We’re celebrating the people that capture the magic, and taking you on a rare journey behind the scenes to meet some of our photographers & videographers – a talented bunch of visual artists with an keen eye for funky fancy dress and pyrotechnic performances. Each of them has given us some insight into their life inside & outside of the festival, allowing you take an exclusive peek behind the camera. We’ve also included a dusting of our favourite 2019 images and films for a bit of Nozstalgia and popped in their social handles, so please do give them a follow!

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Alex Avery

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I’m a 30-something southerner who moved to the West Midlands around 2012; I think I’ve always had a creative streak and really got into photography around 2006 when I bought my first ‘proper’ camera and took far too many pictures of flowers and ducks. Since then I’ve gone on to shoot music festivals, weddings, motorsport and – yes – more ducks.

I’d like to give a little shout out to (and blame) my dad for getting me this far, as I reckon it’s his fault I really got into this photography business in the first place. Every visit to anything interesting on a family holiday would be punctuated by having us line up for a family photo. This is payback!

What do you do at Nozstock?

I first got involved in 2013 when I was invited to shadow another photographer for a magazine that year. I absolutely loved it and have been going back ever since. As part of the photography team we cover all of the festival site from camping and crowd shots to artists and crafts. It really keeps you on your toes as you can be shooting circus performers one minute, headline artists the next.

What’s the day job?

I work as an Account Manager for an IT and technology company (as well as running their social media). It’s not quite as colourful as photography but it’s steady pay!

Fave memory of Noz?

Can I pick three?

Seasick Steve headlined the main stage in 2017 and invited a girl from the audience up on stage, then backstage after the show for a meet and greet. Getting to share a beer with him was a lot of fun.

In 2019 there was a wedding on site! A couple who I believe met at the festival years before tied the knot there. It was beautiful!

Last but not least: any time Oh My God! It’s the Church or Electric Swing Circus come to play. They always bring so much energy and visually are a lot of fun.

Links:

Insta: @alexaveryphotography

Website: www.alexaveryphotography.co.uk

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Aaron Child

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I’m a self employed filmmaker from Shropshire. In an alternate non-lockdown universe I would currently be travelling around Europe in my van Tallulah making films and drinking a lot of coffee. However right now I’m focusing my energy on making films for the NHS.

What do you do at Nozstock?

I put together the official line up vids and after movies. That means filming as much good stuff as I can across the weekend. I usually edit a little something to go out during the festival too. I also gather the footage from the volunteer filmmakers and incorporate their most magical shots into the videos you see. I started making films for Noz as a volunteer in 2011 and have gradually built my way up to this role. I’ve loved every year, even the wet ones.

What’s the day job?

I make a lot of event films. I also make films for food and drink businesses, tourism and independent businesses.

Fave memory of Noz?

In my very first year volunteering, experiencing Noz for the first time on my own. Sitting round a massive bonfire with a cheap camera screwed onto a homemade rig made out of a steering wheel. I remember just thinking “This is what I’m meant to be doing.” Bit of an epiphany moment.

 I’ve always seen Nozstock as a massive filmmakers/ photographers playground. There’s so much weird, crazy, trippy stuff happening all around you in the most beautiful countryside valley. It’s impossible not to be inspired.

Links:

Website: www.paintedlife.co.uk

Insta: @my_paintedlife

Video by Aaron Child

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Charlie Rimmer

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I’ve been working as a photographer for about 8 years, but in the past 18 months I’ve been lucky enough to go full time. One of my biggest contracts has been for Triumph Motorcycles that involved lots of incredible locations and beautiful bikes. More recent work has been for motorcycle clothing labels, and for various fashion and jewellery e-commerce sites.

What do you do at Nozstock?

I first came to Nozstock as an attendee in 2013. I came back the next year as a volunteer photographer and became the media coordinator the following year. The work I do is very varied, but it mostly includes recruiting the photographers and videographers, inducting and directing them over the weekend, and most importantly making sure we get lots of coverage of all the fun stuff going on!

