BEHIND THE CAMERA:

Yorkshire photographer Charlotte Graham

In an occasional series of picture specials, we celebrate the work of Yorkshire photographers – this week we feature Charlotte Graham.

IN THE foreword to her book, the former Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said Charlotte Graham’s stunning photographs “show us life” in Yorkshire

– and through her skill that was entirely self-taught and honed, that is indeed what she does.

But it was only by chance that she became one of the most well-regarded national news freelance photographers.

Inspired by her mother, who worked in theatre, Ms Graham has been taking photographs for 50 years. Professionally though, her career was based on film and television locations until around five years ago.

“When I decided to give it up, someone suggested to me, ‘why not give news a go?’ and I went from there,” she said. “I wake up every morning with the want to find something to photograph. I love it.”

Based in Huddersfield but working around the country, Ms Graham’s work features heavily in the Daily Telegraph and The Yorkshire Post.

Last year, she published a book of her work which is available through her website. Just last week, she was able to fulfil an ambition of photographing a steam train running along the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland – which was used to hail the return of tourism in Scotland post-lockdown. While her next jobs are “sworn to secrecy”, her ultimate ambition is to photograph polar bears in Greenland.

But for now, she will continue to capture Yorkshire life at its very best.

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