Keepers
Most of these portraits are from my book - Keepers: The Ancient Offices of Britain.
The book tells the history of Britain through people’s titles. These titles were either inherited or the job comes with a title.
A chance reading of an obituary changed my approach on how to take a portrait and I found the formula that works for me. The Obituary read Hermon La Strange, Lord of Thirteen Manors, Hereditary Lord High Admiral of the Wash. The family have lived in Old Hunstanton since the Doomsday book. I thought ‘Now there is a portrait’
Before I set out to do a portrait, I have a vague idea of what I am looking for. I have a picture in my mind’s eye. For these portraits, there is discussion with the person beforehand; I try to do a recce of the location and then I hope I can get at least three of the following in the portrait: HISTORY, LOCATION, UNIFORM, SYMBOL, AN ACTION.
The portraits for Keepers were primarily about the position and not the person. Similar portraits I make now are more about the person in that position so I like, to include an object that has some significance for them.
The First Sea Lord on the bridge of HMS Dauntless with HMS St Albans in the background.
The Bearer of the Dog Whipper's Rod in Exeter Cathedral
A Knight of the Bath at dawn. Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Alcock GCB at the alter of St John's Chapel, Tower of London.
The Master of the Worshipful Company of Tallows Chandlers Brigadier Keith Prosser
The Keeper of the Signet, Lord Queensbury, in the Edinburgh Law Courts
The Keeper of the Muniments, Dr Matthew Payne, in the library high above the choir in Westminster Abbey
Three officials of the Lord Mayor of London
The Master of Bruce sitting aside Robert the Bruce's tomb in Dunfernlaine Abbey. He is holding the Bruce's claymore
The Grand Prior of the Order of St John Sir Mark Compton
The Master of St Cross Winchester with a Brother of the Old Poor and a Brother of the New Poor. I could have taken this picture 400 years ago!
Black Rod in the Great Hall of the Palace of Westminster
The Garter Principal King of Arms photographed in St George's Chapel Windsor Castle. He is an officer of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
Perpetural Warden of the Woodmen of the Forest of Arden, Lord Aylesford
The King's Swan Marker, David Barber
The Keeper of the Bachail, Alastair Livingstone, standing on the shore of Lismore holding the staff of St. Moluag.
The Hereditary Bearer of the National Flag of Scotland. Lord Lauderdale.
The Knights of the Green judge the winning wood at the oldest bowling green in Britain
The Lords of the Manor of Alcester with the Court Leet.