Fife woman proudly holds framed photography featured in Val McDermid crime novel, showcasing tattoos and blonde hair.
Smiling woman with long red hair, glasses, and chest tattoo holding a printed document or brochure.
Val McDermid, bestselling crime author, poses in a yellow jacket and blue sweater at a literary event display.
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves
The Author Val Mcdermid with short white hair and round glasses wearing a mustard jacket and blue turtleneck sweater in the Weymss caves

My Photograph Published in Val McDermid's *Silent Bones*


As a Fife photographer, there are some moments in your career that you never forget. Having my portrait of bestselling crime author Val McDermid published as her official author photograph in her novel *Silent Bones* is undoubtedly one of them.


It all began while I was studying photography at college. For an assignment titled "Fifer," we were challenged to photograph someone from Fife who inspired us. There was only one person I wanted to ask, the best-selling author and pride of Fife, Val McDermid.


After contacting her agent, Laura, I was thrilled to hear that Val agreed to take part. We met at the beautiful Wemyss Caves, near Kirkcaldy, for the portrait session. It was a fantastic experience, and I loved hearing about Val's career, her storytelling, and the inspiration behind her work. She was warm, generous with her time, and an absolute pleasure to photograph.


To see one of my images chosen as Val's official author portrait and printed in the back of  Silent Bones was a dream come true. As a photographer, having your work published is an incredible achievement, but knowing it represents one of Scotland's most celebrated authors makes it even more special.


This experience reminded me why I love portrait photography. Every person has a story, and creating images that reflect who they are is something I feel incredibly passionate about. I'm so grateful to Val and Laura for trusting me with this opportunity, and it's a milestone in my photography journey that I'll always be proud of.