TopicUK Magazine asked us to create their cover this month by photographing Ryan Sidebottom.

Firstly we discussed with TopicUK what they had in mind for their interview and where they’d like the portrait session to take place.  The interview was a chat with the flamboyant Yorkshire man about his legendary cricketing career and his audacious appearance as a contestant on Dancing on Ice.

Secondly it was important to speak with Ryan himself to see how he would like to be photographed.  Often people in the public eye don’t have this option.  However, as with all our portrait photography, we want everyone to have the opportunity to be involved in the creative process.

The Brief

Our final briefing was pretty straight forward.

Jokingly, Gill the Editor of TopicUK, mentioned it would be brilliant if we could include a dog as their readers loved the previous front cover of the Yorkshire Vet and his pup!  As most of you know, we love a challenge.

As a nod to the past, Ryan had a sparkly cricket bat he used in a ice dance routine which was a perfect.

We took advantage of his sharp dress sense by asking him to bring along a couple of favourite outfits; this identified Ryan as moving forward with his career.  He seemed pretty relieved to not be wearing cricketing whites or a sparkly ice-dancing costume.

Shoot Day

We set about photographing Ryan Sidebottom.

First stop was Collingham and District Cricket Club for that all important front page shot.  Ryan looking dapper, and cooly posed with his sparkly cricket bat.  Added bonus was the wind gently blowing his long curly locks about!

Next we moved onto two other Collingham locations which, we like to think, were a little more subtle: a willow tree and a field full of round straw bales (we know you get it).

Eddie Stole the Show

Suddenly all Gill’s hopes and dreams came true.  Bouncing into the field came Eddy the Pointer dog! 

We asked his owner Kevin if he’d like to be in a photoshoot: “Try and stop him, he loves posing!  Would you like him to jump up on the hay bales?”  Would we ever!  And, as you can see, he did.

Ryan was wonderful company: very easy to work with, great fun and professional.  We hope his future brings much success and enjoyment.