Nikki Bowling’s book, York In Lockdown
YORK professional photographer Nikki Bowling has produced a new book that records the city in black and white images taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Entitled York In Lockdown, the publication includes images of empty streets, showing many of the iconic attractions and streetscapes in York “like never before”.
Described as “coffee table landscape in style”, this atmospheric book has many historical notes, along with Nikki’s personal recollections of the 2020-2021 lockdowns when everyone was told to stay at home.
“It started as something to do when nothing else was possible, when I took my camera on my daily permitted exercise walks around the city,” says Nikki. “I love York and love photography so decided to share the images with the world through this book as it shows, uniquely, the deserted city streets as the complete opposite of the usual hustle and bustle.”
York In Lockdown was launched at Bedern Hall, Bartle Garth, St Andrewgate, York, on June 3, when Nikki signed copies and discussed what inspired her to create the images.
“The book is dedicated to my late grandmother Marion Purdy, who died age 102 in 2023, and who had a wicked sense of humour, positivity, kindness and a hopeful and philosophical outlook on life. I was lucky to be able to spend so much time with her during lockdown,” she says.
Photographer Nikki Bowling
Nikki Bowling: back story
NIKKI began her photographic career after studying Photography and Design at Harrogate College for four years and set up her business straight from college in 2001.
Over 25 years, she has provided photographic services for weddings, social occasions and commercial photography for businesses and organisations, including press and magazine publications, estate agents and holiday lets, capturing properties for sale or rent.
“I am very lucky indeed to do what I do,” she says. “I am totally passionate and committed to my work. My style is relaxed, artistic and above all natural. I do not believe in messing around with images too much, or over-stylising them. Do them well and true to life in the first place and they will look amazing.
“People need to look like themselves in an image and I can help them relax in front of the camera, and have fun while doing so. I feel, for a photographer, I have the perfect mix of a press background, an artistic mind, a female eye for detail and an honest and down-to-earth approach to my work and life in general.”
Nikki lives in York with her daughter Mia. Find her website at nikkibowling.com.