Category Archives: People

Beth Chatto biography


Pleased to see my portrait of Beth Chatto used on the cover of her biography, written by Catherine Horwood. The book will be launched in September 2019 at The Garden Museum, but is available to order in advance on Amazon, or from the publisher, Pimpernel. (Sorry for being old fashioned, but the term ‘to pre-order’ is just wrong!).

Beth Chatto


Very sad to hear that Beth Chatto, nurserywoman, author and one of the most influential horticulturists of recent times, has died, aged 94. Her belief in natural planting, working with nature in local environments has been of great significance to modern gardening. I was lucky enough to photograph her a few times in her garden in Essex, and these portraits were taken in 2008. Each meeting started with a cup of tea, and her quiet nature and small stature always hid her great significance in the gardening world. From the series 43 Gardeners Hands, which was part of the International […]

John Brookes


I was sad to hear last week that John Brookes, the renowned garden designer, has died aged 84. For those non-gardeners reading this post, he also wrote many books on the subject and received an MBE for Garden Design and services to horticulture in 2004. A portrait of John from the Gardeners’ Hands project in 2008.  

Michael Hobbs


I worked on an allotment series in Richmond for Gardeners’ World magazine between 2008-10.  The adjacent plot was looked after by a very quiet Irishman, Michael Hobbs, who I got to know during my frequent visits. I loved his plot, which was like a 1960’s back garden, complete with gnomes and ornamental frogs, and I frequently left with handfuls of spare fruit, veg or flowers. These unpublished portraits were taken in 2010 after my last visits for GW.

Coast of Light – 2011


From the archive – two images from The Coast of Light series. From the archive – 17.4.11, El Penitentes, – Easter Day parade, Conil, Andalucia. Large ornate floats, with statues of the Virgin Mary, are carried through town on Easter Sunday. This float probably had upwards of 30 people underneath to support the weight. More clay covered folk in Conil, Andalucia, 14.8.11 – from The Coast of Light. In Conil there is an outcrop of rock with layers of blue green clay in which bathers cover themselves, believing it’s good for the skin.