As social media continues to grow at a rapid pace, we take an exclusive look behind some of the photography accounts showcasing Yorkshire’s natural beauty.
@yorkshirepostcards
Siân Nichol, wife, and mother of two children and two dogs, moved to Whitby when she was nine years old. However, it wasn’t until the pandemic when she set up her Instagram account where she shares her photography.
I was inspired by our daily walks and seeing Whitby so empty and peaceful. It was amazing to capture everywhere so still and calm during the pandemic. I realised how much I enjoyed taking pictures, including editing, and sharing them with everyone on Instagram, so carried it on and built my page.
The majority of my pictures are of North Yorkshire, particularly Whitby and the surrounding villages. I also create videos, but I do prefer pictures, and I try to get further afield when time permits. I’m very proud to be from Yorkshire and I love showcasing it to everyone. I’m surrounded by so many beautiful places so it’s a blessing to have so much inspiration on my doorstep.
Over the years my content has developed, as I originally started capturing images on phone. As my passion grew, so did my equipment and I now have a professional camera and numerous lenses. I love to mix up my style of photography and use a range of editing styles. Although I don’t have a certain editing style, I edit to the mood and style of the picture and location, and I’m definitely still learning. It’s all about seeing what works and what doesn’t and because I’m self-taught it’s definitely an ongoing process.
Despite there being so much beauty across Yorkshire, Whitby is one of my absolute favourite places to photograph. There’s always so much going on and so many fantastic photograph opportunities. The 199 Steps at sunset is my all-time favourite, and if you follow me, you will probably already know that as I share so many sunset pictures. I also adore Robin Hood’s Bay. It’s the most charming village and the most beautiful place to wander, especially in the summer when all the flowers are in bloom.
When I look back on my Instagram journey the highlights have definitely been the amazing support from all my followers. I have made some wonderful friends from Instagram and it’s a lovely community to be a part of. Having my pictures recognised and featured in numerous magazines and calendars is still so surreal to me. It’s an absolute privilege to get those opportunities.
I hope those who decide to follow my account enjoy the photos I share and I hope each post can inspire them to visit that location. I get a lot of feedback that my pictures bring back memories from old family holidays and childhood visits, and I love hearing that!
@yorkshire_brew
Software designer and team manager at Leeds Beckett University, Tatiana Hepplewhite is otherwise known on Instagram by her almost 20,000 followers as Yorkshire Brew. She started her page in 2013 sharing the wonders of Yorkshire’s natural beauty.
There’s so much beauty around, and when I see it, I just get this feeling that I absolutely must share it with the world! My personal passion is discovering the history and background of the wonderful places around me, and I especially love to discover new places. I feel there is beauty everywhere, not just in the most visited locations.
I’m also sunrise mad, and sometimes feel I’m turning into my father who always used to drag us outdoors at silly hours of the morning. There is something very singular about watching a sunrise, as you feel everything is possible and the world belongs to you.
I would like to say that my approach to photography and the type of posts I upload to Instagram have developed in breadth and depth as my knowledge of Yorkshire’s history and nature has grown over the years – but I think I’m just doing the same things I’ve always done, which is sharing the beautiful moments as I go through life.
I always thought there were no there is no artistic bones in my body, but when I had a serious health condition eight years ago, I had to think about changing my lifestyle and approach to life. I started walking in nature as a means for recovery which led to taking photographs of the places I visited. I felt an urge to capture such beauty on my doorstep, as well as share it with others, so I joined Instagram.
Since joining the platform there have been so many highlights, including meeting likeminded people and joining community Instagram groups. There are two particularly wonderful groups I must give a shout out to, @igersleeds and @igers_yorkshire which run in my local areas and are places photographers can share their content.
Although there is so much natural wonder in and around Yorkshire, this summer my project is to venture further into the Yorkshire Dales. I absolutely adore this area, and I would love to discover it further, especially towards Dentdale.
@adve_nturesinyorkshire
Teaching assistant Jenna Thomas originally started her Instagram page just over four years ago after moving from London to North Yorkshire. She wanted to showcase how beautiful the county is and as she fell more and more in love with her new surroundings, her followers grew.
I live in Scarborough with my husband, two children and our one-year-old German shepherd. My account started during lockdown when we were stuck at home as I had the opportunity to look through and upload so many of the photos I had taken of Yorkshire. It was mainly to showcase the area to my friends and family – I never expected to have more than 30 followers, never mind more than 18,000 across social media.
On my account you’ll find photos and videos of all the beautiful things Yorkshire has to offer, from gorgeous coastal villages and the North York Moors to historical architecture, the Yorkshire Dales, beautiful country cottages and everything in between. I’m always inspired and completely besotted by the beauty we have on our doorstep and my account allows me to showcase and share these places with as many people as I can so that they can experience them or visit the places I photograph for themselves.
I originally captured everything using just my phone but as my passion for photography developed, I decided to get my first camera, that was a little over a year after starting my page. I then went on to upgrade my equipment last year and have worked hard ever since to hone and develop my skills as a photographer and create content that is relatable and authentic.
I’ve also made lots of lovely friendships with other photographers who are always willing to share their knowledge and inspire me to visit different places. This page has also helped increase my own confidence and given me a hobby which helps my mental health and wellbeing. It keeps me grounded and gives me something that is just for me and something away from being a mum, a teaching assistant, and a wife. When I take my photos, I’m just Jenna, having adventures in Yorkshire.
Although there are so many places I love to go to capture content, my all-time favourite spots are the collection of coastal villages we have in North Yorkshire. At Robin Hoods Bay, Staithes and Runswick Bay there’s always something different to capture, despite visiting so many times. From the changing seasons and the different lighting which sunrise and sunsets bring to different aspects and compositions, there’s always something new to discover.
