peaceful village but visually there’s so much going on: cobbles, steps, snickets, ruins, archways. Older, newer. Flowers planted and wild. Beautiful stone.
And of course chickens!
There were architectural features I’d never noticed before and Sarah showed me new pathways. “I like seeing what you see,” she remarked at one point, which made me feel a lot at once! She is a highly skilled and creative photographer and filmmaker, so I was noticing a sense of wanting to be perceived as doing it ‘right’. She is also a really close friend of my Mum and me, she’s family. I don’t feel judged by her, just witnessed and celebrated! So I tried to let that sink in.
I have enormous gratitude for all the technical knowledge, inspiration and warm love that Sarah has given me over many years. I owe her the buzz and joy of the aha moment when I finally learnt how to use my camera in manual mode! How much that opened up.
She has also given me a lot of encouragement with this new venture and when I asked for volunteers to start these sessions, she was the first person to send me a message.
We had a lovely time together, chuckling about logs and well-travelled watermelons, eating blackberries, enjoying the grasses, soaking it all up.
After light-catching in the old church and getting covered in willowherb seeds, Sarah took me to the huge rock she likes to sit on, right on the edge of the hill.
I know this rock has supported the weight of many people, physical and emotional. It’s a good place to think.
Seeing the wind moving through her hair and bending the rowan and oak trees in the background too, I’m thinking about how we have to let everything pass through us. The power of being held.
After a suitable amount of serene rock time we set off again, dodging nettle stings…
and being as tall and strong as fireweed.
When there was one shot left on the roll, we waited for the clouds to move past the sun again, as I had been enjoying the plant shadows dancing on Sarah’s shirt. This photo is already precious to me: the representation of such a peaceful moment, and everything that led us both to it.
Technical Details
Camera: Canon EOS 1000F
a present from my aunt & uncle, my trusty companion for years already
Lens: Tamron SP 34-135mm, F/3.5-5.6, aspherical zoom
Film: Kodak Porta 400 35mm, 36 exp.
Dev & Scan: Photo Express, Hull
Interested in an analog photo session? The free slots I opened up have been booked now, but I have decided to offer some at a reduced, introductory rate. Find out more here or send me an email or Instagram DM with any queries.
