6/12 June Moments

A Little Look Back Over June in my creative world

What’s Included in this post

• Welcome

• June Recap

• Beach Textures – Aldeburgh

• Solstice Sunrise – Shingle Street

• Work Projects

• Monthly Favourites

June brought a mix of creative bursts, quiet moments, and long days filled with work and sunshine. While the heat and schedule kept me close to home more than usual, there were still a few opportunities to pause, notice, and capture. Here’s a look at the moments that stood out, both personally and professionally.

Hello & Welcome

Over the past week or two, I’ve seen a lot of new followers and subscribers after posting more regularly on my Notes. So I thought it’d be a good time to re-introduce myself.

I’m Matt, a graphic designer and photographer based in Suffolk, England. Most of what I share here is about my personal photography practice, with a bit of my commercial work and other art-related content mixed in.

---

June Moments

June was a busy month. With the heat and a packed work schedule, I didn’t get out with my camera as much as I’d hoped. Honestly, I’ve been a little photoed out after so many shoots. This time of year always gets intense with menu changes, which means lots of food photography and design work. These shoots are pretty involved as we handle both the styling and the photography. A few highlights from that are included below.

Still, I managed to get out for a few personal moments, camera in hand. Some of these images are more abstract and wouldn’t suit my work portfolio, but creatively, they meant a lot. I also made a trip to the coast for the summer solstice and picked out a few of my favourite images from June.

Beach Textures – Aldeburgh

While out on a work trip to Aldeburgh, I took a moment to walk along the beach. Most of the images that day were for work, but I managed to take a few just for myself. I noticed I was drawn to particular patterns, a recurring theme in my personal work.

This practice of noticing began for me back in school during art class. It’s something I’ve worked on over the years, and now it comes more naturally. There’s an art to it, a way of really seeing.

What caught my attention were the textures and shapes: ropes, rusted metal, wildflowers. The contrast between man-made objects and the natural landscape is powerful. These remnants of the town’s vibrant fishing past, scattered across the shingle beach, make for fascinating photographic subjects.

Summer Solstice Sunrise – Shingle Street

I’ve been avoiding early shoots lately. The hot weather and a hectic schedule haven’t helped, but I made an exception for the summer solstice.

I went to Shingle Street to catch the sunrise, along with quite a few others who had the same idea. I spent some time photographing the waves and the morning light before heading inland.

This stretch of the coast is rich in wildflowers and is a scientifically recognised habitat. One plant that really stood out was the Sea Campion. Low to the ground, I had to get right down on the shingle to frame it with a nearby cottage in the background. It reminded me of a shot I took of oxeye daisies last year.

After that, I followed the Suffolk Coast Path, taking in small vignettes: rusted winches, a tucked-away seating area, more wildflowers. These little moments capture the atmosphere of the coast. I know many others photograph these same details, but each person brings a different perspective when they capture them.

Coastal Vignettes

Work Photoshoots

June was packed with commercial work, primarily focused on new menu launches at several hotels. I did two full shoots for one location and two more for others, along with plenty of editing afterward. It was a full-on but rewarding month.

---

Monthly Favourites

Here are a few things that stood out to me this month:

Dept Q (Netflix UK)

Wow, what a series. I was gripped from the start.

I would fully recommend it to anyone who likes a mystery thriller style series. The twists and turns of this show take you from thinking you know who is behind the crime, to someone else that could have been a suspect but was unseemingly not until they are revealed. This show is good from start to finish. Worth watching if you have Netflix, this will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout.

My Week With… Maggie Hambling (Sky Arts)

A brilliant documentary following artist Maggie Hambling, hosted by Kate Bryan. They travel from Turin to London and Suffolk, exploring Hambling’s work, inspiration, and exhibitions.
We’re lucky to have one of her sculptures on Aldeburgh beach, and it was fascinating to hear her talk about the sea’s role in her work. The movement, power, and texture of the waves all deeply influence her creative process. This was well worth watching.

Colour Shape Pattern – Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich

It’s been a while since I visited an exhibition, and this one reminded me just how much I enjoy them.

“Colour Shape Pattern” is a brilliant mix of works from the Ipswich collection, including pieces by John Constable, Thomas Gainsborough, David Hockney, and Josef Albers. It explores art through the lens of colour, form, and pattern, covering a wide range of styles and time periods.

As a landscape photographer, I’ve always admired Constable and Gainsborough. Their studies of light and colour continue to inspire my own work. The exhibition also features a striking centrepiece by a contemporary local artist, inspired by her travels to Lagos, Nigeria. Her series of four wall-to-ceiling paintings of tropical birds, full of vibrant colour and bold patterns, draws from the region’s textile traditions.

---

Thanks for taking the time to read. Let me know your thoughts and which images stood out to you. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out, and I’ll be happy to answer.

See my more recent work and follow me on Instagram @mattt_finch

Matt