Interview with Bea Davenport, Traditionally Published Writer
Can you tell us about yourself?
I'm a traditionally-published writer. My two crime novels, In Too Deep and This Little Piggy, are published by Legend Press. I also write for children: The Serpent House is published by Curious Fox and My Cousin Faustina by ReadZone Books.
I'm originally from Tyneside, but for many years I covered the Northumberland area as a reporter for BBC North. I fell in love with Berwick and came to live in Spittal in 2001. It's been a lovely place to bring up my children.
The house always felt like a great place to write. It has the stone heads of Robert Burns and Walter Scott on the front porch to inspire me! And in fact, in the 1940s, a popular romance writer called Anne Hepple also lived here.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
Three days a week, I teach journalism at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham, Surrey, so those days are very full-on. Working with students, lecturing, and doing practical activities in print and broadcast media. I'm also programme leader in Creative Writing for the Open College of the Arts, so when I am at home, I tutor writers via distance learning. And sometimes - not as often as I'd like - I get time to do my own writing. I don't have a set time to write but I tend to work better in the afternoons and evenings.
Which part of your job do you feel most passionate about?
All of it! Genuinely! I love teaching and I find working with new writers very inspiring. And the times when I do my own writing are very precious indeed. I am very lucky to be working with words every day.
What tips would you give to someone starting out in your industry?
Do it because you want to write, not because you like the idea of 'being a writer'. Do it because you love storytelling and the craft of finding the best way to do it. And be prepared to be persistent.
What is the best feedback you have ever had from a client?
I've had lots of 'best teacher ever' and 'best course ever', which is wonderful to hear! I just love to know that people have got something positive out of it.
Who do you admire most in the world and why?
As a journalist, I'm very cautious about having heroes, as so many of them turn out to have feet of clay. But if pressed, I admire Shami Chakrabarti, the recent director of Liberty. And then there are a raft of women writers and the suffragettes, who paved the way for all of us to do what we are doing.
What are your plans for the future?
I've just finished a contemporary novel for teenagers and I'm working on editing it with the help of an agent, which is a very exciting process. When the edits are done, it goes out on submission to find a publisher so fingers crossed! I'm also hoping to complete another crime novel this year too, time permitting!
Where can people follow you online?
On twitter @BeaDavenport1
Interview with Iain Lowson, Freelance Star Wars and Video Games Writer
Interview with Iain Lowson, Freelance Star Wars and Video Games Writer
Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to set up your business in Berwick?
I'm a freelance writer and have been for 20 years as of this month (Jan. 2016). I write a lot of official Star Wars magazines and do a bit of work now and then in video games.
I set up in Berwick nine years ago because I had a job in Newcastle. Living in a nice house with a garden in Berwick seemed better than living in a shoe box under a bridge in Newcastle. The transport links mean I don't have any problems getting to London, Edinburgh, or anywhere else. The facilities are fab, the people are great, the scenery is beautiful, and there are lots of cafés. Perfect!
So what does a typical workday look like for you?
Once the kids are off to school, I spend a little time on admin, household chores and things like that. I tend to settle down to serious procrastination around 10am. I get most of my constructive work done in the afternoons. Unless there's a deadline approaching; then there's lots of screaming and Irn-Bru.
Which part of your job do you feel most passionate about?
Having fun with what I do and making sure that translates to what the audience sit down to read and being as accurate as possible. Star Wars fans really know their stuff, and I don't want to disappoint them.
What tips would you give to someone starting out in your industry?
Read more than you write. You'll be a better writer that way. Oh, and don't work for free. The only thing exposure gets you is arrested… and frostbite.
What is the best feedback you have ever had from a client?
I've had great feedback over the years from the folks at Lucasfilm, which always means a lot. Now, name-dropping alert! An editor I worked with years ago gave material I wrote about Count Dooku to Christopher Lee to read, as he'd never been told much about the character. Apparently, he found it very helpful. I've never stopped smiling about that one.
Who do you admire most in the world and why?
I admire anyone who takes a chance on making their dreams come true. So long as they're nice dreams. You have to admire that kind of dedication.
Do you have a favourite quote that you turn to for inspiration?
"Get off my lawn!" from the old man at the top of the street where I lived as a kid. Do you know, I got off that lawn and I've never looked back since.
What are your future plans?
Lots more Star Wars writing. It's a hugely exciting time to be involved with the license, and I'm privileged to do what I do for a living. I'd like to do some more of my own stuff too, non-Star Wars.
Why did you commission the headshots?
