.png)
While photographer Paula Duck’s career has taken her to London and Toronto, she found inspiration for her latest venture a bit closer to home – on the streets of York.
After spending most of her working life behind the camera, Paula decided to expand her commercial brand photography business so she could help others to stretch their creative legs.
So, she teamed up with North Yorkshire business Uniquely Local to turn her business into an experience.
Paula now runs York Photo Walks, which shows budding photographers how they can learn to see artistically while walking through the city with their camera.
“As you look carefully at a scene, you stop and become more aware of your surroundings,” says Paula, whose love of photography was sparked by an album cover when she was 17. “It can be a very mindful process. The idea is to find that wonderful angle and composition in the creation of the picture.
“I love being able to pass on my knowledge, and help people to see more creatively. With more of us reflecting on where we are in terms of our work-life balance, I really believe that having time to learn something creative while connecting with this beautiful city can be a rewarding experience.”
Each Photo Walk starts at a popular landmark in the city and follows a route specially selected for both its historic interest and great vantage points for taking photos.
And you don’t need a fancy camera to join a walk – many people use the camera on their phone.
Paula adds: “We chat along the way about what we’re seeing, from the abbey ruins in Museum Gardens to the trees along the river, and explore together how to improve composition along with a variety of other tips and tricks.
“In such a beautiful city, there’s always lots to talk about with the buildings, the squirrels and the excitement of being out in the busy streets with your camera. And all the time we are encouraging you to see the world with an artistic eye.”
Since partnering with Uniquely Local, which offers hand-picked gift experiences in Yorkshire, Paula has seen her side hustle flourish. She is able to reach a much wider audience and attract visitors from around the UK – and beyond.
Paula adds: “Being part of a truly local platform really enables you to feel valued as a small business. And working with the Uniquely Local team has provided plenty of opportunities to showcase what the walks have to offer.
“Uniquely Local are wonderful to work with and have a genuine understanding of how to engage with the experience audience.”
Paula’s most popular events are the bitesize one-hour walks, which cost £20 per person.
“The feedback is that this gives great value for money,” explains Paula. “They’ve proven to be very popular with York residents, who often book again to experience the walks at different times of year.
“It has been a real privilege to meet such a wide variety of people from all over the world on the walks over the last couple of years, sharing my love of the city and photography with them.”
Rachel Marshall, founder of Uniquely Local, adds: “Paula's photography walks are a fantastic example of a unique local experience that encourages people to visit York and learn a new skill – and all while exploring iconic landmarks like York Minster, the city walls and the Shambles.
“Along with discovering local history, you also learn practical tips and tricks to capture stunning images with your own camera. It invites people to see the city from a new perspective.
“At Uniquely Local, we’re passionate about showing people how to have exciting experiences on their own doorstep. You don't have to travel to fancy destinations to have adventures; there's plenty to do locally, especially in Yorkshire.”
Rachel and the team can collaborate with local businesses to help them create unique, locally-focused experiences. By working closely together, they can provide guidance on pricing, packaging and how to structure the experience to attract the right audience.
They can also help to create bespoke experiences that not only appeal to customers, but also align with the business' strengths.
“Anyone can become an experience provider and earn a bit of extra money through a side hustle,” adds Rachel. “If you have a passion for something, you can turn it into an experience. Whether you’re aiming to attract tourists, locals or corporate clients, we can help design an experience plan that works for you.
“From crafting the offer to promoting it effectively, Uniquely Local takes the guesswork out of launching a successful experience.”
For details of Paula’s one-hour photo walk and her other York Photo Walks, visit: www.uniquelylocal.co.uk/experiences/york-museum-gardens-one-hour-photo-walk
Discover more valuable tips on how to turn your business into an experience at: uniquelylocal.co.uk/how-to-become-anexperience-provider
Comments