2021 has been a year of staying local and re-discovering the Test Valley. I moved back to the area, in which I grew up, in January. Lockdown restrictions, home practicalities and some rather disappointing spring weather meant I didn’t really get a chance to get into the groove with my photography until mid-May but by then I was feeling desperate to make the most of the warmer months to explore with the camera and banish the memory of 2020, a year when my creative spirits were badly sapped.
I’ve divided time between wildlife and landscape photography shoots, depending on the weather, but also tried to bring a travel photography element as well, while the area still seems fresh to me, just allowing myself to see things anew and photograph what’s in front of me. Most of these images have been made in the central Test Valley around Stockbridge, Longstock, Houghton and Bossington. I still feel I am in the early stages of re-connecting with the Test Valley and properly capturing why it’s such a special place, these last few months have been good training, but hopefully there will be better to come in the autumn, my favourite season of the year. But most importantly, this summer has rekindled my passion for photography.
I am keen to hear from and collaborate with anyone in the Test Valley who shares my love of photographing the area, so please do get in touch if you’d like to know more about my work.