An 'outdoor studio' at Bowhay House

When we first moved to this house in Devon, the garden was, for me, of huge importance. The bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen and bathrooms were obviously critical in choosing this particular house, but deep down, the garden was what really got me excited. It’s only tiny, but it’s sheltered, hidden from view behind the house, and it had a potting shed! It didn’t take long to realise that if I planted it carefully, I could have something to photograph outside the back door, at any time of the year, without having to drive anywhere! Without getting too grandiose, I would have an ‘outdoor studio’. Over time, the garden plans got exaggerated and I ended up writing and photographing a book about the process of building the garden (‘A New Cottage Garden’ now published by Pimpernel Press), but on a day like today, when my diary is empty, it’s so amazing just being able to stumble out of the door in to a garden that I know so well, to take some snaps before breakfast!

Deadheading at Bowhay House…

Hampton Court Flower Show 2024, show garden photography

These images were shot this year at Chelsea Flower Show.

I’m away shooting at RHS Hampton Court next week… you could describe it as the ‘friendly’ relative of the higher profile Chelsea Flower Show (images above); it’s actually the world’s largest flower and garden festival and for us garden photographers, it’s one not to miss. There are fewer celebrities and more gardeners, fewer silly hats and more dirty fingernails! The show gardens are often more accessible and down to earth, and I always end up carrying trays of plants on top of my camera bag as I leave!

I have a couple of the pocket gardens to photograph, but I have time and will be available to shoot on commission if required; do get in touch and I’m sure we can work something out. Call me on 07779997831, I’ll be there from monday lunchtime onwards. Have a great show if you are going.

Glorious Mapperton

I had a wonderful time last week photographing at Mapperton estate in Dorset, a morning and an evening of the most sumptuous light, fabulous fresh early-summer growth and romantic statuary set amongst topiary, tranquil pools and a magnificent orangery. I first went to Mapperton twenty plus years ago for one of the newspapers (possibly the Telelgraph gardening section) and it has always been one of those gardens that has lingered in the mind…. a photographers delight, it’s situated in a sheltered valley and has a pleasing contrast between the formality of the topiary and statues, and the wilder edges with much more informal planting. Bliss…

Cottage Garden shades

The rich colours of early summer

Summer is in full effect here at Bowhay House and even by the time I have made first coffee, the light is a bit strong for subtle plant photography. So, it’s up with the lark (and house martins in the case of our place) and out with the camera at VERY early light. It’s always worth it though… Here are some of this morning’s show-offs; My favourite Allium (at the moment) atropurpureum, Astrantia ‘Roma’ (a gift from the excellent Old Court Nurseries in Malvern), Lupins that appeared from nowehere in the garden, and a rather amazing Geranium, (Geranium × magnificum I think?)… It gets very big and flops a bit, but flowers like mad!

I love how the garden changes so quickly at this time of year, and I’m hoping that with the ‘successional planting’ I will have much more to shoot as the month goes on. Hollyhocks are looking like they will be big this year, The roses look like they will be fab (plenty of feed during the spring) and there are plenty of lots of perennials to come (Asters, Helenium, Rudbeckia for example).

I have seen an advanced copy of my book, ‘A New Cottage Garden’ and it looks lovely (thanks to Pimpernel Press)… advance orders are being taken by Amazon (link to the book here)and it will appear in bookshops in early august. And Country Living are doing 4 seasonal extracts over the next year so I am very grateful to them.

Garden Photography april 2024

Bowhay House, Devon.

I am pleased to see my little cottage garden in Devon published this month by The English Garden magazine. I was less pleased to notice that the current issue (May 2024) is number 332… which, if, as I assume is correct, they have had one a month, it means that its now virtually 28 years old. I clearly remember by friend and collaborator, Vanessa Berridge, asking me to go and shoot three or four gardens for the first issues! blimey that’s scary and has set me back a bit ;-). Bowhay House is the subject of a book, ‘A New Cottage Garden’ due to be published in august by the wonderful Pimpernel Press… I wrote and photographed it and it was a real labour of love. Please do take a look when it comes out, or it’s available for pre order here…

Anyway, thanks to them for including my garden, and another I shoot at a garden called Daglingworth House (see below), which is a wonderful Cotswold confection, with pergolas, formal pond, boxing hares and a grotto… truly worth a visit!