Now and then I get asked for a picture for a profile or author interview or other such things. I figured it would be nice to be able to send something that didn't look like a hairy potato. Also, my lovely Mum really hates my beard and 'tache so, being the loving son I am, I had to get them immortalised in a picture I could give her for Christmas.
Brand Photography for Rejuvenating Solutions, Berwick-upon-Tweed
I recently worked with Susie at Rejuvenating Solutions on a combined interior and headshot photography session at her beautiful clinic on Berwick’s Quayside. Susie wanted images that not only looked professional but also reflected her brand’s fresh, calming atmosphere and clean, elegant colour palette.
We spent time making sure her brand colours came through clearly in both her portraits and the salon interiors — subtle whites, soft greens and neutrals that feel polished and serene. The goal was to create a cohesive set of photographs for her website and social media, showcasing the professional skin care services now available in Berwick.
I always love working with local businesses like Susie’s. It’s inspiring to see how thoughtful design and professional photography can work together to help small brands stand out with confidence.
Photographing Sanderson McCreath & Edney Solicitors on Berwick’s Quay Walls
Today I had the pleasure of photographing the beautiful and characterful old Quay Walls building that houses Sanderson McCreath & Edney Solicitors in Berwick-upon-Tweed. The firm has been part of the town’s professional landscape for more than 165 years, and their offices are full of heritage and charm — the perfect reflection of a business with such deep local roots.
The brief for this shoot was to provide professional imagery for their website, highlighting the firm’s sense of history alongside its friendly, trusted reputation. I wanted to capture the warmth and individuality of the space — from the distinctive Georgian details to the natural light that fills the rooms overlooking the river.
Photographing historic buildings like this is always rewarding, especially when they’re still part of everyday life in Berwick. It’s a reminder of how the town’s architecture and long-established businesses are intertwined — each with its own story to tell.
You can see the finished photographs on their website: www.solicitorsberwick.co.uk
Styled family location session at Spittal beach, Berwick upon Tweed
A recent styled family session at Spittal Beach reminded me why this stretch of coast is one of my favourite backdrops in Berwick-upon-Tweed. The soft sand, gentle light and sea breeze add something truly timeless to family portraits.
These two beautiful girls completely melted my heart — their striking red hair and blue eyes stole the show. To let their features shine, we kept the styling simple and chose plain, natural backgrounds: the soft North Sea tones, pale sand, and the old blue-and-white 1930s beach shelter. Sometimes the simplest elements create the most striking portraits.
I love sessions like this because they combine personality, place and connection. When families relax and enjoy the moment, the photographs naturally reflect who they are — and that’s what makes them so special.
Drawing With Lights and Flashes Workshop, Coldstream Youth Project
I recently ran a Drawing with Light workshop with the brilliant young people at the Coldstream Youth Project. It was such a fun and inventive session – using a mix of torches and flashlights, everyone created their own light drawings to represent something personal: a part of their personality, or an aspiration for the future.
This type of workshop is always full of surprises. Some participants drew their names in mid-air, others sketched stars, hearts, or abstract shapes that revealed something about who they are. The process combines photography, movement, and imagination – a perfect mix of art and play.
We finished the session with a collaborative group photo, where everyone appeared inside a glowing TV screen made entirely of light! It was a brilliant way to bring everyone together and end on a creative high.
You can see the full gallery of images on the Coldstream Youth Project website: www.coldstreamyouthproject.org
Carter's Family Butchers and Holiday Home in Bamburgh, Northumberland
Last week I went out to Bamburgh to photograph Carter's. The Carter family have been the village butchers for over 100 years and have built up a great reputation by providing a personal service and top quality produce. Each time I'm in Bamburgh I make sure I pick up a couple of scotch pies, totally yummy!
I love the fact that all their meat comes from local farms holding the certificate of Farm Assurance. Their cattle lambs are grass fed and they obtain the meat from their prime cured bacon, hams and sausage from free range pork. In addition R Carter & Son makes a variety of pies, black and white puddings and they also roast and boil their own meats.
I had to go out to the Bamburgh shop really early in the morning to avoid the queues! Seriously, this is a popular village shop, with locals and holiday makers alike. Sue and Mike were really kind to me and made me a coffee and bacon sarnie which was utterly delish! After photographing the shop I went up to their holiday accommodation and took some interior shots for brochures and website marketing. The pictures from the shop are to be used in a new website designed by Northern Lab in Berwick.
Carter's is the home of the 'Bamburgh Banger' and has even been endorsed by Rick Stein as a Food Hero. It's easy to see why Carters is so popular, as someone famous once said (who's name escapes me) 'You get the business you deserve'.
