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Women Photographers Journal is an independent, brand-free sanctuary created to give genuine fine-art photography and atmospheric storytelling the space it deserves. We believe that evocative imagery should be curated with dignity—far away from the frantic noise, transactional ego games, and pressure of social media algorithms.
Each monthly issue functions as a slow, deliberate exhibition. Within these pages, you will discover our signature 7&7 Showcase, celebrating seven distinct visual artists who prioritize soul and emotion over superficial metrics.
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[ My attempt at wildlife photography ]
No matter how long you’ve been photographing, there is always a different approach to explore, a new location to visit, a technique to experiment with or a way of seeing a familiar subject that you hadn’t considered before.
Yesterday I found myself at Glencoyne Bay on the shores of Ullswater. It’s a location many photographers visit for its beautiful views across the lake and surrounding fells, but that wasn’t what had brought me there.
Instead, I was attempting to photograph the swans.
Wildlife photography is something I’m not particularly good at. Give me a landscape and plenty of time to compose a scene and I’m perfectly happy. Ask me to photograph a bird that refuses to stay still and it’s a very different story altogether.
But that was exactly why I wanted to try it.
Not because I expected to come home with incredible wildlife photographs, but because photography remains interesting when we occasionally step outside our comfort zones and allow ourselves to be beginners again.
It’s easy to fall into routines. We all have favourite places, subjects and styles that feel comfortable. There’s nothing wrong with that. Familiarity often helps us create some of our strongest work. I’ve been guilty of falling into this trap.
But sometimes growth begins with curiosity.
It might be photographing in weather you would normally avoid. Visiting a location you’ve passed countless times without stopping. Trying a different focal length. Slowing down. Speeding up. Looking for details instead of grand scenes.
Not every experiment leads to a photograph you’ll treasure, and that’s perfectly fine.
Photography isn’t simply about collecting successful images. It’s about the experiences that happen along the way. The early mornings. The unexpected light. The mistakes that teach us something new. The moments that encourage us to look at the world a little differently.
Some of the most memorable photographic experiences come from following an idea with no real expectation of the outcome. Sometimes you return home with a photograph you love. Other times you return with nothing more than a greater understanding of your craft.
Both have value.
Perhaps that’s why photography remains endlessly rewarding. There is no final destination and no point at which we have learned everything there is to know. We continue evolving as photographers because we continue exploring.
The camera becomes more than a tool for recording what we see. It becomes an invitation to remain curious.
To wander a little further.
To look a little closer.
To pay attention to the details we might otherwise miss.
And often, it is those moments of curiosity that lead us somewhere unexpected.
Not necessarily to the perfect photograph, but to something equally valuable: a fresh perspective, a new idea, or a renewed sense of enjoyment in the process itself.
Sometimes that’s more than enough reason to pick up a camera and head out the door.
Until next time,
Joy
Women Behind the Lens | Helen Metcalf
From the North East of the UK. Helen shoots Landscapes, Nature, Travel and Contemporary and what inspires her. #003
Step Inside the Story
1 Tell us a bit about yourself and when did you become interested in photography
I was always interested in art from a young age, painting and drawing, and later that led me to study graphic design. Other than admiring my Dad’s Zeiss Ikon at an early age (with the bellows lens!) I took photos in my teens to use for art projects, but they were just pretty simple stuff. Remember this was well before mobile phones, let alone camera phones! Fast forward to my early 40’s and I was using my phone camera lots, plus a compact and soon came to realise both had their limitations, so when planning a trip around the North Coast 500 in 2017 I bought my first DSLR, a Nikon 3200. I loved landscapes and seascapes, I did a lot of hillwalking back then and wanted to capture what I saw. This led to gradually upgrading my kit, moving to full frame, then - after a 10 mile hike with the Nikon D800 and an equally heavy Sigma 24-70 lens - switching systems to go mirrorless. I joined group workshops locally and read up on techniques, then during Covid spent a lot of time experimenting with long exposures using grad and ND filters..........
This is just a brief glimpse into the evocative visual world of Helen Metcalf . Her thoughtful approach to fine-art photography represents the exact heart and soul we celebrate here at WPUK.
To read Nickola's full deep-dive interview, explore her complete creative philosophy, and discover the stories behind her images, we politely invite you to read the full feature over in our Substack sanctuary.
Read Helen’s Full Interview Here
Below are a selection of beautiful images by Rachel Cox Photography
Originally from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, Rachel has been passionate about photography for over 30 years, After studying professional photography in the days of film and darkroom printing, she went on to work as a forensic photographer with the West Yorkshire Police before relocating to Cumbria.
Now based at the edge of the Lake District, Rachel is inspired by the landscapes of Cumbria, the Yorkshire Dales and Scotland. Alongside sweeping Scenery, she enjoys photographing local wildlife, including deer, red squirrels and the much - loved Herdwick Sheep.
A self- confessed introvert, Rachel finds inspiration in quiet moments outdoors, where changing light and the natural world shape her photography.
" Photography isn't about technical perfection;
it's about finding a quiet sanctuary in a noisy world. "
Women Behind the Lens | Kelly McDonald
Avid amateur Wildlife/Bird/bug Photographer, exploring the natural world from a wheelchair. #004
1. Tell us a little about yourself and when photography first became part of your life.
I’m a disabled nature photographer from the little seaside town of Skegness, in the county of Lincolnshire, on the East Coast, UK.
Growing up as a child in the 1980s, I was positively surrounded by an extraordinary variety of animals at home......
This is just a brief glimpse into the world of Kelly, a talented wildlife photographer whose passion for nature and thoughtful approach to photography shine through in her work.
Her images capture the beauty, character and stories of the natural world, while her own journey as a wheelchair photographer brings a unique perspective to the way she experiences and photographs wildlife. It’s exactly the kind of passion, creativity and determination we love to celebrate here at WPUK.
To read Kelly’s full interview, discover more about her photography and explore the stories behind her images, we invite you to read the full feature over on our Substack.
Read Kelly’s Full Interview Here
7in7 — SEVEN WAYS OF SEEING
Seven different ways of seeing the world.
7in7 is a celebration of photography by women — bringing together seven photographers and one image from each, creating a small collection of work that is as varied as the women behind the cameras.
From landscapes and wildlife to quiet moments, people, places and everything in between, every issue offers a chance to discover new work, see familiar photographers in a different light and celebrate the many different ways women tell stories through photography.
There are no competitions. No judging. No categories to fit into.
Just seven photographers, seven images and photography worth sharing.
What began as a weekly feature has grown into something more relaxed — a space to pause, look, discover and appreciate the work of women photographers.
This is 7in7.
Seven photographers. Seven images. Photography worth sharing
Seven photographers. Seven images. Photography worth sharing
"All images below can be found on the photographers' respective Instagram pages."
THE MONTHLY PROMPT — SEE DIFFERENTLY
The Monthly Prompt — See Differently
Every month, a new prompt.
A simple idea, a different way of looking, and an invitation to step outside the familiar.
The WPUK Monthly Prompt is an opportunity to pause, explore and make photographs with a little more intention. It might encourage you to look closer, slow down, try something new or simply see an everyday subject in a different way.
The prompt begins over on our Substack, where photographers can share their images, thoughts and interpretations with the WPUK community.
From time to time, a selection of the photographs created from each prompt will also be shared here on the website and across our social channels.
There is no right or wrong interpretation.
Just your way of seeing.
One prompt. Many photographers. Endless interpretations
"All images below can be found on the photographers' respective Instagram pages."
Previous - Issue No 2.
Next - July Issue No 4