A weekend in Snowdonia: Automotive Photography
Nestled in the heart of North Wales, Snowdonia National Park beckons with its breathtaking landscapes, rugged mountains, and enchanting villages. As a London-based photographer, it’s rare that I’ll pass up the opportunity of a road trip to the closest true wilderness. Join me on a visual journey as I recount a weekend spent on shoot in Snowdonia.
Day 1: The Arrival
From London, the drive to Snowdonia is about five hours, with the last hour taking you through scenic backdrops and quaint Welsh villages. Due to other photography commitments, I left London at midnight and drove through the night to reach Snowdonia for sunrise - not something I’d recommend, but definitely worth it if you want the absolute best photography conditions. Generally in Snowdonia, I stay around Bangor or Blaenau Ffestiniog in order to have best access to Snowdon, Cadair Idris, Tryfan and the Glyder peaks, for the top hiking routes in Snowdonia. However, on this occasion, the objective was a car shoot so the aforementioned peaks merely acted as stunning backdrops.
Determined to catch the first light, I made the most of the quiet early morning roads and put my foot down to reach Capel Curig in time for the sun to blast through the valley and cast beautiful reflections upon Llynnau Mymbyr. This spot is a photographer’s dream, the starting point for many scenic hikes and home to one of the most stunning roads through Snowdonia.
Day 2: Scenic Drives
Snowdonia is not just about towering peaks; it's a mosaic of diverse landscapes and incredible mountain roads. As the objective for this weekend was to photograph a car, we made the most of the winding roads from Tryfan - in the heart of Snowdonia, all the way to Black Rock Sands - on the coast, photographing rollers as we traversed Pen-y-Pass and twisted through Eryri valley.
The ever-changing weather added drama to the landscape, with misty veils revealing and concealing the mountain's grandeur. Each click of the shutter immortalized the dynamic nature of the region, leaving behind a visual chronicle of a weekend well-spent
Closing Thoughts
When the weather is on your side, Snowdonia is the ideal location for landscape and automotive photography. Although the key to my photographic style is to focus on the moments in between - ones that document authentic emotions and scenes between friends that would otherwise go unnoticed. On this particular trip, I was shooting with two other creators and we found an old bus stop in the middle of nowhere, that most people would have just driven past.
However, there is something nostalgic about this scene that made me want to capture it. Perhaps it’s the old wooden frame, or the fact Snowdonia holds a place in my history, or even just the interplay of light and shadow. Whatever it is, nostalgia is such a unique feeling and one that can be hard to portray, but for me the image below feels uniquely personal.
For any photographer seeking inspiration and a canvas of diverse landscapes, a weekend in Snowdonia is a trip worth taking. The memories captured here will not only fill your portfolio but also remain etched in your heart, serving as a perpetual source of creative energy. So grab your camera gear, pack your raincoat and embark on a visual journey through Snowdonia's timeless allure.
