Two women celebrate their Yorkshire heritage with an exceptional collection of portraits, a few of which we showcase here
Yorkshire Made Me is a unique, original collection of photographic portraits published together for the first time to celebrate some of the most famous and significant Yorkshire men and women in 21st century Britain.
They were taken by award-winning Yorkshire photographers Lynne Fletcher and Jennifer Robertson, Master Photographer and a member of the Royal Photographic Society, both based in Halifax.
It took three years and many letters asking some of the leading names in the worlds of arts, sports and politics to sit for them often in their favourite Yorkshire setting. Actress Maureen Lipman was photographed for example on the Victorian Pier in her hometown of Hull and Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams at the gym in Bradford where she trains.
All the photographs reflect their success and their continuing pride in being Yorkshire ‘born and bred’.
‘We didn’t really appreciate how much trust the sitters put in our hands,’ says Lynne. ‘They made no demands, didn’t want approval, no makeup, no stylists, no lighting crews, no 25 assistants - they were happy to be themselves to show their true Yorkshire roots.
‘I believe they all must have enjoyed the experience as many recommended us to their fellow Yorkie luminaries,’ says Jennifer. ‘We even got Judi swinging in her hammock at home in the garden and sitting on the edge of her diving board. It must have been our Yorkshire charm.’
The photographers believe it was their straightforward Yorkshire approach that helped them reach world-renowned stars such as actor Sir Patrick Stewart as well as Dame Judi Dench.
‘When we wrote to the potential sitters we said we’d only need about an hour of their time but, in fact, after the shoot we ended up spending a full afternoon or a morning with them or, in David Hockney’s case, a full day including lunch with him,’ says Jennifer.
‘Many of them said that they had never had such fun in a photo-shoot,’ adds Lynne.
The complete collection of 40 portraits can be seen at Yorkshire Sculpture Park in the Garden Gallery from this month until June 1st
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, West Bretton, Wakefield WF4 4LG . 01924 832631 ysp.co.uk
A soft-back book Yorkshire Made Me is published by Carnegie Publishing price £9.99 and available from booksellers and Yorkshire Sculpture Park. A limited edition hardback price £19.99 is available from the photographers via their website kytephotography.co.uk
