About The Hiking Photographer, or rather Stuart Hodgson - the fella who produces this blog :-)

Thanks for taking an interest in this blog, which is a big hobby of mine. I've been into hiking for ages now - but only relatively recently have I started documenting my adventures in more detail on this blog to try and inspire others to get out into the great outdoors, help people discover some amazing places and also reap the many many positive health benefits of a bit of outdoorsyness (both physical & mental health benefits!). If I inspire a wider appreciation of the natural world so we look after it more - then even better!

It's quite satisfying when I get positive feedback off people about this blog, and I love to hear people have visited new places because of this blog or even got the bug for walking. Someone even got in touch to say they proposed to their wife after seeking out a stunning Lake District location featured on this blog.

About this blog:

The blog gives me an outlet to share two big passions of mine; photography & hiking, hence the name which seemed rather too obvious not to use – The Hiking Photographer :)

As I have got more and more into this hobby, and received some good feedback about the blog (which won Go Outdoors Blog of the Year 2015), things have just grown and grown. My blog is by no means an extensive list of all walks in a given area (there are better sites for that) - so I try and focus on my favourite places where you see some truly stunning landscapes which make for great photos.

This blog is a hobby, so to win the Go Outdoors Best Independent Blog in 2015 made me chuffed to bits. It really did motivate me to keep going and continue to share more of my adventures. I'm happy to say that this blog regularly gets over 20,000 unique visitors a month now - which I'm buzzing about as all I want to do is inspire as many people as possible, no matter their level and ability, to want to experience for themselves the great outdoors.

Why do I enjoy hiking & the great outdoors so much?

I guess the reason I enjoy hiking so much is that it combines a lot of positive benefits for me, which are unlike no other hobby:

• I get a buzz off seeing such amazing natural scenery; 
• It's excellent exercise - so keeps me fit;
• I usually go walking with my partner, family or friends - so it's a great way of socialising, catching up with people and having fun;
• Often there are no phone signals in the wilds - and it's a good chance to digitally unplug from the world and get away from it all (and a great antidote to my 9-5 desk job!); 
• I usually do a new walk every time - so I get to see lots of new places; 
• And finally the fresh air, natural surroundings, sweeping vistas, and awesome views are a good tonic for the mind!

I struggle to easily communicate things in the written word - but to me there is something really special about being amongst natures great landscapes - all I can say is it just lights up something inside of me and always makes me feel good. I hope my photos get across this special feeling being amongst nature's beauty - such as this hike to Hem Crag in the Lake District

What places I blog about:

I live in the North-East of England, so most of my blog posts cover areas close to me, such as North-Yorkshire, The Lake District & Northumberland. But there will be the odd post from further afield. On most blog posts I have tried to document my walks quite extensively, with map routes to provide information and help others walk a similar route, and my posts include quite a few photos to give you an idea of what to expect.  As I'm an outdoor enthusiast - I will also blog now and again about other my outdoor adventures, such as wild camping. And as hiking and camping involves the use of quite a bit of kit - I'll also post the odd gear review of stuff I recommend or find useful.

Wild camping takes the outdoors to a whole new level and is an experience I'd recommend to anyone. When everyone else has gone home you have the place to yourself - and the chance to see spectacular sunsets, sunrises, mist filled valleys and the most amazing dark and stary night skies you'll ever see.

Partner up with me, suggest ideas or get in touch 

The blog has grown in popularity as I've put more time into it and I love that people find it useful. It's a hobby I do in my spare time but  plan to expand the blog with many more walking routes and documented outdoor adventures, and I also aim to devote more time to review gear of use to hikers, campers, photographers & travellers. If you would like to get in touch about anything or have any potential partnership ideas  - just give me an email at hello@stuart-hodgson.com

Anyway - thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the blog!

Blog by Stuart Hodgson 

'The Hiking Photographer'

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My useful blog post on the best and most essential walking gear

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MY OTHER STUFF:

Here are some other things I'm involved in - please support if you can :-)

If you need any design help - give me a shout! Visit www.stuart-designer.co.uk to find out more

High quality leaflet design & print is a niche market for me - click here to learn more

The GraphicSound webstore is where I design & sell unique music posters - visit the shop here 

Here you will find inspirational quotes about life, health & happiness - click here to get inspired!

If you enjoy reading my blog (it's just a hobby I do in my spare time) and want to show some appreciation then you can buy me a beer to enjoy after a hike by clicking here