Creating the right image – Phil Rigby’s perspective

But for award-winning photographer Phil Rigby, there were a variety of things to consider when it came to linking each person with their business.

While professional artist Helen Perkins spent hours capturing each person’s very personal story on canvas, Phil had the challenge of placing them within their working environment, to help take the story another step further.

The Face Forward project was an innovative and different way of celebrating the role played by family business, to celebrate Armstrong Watson’s 150th anniversary.

And while Phil had minutes, instead of hours, to fulfil his role, it nonetheless took both thinking and planning time.

He said: “It was a really interesting and challenging project because they were all great characters but with completely different stories and completely different businesses – from making cheese through to metal manufacturing stockholding.”

“I wanted to get across their personalities while placing them in a working environment.

“Each of the businesspeople were really helpful and more than happy to go along with my ideas. At one point I had Brian Welch (of UK Industrial Tapes Ltd) completely wrapped up in sticky tape, and Mark Sugden (of John W Laycock) moving heavyweight pieces of metal around for me, but it all helped to tell their story.”

Phil – who is picture editor of Cumbria Life and regular contributor to in-cumbria magazine – was also able to learn a lot by travelling to see each businessperson in their place of work. It took him across Cumbria, Yorkshire and the North East.

“While they were different places and businesses they all shared the same focus and were very passionate about what they do. I really enjoyed the experience.”

For more information about how CN Group photography/visuals can help your business contact sheenah.alcock@cnmedia.co.uk .

Phil’s ‘Portrait of Cumbria: Life and Landscape’ – a collection of images capturing Cumbria’s stunning landscapes and people, from farmers and chefs to artists and business people – can be purchased for £7.95 (inc. P&P) by visiting www.cumbrialife.co.uk/portrait-of-cumbria or calling 01228 612760.

<center><b>Click on the pictures below to see the completed portraits:</b></center>