About me, The Hiking Photographer

This blog is just a hobby I do in my spare-time and to win the Go Outdoors Best Independent Blog 2015 was quite surprising and I was chuffed to bits. I made me want to kick on with the blog and to know people enjoy your stuff motivates me to keep the blog going! I'm happy to say that this blog regularly gets over 5,000 unique visitors a month now and it's nice to think it may inspire people to get out and about in the great outdoors :-)

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

I've been into hiking for a number of years - but only relatively recently have I started documenting my adventures in more detail on this blog. I

The main reason I produce the blog is:

To try and inspire others to get out and about amongst the great outdoors, by introducing some of my favourite locations, walking routes and best views and to make it easier for others to follow in my footsteps and experience first hand some beautiful places. I also want to try and foster a wider appreciation of the natural world so we look after it a bit better! 

As you can imagine it's quite satisfying when you get positive feedback off people about this blog, and some of the most rewarding feedback for me is when I hear people have visited new places because of this blog or even got the bug for walking. It was also chuffed to bits when this blog was voted Go Outdoors Best Independent Blog 2015 by regular people like you who read blogs such as mine!

Why I set up this blog:

I set-up this blog to give me an outlet to share two big passions of mine; photography & walking/hiking, hence the name which seemed rather to obvious not to use – The Hiking Photographer :) I've been interested in photography for yonks, and have also loved walking in the outdoors for as long as I can remember - and so I decided to combine the two passions in the form of this blog which I do in my spare time.

As I have got more and more into this hobby, and received some good feedback, 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 about those walking routes where you see some truly stunning landscapes and get some amazing photos if that's your thing! I'm adding to my blog as often as I can (I've got a young family so it's a juggling act!) - but in time I hope to feature the best walks & views the Uk has to offer.

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:

• I get a buzz off seeing such amazing natural scenery; 
• It's good exercise - so keeps me fit;
• I usually go walking with my partner, family or friends - so it's a great way of socialising and catching up with people; 
• 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 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! 

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 some blog posts I have tried to document my favourite walks/routes quite extensively to provide information and help others walk a similar route, these include quite a few photos and a route map. Other blog posts are less documented or just shorter walking routes, with the aim to just showcase impressive views and photographs from certain spots. As I'm an outdoor enthusiast - I will also blog now and again about other semi-related stuff like Skiing trips etc. 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.

It's just a hobby!

The blog is just a hobby I do in my spare time, and has grown in popularity as I've put more time into it. I plan to expand the blog with many more walking routes and documented wild camps, and I also aim to devote more time to review gear of use to photographers and hikers/wild campers. It would also be good to link up with other complimentary platforms, magazines and the like, and I've currently had images published in Trail Magazine. If you would like to get in touch or have any potential opportunities - just give me an email at hello@stuart-hodgson.com

Other stuff I do:

As for a bit more about me and my interests, well I'm a professional graphic designer and that's how I earn a living (and fund my hikes/equipment). I'm also the man behind the 'Leaflet Guru' website which provides one of the best quality leaflet/flyer design and print services around even if I do say so myself - visit www.leafletguru.co.uk to find out more. If you ever have the need for any design related work - please bear me in mind (shameless plug :-)

I'm also interested in other creative things like Graphic Art, Urban Photography & Vidography - I guess I'm just creative by nature! If you want to see more of my work and samples - check out www.stuart-hodgson.com

Get in touch

If you would like to get in touch about anything - feel free to drop me an email at hello@stuart-hodgson.com

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