THE PRO
NAME: Johnny Fenn
CAMERA: Nikon Z 7II
Johnny started out as a local newspaper photographer before joining the British Army, where he spent much of his 25-year career with the Gurkhas. He continued with his passion as an aside, running camera clubs for fellow soldiers, and went pro on leaving the Army 11 years ago. These days he undertakes shoots for commercial clients and runs photo workshops to Nepal and other countries with his company PhotoJourney, see: https://photojourney.co.uk
THE APPRENTICE
NAME: Tonya Hawkins
CAMERA: Nikon D810
Tonya is from Westbury, Wiltshire, and since picking up a camera for the first time less than a year ago, has been aspiring to become a portrait photographer, taking a place on a Government Kickstart Scheme to learn the ropes. She’s had plenty of practice in a studio setting but was keen to broaden her photographic repertoire, so was delighted to get professional one-on-one tuition from Johnny, if a little nervous that the shoot was to be on an Army base.
It was a bitterly cold December day when Johnny and Tonya met at the headquarters of the 10 Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment in Aldershot, north Hampshire. Johnny had served as an officer in the regiment before embarking on his career as a pro travel, commercial and portrait photographer, and his connections with the regiment granted him unrivalled access for their one-on-one character portrait workshop.
“Still, I’m not sure who we’re going to have to model for us,” confided the pro as they waited to be greeted by the regiment’s adjutant (the military officer in charge).
They needn’t have worried, as they were introduced to no fewer than eight Gurkhas, wearing everything from ceremonial
