Pembrokeshire, Photography & Nature Connection | An Interview with Brook Newland
In this interview, we’re speaking to Brook Newland who we have been working with to create some new guides on the website. Brook is a talented photographer and writer who is also a keen rambler and part-time gardener. We talk to Brook about her home on the Pembrokeshire Coast, hew love of photography and her connection to the natural world.
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Could you tell us a little about your connection to the Pembrokeshire Coast? How long have you lived in this area and what drew you there in the first place?
I have lived in Pembrokeshire nearly all my life, my family moved here when I was a baby. I was born on a Narrow Boat so being close to water has always been very comforting to me. Growing up we would spend a week or two every June down in St. Davids, staying in a caravan by the sea, so that area in particular I have very fond feelings towards. Although I love the mountains, I feel like I could never live far from the coast; having that expanse of the sea to look out on feels so important to me. I have to admit though, that it’s only in the last few years that I have really appreciated living in Pembrokeshire and taken time to explore it and enjoy the coast path. Up until then I would consider myself a mountain person, who just wanted to live in the middle of the moors.
From the guide you curated for us, what would be your ideal day spent on the Pembrokeshire Coast?
Definitely a day around St. Davids, that is one of my favourite parts of Pembrokeshire. I would do a very early morning walk round the St. David’s Circular, stopping to have coffee and a swim at Porthlysgi Bay. Then head back into St. Davids for lunch at Grain and a wander around the shops; I especially love visiting Basalt and Dune, they have some beautiful coastal inspired ceramics made in the Preselis. It’s always been a tradition of my family to have an ice cream when in St. Davids, so that would be an afternoon treat from The Nook. Then I’d probably stop off on the way home to watch the sunset at either Dinas Head or walk to one of the small beaches from the Parrog.
What is your favourite way to enjoy the outdoors? (i.e. hiking, photography, making a brew on a hill)
There are so many ways I enjoy the outdoors, it’s hard to pin it down to one! I really do love it all equally; camping, hiking, making coffee on the hills. Spring and Autumn are probably my favourite time of year to be outdoors though, it’s not as busy as the summer but still so full of colour!
When did you first get into photography? And how has this changed your experiences being outside?
I have enjoyed photography since I was a young teenager when I bought myself my first camera, which was a little point and shoot Fujifilm. I used to do a lot of macro photography back then, especially of plants; I would get up really early, before college, and go out taking photos in the morning light. After GCSEs I studied Photography at AS-level and started to enjoy a more documentary style and also fell in love with the process of film. I intended to study Marine & Natural History Photography at Falmouth but instead, I left college after AS-Levels to work and travel and stopped using my camera for a few years. It wasn’t until about 3 years ago that I picked it up again, after feeling a bit frustrated with the limitations of using my phone. It has all developed from there!
Photography has always been a way for me to slow down outdoors. I am quite a fast walker so it makes me stop more and take note of the details around me. Some people say that photography takes away from their time outside but I find it’s the opposite, I feel it adds to my experience and makes me see more. Though sometimes, if there’s a really beautiful sunrise or scene, I won't use my camera and just absorb it. I also really enjoy coming home and spending the evening looking through and editing my photos, I get to relive the whole day again!
Read the full interview with Brook, including her top photography tips, in our exclusive members’ blog available through the Ramble Membership.
We are thrilled that Brook has now curated, photographed and written two guides on our website; Pembrokeshire Coast and Brecon Beacons.