Berwick Heritage Open Days, Fascinating Open Houses Throughout Northumberland
Today I had a portrait photo shoot of a family staying at The Anchorage Guest House in Woolmarket, Berwick, where we took some shots on the lovely sweeping staircase and in the kitchen before heading out along the street to the Elizabethan Walls.
After that shoot, I took a little trot along to one of the Heritage Open Days held in Berwick. This one was the rather eerie but fine townhouse of 44 Ravensdowne. Up until recently, believe it or not, this was an occupied home! I don't think the homeowners enjoyed housekeeping too much. The back garden contains evidence of the west wall of the 1550's Edward VI citadel, which was built to replace the castle. However, the house didn't disappoint with magnificent original features and tons of interesting things to photograph, a bit different to my usual interior photographs! Good luck to the new owners, I'm sure it will be a beautiful re-development.
Here is the info and website link from Heritage Open Days Northumberland:
"A must-visit. This is probably the only time this property will be open to the public. This fine early Victorian townhouse has been largely untouched for the last 80 years. It boasts most of its original interior architectural details. Later alterations include Art Nouveau panelling in the stairwell and wallpaper, albeit very faded, dating to the 1930s. The back garden contains evidence of the west wall of the Edward VI citadel and a mysterious carved stone has been discovered, possibly from a former Jacobean palace that stood on the site, built into a doorway!"
http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/HOD012916E/
After I'd finished looking around the house I decided to visit The Penny Lodging House in Eastern Lane, also a really interesting place to be nosey.
Here is the info on that one too - worth a visit and fascinating!
"The Penny Lodging House is a semi-derelict Georgian building that has a rich and varied history. Built possibly as a fashionable home in the late 18th century, it was used as a penny lodging house in the early and mid 19th century, before becoming storage premises for shops on Marygate - a use that preserved the interiors from modernisation and formed the eerie, desolate space that you see today. The building is occasionally used for site-specific performances by The Maltings Theatre."
Lifestyle Family Photography Whilst On Holiday In Bamburgh
When Mel and her family booked a cottage in Bamburgh for their summer holiday, they decided to make the most of their time together with a family photo shoot — such a brilliant idea! With everyone relaxed, happy, and in one place, it was the perfect opportunity to capture some genuine, joyful moments.
We met near the beach, with the sea breeze, soft sand, and the iconic Bamburgh Castle in the background. The children ran and played while the adults laughed and chatted — exactly the kind of natural, unscripted family session I love to photograph.
These sessions are all about connection and togetherness. When families are on holiday, the pressure’s off and the smiles come easily — it’s such a lovely way to celebrate being together and to take home something more lasting than souvenirs.
If you’re visiting Northumberland or the Scottish Borders and would like to capture your own relaxed family memories, get in touch — I’d love to help you plan your session.
Pier Road Development 'The Maltings' Berwick upon Tweed
I recently photographed The Maltings, a brand-new development on Pier Road in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Built on the former site of William Leith Marquees, this modern collection of homes has been finished to an incredibly high standard — and the views are absolutely stunning. I have to admit, it almost had me signing up for one myself!
The shoot focused on capturing both the craftsmanship and the location. Each property has been designed to make the most of the light and scenery, so photographing them meant paying attention to the little details — from architectural textures and materials to those expansive coastal views that make Berwick such a special place to live.
It’s always exciting to see thoughtful new developments taking shape locally, especially when they blend contemporary design with a sense of community.
You can find more information about the development at www.cv-developments.co.uk/themaltings.
Website Content for Hutton Stone
This week I spent 3 days at Hutton Stone Co. documenting their operations and systems to give clients a broader sense of the size and extent of what goes on.
Products I photographed include paving, walling, rockery, and masonry. Services I shot included bespoke carving, sawing, and delivery. Cutting-edge heavy machinery and the stringent health and safety at Hutton Stone featured heavily too.
Below there are a couple of examples of the stone samples on a plain white background with colour matching for e-commerce and brochure purposes. I also shot some key staff members to bring across the craftsmanship and welcoming personality of the company; I also feel that it's quite nice to see who you are dealing with over the web!
The website will be getting a fresh new look in the near future, keep a lookout for www.huttonstone.co.uk.
Written by Sarah
Kezie Adventurous Foods Styled Food Photography
It's amazing what is hidden away in the borders, I was really excited when Kezie Foods commissioned me to shoot the packaging and a range of serving suggestions for their 12 new exotic, gourmet ready meals.
