Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue (ASSAR)
The Avon & Somerset Search and Rescue (ASSAR) is an emergency service staffed by highly trained volunteers. Back in 2016, they were looking for professional photos to help publicise their work on social media. My accountant was one of their volunteers and, through his introduction, I ended up working with this fascinating and important organisation.
I photographed several ASSAR training sessions, including ropework, navigation and tracking. One navigation exercise took place at night on a Somerset hilltop with almost no light, creating an unusual technical challenge. As you can see below, I relied on light from volunteers’ head torches. The tracking exercise was fascinating — volunteers searched for footprints and broken twigs like trackers in an old spaghetti western.
My aim was to document ASSAR’s work, showing both the high level of skill involved and what it feels like to be a volunteer. Fortunately, it is an inherently dramatic subject, and the Somerset countryside is highly photogenic, which helped me produce several strong sets of images.
ASSAR used the photos in their online outreach, helping them raise money and attract new volunteers. They also left me a lovely testimonial.
“Tony performed throughout with the highest standards of professionalism and dedication, including operating in some challenging weather conditions, and produced a portfolio of pictures essential in helping to convey the Team’ scope of work.”
