Some of the best moments in photography aren’t planned.

I was at RSPB Saltholme recently, running a one-to-one beginner photography workshop, when this grey heron stepped out from the reeds and into the water. There was no rush, no sudden movement — just that slow, deliberate pace they have, completely at ease in their surroundings.

It’s funny how quickly everything else fades when something like that happens.

We’d been working through the basics earlier in the session, getting comfortable with camera settings, understanding light, and just building confidence. But moments like this are where it all starts to make sense. Not because of the technical side, but because you realise what photography is really about.

Scarborough seafront has always been one of those places I keep coming back to with a camera. During the day it’s busy, colourful and full of life, but once the evening settles in and the lights begin to glow, it becomes something completely different.

It’s also one of my favourite places to run a night photography workshop on the Yorkshire coast.

There’s something about razorbills at RSPB Bempton Cliffs that always makes me stop and watch a little longer.

They’re not the biggest or the most dramatic seabirds on the cliffs, but they’ve got so much character. Small, compact, with that distinctive black and white colouring and the thick, blunt bill, they almost look like little wind-up toys dotted along the rock edges.

I was photographing at Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire recently and found myself completely drawn to one particular razorbill. It was just sat there quietly, perched on the cliff face, totally unfazed by everything going on around it. Then for a brief moment, it turned and looked straight into the lens.

I was back at RSPB Bempton Cliffs the other day running another full beginner photography workshop, and it turned out to be one of those days that just reminds me why I love doing these.

There’s something about Bempton that always delivers. It’s not just the location — although the cliffs, the seabirds and the views out over the North Sea are hard to beat — it’s the whole experience of being there. You’ve got wildlife right in front of you, space to move around, and that constant feeling that something’s about to happen.

There’s something really rewarding about teaching a beginner photography workshop and seeing that moment when everything finally clicks for someone. Recently I had the pleasure of running one of my Beginner Photography Workshops at Sewerby Hall in Bridlington, and it turned out to be a fantastic day for everyone involved.

There are places along the North Yorkshire coast that seem to slow everything down the moment you arrive, and Staithes is one of them.

I took this photograph today while wandering through Staithes harbour, camera in hand, with the sky heavy above and the tide pulled far back. The boats sat quietly on the sand, weathered and resting, as if waiting patiently for the sea to return. There was no rush, no noise — just the sound of distant water and the creak of ropes in the breeze.

If you’ve never visited Fryup Dale in the North York Moors National Park, you’re missing one of the most atmospheric and underrated landscape locations in Yorkshire. Tucked away in the rolling moorland between Glaisdale, Danby and the surrounding Esk Valley, Fryup Dale offers a perfect mix of winding roads, dramatic skies, open valleys and that unmistakable wild Yorkshire feeling.

It’s one of my favourite places to photograph, especially when the weather turns moody and the clouds roll in. This landscape photo was taken looking across the dale as the road snakes through the hillside — a scene that always feels like it’s pulling you forward into the horizon.

There is nowhere quite like South Gare. Nestled at the mouth of the River Tees, it’s a place where the towering silhouettes of industry meet the wild, unpredictable North Sea. For a photographer, it is a playground of textures—rust, concrete, marram grass, and shifting sands.

I recently headed out to the Gare to capture the low winter light, and I wanted to share the story behind this particular shot of the footprints leading toward the sun.

For many people, photography begins as a simple hobby. A new camera, a walk outdoors, a curiosity about light and landscapes. But over time, it often becomes something deeper — a reason to slow down, step outside, and reconnect with both nature and other people.

That’s something I see time and time again on my photography workshops.

While people often arrive wanting to understand their camera or improve their photos, what they frequently leave talking about isn’t just photography. It’s how calm they feel. How good it was to spend a day outside. How much they enjoyed learning alongside others without pressure or expectation.

Photography, when taught in the right environment, can quietly support wellbeing in powerful ways.

