A Northern Heart is the result of a few different ideas that were all buzzing around in my mind before I joined them together to create this special style of photography.

Firstly, the light. The pillar of any great photography! But more specifically, I have a soft spot for Rembrandt lighting which comes from my love of art. This is a gentle side light that originated in the paintings of the masters. It gives its subject a painterly feeling, creating a classic, timeless look that I try to weave into all of my images.

Secondly, time. It gets away from us, doesn’t it? I’m lucky enough to have a back catalogue of non-digital childhood photos to look back on, and I would rather look at these old pictures than anything taken on a camera phone, because they feel so authentic and permanent, unlike the throwaway culture of thousands of instant photographs we have now. Don’t get me wrong, I love my phone for capturing in-the-minute moments just like everyone else! But for something to love and treasure in years to come, I want a classic, beautiful portrait that feels like those old photographs feel - like a real moment stood still, a person or much-loved pet remembered on a physical piece of paper - like something that will be handed down in the family over the years.

And thirdly, the Northern bit. Why A Northern Heart? Growing up in West Yorkshire I’ve been deeply influenced (and massively spoilt) by the landscapes we have here. They are my home, my go-to destination when I need to reset, and my work and play grounds. I love the north and its characters, from Yorkshire to Northumberland, Lancashire to Cumbria.

It’s all of this, coupled with a love of animals, that has brought everything together under one mission for A Northern Heart; to create beautiful painterly portraits of your horse or dog, and translate them into stunning, premium art works to be loved in years to come.