Enchanting Norwell

Three years had gone by very quickly for me since my first shoot with model, designer, photographer and make-up artist Liv Free. Where does the time go?!

I jumped at the chance to photograph Liv again. She designs the most intricate and eye-catching headdresses and I thought the Couture Company Gowns would be a heavenly match. The week of the shoot came and I went about gathering gowns that Jo at the Couture Company thought would work well and I then planned to head North to see the gorgeous Liv.

Finding locations when you’re not a local can be a bit of a head scratch. Many an hour can be spent Googling areas but its fun to discover new places!

My go to locations are landscapes, parks and gardens. Most of my photography is in nature and always has been. I feel comfortable in nature and it makes me happy.

The first shoot I did with Liv was near to the grounds of spectacular Belton House in Grantham. The National Trust and English Heritage can be a great source of potential locations, not so much in the grounds as you need permission to shoot, but there are usually fabulous locations close by.

Liv is based in Lincolnshire. For a short time I lived in Newark-upon-Trent which is not too far away. From my Googling of parks and gardens in the area I came across a gem of a place! Norwell Nurseries!

Run by Dr Andrew & Helen Ward Norwell Nurseries specialise in rare and unusual herbaceous perennials as well as Cottage Garden Plants, Woodland plants, shade lovers, hardy Chrysanthemums, hardy Geraniums, Hemerocallis, choice bulbs and Grasses. All their plants are grown in their beautiful and inspirational gardens, which are free to look around whenever the nursery is open. Norwell Nurseries and Gardens have again been invited into the highly prestigious Gardens to Visit in 2018 book and website, the only gardens featured in Nottinghamshire. Norwell Nurseries has also been featured in Country Life Magazine and it’s easy to see why

It was very, very kind indeed of Helen and Andrew to welcome us to their wonderful gardens last September. There was no sunshine but it was still magical.

I forgot my speedlight triggers (doh!) but luckily I had steady reflectoring assistance from John Watt Drummer who had escorted Liv to Norwell. Thank-you John!

I took many images, which looked great straight out of camera. These images have had minimal retouching. Thank-you Helen and Andrew for a wonderful afternoon. It made me so happy to spend time in your gardens. I hope you like the photographs.

If you’re ever near the beautiful village of Norwell I really recommend a visit to Norwell Nurseries. I visited in September 2017.