Lizzie Shepherd: Beyond the Wow Factor in Landscape Photography
In this episode, Angela is joined by Lizzie Shepherd, a renowned landscape, nature, and travel photographer based in Yorkshire, UK. Lizzie is a well-known contributor to photographic magazines, a competition judge, and a workshop instructor. She also represents Fotospeed as an ambassador.
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Lizzie's passion for photography began after university, where she initially aspired to be a travel photographer. However, personal choices led her to start with studio work in Edinburgh before gradually transitioning into landscape and nature photography. Her journey was marked by a significant turning point when she decided to take photography more seriously after reading an inspiring article about a photographer who left his job to pursue his passion. Over time, Lizzie built her career by contributing articles to magazines and eventually receiving voluntary redundancy, which allowed her to focus entirely on photography.
Lizzie is entirely self-taught, having honed her skills through evening classes and continuous practice. She emphasises that her journey was gradual, requiring patience and persistence. Lizzie believes that not having formal training didn't hinder her but rather allowed her to develop a unique style and approach to photography.
While Lizzie enjoys the professional aspects of photography, she also cherishes the moments spent capturing images for herself. She admits that social media and the pressure to maintain a public presence can sometimes detract from the pure joy of photography. However, she finds immense satisfaction in her work, particularly in leading workshops and connecting with fellow photographers.
Lizzie offers both group workshops and one-to-one tuition, each bringing different rewards. Group workshops allow her to build a rapport with participants over several days, while one-to-one sessions can be more intense and focused. She highlights the importance of understanding clients' needs and ensuring that her workshops provide valuable learning experiences.
As a keen printer, Lizzie values the tactile and visual satisfaction that comes from seeing her photographs in print. She prefers matte papers for their painterly quality and believes that printing allows her to fully appreciate and evaluate her work. The control over the final output and the joy of sharing physical prints with clients are crucial aspects of her practice.
Lizzie's experience as a judge for competitions like the Landscape Photographer of the Year and the Natural Landscape Photography Awards has given her a deep appreciation for the diversity and quality of contemporary photography. She looks for images that evoke emotions, tell a story, and have strong compositions. Lizzie acknowledges that judging is inherently subjective but enjoys the process of discovering and appreciating others' work.
Throughout the podcast, Lizzie shares insights into her approach to photography, her journey, and her thoughts on the industry. Her story is one of passion, and a continuous desire to learn and grow. Whether discussing her favourite locations or the nuances of processing images, Lizzie's dedication to her craft shines through.