I have been out and about this month (at last I managed to find a sunny day or two!), and had a nice morning recently at East Lambrook Manor, and then yesterday I revisited a garden I haven’t been to for MANY years… Marwood Hill in Devon. What a lovely place. So quiet, a valley that was reverberating to the sound of chaffinches, willow warblers and chiffchaffs. The mist was rising from the lakes when I was there and a statue of Dr Jimmy Smart, which is placed perfectly at the head of the valley, was a perfect focal point for this early morning image…

'A New Cottage Garden' finished! and will be published on August 8th 2024..

At last I can properly announce that this labour of love is finished and being printed! more than two years in the making, it’s the story of a small patch of grass in the most southerly village in Devon that I made in to a garden. I wrote and photographed the whole project (looking back, it really has taken up most of my energy.. physical and mental!) and learned so much about basic gardening. The book is for novice gardeners who want to transform a little bit of ground in to their own little bit of paradise. I’m not an expert gardener, but it’s my passion, and believe me, it’s all achievable. Learn what a cottage garden is, how to create your own version and get your hands dirty! Don’t you know it used to be the new rock and roll. Or baking, or whatever ;-)

Many thanks to my fab publishers Pimpernel Press…

A New Cottage Garden, Pimpernel Press august 2024

Please do let me know whether you’d like to go on my newsletter list… then I can tell you when and where you can buy said book ;-)

I don’t send out many newsletters, so don’t worry you will NOT be deluged I promise! thanks for reading this and don’t forget to keep your shears sharp …

Spring Garden Photography

Whisper it, but spring is around the corner and I am all togged up, camera in hand, waiting for the rain here in Devon to stop. Last year was the same, but I got out there eventually and managed a few nice shoots, two of which are out this month in The English Garden and Country Living magazines… Glorious Mothecombe gardens near me, and Lamorran house, just down the road in Cornwall. Many thanks to them for letting me in…PLEASE let me in again. SOON!

Autumn Garden Photography at Dartington Hall

Dartington Hall, near to where I live in Devon, is a 14th century great hall with elaborate gardens. It’s well-known for its dedication to the arts, education, and sustainability, and hosts festivals, concerts, and exhibitions. In the autumn mists, with all the muted colours and magnificent specimen trees, it’s a beautiful garden to photograph, packed with seasonal interest and atmospheric vignettes. I took my trusty Billingham bag, packed with a Fuji X-T4 with various lenses and had a lovely morning wandering along the paths and terraces.

There’s even a Henry Moore sculpture amongst the trees…

A New Cottage Garden

‘Among the things made by man, nothing is prettier than an English cottage garden, and they often teach lessons that great gardeners should learn.’ William Robinson, The English Flower Garden, 1883

I am currently working on a book about Cottage Gardens and I need your help! We are looking for beautiful cottage style gardens, that I can photograph for the book, publication 2024 by Pimpernel Press, at some point during the coming year. We need gardens for all seasons, and anywhere in the UK (my preference would be in the south of the country, but thats because I’m trying to be sensible with travel!) The book will cover my own ‘new’ garden, and the process of turning it from a square of drab and lifeless lawn in to (hopefully!) an overflowing flower filled space thats good for wildlife. I will also be shooting inspirational gardens that illustrate what I am aiming for. I have been shooting a lot at Gravetye Manor, the former home of the ‘father of cottage gardening’, William Robinson, but I’d love to feature more ‘achievable’ gardens… I have a few on my list, but your suggestions would be welcome. Many thanks for reading this, and I hope you enjoy the images.

I’d like to thank the team at Gravetye Manor for putting up with my trudging around the garden this year at all hours and asking endless questions about their fabulous work there. Tom Coward (head gardener), especially, is a mine of useful information, not just about gardening, but also about William Robinson…

Please do get in touch if you can suggest any lovely cottage ‘style’ gardens, or indeed if you need a photographer… or just to say hello! email me or use the contact form on the website.

Summer madness

What a crazy, (not) lazy summer its been this yer. For the obvious reasons, I’ve been catching up on work, and whizzing around the country shooting hotels, gardens, interiors and people… Here is some of the lovely editorial work I have done (many thanks to the magazines for the way they have published them…. I am looking forward to a productive late summer and, dare I say it, autumn! here’s to misty mornings, cooler evenings and fab low angled light, which makes for a good looking image… oh, and some cider apple harvesting ;-)

thanks to VSP interiors, French Brooks Interiors, The Concrete House, and Ambrose Vevers

Work for 25 Beautiful Homes, originally published in Homes and Gardens

Shot for Country Life magazine, summer 2021

Grand Designs Magazine article, shot at the concrete house in Lewes, Sussex

Shot for Period Living magazine, Summer 2021

Many thanks for taking a look, and please do get in touch if you need photography. I am very happy to chat through your ideas, and can give you an upfront quote. I am off to the garden to build a seed bed… I am shooting a book for the wonderful Pimpernel Press… due out in a year or two, but watch this space…

Best Pub Interior?

