Whilst most people enjoy a wander, I’m busy wondering what stories those old stones could tell and trying to capture a little bit of their character. Everyone has their quirks, I suppose.

A bit of history, a lot of curiosity

North Wales is ridiculously good for castles. Harlech, Caernarfon, Dolbadarn, Flint and Dinas Bran all offer something special for anyone who loves Welsh history and photography.

It’s not just about photographing an impressive building. It’s about the stories behind the stones, the architecture, the surrounding landscape and the thought that these places have witnessed centuries of change.

And now there’s me, standing there wondering whether moving three feet to the left will improve my composition.

History really has come a long way.

What I love is having a reason to slow down and take everything in. The details in the stonework, the shape of an old doorway or the way a castle sits within the landscape can be just as interesting as the structure itself.

Give me some interesting light and a bit of atmosphere, and I’m happy. Although, what starts as a quick wander can easily turn into an afternoon disappearing behind a camera.

A completely unnecessary medieval cat investigation

Now, you’d think that with all these castles, centuries of Welsh history and architectural details to think about, my brain would have plenty to keep it occupied.

Apparently not.

Somewhere along the way, I randomly found myself thinking about medieval cat paintings.

Yes, cats. Paintings. Medieval ones.

And more specifically, why on earth so many of them look like the artist had been shown a cat once, possibly from a great distance, during a thunderstorm, and then asked to recreate it entirely from memory.

Honestly, some of these cats look less like beloved household pets and more like they’ve just been summoned from the underworld to collect an overdue tax payment.

Is it a cat? Is it a tiny, angry medieval goblin? Has it come to tell me the harvest has failed?

Nobody knows.

Imagine commissioning a beautiful painting in the Middle Ages, expecting something elegant to hang on your wall, only to end up with a cat that looks like it’s about to challenge you to a duel over a particularly disappointing bowl of milk.

And why do they all look so deeply concerned? What did they know that we didn’t?

Perhaps they were guarding ancient secrets. Perhaps medieval life was so stressful that even the cats had seen enough. Or perhaps the artist simply wasn’t very good at cats.

I don’t have the answers, but I now have questions that nobody asked me to investigate.

The really worrying part is that I was supposed to be writing about Welsh castles and photography. Instead, my brain had apparently opened an entirely separate historical research department dedicated to terrifying feline artwork.

Somewhere, a perfectly respectable blog about medieval architecture was being abandoned whilst I mentally interrogated a painted cat with the face of a man who’s just discovered his kingdom has run out of biscuits.

Anyway.

Back to the castles.

Just five more minutes…

I’ll tell myself I’m going to take a few photographs and get on with the rest of the day.

Then I’ll find a composition I like, take the shot and convince myself there’s probably a better one just around the corner.

Before I know it, I’ve taken 147 photographs and still haven’t decided which one I like best.

Will anyone else notice the difference between them? Probably not.

Will I spend the evening going through them anyway? Absolutely.

It’s all part of the fun, though. Photography gives me a different way to experience places I’m already fascinated by, whilst my interest in history gives me even more reason to explore them.

A simple afternoon out suddenly involves spare batteries, snacks and a vague understanding of medieval politics.

And, apparently, an unsolicited investigation into whether medieval cats were actually cats.

It’s a hard life.

More than just a photograph

For me, it’s the combination of history, creativity and curiosity that makes exploring North Wales so enjoyable.

These castles are part of Wales’s story. Thinking about the people who built them, lived around them and witnessed the changes that followed gives the experience another dimension.

I’m not just interested in what a place looks like today; I’m fascinated by the history that sits behind it. Photography gives me a way to connect those two interests and create something that’s personal to me.

And that’s what keeps me coming back.

Add a speciality coffee stop into the mix, and I’m not sure the day could get much better.

Give me a castle, a camera and a few hours to get completely distracted, and I’m happy.

I’ll come home with a head full of history, a memory card full of photographs and absolutely no idea where the afternoon went.

Although there’s now a very real possibility I’ll spend the evening editing castle photographs whilst Googling medieval cats.

Because apparently, even when you’re trying to appreciate the history of Wales, your brain can still decide the most pressing historical mystery is why a cat painted 600 years ago looks like it knows where the bodies are buried.

Now, where’s that coffee? I’ve got photographs to edit. And possibly some deeply unsettling cats to investigate.

Sometimes, picking up a camera leads to opportunities you never expected. And recently, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing just that.

When you think of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, what comes to mind? Fire engines, flashing blue lights and firefighters responding to emergencies?

But there’s so much more happening behind the scenes, and I’ve recently had the fantastic opportunity to capture some of it through my photography.

More Than Just Blue Lights and Fire Engines

One of the things I love most about photography is capturing the moments people don’t always notice.

A laugh between colleagues, a conversation with a member of the public or the atmosphere of a community event. They’re small moments, but they often tell the biggest stories.

Through my recent involvement with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, I’ve been able to see and photograph another side of the organisation. The people, the teamwork and the community spirit that make such a difference.

And that’s what makes this opportunity so rewarding.

It’s Not Just About Taking a Photograph

I’ve always believed that a great photograph should do more than simply look good on social media.

It should tell a story, capture a feeling or help an organisation showcase the incredible people behind what they do.

That’s something I’ve become even more passionate about through my event and community photography.

For me, it’s about capturing genuine moments rather than just perfectly posed photographs. Sometimes, the best shot is the one nobody even realises you’re taking!

An Opportunity I’m Proud to Be Part Of

Getting involved with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been an exciting experience and another fantastic step in my photography journey.

It’s given me the chance to meet new people, experience different environments and continue developing my passion for capturing real moments.

I’d also like to say a huge thank you to everyone at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service who has welcomed me and allowed me to be involved so far.

I’m genuinely grateful and excited to see what opportunities lie ahead.

Because, at the end of the day, photography isn’t just about the camera or the photographs you take.

It’s about the people you meet, the experiences you have and the stories you get to tell along the way.

And sometimes, the best stories are found behind the uniform.

Welcome to my new blog. I’ll be sharing with you tips and tricks on photography, editing and my general day-to-day shenanigans! Watch this space!

Adam