Lucy Newson

mage © Lucy Newson

A defining year: 2020

Lucy Newson gives her personal perspective on the last year as a young up-and-coming photographer

‘It was a year of uncertainty, chaos and change; for each of us. We needed to adapt and overcome. To remain positive and hopeful during unprecedented times. Now, I have a potentially unpopular opinion: Covid brought me clarity. It pushed the boundaries of my creativity, reminded me of why I am a photographer and encouraged me to create something new. I better explain.

To give some context, I would like to take you back to the Spring of 2018, when I was 19 years of age. After two years working full time at a local studio – capturing dance, headshots, events and so on – I decided to head out on my own. I knew that I wanted to find my own place in the photographic industry and wanted to develop my own style as an artist. I dreamed of standing out. Lucy Newson Photography (LNP) was launched.

Combining my love and knowledge of our four-legged friends, I specialised in equine and canine portraiture – capturing the close relationships between owners and animals. I absolutely adored this and settled into my new career. However, as time moved on I started to realise that I would leave each photoshoot feeling as if I’d only just scratched the surface of this relationship. g

mage © Lucy Newson

What about their home, their lifestyle, their family? Their full story? How was I to capture this within a two-hour photoshoot? I was stuck.

As the winter months of 2019 set in, and workload decreased due to the season, I had time to think. I remember sitting at the dining room table scribbling away. I was writing down what I loved most about the photoshoots I offered, and what I didn’t. My realisation was that I wanted more time with my clients: but not four hours, not even ten hours… I wanted days – time to understand them and become their friend; time to build trust; time to slow down; capturing true life at its everyday pace. I wanted to capture everything.

It was at this point, that I decided to reinvest in mentorship. Having previously sourced mentorship at the start of building my business with Emily Hancock FBIPP and Hannah Freeland ABIPP, I knew that I once again needed their advice and a business friend to push me on. I also wished to develop my photographic style and looked to my mentors for critique. I personally cannot recommend mentorship enough – as a now 21 year old, learning from experienced professionals, being able to ask a million questions, bounce ideas around and to have help to get out of your own head is, in my opinion, invaluable.

Then, in the middle of March 2020, the first Covid lockdown was announced. Life changed, and reality hit. But, as the first few weeks of lockdown progressed, it was as if all of my inspiration, ideas and thoughts fell into place. I realised that I wanted to capture families who live in the countryside with their animals. I wanted to capture breakfast time, as the children speed through their cereal with the dog at their heels waiting for a titbit, and then as they rushed outside to let out the chickens. I wanted to capture the day’s work on the farm followed by a glorious evening sunset and toasted marshmallows around the bonfire. And so the concept of The Rural Lifestyle Photographer was born.

As lockdown continued, families and friends missed each other – longing for a sense of normality and to relive the past, reminiscing on the good times. I was reminded why photography is my passion: photography gifts the ability to press the pause button, with peace of mind that the precious moment being captured is protected forever. I translated this into knowing that I wanted to create ‘family heirlooms in-waiting’ for my clients – large family albums, and gorgeous framed pieces ready to be passed down through generations.

My photoshoot experience was now complete. Between lockdowns, and complying with all restrictions, I drove across the UK to meet and capture my clients with the typical photoshoot stretching across three days. Of course, I did not shoot the entire time – instead we slowed everything down. Ready for the

everyday magic, nothing was forced. I’m building a relationship with my clients that will last many years.

Of course, I cannot gloss over the realities of Covid. Commissions were put on hold, money lost, the inability to have viewing sessions in person, instead relying on Zoom, not to mention the constant confusion and panic about what the future holds. However, Covid did help me to truly understand what matters to my clients, thus shaping my business and style to look for the authentic moments. I also inevitably had more time to dedicate to personal investment and growth, so decided to apply for my Licentiateship, as I wished to develop my eye as a photographer, my knowledge and to learn how to critique my work objectively. With the support of Emily Hancock and Hannah Freeland, this was achieved in September, with my panel of images focusing on equine and canine commissions.

I have big hopes for 2021. Yes, being in lockdown once again may not have been the strongest start, but with the promise of easing restrictions in the near future my hopes are high. I am ready to get back out there once more, driving across the UK in my little car, living my dream career.’ www.lucynewsonphotography.co.uk

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Would you say you are a detail-oriented person?

Most definitely. Throughout my entire process and workflow as a photographer I seek detail. I have creative calls with each of my clients, before their photoshoots, where I strive to learn as much about them as possible – if they have a necklace that they treasure for example, I want it to be in their images. When editing, I then look to enhance these special details. I believe that the magic is hidden in the detail.

