My Life Through a Lens: Jodie Beardmore
We’ve been asking asking North East-based photographers to open up their archives and select two handfuls of images which encapsulate life as they’ve captured it
Originally from Dewsbury in West Yorkshire and now based in Chester-le-Street, Jodie Beardmore’s journey into photography began simply enough. “I remember using a really basic handheld camera when I was still in high school,” she says. “Nothing technical or polished, but I think that’s where it started.”
Creativity had always been there - she “used to draw a lot” growing up - but photography quickly became something more meaningful. “Finding photography, and art more broadly, genuinely helped me figure out who I was,” she explains. “It gave me a sense of direction and something that felt like mine.”
As a teenager, she began experimenting more seriously, drawn not just to taking pictures but to the possibilities they held. “Early on, I was really drawn to more conceptual, otherworldly work,” she says, citing Brooke Shaden as a major influence. “Her work definitely shaped how I think about photography - not just as documentation, but as a way to create something more imaginative and emotionally driven.”
That idea of photography as storytelling has stayed with her ever since.
For a long time, though, it remained alongside a more traditional career. Jodie worked in marketing while building her photography as a freelance pursuit on the side - a balance shaped in part by circumstance. “Growing up without a safety net, I think I naturally leaned towards what felt secure,” she says.
But experience forced a rethink. “After being made redundant in previous roles, I realised that stability isn’t always what it seems,” she explains. “At that point, taking the risk to go freelance didn’t feel as risky anymore.”
With the support of her partner, she made the leap, and found that the two strands of her work naturally fed into each other. “Marketing actually grew out of my photography,” she says. “I started by promoting my own work and saw real traction.” That momentum led to featuring in publications including the British Journal of Photography and even a magazine cover in Austria.
Now, alongside her photography, she runs her own business, Shutter & Strategy, offering marketing, social media and brand support. “The two sides of my work really complement each other,” she says.
At the heart of it all, though, is people. “People, always,” she says, when asked what she’s best at photographing. “Whether that’s portraits, headshots or events, I love capturing personality and those more natural, in-between moments.”
Her ability to connect is key to that. “I’m very approachable and good at putting people at ease, which makes a huge difference,” she says. “When someone feels relaxed, the images are always better.”
There’s also a clear thread of imagination running through her work. “You’re not just getting a standard photograph,” she says. “You’re getting something with a bit more depth and individuality behind it.” It’s an approach that leans into atmosphere and the slightly unusual - something she’s keen to explore further.
“I love the idea of creating an otherworldly shoot,” she says. “I’m really drawn to historic venues, castles, places with a sense of history and atmosphere.” That interest feeds into a personal project she hopes to return to, exploring ghost stories across the UK, a natural extension of her interest in narrative and place.
Not everything comes as instinctively. “Product and food photography feels much more controlled and less instinctive than working with people… it’s something I want to push myself on.”
For aspiring photographers, her advice is simple but telling:
Focus on how something feels, not just how it looks
Learn to observe properly - don’t rush the moment
Build confidence in your approach, not just your camera skills
Jodie’s series Traces will be exhibited at Hartlepool Art Gallery as part of the Resilience exhibition from May to June 2026.
You can follow Jodie on Instagram here: @jbeardmorephoto_
1. Drawn to moments where performance and reality blur, this image captures something slightly surreal and unexpected, where energy, movement and atmosphere come together to create a sense of theatre.
2. I’m always interested in photographing the in-between, where things feel slightly offbeat or heightened. This image reflects that balance between control and chaos, with just enough unpredictability to hold attention.
3. This image leans into texture and layering, creating something more interpretive than literal. I’m interested in how photographs can evoke feelings rather than just show, allowing space for different interpretations.
4. There’s a strong sense of narrative here, even if it’s not fully defined. I’m drawn to images that suggest a story without needing to explain everything, leaving room for imagination.
5. This moment feels instinctive and unpolished in the best way. I’m always looking for images that don’t feel overly constructed, where the energy of the scene naturally carries the photograph.
6. I’m particularly drawn to environments that already hold character. This image reflects that, using the setting as more than a backdrop, instead of letting it shape the mood and direction.
7. There’s a tension here between stillness and movement that I find really compelling. Capturing that balance is often what takes an image beyond documentation into something more expressive.
8. This image reflects my interest in the slightly unusual. I’m less interested in perfect compositions and more in moments that feel distinctive, where something unexpected shifts the frame.
9. Atmosphere plays a big role in my work. Here, light, space and subject come together to create something that feels immersive, drawing you into the scene rather than just observing it.
10. At its core, this image is about feeling. Whether that’s energy, intimacy or tension, I’m always aiming to create work that resonates beyond the surface and stays with you.