Meet the Maker: Amanda Jackson

Who are you, where are you from and what do you make?

I am Amanda Jackson, a photographer originally from Canada and now living in the UK, dividing my time between a cabin in West Wales and a home in Malvern, Worcestershire. 

In my Wales life, I do project work. Both my projects ‘To Build A Home’ and ‘Where the Red Kite Flies’ are shot on medium format film and focus on the people living at the Lammas eco village in Pembrokeshire. In my Malvern life, I undertake commissions for interiors, product and portrait photography, shot digitally.

 

What inspires you? 

I am hugely inspired by the people and landscape of the eco village and surrounding community. I’m so glad that after photographing it for the past 13 years that that feeling hasn’t worn off,  allowing me to continue making new work and form deeper connections.

 

What is your workshop luxury? 

I love our garden office and that when I’m working from home I get to be with our dog Woody, who treats both me and my partner to cuddles and kisses every so often while we’re working.

 

Your favourite studio lunch? 

A BIG salad with as many different ingredients as possible.

 

Best spot in the British Isles? 

West Wales.

 

What do you find challenging about being a creative?

I love working on my own but I sometimes find all the decision making and planning exhausting. I definitely get decision fatigue.

 

What would you like to learn next? 

I have a large format 5×4 camera that I still find a bit terrifying. I’d like to get over that fear and get out there and have a play.

 

How do you let your hair down? 

Cooking for friends, full days spent reading, and watching a film with a big bowl of popcorn.

 

What are you listening to at the moment? 

I love podcasts, they make car journeys and office days so much more enjoyable. A few of my favourites are: The Great Women Artists podcast, PhotoWork with Sasha Wolf, By the Book and Office Ladies.

 

What makes you feel well chuffed? 

Watching the afternoon sun stream though the spruce trees on my land in Wales.

 

What is your fave recipe? 

Mudpie bars. Chocolate and peanut butter and no baking required, what’s not to love! I’ve put my version of a recipe on one of my blog posts: https://www.amandajaxn.co.uk/september-2022-where-the-red-kite-flies

 

Who is your biggest inspiration? 

One of my absolute favourite photographers is Emmet Gowin and his work has really made me understand my own approach to making photography work.

 

What is your fave item on The Chuffed Store? 

The Chuffed Store Inky Blue Envelopes and Orange Stickers paired with the Pink & Orange Moon Star Notecards. Beside being simply beautiful, there is such a feeling of childlike joy placing stickers on the envelopes. Everyone I sent these to LOVED them.

 

Spring summer autumn or winter? 

Summer summer summer. Every time.

 

Question from the previous Meet the Maker: If you could choose any view from your studio window, what would it be? 

I’m actually going to say the view I have! We got so lucky with the view from our garden studio which looks over the silver birch in our garden and the rolling hills of the Malverns.

 

And, lastly, one question you would like us to ask the next Meet the Maker….?  

If you could only eat 3 vegetables for the rest of your life what would they be?