Scottish Veterans of WW2

This set of ten images documents Scottish servicemen who served in WW2 and whose huge sacrifice and contribution did so much to guarantee our freedom. To create the images, I traveled across the country and met the veterans in their homes, spending some time with them, talking with them and capturing their portraits. Setting the portraits in their own homes helps convey and preserve the way they live today, creating a peaceful and homely atmosphere that is set alongside the inner pride they so deservedly feel; a reflection of their inner lives. Undertaking the project was challenging, interesting, exciting and moving. Each veteran and I got to know each other well, and some of the veterans came to my house with a bottle of wine as a thank you for taking their portraits; others sent me letters by post. One of the veterans passed away a little while after I met him, and his family used my picture in his funeral - they considered it to be an amazing portrait of him. Starting the project was particularly difficult as at first people were reluctant to provide their contact details. I placed adverts in all the local newspapers, contacted all the Scottish local councils, the Scottish Government and the Ministry of Defense. Eventually the ball started rolling and the project was born.