Marcus Harpur
Photographer whose images of English gardens were eagerly sought after by the glossy magazines
MARCUS HARPUR, who has died aged 52, was a photographer of rare craftsmanship, whose thoughtfully composed images of English gardens enlivened the pages of books and magazines.
In 2014 The English Country House Garden, a book for which Harpur shot the photographs, won “Inspirational Book of the Year” from the Garden Media Guild. At the time of his death from cancer he had just seen an advance copy of his latest book, Secret Gardens of East Anglia, which will be published in September, and only a few weeks ago he defied his illness to spend the day with his younger daughter and a colleague photographing for a new book on the gardens of Cambridge University colleges.
Harpur’s work also appeared regularly in the best garden magazines, including The English Garden, Homes and Gardens and Country Life.
Marcus Harpur was born on February 9 1965 and educated at Rainsford High School, Chelmsford, before studying English at Manchester University. His father, Jerry Harpur, was a pioneering garden photographer who travelled the world in pursuit of his subjects.
At first it seemed that Marcus had chosen a different path; from university he joined the publishing house Weidenfeld and Nicolson. But after being one of a group made redundant in 1992, he returned home just as his parents were setting off on an overseas photography trip. Marcus suggested he might look after his father’s image library in their absence.
By the time of their return he was sufficiently enthused to suggest he could be usefully employed managing the growing library. Within a few years he was also taking photographs. Some ten years ago his father retired and Marcus took over the business.
Photographing gardens is a particular skill. It requires tenacity and patience to win out against the vagaries of the weather, to wait for the all-important low light that transforms a garden or landscape scene, and to travel miles at short notice to capture a garden at its best. It also requires a level of technical knowledge about plants and garden design with which Harpur soon equipped himself.
Harpur’s measured and thoughtful approach to life was well suited to the challenges of his profession. So too was his self-deprecating, at times anarchic, sense of humour which enabled him to cope with photoshoots abandoned in the rain and the challenges of a freelance career.
Harpur was a passionate advocate for his profession at a time when, with the advent of digital cameras and iphones, anyone could photograph gardens. That, he argued, did not make them garden photographers; that was a trade for dedicated professionals.
While some of his colleagues were a little alarmed that someone with a self-confessed dislike of maths should become treasurer of their body, the Professional Garden Photographers Association, his commitment to their cause earned him their special affection and gratitude.
Harpur was a gentle soul whose dress sense often raised eyebrows – as when he turned up to photograph Chelsea Flower Show in odd socks because he had got up in the dark to be there when the gates opened. A skilful baker, he believed that “life is all about a good lunch with a good friend”, and a privileged group of gardening ladies were regular recipients of his delicious cakes for their open days.
Within the community of garden photographers and writers he was held in high esteem for his gentle courtesy and the quality of his work. A few months after his diagnosis with cancer Harpur did an interview with Eddie Mair, on Radio 4’s PM programme. His candid honesty and humour won over the presenter and brought him many admirers among listeners. “When you have got a beautiful view and a lovely light in front of you, you want to capture it all. It’s a good feeling,” he said.
Harpur married his wife Mary in 1994. They were divorced in 2012 but remained close throughout his illness. She survives him with their two daughters and son.
Marcus Harpur, born February 9 1965, died August 6 2017