There’s a moment that happens after the crowds have gone home, when the shops pull their shutters down and the sea air settles into the streets. Whitby feels different then. Quieter. Slower. Almost reflective.

This image was taken on a wet evening in Whitby, North Yorkshire. Rain still clung to the cobbles, reflecting the glow of shop windows and Christmas lights overhead. The street was empty, but not lifeless. If anything, it felt full — full of atmosphere, memory, and that unmistakable calm that only comes when a place exhales.

If you’ve ever bought a “proper” camera and thought I have no idea what any of these buttons do…, you’re not alone.

In fact, almost every beginner or amateur photographer I meet on my workshops arrives feeling exactly the same:

• Photos turning out too dark

• Everything blurry

• Confusing buttons everywhere

• Videos and tutorials making it feel even more complicated

• That constant feeling of “I must be doing something wrong”

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

There are places that make you stop, breathe in, and feel something — Bempton Cliffs is one of those places. Standing at the edge of the coast with endless sky and sea stretching out ahead, you can’t help but feel inspired to create. That’s exactly why I’ve chosen it as the home for my brand-new 2026 Beginners Photography Workshops.

These sessions are designed for anyone who wants to build confidence with their camera, understand the basics properly, and start taking images they’re truly proud of — in a setting that naturally encourages creativity.

On Saturday, I had the privilege of leading a Grass Roots Photography Workshop at RSPB Saltholme — and what an inspiring day it was.

This workshop wasn’t about wildlife, high-end gear or chasing portfolio shots.
It was about something much more valuable:

I’m absolutely thrilled to be teaching at yet another fantastic RSPB reserve — RSPB Old Moor. It’s a real privilege to work in such a beautiful and ecologically significant location, especially one that draws in a wide variety of wildlife throughout the year. For anyone passionate about nature photography, Old Moor offers an incredible backdrop: from majestic marshland landscapes to close encounters with rare bird species.

Standing on the edge of RSPB Bempton Cliffs, it’s impossible not to feel inspired. The dramatic chalk cliffs, the roar of the sea, and the sheer spectacle of thousands of seabirds make it one of the UK’s most breathtaking places for wildlife photography. Recently, I had the joy of leading a beginners’ photography group here — guiding people to not only capture images, but also to connect with the landscape and its incredible wildlife.

As a landscape photographer in the North East, few places stir my soul like Redcar Beach. There’s something raw and alive about this stretch of coastline — the endless sands, the ever-changing skies, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore. Every time I set foot here, I feel that familiar surge of excitement, knowing the landscape will offer something entirely new to capture.

I’m thrilled to announce that I will be teaching a photography workshop at RSPB Saltholme on the 1st of November this year. It’s an incredible opportunity to share my passion for nature and photography in such a spectacular setting.

I can hardly contain my excitement for the upcoming beginners photography workshop at Sewerby Hall and Gardens in Bridlington on the 17th of September. This stunning location offers a perfect blend of historic architecture and beautiful natural surroundings, making it an ideal spot for aspiring photographers to hone their skills.

Sewerby Hall provides a rich backdrop with its grand Georgian architecture, while the gardens burst with vibrant colours and interesting textures that are perfect for practising composition, lighting, and focus. It’s a fantastic opportunity for beginners to explore different styles of photography, from detailed close-ups to sweeping landscape shots.

There’s a unique charm in photographing landscapes under a dreary, overcast sky. South Gare, Redcar, with its rugged coastline and industrial heritage, takes on a moody and atmospheric quality when the evening clouds roll in. Such conditions can often be overlooked by photographers chasing golden hour light, but a dreary evening offers a different kind of beauty that’s just as compelling.

RSPB Saltholme, located within the Tees Valley wetlands, is a haven for birdwatchers and photographers alike, especially during the migratory seasons. Among the many avian treasures that grace this nature reserve, the Black-tailed Godwit stands out for both its striking appearance and its captivating behaviour.