For most of us the concept of featuring on the front cover of a magazine with a readership of over 210,000 members would be quite a feat. Couple this with posing in merely a wetsuit and swim hat and I’m pretty sure most would have run a mile.

Not so for the fearless Julie York of West Auckland WI who regularly swims in the open waters of Durham, and confessed to feeling more at home in a wetsuit than a dress. We started the shoot at her home whilst the weather appeared rather ominous so that we had a safety shot. Julie was given the full hair and make-up treatment and wore a pretty red dress which flattered her trim figure, however she still seemed at unease and self-conscious. We got some great shots, but it was only when we headed to the lake and she put on her swim attire that she completely blossomed and was more than happy to jump straight in, even though it was October and the water looked freezing. Fortunately I didn’t have to keep her long, and as soon as we said our goodbyes she swam off like a mermaid…and I returned to my warm car.