Down to Earth

Through heartfelt photographs and Alison’s words, this work captures the intimate connection between a resilient shepherdess, her flock, and her deep love for nature and life on a traditional Dales hill farm. It reveals the hard realities of maintaining this way of life—where there are no windfalls, only 25 years of grit and determination. Alison’s tenacity keeps one of the last little hill farms clinging to its roots. Ground yourself in this reality before it fades away.

In Her, A Sheep

"Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy sheep love. For Alison, that’s just about the same thing."

I’ve kept a picture diary of Alison’s world, capturing the simple, everyday moments that reveal her inner and outer self as her days unfold. At the heart of it all is her unwavering devotion to her purebred Rough Fells, a local native hill breed famed for their distinctive wool. This isn’t the story of an easy life but one filled with purpose, and though this work has taken time, it offers a rich collection of images and inspiration—enough to last a lifetime.

A Life, A Love

In many ways, Alison’s life resembles a fairy tale, yet darker moments often linger at the edges like all great stories. The beauty and romance of her remote, rural existence initially drew me in, but I soon realised that this light was often shadowed by the harsh realities and challenges of shepherding in the upland Dales.

Still, Alison’s spirit shines through. Her ability to find joy in both the grand and the humble and her unwavering dedication to her place in the world are testaments to her strength. Her love for the open-air shepherding life not only shaped her world but inspired me to be profoundly optimistic throughout the making of this book.

Shepherdess is a celebration of many things, but above all, it’s a tribute to an extraordinary woman who has built a life on her terms, defying the odds at every turn.