Musicians bare all for local charities

With just their instruments to cover their modesty, local musicians have appeared in a new charity calendar – Laid Bare.

The naked but tasteful pictures are the work of photographer Sam Sutton, of LivesThruALens.

The Ashford mum has been snapping local stars for the 2017 calender to raise money for Pilgrims Hospice and Epilepsy Awareness.

She said: “I got the idea at the beginning of September and it’s been all systems go since then.

“I chose naked musicians as I am involved in the local music scene and live music photography is a passion of mine.

“They are all naked apart from their instruments but it’s tasteful.

“There are 11 different musicians taking part, one for each month and then a collage of them all together for December.”

Sam, who took the pictures over three days in a studio set up in her home, added: “A lot of the musicians are my friends and they have all been really supportive, so I’m really grateful to everyone for their help.”

“I have really enjoyed the whole experience. I would definitely do it again.”

The project has received support and sponsorship from a host of Ashford businesses, including The Windmill Inn, Down The Pub Radio, Out of our Tree Forest School, Kent Plant Services, String Wind Repairs, Box Clever Development and Grassroots Gardening – meaning all profits will go to the charities.

There will be a launch night at the Windmill Inn in Hythe Road from 8pm tonight (Thursday) to finally reveal the naked photos.

Seventy copies of the exclusive calendar will be available to buy at £10 each.

Calendars can also be ordered by contacting Sam at www.facebook.com/LivesThruALens.

Photographer Samantha Sutton