A Shoot to Remember

Fashion, Freedom, and Highland Coos in Pollok Park

Last week, I did something I’ve always wanted to do: I jumped in the car and drove 5 hours up to Scotland. Just me, the road, my camera gear, and the open landscape stretching ahead. There’s something so liberating about that kind of freedom—no strict schedule, no distractions, just the quiet anticipation of doing what I love in a place I’ve never photographed before.

My destination was Pollok Park, tucked away in the south side of Glasgow. I’d chosen it for a fashion shoot, but if I’m honest, part of the reason was my quiet obsession with Highland cows—or as I like to call them, coos. There’s something magical about them: majestic, gentle, and strangely photogenic. I’d seen them in pictures for years, but seeing them in person was high on my list.

When I arrived, I gave myself time to explore before meeting my model. I wandered through woodland trails where light poured in through the trees, casting dappled shadows that danced across the forest floor. There was a river running gently beneath a stone bridge, the kind of spot that feels like it belongs in a fantasy novel. Just past that was a maze garden with winding paths and carefully trimmed hedges, and in the distance, Pollok House, a beautiful country estate with so much character and history in its walls.

Each corner of the park felt like a new scene, a new story waiting to be told.

By the time my model arrived, I already had the shots planned out in my head. We moved through the park with ease, stopping at key locations I’d scouted earlier. The vibe was relaxed and natural—exactly how I love to shoot. We laughed, experimented with poses, and made use of everything the space offered.

It was one of those shoots where everything just worked. The light was perfect, the model was confident and easygoing, and I was completely in the zone. I captured images I’m truly proud of—photos that felt alive, that told a story beyond fashion. And as a bonus, I shot loads of B-roll footage throughout the day: sweeping pans of the trees, the stillness of the water, the textures of stone and moss, even fleeting moments of wildlife just doing their thing in the background.

And yes, I finally saw the Highland coos up close. They were as majestic as I’d imagined. I didn’t want to disturb them, so I kept a respectful distance, but just seeing them—being in their presence—was enough to make the whole trip feel complete.

By the time I got back in the car for the 5-hour drive home, I was exhausted but absolutely content. This shoot reminded me why I love photography, why I chase light, and why I sometimes drive for hours just to spend a few fleeting minutes with a perfect shot.

Pollok Park delivered more than just a location—it gave me an experience, a memory, and a reminder that freedom and creativity are always worth the trip.

5 YEARS ON…

Finding Light: How a Lock-down Challenge Changed the Way I See the World

I go on walks. It all started nearly five years ago, just after our first lockdown. Back then, Nikon launched a creative challenge called #CreateYourLight—a simple yet brilliant concept that encouraged photographers to capture their surroundings based on different themes. It wasn’t just about taking photos; it was about interpreting the world in your own way.

I’m not sure how long the challenge lasted, but one thing stuck with me—light is everything in photography. And in many ways, it became my motivation. I had been posting my photos for years, but something shifted in 2020. That was the year I truly began pushing myself, seeing photography as more than just a hobby.

After that first lockdown, I found myself appreciating the outdoors in a way I never had before. The flowers, the birds, the sound of water flowing freely—it was all so beautiful. There was a clarity to it, a raw and simple joy in just being outside.

Now, five years later, things feel different. The world looks a little gloomier, a little heavier. But I remind myself that it’s okay not to see things the same way all the time.

Today, I went out for a walk—because why exercise indoors when life is so beautiful outside? I was searching for life beyond my own four walls, and I found it. People were out—walking, running, pushing strollers, playing with dogs—just soaking it all in. After five months of gray skies, the sun was finally back, and for a moment, it felt like those early post-lockdown days again.

A reminder that even when things feel dull, light always finds a way back.