Hello, I’m Gill and I write a photography blog inspired by the landscapes of Suffolk and beyond. Please subscribe to read more of my writing and visit my website to view my images.
This year marks my 18th year as a professional photographer and ten years as a workshop leader. If you had told me in my twenties this is what I would end up doing I would have laughed. I had no confidence back then and the idea of teaching a group of people how to use a camera and take photographs would have seemed absurd. However life often takes paths we can never imagine and I guess that is all part of the adventure.
I came to Suffolk in 2007 and bought myself a Nikon D700 a year later. I began photographing the Suffolk countryside but my professional career began with yacht and sailing photography, photographing regattas, summer sailing schools and bigger east coast events. I imagine that might seem like an unusual way to begin a career in landscape photography, but then I had just bought a 65 foot Dutch sailing barge to run as a holiday business and everything about my life at the time was unusual.
Photographing boats on the water felt adventurous for a mum of two who had previously only had an office based job. I loved the adrenaline of flying around in a fast rib chasing the perfect angle and the best racing shots. I sold images to magazines in the days when they commanded a decent price and helped judge photography competitions in sailing publications. All the while my landscape photography was developing and I began to create greetings cards, calendars and books using my images. It was fair to say that my career wasn’t very focused in the beginning and I tended to embrace whatever seemed profitable, including product photography and dog photography.
By 2016 my focus had drifted from sailing, I gave up my holiday business and sold my barge and put all my energy into running a landscape photography business. After years of avoiding workshops and tuition I finally bit the bullet and began to offer small half day workshops along the Suffolk Coast. In 2020 I was asked to take part in an episode of Kate Humble’s coastal Britain and it was after this aired in 2021 that my workshop business really took off.
I would say that I have now found my niche in landscape photography. I have a recognisable style, but more importantly I know what I want to photograph and why. I believe I have found my voice.
Nature has always been really important to me, a love that was inspired by my Dad. I have many happy memories immersed in the natural world learning about the flora and fauna that surrounds me and I feel that I have now found a valid way to share my passion with others. Nature is important for all of us - it is something we are part of, not separate from and I feel this is a message I want to convey through my work.
Things I have learnt about myself:
During the 19 years I have been in Suffolk I have grown a lot as a person and have discovered much about myself along the way. Life hasn’t been easy and I have had many personal struggles which I have spoken about before, but through it all I have learnt some really valuable lessons which include:
Knowing that I am a strong, confident and capable person despite being told otherwise and despite feeling the complete opposite when I was younger.
I am adaptable, I can think on my feet and I have empathy and can relate to people’s photographic journeys and their struggles. I am not divorced from my beginnings as a photographer, I remember the hard work, the terrible images, the learning curves and the journey that I have been on to get my photography to where it is today. I also know that I don’t know it all. Every day is an opportunity to learn something new and that is why I love teaching. I get so much from spending time with clients, chatting about photography and learning how others see the world.
I have learnt what I like photographically, I understand my style and where it comes from.
I have learnt that the natural world is beyond valuable and photographing it in all its details is more important for growth than chasing iconic landscapes and images. There is so much to learn from the world around us and so much to convey if we open our eyes.
I have travelled extensively in the past but I have learnt that I don’t need to travel to far flung places to make meaningful work. I can do that in my home country as long as I have something meaningful to say.
I have learnt patience, humour and friendship are important qualities in a workshop leader and I will always put my clients photography before my own.
And I have failed many times but I have always persevered and all my best work has come from dedication and commitment
Winter photography in Suffolk
Why are workshops important?
During my photographic journey I have attended several workshops with photographers I admire. Every single one of them was valuable, not so much for the technical knowledge but for the shared ideas, the vision and the confidence it installed in me.
I think when it comes to making decisions about our own photography confidence is key. We need to believe in ourselves and our work and the direction we want to take. A good workshop leader should help you see all this more clearly.
For me workshops are not about coming away with epic images to put on the wall, because half the time the conditions are not conducive for that anyway. Workshops are about ideas, vision, direction and confidence to believe in ourselves and our art.
As well as all this workshops are fun. Spending a week in a beautiful location with like minded people is always enjoyable. Photography is relaxed, the countryside is beautiful and we have a laugh and for me this is how it should be. There are no egos and no competition, we are all in one place to get along, help each other and generally have a good time and if the weather gods are smiling we will also come home with some good images.
Advice for choosing a workshop leader.
How you choose a workshop or a workshop leader will depend on many factors and this list won’t work for everyone. But if I was to give some advice this would be my list of considerations:
Choose someone whose work inspires you. Look at the aesthetic, is it one you aspire to, is the creativity something you can learn from and is that person going to make you think differently? If the photographers work leave you feeling uninspired the workshop most probably will too.
Look for an instructor who will spend some meaningful time with you. Consider whether the photographer
Gives one-to-one feedback
Explains why decisions are made
Adapts to different experience levels
Encourages personal style rather than cloning theirs
Spends time teaching instead of chasing their own portfolio shots
Look for a small group size - 4 - 5 participants should give you plenty of individual attention. Anything larger than this can feel compromised.
Look for someone you feel you can relate to and ask around at camera clubs or on social media. Word of mouth and personal recommendations are important.
If you are looking at a specific workshop rather than a 1-2-1 session ask yourself whether the workshop will fit your goals. Before booking a workshop it is always good to think about what you want to achieve.
In my opinion the best workshops are not the ones that take you to the most amazing places, but are the ones that teach you how to see differently.
If you are inspired by this post and would like to know more about my workshops please see my website or watch this short film
Thank you very much for reading and until next time enjoy your photography.
Gill
Have you attended a workshop? Was it a good experience and how did you go about choosing your workshop leader. Please join the conversation and share your thoughts below in the comments.
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