Hidden on my website amongst all the fabulous interiors I shoot for magazines, designers, hotels and so on, is my favourite interior of all. Down at the bottom of Devon is the Pigs Nose Inn… Just look at that red snug! I shot my local a few years ago but it hasn’t really changed, and best of all it’s back open after this horrendous year. Thats the table where I drink my cider and eat all the crisps in the pub…

The Pigs Nose Inn

Fear not, I haven’t turned in to a red nosed cider-drinking, croc-wearing old git (or have I?), no, I have been working hard of late, shooting for a couple of hotels, and for some interior designers based in London. And also working on a new project about cottage gardens… images below.

I’m looking for beautiful cottage gardens to photograph, so if you know any, let me know…

Thanks to The Pigs Nose Inn, Kitesgrove Design and to Beth Tarling in deepest Cornwall..

Garden Photography with the Fuji X-T4

I am not a tech wizard (as my family will confirm!) but I thought I’d do a quick review of the Fuji X-T4 camera that I have recently acquired. I have had many other Fujis over the years, including the X-T1 and 2, so I know my way round them, and have found them to be excellent. I have had one or other of these cameras around my neck for a few years now, mostly whilst either travelling, or documenting my local patch ( a lot of the time in the pub!). I shoot gardens for magazines, and until now have used my Canon 5D4 with a range of lenses. However, at the start of this year I bought this camera and took it out to shoot a garden locally and have not put it down since. It’s fantastic for this sort of work…. it’s easy to carry a ‘full kit’ in my smallish Domke camera bag, and it is light weight. I can shoot handheld in quite low light… a revelation because I shoot on a tripod most of the time and that can be awkward and heavy at the best of times.

The images shot here are thanks to Mothecombe House in Devon.

Coincidently I recently bought a smaller Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod, so all in all my rather delicate back is thanking me at the moment! Back to the camera though…. one of the nice things about this model is that it has built in ‘Image Stabilisation’ which is great for those slightly lower shutter-speed ‘grab shots’… the daffodil above is an example. I can get right down to ground level and shoot upwards in to the flower without spending five minutes adjusting the tripod! Actually, another thing I find useful about this camera is the improved back screen. I generally use the viewfinder, which is an excellent digital ‘EVF’, but the screen is now fully articulated so its easy to angle your view from low down, looking upward, without cricking your neck!

The colours of final images, once processed through Lightroom software are beautiful. I use RAW files, but there are any number of JPEG ‘looks’ to choose from. The sensor is not full frame (it’s a 26MP APS-C sensor) but I really can’t see the difference in the files, and I find the colours, whilst different to the Canon, are great. The greens and blues appear to be perfect. And everything seems to ‘pop’… they are sharp and contrasty and very natural looking. Just look at the Japanese Quince image on the left beneath, the reds are amazing.

I have a range of different lenses, and believe me there’s a huge number of different lenses available. I only really use three or four, and am currently looking at the Fuji ‘red badge’ zoom lens, 16-55 to add to the bag. It is supposed to be the bees knees in terms of an all-rounder lens for this camera. The camera build quality is fabulous, it’s all metal and very solid, and the dials are lovely to use. They are real, dedicated single-purpose individually marked dials for each of shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, advance mode, STILL/MOVIE mode, as well as a dedicated autofocus mode switch and two more general purpose control dials. I’m not really going to talk about movie mode, but apparently the camera excels as a video camera too. It’s quite a traditional looking camera, and I am constantly amazed at the number of people who comment on it when I am carrying it around… not that that is important of course!

I would never have admitted it before, but I occasionally now use autofocus (what???!!!), and it is a revelation. It’s pin sharp results are easy to set up, and when shooting portraits it’s a god-send. I recently did a shoot for UK Country Living, and the children had to run through a field. The autofocus setting was easy to set up and gave perfect results. Who would have thought it? the camera can be set up to follow either the eyes, or a ‘head’… and it works beautifully. How many times in the past have I had to shoot 50 exposures to get one thats in focus? This may all be old news to some of you, but for a garden/interiors photographer used to manually focussing, it’s brilliant!

In conclusion, the camera has been a great addition to my kit. I won’t use it for interiors at the moment (for a start they don’t make a shift lens yet), but for garden shoots it’s staying! My back will be grateful, and I’m blown away with agility and ease of use of this camera. I have noticed that its very slightly bigger than the XT-2, which feels nice ‘in the hand’, and the battery life is MILES better. The only thing I can think of as a negative is the menu system, which is still rather complex… generally Fuji are excellent at making things intuitive, but the menus are a maze that sometimes feel impenetrable! Otherwise, it’s a big thumbs up from me.

