DAVID SIMPSON speaks to Emma Rothera, a Holy Island-based award winning landscape and nature photographer. Part of our series of interviews focusing on creative talent in North East England.
Tell us how you first started out as a photographer?
I went to Art College straight from School when I was 16 years old to study Graphic Design Communication and Photography.
What work are you most proud of?
My Holy Island portfolio of work ‘A Journey of Light’
What inspires you?
Being out in the landscape and being privileged enough to witness nature during the most inspirational moments in time, first light, sunrise, sunset and last light, also the majestic golden hour.
What influence if any does North East England have in inspiring your work?
It is just a completely magnificent canvas to work with, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
What has been your most challenging creation?
They are all challenging within there own right. Landscape photography tests the ability of a photographer on a daily basis as you are constantly working with mother nature and often unpredictable elements, so therefore much planning must take place.
Do you have any tips for up and coming artists or photographers?
You need to have a constant passion for what you do and be prepared for it to take a lot of hard work, inspiration and dedication to achieve your goals.
Which other artists or photographers inspire you?
There are many talented photographers in this world, a couple that inspire me are Charlie Waite and Ansel Adams.
What are your ambitions for the future?
To constantly push my boundaries to improve my photography and creativity further on a daily basis. I hope to offer further opportunities for learning to aspiring photographers through my workshops and discovery tours in the North East Region, predominantly the Northumberland Coastline and Holy Island. To produce further contributions to magazines and books and extend my portfolio of work. I hope to expand further commissions within the North East and in the UK, including Scotland and abroad. I also hope to travel the world with my work in the future, photographing and writing as I go. I will always keep my base on Holy Island as this for me is paradise.
To find out more about Emma, her inspirational photographs and her workshops visit Emma’s website at:
Twitter: @erotheraphoto
Awards
Emma is a multi-award winning landscape and nature photographer. Accolades include:
- 2017 Winner of the ‘Creative Industries Award’ Northumberland Business Awards
- 2018 Shortlisted for the ‘Creative Industry Category’ Northumberland Business Awards
- 2016 Winner of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Photography Award
- 2015 Landscape photographer of the week, worldwide@Landscape photography magazine.