It was the work of Michelle Szpak. We spoke and I told her how much I admired the shots. I found out that these photographs were individually commissioned by enthusiast riders. Those who wanted to capture a unique portrait of themselves and their bike. The portraits were printed on an aluminium plate, another unusual and stand out feature.

Michelle needed to give attention to other onlookers and her potential customers. But she agreed to get together sometime soon so that we could talk more about her work and how it developed. It transpired that she lives in Eastbourne, and I would be in Hastings over the May Day holiday weekend for the bike gathering and show. Perfect. We set up a meet.

The dull and uninspiring grey that covered the south coast on holiday Monday had dispersed the following day. So we were able to chat in the sunshine at an agreeable harbour cafe location. If you want to be a specialist in anything it must help to gain experience in that area. It soon became clear that Michelle had a spirit and passion for motorcycling. And this sparked the idea that has led to the rare zeal and experience she brings to her work.

She managed to pass her bike test just before new licence restrictions were enacted. And after a period riding a Honda CBR 125, she was soon enjoying being on board her new Kawasaki ER6. It was on one of their first longer rides to Wales that the motorcycle photography concept and inspiration occurred. As the sun gained height it threw shadows on her, the bike and the road. This set a train of thought in motion....light being the key element in photography for both camera and location.

Further inspiration came when a friend asked if she would make a portrait of his bike. The photos had such an enthusiastic response she believed she could offer her expertise to other riders.

Michelle is one of those people who like to make things happen. She was already building an established reputation as a 'go-to' photographer. But this was in more conventional areas of work such as family portraits, weddings, landscapes, pet pictures. She wanted to expand her studio in 2009 and sold her beloved ER6 to help finance it

By 2013 she had made the decision to concentrate on her bike photography but had to keep the studio going too while she developed this side of her work. The photo lab she used in Scotland was able to provide the aluminium plate that she had the portraits printed to. She also invested in specialist lighting that would shape the bike and rider in the locations they chose.

One of the key elements to her motorcycle work is the interaction with clients and the unique locations that they choose. For example, one couple's favourite rides were to the coast. So she set up their shots on the beach with bike plus fish and chips. They loved it.

Careful planning. Sketching. Location ideas. Analysing lighting to create atmosphere. Talking to clients online before decisions are made. They're all key components of a successful bike shoot. She will also ask people to send her any other pictures of themselves and their bike. Gaining an impression of how the client sees themselves and their motorcycle is an important part of the equation.

It's not difficult to see how Michelle had made the decision to move from her studio work to this. It's an area of photography which links directly to her love of motorcycling and all that surrounds it. She's bought another ER6 too. Her pictures illustrate how her craft and experience turns a motorcycle, or a motorcycle and its rider, into a very desirable image.