A white gannet bird with black-tipped wings and a black beak, perched on a rocky cliffside near water, with its wings partially spread.

Welcome to the Stu Brown Photography Blog, sharing stories and photography from Saltburn-by-the-Sea, the North Yorkshire coast, and the Cleveland Way.
Here you’ll find field notes from landscape and wildlife shoots, updates from my photography workshops, and insights into working along one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in the North East of England.

I spend most of my time outdoors — watching the tides, the weather, and the changing light across the moors and cliffs. This blog is a place to share those moments: coastal landscapes at sunrise, wildlife encounters around Saltburn and the North Yorkshire Moors, and the quiet details that make this coastline so special.

Whether you’re here to discover new locations, improve your photography, join a workshop, or simply enjoy the view — I hope these stories bring you a little closer to the landscape.

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Why Most Beginners Struggle With Their Cameras — And How a Workshop Fixes It in One Day

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”

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📸 Announcing Brand-New 2026 Beginners Photography Workshops

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.

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Teaching at RSPB OLD Moor | Stu Brown Photography

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.

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Teaching Photography to Beginners at RSPB Bempton Cliffs

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.

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Redcar Beach: Capturing the Wild Beauty of the North East Coast

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.

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Sewerby Hall | Beginners Photography Workshop

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.

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South Gare, Redcar: Capturing the Edge of Land and Sea

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.

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Thornwick Bay

Thornwick Bay, nestled on the rugged Yorkshire coast, offers a spectacular playground for landscape photographers seeking dramatic seascapes and natural beauty. Known for its chalk cliffs and sweeping beach, the location provides a variety of compelling compositions that change with the tide, weather, and light.

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Where the Gannets Fly: A Photographer’s Unexpected Love Story

This blog is what it looks like when someone’s drowning in their own emotional shit!

I struggle writing an emotional blogs, this year so far I’ve been through so much emotion it hard to contain it some times. Times like this always end up with my camera in my hand.

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RSPB Bempton Cliffs | Photography Workshop

Teaching photography at RSPB Bempton Cliffs was an absolutely unforgettable and deeply rewarding experience. The sheer beauty and raw drama of the towering cliffs, combined with the incredible variety of wildlife, created the perfect and inspiring backdrop for photography enthusiasts at every skill level. From the graceful soaring gannets high above to the charming nesting puffins tucked safely in their crevices, every moment presented an amazing opportunity to capture stunning images that truly captivate and tell a story.

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New Photography Basics Workshop | RSPB Bempton Cliffs

I'm thrilled to announce that on 2nd July, we'll be hosting a Photography Basics Workshop at the stunning RSPB Bempton Cliffs. This location, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant wildlife, provides the perfect backdrop for budding photographers to learn and grow their skills.

Working alongside the RSPB is a proud moment for me. Their dedication to wildlife conservation and environmental education aligns perfectly with my passion for sharing the joy of photography. The cliffs are a sanctuary for several seabird species, and capturing their magnificence in images not only brings the beauty of nature to life but also raises awareness about the importance of protecting our natural habitats.

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Luna Blu | Stu Brown Photography

Recently, I had the delightful opportunity to photograph Luna Blu's new food menu, an experience that proved to be as visually stunning as it was flavour-packed. Nestled in the heart of North Yorkshire, Luna Blu has long been celebrated for its vibrant atmosphere and exceptional culinary offerings. This new menu, bursting with creativity, promised a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

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