Bearsted is known for its natural beauty and its illustrious greenery, being home to the Bearsted Woodland Trust it doesn’t disappoint; making it perfect for local photographers.
Local and talented photographer Katie Brown often utilises the stunning backdrops Bearsted provides, and we caught up with her to find out what she loves about shooting in Bearsted and what advice she would give anyone starting out in the world of photography.
Katie told us: “I spent the greater part of a year during COVID living with my boyfriend, and we spent a lot of time in Bearsted—on the green and in the Woodland Trust—on walks with his dog Buster, a fluffy white Shih Tzu. We bumped into a lot of other dog owners and felt a strong sense of community in the area.
“I work as a product photographer in the luxury goods sector and love to spend any spare time I have taking creative photos. I take my camera everywhere with me, and I tend to take quite a lot of photos!
“My favourite photos to take are portraits offering classic and creative styles. I love to boost people’s confidence and capture their personalities—and I’ve been doing that recently with a newly found candid shooting style.”
Katie tends to shoot all over Kent, but has recently been spending a lot of time at the Bearsted Woodland Trust adding: “I love the variety the site has to offer in terms of landscapes. Chances are, if you’ve been to the Woodland Trust and seen a girl with pink hair squatting in a funny position with a camera, then that’s me.”
Inspired by the likes of Lara Jade and Jessica Kobeissi, Katie kindly provided some advice for budding photographers: “In a highly saturated field—like photography—the main challenge is getting my work out there and seen by potential clients. Social media has helped as it allows photographers to come together by creating a sense of community and helping one another improve at the thing we love to do.
“Experience is everything; shoot as much as you can. Don’t be afraid to try all different types of photography and approach people you admire for advice—there’s no harm in asking. I recommend YouTube for tutorials on how to get started shooting and editing.”