What are your personal goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?

In the near future I am looking to work towards gaining my Associateship. I would also love to start some personal photographic projects, focusing on traditional trades and farming life – pushing my boundaries and experimenting with what I can create.

In five years time I see my business continuously moving forward in the direction of Rural Lifestyle. Travelling across the UK, capturing families and returning year after year to document how their lives have changed. In my home life, I am looking to start building up my own small holding – longing for the good life, and being able to keep and breed Rare British Breeds of first poultry, and then sheep, pigs. I have big plans for the future!

What does photography mean to you? Has it always been your professional objective?

Photography has always been a huge joy in my life. Learning from my Dad on family holidays and day trips in the countryside when I was little – photography has always seemed just right. I associate photography with family, creativity, and capturing stories. Photography has always been my professional objective – I had already had my interview and trial days with the studio before taking my exams at school. I knew that this is where I wanted to be, and rarely consider it my ‘job’.

What has been the most difficult aspect of the last year professionally?

I personally found the ‘unknown’ most challenging, unable to plan ahead and being flexible when guidelines changed or inevitably the weather decided to turn. This left a very tight window for shooting last year, and meant that every available minute had to be used with purpose.

How have you maintained inspiration and been able to look ahead?

I believe inspiration can come in many forms. Fortunately, as I have been busy developing my business and self investing, this naturally sparks inspiration. My mentors have also been a huge help when looking ahead. It is very easy to get caught up in the media spiral with news of Covid, but being able to talk through the situation logically allowed me to look ahead. When inspiration did fail, which of course at times it did, Pinterest was my friend. I challenge anybody to spend ten minutes on Pinterest and not leave feeling inspired and ready for a new challenge.

Do you think your photography has changed or developed in style in the last year?

My photography has massively developed in style this last year. When taking photographs, I look for the natural moments rather than constantly posing my client. My editing style has muted as I’ve begun to find consistency in my editing and I have also honed in on black and white imagery, as I adore how it removes distractions. With each photograph I look to tell a story, rather than to just capture what is there.

What do you like most about being a photographer? I am in awe of the significance and impact that just one photograph can make – and I love being able to curate this. As I mentioned earlier, the ability to pause time by capturing a special memory for eternity, and then to preserve it in the form of artwork, is an incredible feeling.

What do you like the least about being a photographer?

I’ve thought about this question all day, and the only answer I can come up with is probably carrying kit. When I worked at the studio, a lot of photoshoots were on location meaning that we were constantly setting up and dismantling studio lighting. At just under 5’ 2 this wasn’t always easy!

Can you identify a particular character trait that means you are cut out for the job?

I am very enthusiastic about life, and have a positive energy. If anyone who is reading has taken a personality test and knows the Enneagram Types, I’m mainly a 7, meaning that I’m ‘The Enthusiast’. I believe that this helps me, as a photographer of people, as I look to project my enthusiasm and energy onto my clients.

mages © Lucy Newson

Foundations of a military photographer

Each year, the Defence School of Photography runs 19 different courses including operations and surveillance courses through to the 5300 Defence Professional Photographer course, seeing more than 650 students from across all three services and government organisations pass though its doors. Here we catch up with a handful of recruits in the first weeks of their training

The 5300 course is 28 weeks long and is the first step to becoming a professional military photographer. Photographers learn the basics of photography before moving on to the second module where they use their base knowledge gained to then learn how to apply it in a military setting. Talking with Tim Robinson, Head of Professional Training he said: ‘The modules are set out so that the underpinning fundamentals are taught in module one and module two is set up to make them into a military photographer.’

Aircraftman (AC) Amber Mayall (24), below, on her first month on the 5300 defence photographer course tells us about her experience so far. She said: ‘I have always had a creative eye, however before joining DSOP did not have a background in photography. They really take it back to basics and teach you everything.’ Initial training on the 5300 Defence Professional Photographer course consists of basic exposure and camera techniques which is taught slowly to allow everyone to be on the same level. These new techniques have been aided by the use of top-of-theline equipment. Expanding on her experiences so far, Amber said: ‘The equipment given to us at the start of our course is amazing. It allows us to train with the best equipment available to us meaning we have the greatest training possible.’

The Defence School of Photography at RAF Cosford teaches a number of students from different backgrounds from all three services. With numerous different courses running simultaneously around the school, the 5300 course is the main 28-week long course which trains personnel who become professional photographers when they graduate.

Amber joined the Royal Air Force after working a Graphic design job in

Aircraftman Amber Mayall © UK Ministry of Defence CROWN COPYRIGHT, 2021