A PHOTOGRAPHER is taking pictures of Shipley residents for a calendar that will raise money for a local charity and community organisation, but is looking for businesses to help fund the project.

Semi-professional photographer, Andrew Holland, 43, of Dallam Grove, Saltaire, is taking semi-nude photographs in a similar style to Calendar Girls to raise money for two local organisations that benefit the local community.

He said: “The photographs are all tasteful semi-nudes and, as you can understand, some of those who take part get a bit nervous, but they know it’s for a good cause.

“It being for charity is obviously why they do it. If I told them to get their kit off for any other photos they’d rightly tell me to ‘sling my hook’.”

“But what sets it apart from say Calendar Girls is that most of the photos are outside in Shipley and bring in some of our landmarks.

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“One of the photos we’re planning on taking will be shot behind a bench near Salts Mill, so there will be a few bums out for that one.”

But Mr Holland said he needed 12 businesses to pledge £100 each to cover the costs of making the calendar.

So far seven businesses have stepped in to support the project, but there are five more months that need to be sponsored.

Mr Holland said that he hoped the calendar will raise £3,000 for the Carers Resource charity and the Hirst Wood Regeneration Group, with 75 per cent and 25 per cent of all proceeds going towards the charity and organisation, respectively.

He said: “Because the calendar focuses on the local community I thought it was only right that the money raised went back into our local organisations.

“Both the groups do really great work by helping out those who really need to be cared for and regenerating the area so people can go out and enjoy what’s out there.”

The Shipley Calendar is due out later this year in early to mid September and an opening evening at the Ring O Bells is planned to be held around that time.

Mr Holland said he was still seeking more volunteers to be in the calendar. Those taking part can be men or woman, so long as they are aged over 18, were born in Shipley or currently live there.

Mr Holland can be contacted on andy@andrewhollandphotography.co.uk.