Shackleton Like Frostbite for the Perfect Portrait Shot for Waitrose

So the results of standing barefoot in freezing water for 2 hours are out. I was commissioned to shoot the latest Produce Supplier portrait for Waitrose to appear in this months Waitrose Weekend magazine. I stupidly forgot my wellies opting for the criminally uncool crocs. Standing in the freezing spring water in February certainly got my circulation racing, even if it was just around my core to keep me alive. 

Spare a thought for the poor farmer whom I asked to continually dip the watercress in the cold water for most of the morning. His hands were blue by the end of the session. All though he is an expert at being in front of the camera. Sean has featured on; Countryfile, BBC News, numerous cooking programs and I believe a film. 

It's been a while since he's used his hands to harvest. They use a tracker to pull up, wash and bag the watercress, but everyone who has asked to photograph him in the field insists he gets out his trusted blade and get down and dirty in the water — backbreaking stuff. 

Sean may be an old-hand at posing for the camera, but he's far from being a diva. However many times he's asked to jump through the same hoops, he never complained, never grumbled that it'd take a warm cuppa and a few hours to get the feeling back in his fingers. A joy to meet such a 'warm' character.