What’s the day job?

I’m kept fairly busy with photography contracts and jobs. I get approached for work, but I also apply for a fair amount too. The contracts and jobs I get often involve lots of travelling, and editing for tight deadlines. I also have 2 retail websites, so there’s lots more photography and marketing involved with those!

Fave memory of Nozstock?

This is going to sound weird, but the first year I was a media coordinator, I arrived a few days before the festival. It was the first time I’d seen the festival as more of a farm. The land it’s on is absolutely amazing! I’m from the fens in Lincolnshire where it’s completely flat and the farm actually looks like something from middle earth. I didn’t know anyone either, but I was welcomed and made to feel at home by all of the crew.

Links:

Insta: @charlierimmerphoto

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 Farhath Siddiqui

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I’m a videographer and editor based in Bristol. I first got into video by putting on drama & music shows – I wanted to put my ideas into short films and that’s where my love for filmmaking began. I love filming music events and supporting local artists by creating music videos for them when I can.

 What do you do at Nozstock?

I work in the video team, so I film footage that goes towards the main highlights as well as producing my own highlights video post-event. Last year I also had the task of filming the sustainability video, which was great! I was very impressed by everything Nozstock was doing to help the environment!

What’s the day job?

My day job is working as a Visual Content Executive at Speed Communications (a PR & Marketing agency based in Bristol). I help to produce their videos and organise their shoots.

Fave memory of Noz?

My favourite memory of Nozstock was filming the Rudimental set, it was such an exciting moment. I love their music so it was great to get that close!

Links:

Facebook: Farhath Siddiqui Media

Insta: @moscenes_

Website: https://cahootify.com/farhath-siddiqui

Video by Farhath Siddiqui

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Hannah Tyson

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I’m 26 and was born in Liverpool but moved to Mid-wales when I was 8. Since completing a BA in Media and Film Production at Goldsmiths, UOL in 2015, I have mostly been making music videos for independent labels and highlight films for festivals, events and weddings.

 What do you do at Nozstock?

I first worked for Nozstock in 2015 as a Photographer and in 2017 I moved on to the Filmmaking team and joined again for 2018 and 2019.

 What’s the day job?

I own a small online business called Rosella Roma, hand-sourcing and designing up-cycled clothes, silver, journals and homewares all made in the beautiful land of India.

 Fave memory of Noz?

My favourite memory of Noz has got to be filming my friend’s Prango Wedding last year in 2019! What a special day with everyone wearing orange and having the best time ever!

Links:

Website: rule6productions.co.uk

insta: @rule_6_productions

facebook.com/Rule6Productions/

Video by Hannah Tyson

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Jack Green

Tell us a bit about yourself…

Hey I’m Jack. I grew up in the Worcestershire countryside, about 40 minutes from the farm, Rowden Paddocks (or where the magic that is Noz happens to the uninitiated). I studied Photography at Bristol UWE and graduated in 2017. The heart of my photographic work is within the Social Documentary field but commercially spans events, portraiture, interiors and promotional.

 What do you do at Nozstock?

My first Noz was 2015 and from the moment I set foot on that grass I knew this place would become a home from home. I don’t really like to see the photography as work, because I remain at the heart of the party; be it 4am in the Coppice watching all the pretty lights or rigside on the Garden stage as the sun sets. It’s safe to say I’ve had a fair few bruises from getting into the groove and a bulky camera hitting me!

I’ve shot the last 4 years so I guess you could say I’m part of the furniture. I tend to focus on the electronic music side of things but also love to shoot the lovely, vibrant humans that frequent the fields; Something I had the pleasure of highlighting in the 2017 edition of Humans of Nozstock.

What’s the day job?

My day to day life consists of my day job as an insurance broker alongside photographic tuition and commissions.

Fave memory of Noz?

