Into the Trees: Ever wanted to hand your 4 year old an axe?

Into the Trees festival contacted me some time ago to ask if I would be interested in photographing the event and I must confess I jumped at the chance. Not only would this be a wonderful opportunity for my son but also a veritable smorgasbord of play that I had free reign to capture and share with the organisers. From archery to axe throwing, lantern making to clay sculpting, fire lighting skills, canoeing, abseiling, natural dying, weaving, slacklining and much much more. Into the Trees was a joy to photograph and play was everywhere, the way children can come to life in nature is always astounding but I love the way this festival weaves it’s activities into the natural landscape. Wandering trough a small wooded area you can feel totally alone one minute but then stumble across a full climbing crew complete with children dangling from trees as they slowly ascend the branches. Likewise a peaceful lake is one minute a pond dipping excursion, the next day is alive with children paddling canoes back and forth among the reeds. This year I’ll be shooting their bigger sister festival Elderflower Fields and can’t wait to see what they have in store. Tickets are available through their website https://south.elderflowerfields.co.uk/