After taking the booking over the phone, the next morning a large white package arrived with a range of meals in for me to have exactly the same experience as their customers would after placing an order online. It was a chance for me (and the kids!) to sample the foods and play about with ideas for styling the shoot.
I had a really helpful meeting with the designer and printer of their booklets to see exactly how the images were being used in the new booklet and what formats they were required to be in.
We collected a multitude of props for the shoot and came together in a large room with great light for an entire day of cooking and shooting.
Here are some of the shots from the day, they make my mouth water!
What to Wear for Beautiful Family Photos
What to Wear for Beautiful Family Photos
Trying to figure out what you are going to wear for family portraits can be stressful. It used to be that everyone wore white tops and denim, and it was that simple. The problem is that this doesn't show your personality (and who wears white t-shirts and denim these days?!), and it has been seen many times before. With more relaxed lifestyle portraits there is so much more choice available. Decide on clothing that matches your style; colourful classic neutrals or quirky vintage pieces, the options are endless. Talk with your photographer who will be able to assist you with the look and location to help get you beautiful family portraits.
Here are 10 top tips to help you:
1. Decide on your Colour Scheme
The first thing to think about when you are choosing colours is where you plan to hang the portraits in your home and what colours are in that room. If you plan to hang the prints in a family room that is painted green and cream, and you plan to wear red and black, you need to think again about your clothing choices.
If your room is neutral and you'd just like a pop of colour from the portrait, take a look at Design Seeds website. The artist finds beautiful images, and picks a colour palette out of those images that you might not otherwise notice. It can be applied to home décor or clothing. It helps your eye to see colour patterns that go together.
You can do a search by colour palettes or themes (spring, autumn, ocean, edible), find an image or colours that appeal to you and go with that.
2. Select one focal piece
Shop around to find one patterned piece that you love. It can be a little girl's floral dress or a boy's plaid shirt, but if you find one central piece, it helps to plan everything around that. Since mums like the kids to be the focal point, then use this piece on one of the children. That doesn't mean that they will stand out the most. After accessorizing, everything will flow together.
3. Pick 3 colours
It's a good idea to pick 3 colours to work with as your main colours, and then consider greys, whites, blacks, or browns as extras. Not necessarily all of them together, but one or two that work with the 3 colours you chose.
4. Layers & Accessories
Cardigan, necklace, headband, scarf, button-up shirt, tights, hats, ties. Layers and accessories add dimension, fun, texture, and therefore richness to the overall look. It's a good idea to lie out all your outfits and start throwing in accessories to see what works. If you have 2 girls they don't both need to get the same colour headbands. Instead, try two variations in colour. Boys have fewer options when it comes to layers (and seem more difficult to dress). Try to put 2 boys in two types of shirts and layer them differently. One a button up with a t-shirt underneath, the other a polo type with a t-shirt underneath and maybe sleeves rolled up into each other.
5. Don't leave yourself until last
Don't pick everyone else's out and then just grab something from your closet that only looks ok because it matches the colour scheme. You need to feel great in your family pictures! If anything, pick something that you think looks fabulous on you, and then plan around that! It's tough enough to get parents into the pictures, so when you are in them, you want to feel and look good!
6. Split up the colours
If there are 6 people in the family, and you have selected 3 main colours, don't put all of those colours on top or on those close in age. You want to split them up! Put some colour towards the bottom in one or two as well. You can do this with shoes, skirts, and trousers. There are so many more options now with coloured jeans and footwear so I’m sure you can find something.
7. Clothing boards on image-based social media
You can see fashion and clothing boards on Pinterest that are great for ideas! (Here is my 'What to Wear' board for families looking for inspiration http://pinterest.com/pictorial/what-to-wear/) But sometimes they don't have the perfect configuration for your family. You can make your very own style board using the website Polyvore - it has a wealth of fashion ideas and styles.
8. Split up the pairs
If you have natural pairs in the family (Mum and Dad, Brothers and Sisters, Mum and Baby), try to split up the colours as those pairs will often be standing near each other. Try not to dress mum and baby alike as they will always naturally be a pair. Parents are the obvious other pair, so make sure they are also not too similar in colours. This part can get complicated, so do your best, and then let it go! The photographer will notice when people match and split everyone according to their colours. But ultimately natural or candid outdoor shots won't be so planned.
9. Plan ahead
Make sure you start this planning when you book your session (hopefully a few weeks before it takes place). Be thinking of it, look around in your wardrobes and shop well in advance so you aren't stressing at the last minute.