My favourite memory at Noz!? Gosh that’s a toughie. Probably a toss up between Hospitality takeover as a punter in 2015, The Skints on Sunday night in 2016 or the closing ceremony that very same night. I’m a sucker for Sunday vibes… It seems there’s a correlation between sweaty exhaustion and feelings of unity and love!

Links:

Website: www.jackgreenphoto.co.uk

Insta: @jackgreenphoto and @bigfriendlyphotos

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Simon Lewis

Tell us a bit about yourself..

I am Simon, married to Cara (Nozstock’s ticket manager). I love to sew, I’m an allotment owner,  musician, member of the terrascope community, enthusiastic cook. I was born in Kent, but live in Herefordshire. I’m a lover of vinyl, have four cats, no tv, hairy toes and I enjoy wearing a dress at the weekend.

What do you do at Noz?

At Nozstock, these days I take photographs and look after the ticket manager. I used to help with decoration and drum with Noz’s band Electric Shepherd, it was only supposed to be one gig!!

What’s the day job?

As a day job I work as a teaching assistant at a special needs school.

Fave memory at Noz?

Favourite memories include drumming with Electric Shepherd, sitting around the fire at four in the morning, the voodoo lounge, the happy vibe around every Nozstock, meeting the bands that plant the trees, taking the aerial photos of the site, the weird, the wonderful, just being there.

Links:

www.flickr.com/photos/horsesqueezing

     Photo by Simon Lewis

And last but by no means least… we give you…the infamous Newby Brothers!

 James Newby

Tell us a bit about yourself…

Hi, I’m James Newby, aka one of the Newby twins and I’m a videographer and photographer. I live in Herefordshire but am originally from London. Combining my passion for videography and photography, I built a business with my twin brother, Rob. We create content for innovative businesses for use on websites, social media and print media.

What do you do at Noz?

I’m a videographer. I film many aspects of the festival and the footage I capture is then edited into the highlight videos. At Nozstock 2019, I filmed interviews of artists, on stage performances and lots of other weird and wonderful things that happen in the land of Noz.

What’s the day job?

I am actually coming to the end of my college course. I have been studying Business and Accountancy in Hereford and hope to use these skills to further develop my business. If I’m not in college, I am doing something business related. We have a wide range of clients so my week normally consists of either shooting, editing, doing paperwork or getting the equipment prepared for the next shoot. I’ve travelled all over the UK producing content and hope to expand my client base into Europe and further a field.

Fave memory at Noz?

My favourite memory at Nozstock was the DJ Turno and Randall set on the Garden stage. It was really good to be on stage and in the pit to capture great shots of the performance alongside the festival goers having a good time.

Links:

Facebook: JRNVisuals

Insta: @jamesnewbyvisualss and @jrnvisuals

Website: https://www.jrnvisuals.co.uk

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 Rob Newby

Tell us about yourself…

Safe! I’m Rob, The other Newby twin. I’m a young photographer from Herefordshire and have been photographing Nozstock for years! I have also built a business with my twin brother James called JRNVisuals.

 What do you do at Nozstock?

I photograph a wide range of things at the festival. This includes on stage photos of the artists and crowds, food vendors, photos of the punters and photos of what makes Nozstock different from many other festivals.

What’s the day job?

I am coming to the end of my business and accountancy course and hope to use these skills to develop my business. When I’m not at college I am doing something photography/ business related: lots of meetings, car journeys, shoots, editing sessions and getting the equipment cleaned and prepped for the next shoot.

Fave memory of Noz?

My favourite Nozstock memory was when DJ Turno, MC Y DOTT and MC Traffic shut down the Garden stage on the Sunday night. All of the backstage crew gave it their all in the skank and it made me realise how much of a family the Nozstock crew are! Also I am gutted that I’m not seeing my Nozstock parents this year, Cameron Scott and Caitlin Scott. See you next year!

Links:

Website: www.jrnvisuals.co.uk

Instagram: @rob_newby and @jrnvisuals