Hotel Photography at the Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire

The Grove Hotel, Hertfordshire

I recently spent three busy days shooting at the Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire (hosts to the Ryder Cup and a very famous current American President!), with Martin Hulbert, interior designer extraordinaire, who has remodelled and designed most of the rooms over the years. The lounges and bar areas were magnificent, and we took time to shoot the conference facilities too. Slightly surreal as it turned out, as the current Covid crisis meant that the whole place was empty… made things easier for our work, but Im sure that now they have reopened, things are a lot busier there! I love the attention to detail in Martins work; the fabrics and wall coverings are all hand painted, the colours are beautifully restrained and furniture all hand picked, or designed and made.

I have also been shooting gardens galore… its high season and the planting is lovely, the days are long and I am making the most of it. I have done features for Country Life, Country Homes and Interiors and various other garden publications. Let me know if you are an editor looking to fill space next year! I have lots of options..

Garden Photography near Winchester

I have also set up and begun selling some of my prints. These are beautifully printed black and white images, of Italy, gardens around the world, corners of Devon, Venetian gondoliers and barrels of cider in atmospheric barns! … ideal for interior designers with walls to fill in hotels or houses… take a look at the page, I have even found a fabulous framer who can finish off the piece to perfection.

Wild flower verges at East Prawle

Wild flowers found at Coastguard Cottages in East Prawle

If you are interested in persuading councils to NOT mow your local roadsides, please do take a look at the Plantlife website and sign their petition!

Late last year, we decided not to mow the verges alongside our small private road where we live. In only our first year of no-mow its been a revelation. The number of wild flowers has increased, and there are plants there that I had never seen before. Usually, the verges of the road are strimmed every couple of weeks, and this process obviously means that many of the natural plants are unable to produce seed. The next stage will be to mow after the seeds have set, in late summer. The result of all this is that verges are brimming with flowers and insects, and (in my opinion) it looks fantastic! Here is a list of some of the species I recorded just this summer…

Bristly Ox Tongue

Field Poppy

Ribwort Plantain

Greater plantain

Curled Dock

Broad leaved dock

Heath Bedstraw

Common Mallow

Wild Carrot

Perennial Sowthistle

Fennel

Greater Knapweed

Yarrow

Rough Chervil

Cats Ear

Red and White Campion

Scarlet Periwinkle

Creeping Cinquefoil

Field Bindweed

Herb Robert

Broomrape

Hairy Tare

Hedge Woundwort

Hedge Mustard

Nipplewort

Red and White Clover

Dandelion

Field Daisy

Birds Foot Trefoil

Small Flowered Cranesbill

Common Vetch

Hop Trefoil

Meadow vetchling 

Trailing tormentil 

Fleabane

Common mint

Common ragwort

Greater willowherb 

Hawkbeard 

Pineapple weed

Great mullein

Field scabious

Yellow rattle 

Hogweed

Spear thistle

Hemp agrimony

Agrimony

Common bent (grass)

Yorkshire fog (grass)

Ox-eye daisy

False oat grass (grass)

Happy New Year!

I didn’t send any Christmas cards this year, but decided instead to send a New Year version. Thanks to all of you who I worked with last year, and let’s try and do it again this year!

I’m going to try and work hard on keeping my ‘footprint’ to a minimum this year, being clever with combining jobs so that I travel more ‘smartly’. I’ll also shoot more stock images locally, become more efficient in my vegetable garden, waste less and change my gas guzzling motor.

Enough of my resolutions, I’m looking forward to a good year of shooting (hurry up spring!), and would love to collaborate with you this year. Do get in touch if you have any beautiful interior, hotel or garden projects that need photography, and if any of you have nice places that would look good in print, do let me know. I’d love to come and see them!

Have a great New Year, Peace and Love to all. Mark

David Harber Sculptures, Garden Photography

Photography for David Harber Sculptures in Italy

I've been photographing a lot for David Harber recently. He and his team make the most amazing garden and interior sculptures, using metal and stone. They are often on a monumental scale, and are always built with the surroundings in mind. So, for instance, the circular metal sculpture above is situated so that the sun rises in the centre of the circle (it can be moved easily so that it works at all times of the year). Truly beautiful, they are found throughout the world now, in some of the most fabulous locations. I am very pleased to have been asked to photograph them!