This week, Katy Pilkington shares some of her favourite photographs.

Katy, who lives in Sutton, has always loved taking pictures but her passion for photography grew when she became a mum.

Here, in our latest Behind The Lens showcase, Katy tells us how the hobby has developed over the past few years and about her photography business.

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Click here to join St Helens Star Camera Club.

When and why did you take up photography?

I’ve always loved taking photos, even as a little girl but my passion came for it when I had my first child in 2012. I started taking pictures of him daily which led to me getting my first DSLR camera and completing some online courses. From this, I started to photograph friends and family and started my own little photography business - Katy Alexandria Photography. This has grown over the past few years when I decided I wanted it to be more than a hobby. I now photograph weddings, corporate events, and do portraits in my studio. ‘'m very proud of how much I have progressed from when I first started in 2012.

What do you love about taking pictures?

It sounds cheesy but I love capturing a memory. I don’t have many photos of my grandparents and I think photographs are so important to look back on. I love taking pictures out in nature and candid photos are my favourite. I love when someone is just enjoying a beautiful moment and I manage to get it on camera.

Where is your favourite place to take pictures and why?

It’s quite simple but my favourite place to take photos is my garden. I’m very lucky to have a large garden that backs onto a nature reserve, so I’m surrounded by beautiful trees and wildlife. I take most photos of my children in our garden and last year I welcomed other families to my garden so they could enjoy a family photoshoot in private, where it is a lovely, relaxed environment. These included a mother celebrating her breastfeeding journey, which was beautiful to be part of.

What is your favourite subject matter and why?

People are my favourite subject. I have regular customers that come to me every Christmas and it’s crazy how much their children change in a year. I have photographed many different faces and I love that no image is the same. I feel blessed that I get to capture so many important moments in people’s lives and the emotions that they are feeling at that specific time, especially at wedding. It’s so rewarding. I also love architecture. We have some lovely buildings in St Helens and the surrounding area that I’ve had the pleasure of photographing at such as The Town Hall, Rainhill Hall and Knowsley Registry office.

What do you enjoy about being part of our Camera Club on Facebook?

I really love the camera club community. It’s so nice to see the different range of styles and everyone is so supportive. I don’t share much of my professional work in there just personal photos I have taken on my phone usually but the feedback is always lovely. It’s great to see different areas of our town through other people’s perspective.

If you could photograph anyone/any place/anything, who/what would it be?

If I could photograph anything, I’d love to be able to take my camera and go to see the Northern Lights. I had a little taster of it last year when we could see them over St Helens but I’d love to go see them properly.