A Dartmoor year caught on camera
ADEVON young farmer has completed a 365-day Dartmoor challenge, capturing a photograph of Dartmoor every day for an entire year during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A photographer and member of Cheriton and Tedburn Young Farmer’s Club (YFC), Emily Fleur grew up on her family farm near Okehampton and started her professional photography business at the age of 15.
Specialising in farming, wedding and family photography, the pandemic had a huge impact on her business, forcing her to diversify and try something new. She has now published her first book ‘Dartmoor Everyday’, which showcases 365 landscape photographs from her year-long challenge.
Emily explained: “When the pandemic hit in March 2020, Dartmoor became my lockdown classroom. With photo shoots cancelled, my business had to change overnight.
“When the Government set their one walk a day rule, this encouraged me to get outside. I’m so lucky to have Dartmoor on my doorstep and I was inspired to discover all of Dartmoor’s magnificent views and hidden gems. I was determined to find a way to get me through the pandemic.”
Facing adversity and having to remain resilient is not new to Emily. In August 2016, Emily suffered a brain haemorrhage, a bleed to the brain which caused her to have seizures. Following several operations and radiosurgery, which could have seriously impaired her vision, Emily has learnt to live with her condition.
She added: “I have days where my head will hardly let me get out of bed, so the fact there is a photo taken from those days is all thanks to my incredibly supportive friends and family who were there with me every step of the way.
“It’s true what they say about mental health and the great outdoors. Being outside, with little-to-no phone signal up on the moor, gave me time to reflect and think. Every business decision I made over lockdown either came to me on a Dartmoor walk, or the finer details were worked out whilst rambling over it.”
Lloyd Mortimore, who has lived on Dartmoor for over 65 years and runs an organic beef farm near Widecombe-InThe-Moor, describes Emily’s book as an “amazing insight into the wonders and mysteries of Dartmoor throughout a whole year”.
“Dartmoor’s beauty never ceases to surprise me and Emily has been able to capture this perfectly in this unique diary of photographs. Emily’s personality, natural talent and free spirit has shone through,” he said.
Emily continued: “When I look back at the completed book now, I am full of pride that I was able to complete it. I know that I’d most likely never have the opportunity to do something quite like this again.”
Since the pandemic, Emily has diversified her business, now offering marketing services, as well as selling Dartmoor prints and cards. You can purchase her new book ‘Dartmoor Everyday’, featuring all 365 photos, on her website www. emilyfleur.com.