Young farmer photographs Dartmoor for a year during lockdown
Highland cattle near Lettaford, Dartmoor © Emily Fleur Photography A Devon young farmer who suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2016 has completed a challenge to photograph Dartmoor landscapes every day for an entire year during the coronavirus pandemic.
Emily Fleur © Emily Fleur
Emily Sizmur, better known as Emily Fleur, has captured 365 stunning pictures from the vast moorland after her farming, wedding and family photography work stalled during lockdown.
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Emily, who is a member of Cheriton and Tedburn Young Farmers’ Club, grew up on her family’s livestock farm near Okehampton and started her photography business at the age of 15.
She has built up an impressive album of farm photos since then, inspired by her early years on the farm, watching her father Martin at work. It was a dairy farm before converting to beef and sheep.
Martin Sizmur at Oatnell Farm in west Devon © Emily Fleur Photography
In August 2016, Emily suffered a bleed to the brain which caused her to have seizures.
Following several operations and radiosurgery, which could have seriously impaired her vision, the photographer has learnt to live with her condition.
She said the year-long Dartmoor challenge has aided her recovery and helped diversify her business.
“I have days where my head will hardly let me get out of bed, so the fact there is a photo taken from those days, is all thanks to my incredibly supportive friends and family who were there with me every step of the way,” Emily said.
“It’s true what they say about mental health and the great outdoors. Being outside, with little-to-no phone signal up on the moor, gave me time to reflect and think.”
Combine rolling on Richard Harris’ farm in south Deveon © Emily Fleur Photography
The collection of photos will be published in her new book, Dartmoor Everyday.
Organic beef farmer Lloyd Mortimore, who has lived on Dartmoor for more than 65 years, said the stunning landscapes still surprise him each day.
“Emily has been able to capture this perfectly in this unique diary of photographs,” said the farmer from Widecombe-in-the-Moor.