Game of Thrones - the Ahoghill connection!

The former Cambridge House pupil has turned her photographic passion into a successful career and is now Principal Stills Photographer for HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Now living in Belfast with her partner Dee, a cinematographer, and their two-year-old daughter Wren, Helen spoke to our reporter Lorna McKay about her photographic career and being part of the phenomenal success story that is HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Q. When did you decide you wanted to be a photographer?

A. When I was about 11 I went on a school trip to York and my parents lent me their camera. I always enjoyed taking pictures. When I got back we developed the film, and I was given the camera to keep as my parents thought I had a talent, and of course wanted to support me. I did always want to be a photographer, and I’ve worked very hard over the years to make it happen.

Q. What projects besides Game of Thrones have you worked on?

A. I started out in photography working for the Circus School in Belfast, doing promotional work for the performers and photographing shows. It was always fun, and I have so much admiration for what those guys do. I started working on films shortly after - shorts to begin with, and then VFX photography on big budget movies. The list of projects is extremely varied, from crazy sci-fi, to horror, fantasy, war and back again.

Q. How did it lead to your current job as Principal Stills Photographer for HBO’s Game of Thrones?

A. In this industry, it’s all about hard work, and networking. There is no hard and fast formula for obtaining work - and people can get quite rattled by that. Someone important saw some of my work one day, and I was asked to submit a portfolio. They thought I had something in my style that complimented their vision for the show, and there I was on day one of the pilot.

Q. When you got got job, did you realise just how big Game of Thrones was going to be?

A. Nobody knew how big the show would become - we hoped it would be a hit, and of course - the crew and creatives behind Game of Thrones are the best of the best. I think together we are making something really beautiful.

Q. Had you read the books?

A. I hadn’t read the books before we started, no. As soon as I got the script for the pilot, I was hooked. The plotlines are amazing, weaving and winding. Every series is like making 10 movies. It’s an incredible saga - I really believe there’s something for everyone. I can’t say I have a favourite character - honestly, I love them all.

Q. What does your job entail?

A. The job of Unit photographer on Thrones spans several different areas. The first, and most important is scene coverage : I’m the third (sometimes fourth) camera, and that means folding myself into weird shapes to get the shot. Then there’s the ‘specials’ - portraits of individual cast members in my impromptu photo studio, used for posters or merchandising. Although the job isn’t just “shoot-the-takes-technical” - I do get to be creative and interpret the show in my own way. I really love to shoot BTS, documenting not just the material you see on TV, but the amazing locations, extreme conditions, and all those interesting details and behind the scenes tableaus: the whole ballet of making this show. So basically, it’s my job to shoot everything - no pressure! I love what I do, and I set high standards for myself - as I really love and respect what HBO are doing with GoT - so honestly, it’s worth every late night and horse-poo sodden destroyed pair of leather work boots, of which there have been two pairs.

Q. There are some striking scenes in GOT, what have been your favourites to shoot?

A. My favourite scenes are definitely stunts and big SFX numbers – they always presents a special challenge for a photographer – and they are so wonderful to behold! “So what are we doing today guys?” “Oh, we’re just going to set someone on fire and push them over the edge of the

boat…”... that’s a typical day at the office on GoT!

Q. Coming from Northern Ireland, and with a lot of scenes filmed here, does that make it all the more special?

A. Absolutely – what an amazing thing to be happening right on our doorstep. And to see the film industry flourish and grow here is just incredible. The amount of skillsets and opportunities here now is wonderful.