The Game Shoot

There can be few better things than waking up to a crisp, frosty January morning knowing that the day will offer scenes of stunning scenery, endless landscapes and the opportunity to meet all manner of people, with a fair few characters amongst them.

The day encompasses all that is good about the countryside; its landscape, community, way of life and sense of tradition. Not selling a lifestyle but witnessing a continuing history, where generations of the same families have shot, often on the same land. Little has changed. And to be able to capture it in images and become part of the day is a privilege indeed.

The role of the shoot photographer is one which is evolving and certainly becoming more popular.

The concept of the Shoot Book commemorating the events of the day is not a new one and has a long history, however, interestingly, now I find my clients are less concerned with statistics and records but of images of the shooting party smiling, laughing, sharing a joke and generally enjoying a great day out. It is less about competition more about memories of a good day.

In such a male dominated area, it is also interesting to include a female perspective. Sometimes, I can capture something special; a gesture, an expression, a private joke, an unexpected exchange or some well rehearsed moves reserved especially for the female contingent (naturally) and I am in the enviable position to do so.  

 

 

 

I immensely enjoy the freedom of not having to haul around tripods and huge lenses but just enough to be able to get decent photos with ease, to climb over fences, crawl under hedges, get stuck in mud (I have been!) soaked to the skin (I have been!) and live to tell the tale, unless you happen upon a decent Port Break, of course...

I have had some fantastic experiences, met some truly interesting, warm, engaging folk from many walks of life: That is the thing about shooting, it transcends all social class. It brings people with a passion together.

  
I have witnessed real kindness when the shoot organiser has willingly accompanied ailing and elderly relatives (all the family is involved) or friends in the field, loading for them, transporting them and ensuring the odd tot of damson gin reaches them and enough sport is had.

It is always important to share some time between the guns and the beaters. The guns appear to get the better deal (the comfort of transportation for a start) but the beaters certainly know how to have a good time too. They work as a team, and with that comes great camaraderie.  And after all, without them, there are no game to shoot. They hold the power, know that there’s a good meal in it afterwards and if the sweepstake goes to plan then there will be a drink or two in it for them later too!

As a great purveyor of local produce, food directly from the field is fair game indeed and a welcome reward. I spend most of my winter with a freezer full of partridge and in the main, pheasant. Yet another perk of the job.

Talking of which, I have had some wonderful breakfasts, even better lunches and the Shoot Captain (or Gamekeeper) always finds the best local pubs when the day is done but that’s a whole different story, which I shall definitely save for another occasion…

This article originally appeared in full as a guest blog for www.keepersmate.co.uk