Member Article

Harrogate photographer expands business on the back of Grand Depart project

Harrogate photographer Jude Palmer has got the backing of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in Leeds, and is working in partnership with a German creative firm due to her behind-the-scenes work on the Grand Depart.

Jude was commissioned by Welcome to Yorkshire to capture the preparation and legacy of the Tour de France in the region for a commemorative photography book. The coffee-table book will be published in August and unveiled at a VIP launch and series of exhibitions around the country.

As well as tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire, Jude earned the backing of Irwin Mitchell Solicitors in Leeds as the firm agreed to be the exclusive sponsor for the production of the book.

Jude has since caught the eye of the exclusive Leica brand. The German camera manufacturer is closely linked to the world of sport and photojournalism and its Leica M Monochrom camera shoots only in black and white.

Leica will be working closely with Jude to profile her work on its camera blog, and also hosting the London exhibition of Jude’s Grand Depart photography at its Mayfair gallery.

Jude has also made her mark in other areas of the cycling world, winning her first Tour de France feature in the July issue of Rouleur Magazine.

Working with Jude on the design and production of her photography book is Harrogate creative studio, The Lift Agency. They work extensively in sport and fashion and have a strong link to cycling already through their ongoing role as brand advisors to Mark Cavendish. Owner Antony Robinson is collaborating with Jude to showcase her images in print.

He said: “We’ve always approached this project as more than a photography book. Through Jude’s amazing images, we’re aiming to show the legacy that the Grand Depart can leave for Yorkshire – and also what Yorkshire has given to the Tour de France.”

Jude said: “I am delighted to be working with such a creative bunch of people at The Lift Agency. They totally get what I want to achieve with this project and I’m privileged that I’ve been able to work with Mark Cavendish through Antony. We’re very excited about the future – especially if Mark wins in Harrogate!

“I am ecstatic that Leica is endorsing my London exhibition and my photography. I started out in photography wanting to become a Magnum photographer – one of the founders being Henri Cartier-Bresson who used a Leica camera - so to have Leica endorsing me means more than words can say.”

Jude exhibits a selection of her work at the Jude Gallery in Princes Square, Harrogate, and has been shooting the build-up to the Tour de France since last September. She has covered everything from the 10,000 ‘Tour Makers’ at Leeds Arena and a bicycle head badge being forged in Sheffield steel, to photographing the stars of the Tour de France in Paris.

The official Grand Départ Behind-the-Scenes photography book will be revealed at an exclusive launch event in early September, followed by a series of exhibitions in Harrogate, Sheffield and London.

Stage One of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France 2014 will go from Leeds to Harrogate on Saturday July 5, and Stage Two from York to Sheffield on Sunday July 6 2014.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .