The Lady of the Lake
ERESFJORD, NORWAY - 2025

The grey frame of this 1948 Porsche
356 complements the snowy and misty
backdrop of this winter’s day. There is
a calm tonal balance to the photograph
which would not have been possible if the
sun had been out. There may not be 50
shades of grey, but there is a good dozen.
This is a coveted and highly valuable
car and its shape is lauded by car
enthusiasts. I knew that I had to capture
it in profile on at least one shoot in
Norway. This was the location in which to
do so.

When we were planning this shoot, we
had no idea that the west coast of Norway
would be hit by a material early winter
snowstorm. We considered this to be a
fortunate break so long as we could get
the car to the location, which was in an
isolated fjord northeast of Molde.
Snow normally allows the photographer
a little more light to play with and
importantly it adds another layer to the
story with no extra charge. We are big
fans of working in the snow, especially
in soft or low light. But it does also offer
logistical challenges in terms of access
and consequently, in Norway, we work
with seasoned professionals.

The Austrian model Nadine Leopold
does an excellent job as the lady of the
lake. There is a sovereignty to her pose
and I think the cigarette adds a bad ass
nonchalance to her character. She seems
very much in control of the situation -
whatever that situation might indeed be.
The Lady of The Lake was an influential
narrative poem written by Sir Walter
Scott in the early part of the 19th Century.
Scott was from central Scotland ( just like
myself) and hence I thought it as good a
name for this photograph as any.