10. What not to wear
Don't wear clothing with large logos, writing or pictures on them. When you look at your photographs you want to be looking at faces and not be distracted by what is printed on the clothing. White trainers or shoes are also a distraction. If you are out on location and the weather is colder, rather than have large unflattering padded coats on, wear lots of thinner layers. Children can wear a vest, t-shirt, long-sleeved top and a jumper, then a scarf and hat if needed.
Finally for more timeless photographs that won't date as clothes go out of fashion, wear plain and classic items.
Hopefully, this guide will help you to think more about your clothing choices for your photography session and help to get images for your wall that you will love.
Want to have a no-pressure chat about whether or not Pictorial Photography is right for your family portraits? E-mail me at sarah@pictorialphotography.co.uk and let me know what you are thinking!
Written by Sarah
Cute Little Elsie's 8 month shoot, sitting but not yet walking. Duns, Berwickshire
Little Elsie was the cutest, most smiley little scone today. For babies, after the newborn stage 8 months is a really brilliant age, loads of personality and sitting confidently, we nearly caught her first crawl on camera but it wasn't yet to be. her mum brought the red and white bunting out from her nursery - where she plans to hangl some wall art.
After a while we managed to get some shots of Elsie with her mum, she wasn't keen initially and didn't expect to be in the shoot but I just love to capture the bond that children have with their parents, preserving the memories of fleeting childhoods and relationships that transform over time.
This got me thinking, why wait until we have the perfect hair, perfect clothes, perfect weight or perfect weather? I need a family shoot myself, it's been nearly 2 years since the last one! My children don't mind or even care what I look like and future me will be so glad to have a special glimpse into this moment in time, and we'll all get to cherish it forever.
It's my ongoing quest as a mother and photographer to bottle up time. What better goal could there possibly be as a photographer? I must practice what I preach.. Watch this space!
Should you use a Logo as your Profile Image?
Guest Blog by Helen Barlow, Ethical Graphic Designer
From a designer who loves designing logos, you'd probably think I'd say "Yes", but I love designing brands even more. Your profile image, like your logo, is simply one element of your brand in its entirety.
Like all elements of your brand, it needs to work for you. We like to think of social media graphics as a tool in your brand tool kit, which also contains, at a minimum: your brand promise, mission statement, colour scheme, typography/photography style, brand language, and graphic devices.
Therefore this tiny little square is part of a much bigger picture and needs to be thought about in terms of your business, marketing and brand strategies. It would be wrong to assume it should be a logo or a headshot without thinking about how you can make that free advertising space useful for you. If you had to pay fifty bucks for that ad space you'd think more about what you wanted it to communicate.
Use your brand as a tool, a visual salesperson when you're not there. You'll save a lot of time and be able to fall in love with the things you like doing in your business on a day-to-day basis.
So when it comes to profile images, how can you use them as a tool? Well, the obvious answer is if you have your headshot on social media then those awkward networking events become a lot less awkward. People you've been tweeting on the run-up to it know what you look like, so no more fumbled first interactions!
Seriously though, people buy from people. Think of your brand as a person and design a logo with that in mind. Give it its own voice and story and your customers will be able to resonate with it on an emotional level.
As the digital landscape grows, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned with trust. If they can't see the person behind your brand, how can you expect them to engage?
A headshot is the perfect way to start building that personality behind your brand (and no Sarah didn't pay me to say this.) I can speak from experience. In 2013 when we changed the One Line profile images to my face rather than our logo the engagement and follower levels jumped right up within moments.
For businesses who are trying to reach a wider audience and make themselves more visible and recognisable online, a headshot will resonate far better with people who don't know you than a brand logo that they've never heard of. It's a great way to build your profile.
You could even do both at the same time. We did this with The Little Fair Trade Shop's social media graphics. Sabeena was well recognised online and had built a great following using a headshot. Working with us on a rebrand she wanted to push the brand identity a bit more. This was all part of a bigger strategy because the logo was about to be the single visual used on the packaging; we needed to connect her packaging with what people also saw online without losing the personal touch. So that company mug does come in handy after all.
Of course, if your logo is everything about your brand, then yes, use it as your profile image. If you're Nike or FedEx we're probably not going to want to see a photo of your CEO but actually, a shot of real-life people on your team would be quite interesting and it lets us know you're not a team of robots. Don't forget you have that huge banner behind your profile image to use as free advertising space. So if your strategy dictates that you have your logo in the square, then have a team shot in the banner. If it's a headshot in the square then use your logo in the banner. Think about combinations of photography and logo or key messages that will work hard for what you're trying to achieve with your digital marketing.
Like, follow, connect and check out my website at One Line Studio.