I will set the scene: paths are slippy, cars are frosted over, it’s 3°c at the highest and it’s December.. I know, lets go for a walk in nature!

I love nature. I love being outside, especially with my camera. The cold doesn’t bother me, as such, just as long as the sun is shining – I’m off out!

In my city, beautiful Newcastle, there is a tranquil hidden gem called Jesmond Dene. Here is where you find a small animal enclosure, called “Pets Corner”, a wonderful cafe and gorgeous surroundings of a waterfall and stream encased by tall towering trees.

I didn’t want to be out for too long due to the cold, but I managed to take 50 photographs within the hour and a half I was there.

I was walking along one of the paths where I can across a gentleman with his two children. He told me to be careful on the bridge (where I took this photo). When I came to the bridge, I totally understood what he meant. To say it was slippy is probably an understatement. I didn’t test it out, dare I add, but watching other members of the public doing so made me stay on the side. How the ladies with prams got to the top, is beyond my comprehension!

JT

Oh, Summer! How I am missing you! Your heat, happiness, holidays and light nights!

Winter is never my favourite season, especially weather wise, but Christmas and family gatherings always win me round.

The photo in today’s post is from my beautiful summer holiday to Belgium. I went to visit my gorgeous school friend who has lived there for over a year now, and loved every second.

I had just had an amazing burger in the park opposite before visiting this belter of a building. I ordered the food in french and joined my friend and her friend, and a bunch of wasps at a picnic bench alfresco. Weather was very warm indeed!

The palace was incredible! However, the blister I was developing on my foot was not. Note to self: break in shoes before you walk 754346 miles around Brussels!

So, with the sight of better weather to come, and lighter nights, I shall embrace and enjoy the coldness winter has to offer.

After all, t’is the season to be jolly!

JT

Sometimes you have an idea that explodes in your mind. One that feels like everything has come together and you have that eureka moment! Well, I haven’t had any of those recently.

At work, my day job is a teaching assistant, I run a lunchtime film club. For the last 6 years I have watched films with the children but this year I decided to take a new more vocational approach.

It would drive me absolutely insane and irate when the children would talk all the way through the films, so why don’t I do a bit more of a hands on club? Each week focuses on a duty of film making. For the next two weeks it is special effects.

My not – so – eureka idea was to do paper maché. Not only have I used up half the planets supply of glue for my fifteen children, the 40 minute clear up afterwards made the task instantly regrettable.

But the balloons are dry, and the children are ready for painting their masks next week. I “can’t wait”!

The picture I have chosen to accompany this post is a photo I took at Whitley Bay’s Bonfire Night Spectacular! The fireworks were amazing and a 10 second shutter speed was used with and ISO of 100 and f stop 11.

JT

My first newspaper publication was on 2nd May 2018. On the off chance, I sent a couple of photos into my local newspaper, The Chronicle, and I was so thrilled to receive an email to tell me my picture was going to be printed.

Fast forward over a year, 26th November 2019, I wake up to my 25th picture printed in the paper.

My lifelong dream has and is to make it as a photographer. I am constantly learning and adapting to new places and techniques and loving every second.

Number 25, as seen above, was taken in October in Wallington Hall. It’s such a beautiful place. Despite the entry cost of £14! But it was worth the money. The trees, nature, snack huts and parks for children; it really has something for everyone. The staff are kind and welcoming and the grounds are beautiful.

Definitely a visit that has to be made.

JT

I work in a school that is lucky enough to have their own bushcraft area and treehouse.

I’m always looking for inspiration everywhere I go. I believe that everything is beautiful in its own way, and I feel that since I have taken up photography professionally and more seriously, I have fresh and new eyes. I see the world and it’s vast and little things as sheer joy.

The picture I have posted symbolises peace, independence, society, friendship and equality. The leaves have fallen the way they have fallen, which supports my beliefs of things are meant to be and happen the way they are meant to according to the universe.

So really, I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you change the way you look at things, you can change your world. Let go of what you think things should be, just live in the moment and enjoy the little things.

JT

I will set the scene: it’s cold, windy and you’re waiting for the bus to go to the cinema with kids.

When the morning is set to look bleak, you soak up your surroundings and notice the sheer beauty of the sky behind you.

Taken on my phone and lightly edited on Lightroom : tada!

JT

I went to a firework display at New Year to see in 2019. I was quite disappointed with my pictures. I had researched before hand the modes and settings to have my camera and was ready to rock. But I just couldn’t capture the magic moments properly.

Last night was a different story. Almost a year has passed and my photography skills, I feel, have vastly improved. Above is my favourite photo from last night.

I went to a bonfire night firework display yesterday along with thousands of people and enjoyed every second. Although my neck did hurt from looking up at the sky for so long!

But it was worth it for the results.

JT

You’ve got to go for what you dream of. Decide what means so much to you and go full throttle, don’t look back.

Life’s a one way system. You can only move forward. Make every second count and make as many memories as possible. Don’t take your life for granted, savour every minute.

The photo posted above is a library in the city. Because it get dark early now, the light shines through the windows. So, be the light in someone’s life, especially your own.

Go for it. Anything and everything.

Enjoy.

JT

For a year now I’ve wanted to head down to the beach and take some photos of the sunrise. But, due to a busy work schedule and me being a wimp for waking up early and embracing the cold, I never found the time.

As I have a week off this week, it was either today or the next equinox. This morning it was.

Setting my alarm for 5:40am, with the intention of having half an hour to get ready and wake up!

Alarm goes off, I decide to give myself 5 more minutes in bed…

45 minutes later!

Surprisingly, I managed to get ready extremely quickly and headed out the door.

Sunrise was 7:04am. I arrived at my first destination at 7:05am! Bang on time! And it was beautiful! The view was stunning and a precious moment I will treasure forever.

However, the location wasn’t working for me so I headed up further along the coast. I went onto the beach, and wow!

I loved it! The sun beautifully peaked behind the lovely clouds and left a stunning reflection on the beach. And, I even made a friend!

Such a brilliant morning.

And, I have managed 3 breakfasts!

Win win.

JT

If you could wish for anything – what would it be?

I came across this broken tree on a walk in the Lake District. The trunk had been broken off and lay clumsily beside the pathway. But that wasn’t the strangest thing – it was covered in coins!

Instead of typically throwing your wishing pennies into a wishing well over your shoulder, residents and passerby’s push their wishes and coins into the trunk of this tree. The trunk is so soft that the pennies can slot right in.

A new way to count your blessings.

JT