A few years back, as demand for my bespoke landscape photography workshops in Eryri (Snowdonia) and the Lake District grew considerably, I knew that it would be an advantage to bring in another person to assist me.
Whilst I have been a professional in the industry for over 40 years, I have worked alone for the past fifteen, so it was a big step for me to take.
There are lots of budding photographers out there as well as some great pro’s who are already established but I did not want to interrupt the work of another professional. In effect, I was looking for a novice who I could mentor and they help me with all that was coming in. I also wanted someone with a different visual perspective to mine. I thought that was important.
Vicki working in Snowdonia (Eryri) at the Dinorwig Quarries
Whilst the choice would, on the face of it appear to be easy, the reality was very different.
I am very prescriptive in the way that I work and know that ‘we’, that is the pro’s, all have our own ways of producing images, so it was important that I chose someone who was aspiring, eager to learn and also keen to assist in the teaching.
A substantial amount of my work revolves around working with people on workshops and courses, so it was important that I found someone who was not only willing to learn as a photographer but also one who had been involved in training.
That was a big ask!
Vicki teaching in the fabulous Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia (Eryri)
As luck would have it, I had been ‘talking’ on line with Vicki Procter after we had been introduced by a mutual friend. I knew that she would be perfect to work with after I had seen and admired the Lakes images that she displayed in her portfolio. The chats online that we subsequently had made it all appear favourable.
We met up, or as Vicki puts it, “I eventually plucked up the courage, having put it off for ages because I knew that I ‘happened upon my images’ rather than constructed them properly!”
She needn’t have worried, as I didn’t have a problem with that and was taken by her honesty. I am glad to say that we hit it off immediately and during that meeting, I also found out that as well as undertaking a fashion degree (that will explain the creativity her work displayed), she had been a trainer for one of the country’s major retailers covering the North of England.
Sometimes things just fall into place!
Vicki by the shore of Ennerdale Water
We are now nearly eight years down the line and people who have attended my workshops will tell you what a great asset Vicki is and just as importantly, what a lovely person she is.
As well as the workshops, Vicki arranges PHOTOWALKS with me. She has developed into a fine photographer and occasionally accompanies me to the talks that I give.
She is without doubt a worthy photographer and in 2021 she was commended in the ‘Landscape Photographer Of The Year’ competition for an outstanding image she took in Eskdale.
You can view her website here.