Behind The Camera with Sidmouth photographer Kyle Baker

A 22-year-old Sidmouth man has turned his passion for photography and nature into a career.

Sidmouth Nub News editor Joe Bulmer caught up with Kyle Baker between photo shoots this week to find out how he did it.

Kyle, who is also a volunteer crew member on Sidmouth Lifeboat, showed an interest in photography and video from an early age but it was not until he studied Photography and Media Studies at Sidmouth College that Kyle decided he wanted to become a professional photographer and videographer.

"I always had an interest in photography and content creation," said Kyle, who also work part-time at Sidmouth Print.

"The courses I took at Sidmouth College helped me realise I do have a talent for photography and that fuelled my desire to do more."

During his A-Levels Kyle set up social media pages to advertise his work and begun taking on photography jobs to help him get through his A-Levels.

After Kyle finished his A-Levels he did not fancy going to university so instead he contacted the Prince's Trust.

Kyle took part in one of the trust's enterprise courses which gave him training on business planning, marketing, sales, budgeting and tax.

After completing the course Kyle was assigned a business mentor for two years. Kyle met with his business mentor once a month throughout those two years.

"The Prince's Trust gave me everything I needed to turn my passion into a profession," said Kyle.

"It was down to me to get things rolling but what I learned helped me to be more creative with my work with a professional approach to the business side of things."

Kyle has a strong passion and a distinctive style for all aspects of photography and videography including events, weddings, portraits, commercial, product marketing, nightscapes and surfscapes.

"The landscape and surfing work is the other side of my job and I love being out in the elements," said Kyle.

"Surf photography is a niche area and being in the sea gives you shots that can't get from the shore. I love finding different views and sharing them with people.

"I have my own style, especially with my landscapes, but it varies with every job. Often with commercial shoots I'm working to a brief, which I am happy to do. It's great working in the South West, there's always work out there if you go looking for it."

Kyle is based in Sidmouth but is happy to travel across the South West for his work.

You will often see Kyle walking the coastal paths and walking trails in the area looking for places and environments he has not photographed before.

He recently came across the Alma Field wild flower meadow on Salcombe Hill while out walking and could not resist the opportunity to capture the moment.

Kyle's work has been exhibited at Kennaway House, The Beehive in Honiton and at numerous craft fairs and local events.

If you would like to find out more you can ring Kyle direct on 07792 193936 or click the red button below for more information.

All images courtesy of Kyle Baker Photography.

Image Two: Golden Harp.

Image Four: Kyle's first wave photo.

Image Six: Sidmouth Rock Islands.

Image Eight: Sidmouth.

Image Ten: Alma Field wildflower meadow, Salcombe Hill.