I’m grateful to those who bought and commented on my first full feature spread in a UK garden magazine, The English Garden. The October 2021 issue featured this exquisite private garden in Godalming, which garden writer Jill Anderson(a fellow member of the Garden Media Guild) had invited me along to visit. She introduced me to owners Christine and Ian, who have tended and added to this space for over 40 years, creating the haven that I so much enjoyed spending time in. I visited over two very early and beautifully-lit mornings – just as the sun rose – and an early evening to catch a little of the softer autumn light.
A garden of varied landscape
Stretching down to woodland by the River Wey, with views across to the spires of Charterhouse School, this gorgeous space includes formal seating area, paving and traditional lawn, prairie-style planting, hedging, naturalised ponds, stunning espalier apple trees and many more fruit and vegetable beds, a field area tended by sheep, ancient trees and of course the waters of the Wey. Sitting behind a quietly unassuming semi-detached cottage, you’d have no idea that all of this was tucked in beyond.
Jill’s lyrical descriptions of the various planting areas really brought the article to life; I’d encourage you to hunt down a copy and have a read, if you missed it – you can find back copies here. This is a garden which has year-round interest but particularly comes to colourful life and reaches fruition – literally – at harvest time. So, if you’re considering having your garden space photographed for your own visual records, or for a magazine feature submission, it’s worth bearing in mind that (1) you should work towards having the garden ready for pictures at the time of year when it reaches its own peak, whatever season that may be; and (2) the form and texture of a garden comes alive with the sidelight of either end of the day. For me, that means having scouted out the location, I need to be in place ready to photograph the light as it breaks in the morning – and perhaps again in the evening as the sun dips down – and also to allow a window of time in my diary, to keep one eye on the forecast and to collaborate in picking the optimum day for the best results.
Obviously the magazines are limited in page space, and need to publish their pick of accompanying photographs to best illustrate the plants and areas described in the text. But in order to do so, I have to be prepared with a bank of photographs featuring all spaces, angles and orientations! There were, of course, many more pictures from our visits, so here is my opportunity to share a little more of this glorious English Garden magazine Surrey garden with you.
If you’re interested in having your garden photographed – whether for your own records; as a gift; or to submit for publication – please have a look at my FAQ page for further information, and do get in touch to know more.
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