Documentary Photographer based in Whitby, Yorkshire.
Capturing Moments since 2020
Hello there , I’m Mary – lover of the outdoors, dodger of anything too serious and firm believer that the best moments in life usually come with muddy boots, or salty hair and sandy toes, whether I’m out exploring, chasing waves, or paddle boarding along our gorgeous Yorkshire coast (hometown perks ). I officially started my photography career in 2020 and haven’t looked back since! My style? Relaxed, natural, and all about the good vibes. No stiff poses or awkward grins here – just real smiles, big laughs, and all the bits that make your story yours. I’ve been traveling all over to capture everything from stunning wall art to weddings and special family moments. When I’m not out adventuring, you’ll usually find me behind my camera, doing what I love most, or enjoying my 20th cup of tea of the day while at the computer editing. If you like your people with a fun, dry sense of humour and always up for an adventure (with or without a camera), we’ll get on just fine. So whether you're planning a wedding, want to freeze-frame your little ones before they grow another inch, or just fancy some gorgeous photos that actually feel like you – book a photoshoot with me.
Let me tell you about my photography journey..
My love for photography started when I was little – the kind of child who’d burn through rolls of film like they were going out of fashion. I’d take endless photos of absolutely everything – family, pets, plants, you name it – much to the despair of my parents, who ended up paying the developing bills. Our house was full of those slide-in photo albums, the ones bursting at the seams with slightly blurry memories and the occasional thumb over the lens. But I loved it – even back then, I was hooked on freezing little moments in time. That early obsession never really left me. Life just had other plans for a while – kids, adventures, different jobs. But the love for capturing real, meaningful moments never went away. In 2020, I finally decided to take the leap and turn that lifelong passion into something more – and I’ve not looked back since.
Now, I get to do what I love: telling people’s stories through relaxed, natural photography. Nothing forced, nothing overly posed – just real life, with all its character and charm. And yes, I still take far too many photos!!!
For me, it’s never just about taking a nice photo. It’s about telling a story – your story – with all its quirks, chaos, and character. And if we can have a laugh along the way (which we will), even better.
From Mum Life to Camera Life
Before I dive into the photography stuff, let me fill you in on a bit of background – I'm a mum of four (yes, FOUR!), and let me tell you, that's been my biggest adventure yet! For years, my camera mainly captured sticky faces, first steps, and those precious chaos moments that come with having a house full of kids. Trust me, trying to get four kids to look at the camera at the same time? That's some ninja-level photography training right there! 😅
Speaking of Ninja Moves...
Actually, that's not even a joke – I do martial arts! It's this amazing combination of focus, movement, and discipline that, weirdly enough, has made me a better photographer. Who knew that learning to balance on one leg would come in handy when I'm perched on rocks trying to get the perfect wave shot?
A Bit of Everything
Before diving into photography full-time in 2020, I was doing Indian head massage and reflexology. Sounds random, right? But actually, it taught me so much about making people feel comfortable and relaxed – super helpful when you're trying to capture natural photos of people who swear they're "not photogenic" (spoiler alert: everyone is photogenic when they're genuinely laughing or doing something they love!).
Life in Wonderful Whitby
I'm lucky enough to call Whitby home – you know, that gorgeous seaside town in North Yorkshire with the abbey on the hill? If you've been here, you'll know exactly what I mean when I say this place is a photographer's dream! One minute I'm shooting moody scenes of the abbey in the fog, the next I'm catching surfers riding waves or families having the time of their lives on the beach.
My Kind of Photography
Here's the thing – I'm not about those super posed, everyone-look-perfect kind of photos. Give me real life any day! I want to capture you laughing so hard you snort, your kids covered in ice cream, the look on your face when you catch your first wave, or that moment when you're just being you, doing what you love.
I'm all about the outdoors (can you tell?), and when I'm not behind the camera, you'll probably find me:
- Paddle boarding on the sea (only falling in occasionally)
- Catching waves (or trying to – the North Sea keeps us humble!)
- Walking along the coastal paths (camera always ready for those surprise seal sightings)
- Teaching my kids about the joy of outdoor adventures
The Travel Bug
Oh, and did I mention I love to travel? Because who doesn't want to take photos in new places? Every trip adds something new to how I see things through my lens. Though I've got to say, there's something special about coming home to Whitby's sunrises – even if they do mean getting up at ridiculous o'clock!
Want to Know the Best Part?
Starting my photography business in 2020 (yep, interesting timing, I know!) has been like bringing all the pieces of my life together in one amazing job. All those years of raising kids, practicing martial arts, doing therapy work, and generally being outdoors as much as possible – it's all fed into how I work with people and capture their special moments.
So here I am, living my best life with a camera in hand, usually with sand in my shoes and salt water in my hair. Whether I'm photographing families, fellow outdoor enthusiasts, or just capturing our gorgeous Yorkshire coast, I bring all of me to every shoot – the mum who knows how to make kids giggle, the martial artist who can balance in weird positions to get the shot, and the outdoor lover who's always up for an adventure.
And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way!
Want to join me on this crazy, beautiful photography journey? Drop me a message – especially if you're up for a sunrise shoot (I know the best coffee spots to warm up afterwards, promise! 😉)