Photographing Cruachan Power Station
When I first started in photography, I was told that specialising was the key to making a living. Instead, I’ve come to value clients who challenge me with varied subject matter. I enjoy working across architecture and interiors, corporate portraiture, advertising and marketing, reportage, and events. Industrial annual report photography is about storytelling through a range of subjects, creating images that communicate a company’s values.
Earlier this year the Princess Royal visited Drax Group’s Cruachan ‘Hollow Mountain’ Power Station, near Oban in Argyll, to unveil a commemorative plaque marking the 60th anniversary of its opening.
I was commissioned by DRAX to photograph the landscape, people and the interior engineering marvel of Cruachan for their annual report, website, and marketing material.
Carved into the granite interior of Ben Cruachan, the plant was the first large-scale reversible pumped storage hydro facility in the world when it was opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1965. Today it continues to play a vital role in balancing the electricity grid and supporting the UK’s transition to net zero through storing excess renewable electricity at times of low demand.
Will Gardiner, Drax Group CEO, said: “As Britain builds the clean energy system of the future, flexible assets like Cruachan will be absolutely central to keeping the lights on.”
