The Nick Livesey Experience - A Documentary About Snowdonia’s Leading Mountain Photographer
Nick Livesey is a writer, photographer, mountain leader, and composer living in Snowdonia National Park in Wales. He is also a very grumpy man. But Nick’s life is changing, and for the better. In this new documentary, Nick shares his day and the stories of his life in the only way he knows how, with wit, honesty, and passion. Find out how and why Nick is changing in The Nick Livesey Experience.
Who is Nick Livesey?
The world of photography is full of personalities but when you think of Snowdonia the name that most people think of is Nick Livesey. Known as a mountain man and photographer, he is also infamous as the grumpy waiter from the Moel Siabod Café in Capel Curig.
During lockdown, Nick decided to make some fundamental changes to his life. He left behind the world of the café to focus on a life that would make him happy and allow him to establish an even deeper connection to Eryri.
But what motivates a person to give themselves so completely to just one place? I wanted to find out, so I decided to make a documentary about this legend of Snowdonia. In the film, you’ll discover that there is so much more to this person than just his photography. He’s a writer, a composer, and a mountain guide to name just a few of his talents. Most of all though, you’ll see that while he might still be a little grumpy, he is a person of great positivity, passion, and wit.
Welcome to The Nick Livesey Experience.
My Other Photography Life
In this blog post I discuss my other photographic passion and how it has benefited my landscape photography.
I Can Do That!
My first gig shoot with Big Country.
This website and blog is dedicated to my journey as a landscape photographer. I love the outdoors and photographing it is a passion for me. However, back in 2013 I started photographing gigs at a local venue. It all started with a desk side conversation with a work colleague who was running a music review website called musicmuso.com
He was out reviewing local gigs and posting the write up on his website. As most people know content is king on the web and I suggested that he should have some images to go with his well-crafted words. At the time I was pushing myself to go out more with my camera but those long winter nights aren't exactly conducive to landscape photography so I offered my services.
And so one cold October evening I photographed Big Country at the Exeter Phoenix in Devon. As soon as I started shooting I was hooked! This was a totally different type of photography. While the learning curve was steep I still managed to get some quality images. This was the perfect way to keep my hand in with the camera and since gigs don't often start until after 8pm it didn't interrupt my family or work live.
Getting My Photography Fix
Gary Barlow at Radio One Big Weekend.
Don't get me wrong, I love landscape photography and I'm committed to being a success in it (see my post on The Pain and Joy of Photography Competitions). However, I feel it is important to not only broaden your photographic horizons but to keep on practising (see my blog post of Practising The Craft of Photography). As I work a full time job and I have many family commitments, getting out to shoot landscapes during the week can be problematic. Gig photography gives me that photography fix I need. It has also taught me a LOT about my camera. I can control most of it now without even looking at the camera!
This year I was lucky enough to shoot Radio 1's Big Weekend when it visited Exeter. I photographed Cold Play, Mumford & Sons, and Ellie Goulding to name but a few. It was one hell of an experience but something that I had built up to over a number of years.
If you want to see some more of my music related images please head over to julianbaird.com have a blog over there as well but it's a different style than this one. Where this blog is more of a journal and a way to share information, my music blog is a way to share my latest images.
So do you have two photographic identities? Do you keep them separate? Is it possible to fully immerse yourself in two genres of photography? Let me know in the comments.