When it comes to photography, weddings, portraits and predominantly people are my thing, but to relax I love photographing local landscapes.

Michael Poole Estate Agents asked me if I’d like to work with them on a North East Calendar 2020. They have branches in, Billingham, Coulby Newham, Eston, Ingleby Barwick, Middlesbrough, Nunthorpe, Redcar, Stockton and Yarm. So images of local interest are very important to both me and Michael Poole Estate Agents.

I don’t have a library of local scenes, but over the last couple of years I’ve managed to build up a small collection of images around the Teesside area.

Mike (the big boss) also needed a feature image for his new all singing all dancing Stockton High Street branch. I asked him what he had in mind and he mentioned a few key Stockton landmarks, but when he spoke about Ropner Park and his regular walks past the bandstand, I knew I had to grab a shot of this. So, very (very) early one September morning I headed out to Ropner Park with my camera and tripod. The landscape gods were very kind to me that morning, and my image of the bandstand now features on his wall and his calendar. Sometimes I get lucky…

I love a walk out with my camera, it helps me relax and, as I’m not usually commissioned by a client, I can please myself with what and how I shoot. If I was going to give an aspiring landscape photographer any tips, one of the main things I’ve learnt is to be patient. For example, if you’re looking at photographing a sunset you need to arrive at your location with enough time for you to work out the best spot to set up your camera and then you wait for the best light, a tripod is essential for low light conditions and if you want to capture moving clouds and water.

Don’t worry about perfection. Nature doesn’t grow in straight lines. – Lisa Lubell

I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at my North East Calendar 2020 images and big thanks go to Mike for asking me to be involved. My plan is to shoot more local landscapes in 2020.

Proceed & Welcome 2020…