Photographers Suzanne Howard– professionally
known as Peaklass – and Phil Sproson have built careers through their love of the Peak District.
They tell Fiona Stubbs how their work is complementary – and maybe just a little competitive – as they share the beauty of the national park with their extensive audiences.
Suzanne
“I started taking pictures in my 20s. It was the days of 35mm film – I had my own dark room and did my own printing. But it was more of a hobby.
My career took me in a completely different direction. I worked in complaints management for the NHS, Police Complaints Authority and Ofsted. I also worked for the UK Embassy in Washington DC.
I moved around all over the world, had a family and put photography on the back burner. It was only when I moved to the Peak District 10 years ago that I began taking pictures again. It seemed like a wasted opportunity not to capture this beautiful place.
I started Peaklass in 2020 and went into photography full time, posting every day on Instagram, Facebook and X. I post at 7am every morning. There are people literally all over the world who tell me it starts their day in a nice, peaceful way.
As well as photographing the Peak District landscape that I love so much, I write about it too. I have written features and walks for independent visitor website Let’s Go Peak District as well as many Peak District and Derbyshire walks for the area’s official tourist board, Visit Peak District & Derbyshire and for accommodation providers.
Words are also an important part of my social media posts – I’m trying to convey not just the scene but the way I felt when I stood there. What was the air like? Was it clear or misty? Did it feel damp on my skin? Was it quiet? Could I hear leaves rustling or birds singing?
For me, it’s about sharing the beauty of this place and it’s the biggest compliment when people say they feel as though they are looking over my shoulder.
Photography introduced me to Phil. He had a shop in Castleton, selling his own photographic work, and we became friends. Now we literally work together at a big desk in our office at home – I don’t know how we do it!
It was the smallest bedroom. We trip over each other and trip over the dog who’s usually under the desk. It’s full of the goods we produce from our photography – including jigsaws, calendars, cards, notebooks – it’s a very bohemian base!
When going out to take pictures, we work both individually and together. But, even when we’re out together, we take very different pictures because of our different styles.
I remember one snowy day in Grindleford. I picked out a tiny Christmas tree among huge fir trees, which Phil hadn’t spotted. Then he came back with landscape shots that I hadn’t noticed. We’re drawn to different things.
We both feel incredibly lucky to live here. For me, it’s about sharing the Peak District with people who don’t know it. The number of people who say they’ve visited the national park because of my photographs is lovely. I never take it for granted.”
Learn more about Suzanne and her work at: www.peaklass.com/
Phil
“I worked in health and safety for biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca for 17 years, based at Alderley Edge.
“In that time, I did a couple of photography courses – it was a hobby. My job was very corporate, so I started to use landscape photography in the Peak District as a means of stress relief – as a purpose to get out into nature and take myself away from everything.
“My interest grew and grew and, in the early days, I set up a Facebook page and began to get a lot of followers. That encouraged me to get out and take pictures more and more. It got to a point where I had a decision to make about my career.
“I left AstraZeneca and, in 2016, set up a shop in Castleton to sell my photographic work. While running the shop, I began to take on photography commissions, including holiday properties and work for Countryfile magazine as a landscapes and outdoor photographer, which I’ve continued to do.
“I’ve taken on commissions for the Peak District National Park Authority, the Youth Hostel Association and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire as well as councils, walking guides, the Peak District Boundary Walk and outdoor clothing companies. I also specialise in property photography and work with Amaze Hotels, which involves travel around the country. I co-run the visitor website Let’s Go Peak District with photographer Villager Jim and his wife, Jo.
“Suzanne has influenced my Peak District photography by encouraging me to travel around. I used to go to one location and take a set of photos. You can go to a place and it will look completely different depending on the weather or the time of day. You can see things in the landscape that you haven’t noticed before.
“In the past, I was more locked into the Hope Valley, but travelling further does yield more. You feel that you’re on more of a journey.
“Are we competitive? I don’t really think about it – we’re both pleased for each other when we do well selling our photographic products at markets or events. But customers sometimes ask if there’s a competition between us. Sometimes they feel conflicted so buy something from each of us!”
Learn more about Phil and his work at: www.philsprosonphotography.com/