LPA Photographers / Alice Whitby / The Frome Independent / In the Making
Last month we announced the imminent release of Alice's new book 'In the Making' a collaborative project with the Frome Independent. The book offers a glimpse behind the scenes into the working practice of 19 of Somerset's finest makers who trade at The Frome Independent market each month.
The project took Alice to a huge array of different studios and workshops in Frome and across Somerset. From a potter's workshop in an old pig shed, front room studios and converted outhouses, to a custom build cheese warehouse dug into a hill!
We have since managed to get our hands on a copy and delighted to share some of the stories from Alice about capturing the portraits.
@ Alice Whitby. The Frome Independent. In the Making.
@ Alice Whitby. The Frome Independent. In the Making.
‘I had never been to a beehive before and was very excited about the idea of dressing up in a bee suit and getting up close to John's bees! Although I went to photograph him on one of the hottest days of the summer which made the dressing up slightly more of an endurance test!
John told me the bees were in a very good mood this time of year but prepped me for the potential of getting swarmed. I came away unstrung, but sadly John got stung on his nose when I asked to take a portrait of him without his veil on. Sorry John!’ - Alice
@ Alice Whitby. The Frome Independent. In the Making.
‘Fi works in an old piggery in Mells, a small rural village just outside of Frome. I was due to photograph her on a dismal grey rainy day. We almost canceled but I went to meet her in her studio to see if the light would work.
Conveniently there was a big back door opposite her potter's wheel, which when propped open, and with me outside in the rain, let a beautiful light into the space that made me so happy I hadn't postponed the shoot! Watching the rhythmic pattern of her work was completely hypnotic.’
@ Alice Whitby. The Frome Independent. In the Making.
@ Alice Whitby. The Frome Independent. In the Making.
‘Debs works in a beautifully converted outhouse in her garden in Bruton. Her studio is a treasure trove of materials she uses for her floral installations and plant styling commissions. Vases, vessels, urns, candle holders, dried and fresh florals, it was a feast for the eyes! ‘
@ Alice Whitby. The Frome Independent. In the Making.
‘Jay lives in a part of Somerset famous for its willow.
I was very excited when I set foot in his amazing workshop. I enjoy being faced with a challenge when photographing people in spaces I've not seen before, but it is still rather wonderful when you arrive in a picture-perfect location like this!’
@ Alice Whitby. The Frome Independent. In the Making.
‘Chrissy was one of the first people I shot for this project and before I had an established vision for what images I needed to tell the story. But it came very organically with her as I observed and documented her working in her home studio before pausing her for portraits. She had a very easy air about her which made her really enjoyable to photograph.’
The book is available to buy on The Frome Independent website now, click here to get your hands on a copy!
Beautiful work Alice, and fantastic to hear the stories behind each image!