From Pilot to sea surveyor and model
Hi am Andy. I’m a guy who works away at sea on survey ships. My time is split between being away offshore and being at home where I can pursue my interests. One of which is modelling.
When Slavomir invited me to shoot at his SKphotoART studio I was only too happy to oblige. He is based in Wigan, and I have been interested in visiting Wigan for a long time as a result of a family connection to the city.
My Grandmother was in service in a house there back in the 1920s and she was brought up very close by in Up Holland. She died in 2017 at the grand old age of 103. I remember listening to stories of her childhood where one of her earliest memories was seeing German Zeppelin airships flying overhead on bombing raids of British cities. I can only imaging what a sight this must have been to see these huge sleek silver ships high in the sky in the days of horse and cart. Terrifying and awe inspiring at the same time, like something from the future.
SKphotoART is in a very characterful part of town on Jaxons Court which is full of interesting shops, bars, and restaurants. I parked just down the road right opposite the home of the world famous ‘Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls’ These minty treats are famous and have inspired at least one song in their honour. I remember Mike Harding’s performance of his version of ‘Uncle Joes Mint Balls’ on TV.
The studio itself is incredibly charming and characterful. The perfect place for creativity to blossom. I should mention that it is also home to Slavomirs backdrop painting operation, and it is wonderful to think that the backdrops painted right here end up being shipped worldwide to be used in the studios of some of the finest photographers around.
I spent a wonderful day in the company of Slav in his studio. We chatted all day long on the shoot, which involved several set and outfit changes. It was a long old day, but the time just flew by. It was one of the most enjoyable, productive, and creative studio days I have been involved with.
I even managed to leave that very evening with a fully edited, mounted large format print of one of my favourite images of the day.
Time and the weather got the better of us and in the end we were unable to explore the idea of working outside with Slavs backdrops placed into ‘real world’ situations. I’m really looking forward to my next visit to Wigan for more studio time, location work and of course more chat too.
Slav, thanks for a great day man
Check Andy’s instagram!