Last month I had the privilege of accompanying the Notts County media team to photograph Jake in London. He is the official shirt sponsor for the club in the table topping month of November.

In the anticipation of meeting Jake it felt a bit of a paradox  – I was telling myself he’s just a normal guy but I was also aware there was something exceptional about him.  I’d photographed him a few weeks earlier performing an intimate gig at Meadow Lane and seen up close his breathtaking talent.

The setting for this shoot was the Electric House on Portobello Road, in an old beautifully lit library with a sense of history that was almost tangible. It seemed an appropriately magic location to be photographing him. In walked Jake, on time, refreshingly without entourage and in a manner that was both confident and self effacing. As he went through the interview, signed shirts and had some portrait shots, it struck me how genuine and down to earth he was. This was particularity evident when he talked about being a Notts County supporter, his Nottingham roots and when he offered glimpses into what it’s like being him!

Hidden away on the back wall of the library was a tapestry dated from 1828 which included a quote from a nine year old girl “Be humble, know yourself to scan, know pride was never made for man”. It seemed apt.

You can check out his new album Hearts That Strain here.