Hexham photo on Northumberland 250 Photo of the Year 2023 shortlist

Sean Evans, 27, is a photographer living in Whitley Bay and took a spontaneous photograph of a house on Tyne Green while he was walking along the banks of the river.

"When I was walking along, I saw the house and the reflection and it just looked quite nice so I took the photo. People have asked for prints of it and it's done really well."

Sean, who is originally from Prudhoe and plans to move back to the area, took the photo on Sunday, July 30.

Sean during a wildlife photography session (Image: Sean Evans Photography)

He uses prime lenses, which is a single focal lens. He explained this gives the sharpest look to an image and makes the subject stand out.

He found out his photograph of the house had been shortlisted in the Northumberland 250 Photograph of the Year 2023 competition on Thursday, August 10.

Northumberland 250, a travel website, chooses one photograph out of those submitted to them for each month of the year before deciding out of the 12 which one will win the award.

"I've only been doing photography professionally since January this year, my business has grown massively so having something like this is a nice feeling, especially for a photo I didn't mean to take.

"It just shows if you don't plan anything, something good can come out of it," he added.

Sean said the award would be a good addition to his photography portfolio. 

"I'm a personal trainer full-time so being a photographer and knowing the skills has helped my business as well. I'm transitioning into photography full-time, that's been my passion since I was really young."

Sean has just signed an employment contract with one of the North's leading business magazines, Portfolio North, to be its lead photographer.

He said what he enjoys most about photography is taking 'memorable photos'.

"I do equestrian photography as well, I go to events and take behind-the-scenes photos. I like taking pictures that people are going to remember forever, and I'm going to get into weddings next year."

His main subjects include corporate events, equestrian and landscape photography.