Capturing the Colours of July: My Photo Challenge

July has been a whirlwind of activity. With event photography taking over most weekends and editing keeping me busy during the week, you’d think I wouldn’t have time for much else. But no matter how hectic life gets, I never skip my daily dog walks. This month, those walks became the perfect chance to take part in my Capturing the Colours of July photo challenge.

Armed with my trusty Google Pixel phone, I headed out with my scruffy companions to explore local parks, trails, and green spaces. The mission was simple – to celebrate the colour, life, and beauty of summer through photography.

A Closer Look at Summer’s Palette

This month’s challenge focused on capturing nature in full bloom. One of my early finds was the delicate Enchanter’s Nightshade. Its tiny white flowers are lovely, but they soon give way to green sticky buds – which, as any dog owner knows, are a nightmare to remove from furry coats. It’s a love-hate relationship.

Another highlight was the Epilobium, alive with colour and buzzing bees. As it begins to fade, it leaves behind whimsical seed pods that float like giant dandelion clocks, carpeting the ground with fluffy white “snow.”

I also spotted early signs of seasonal change. Horse chestnut trees were already starting to form their signature conkers, hinting that autumn isn’t far off.

Unexpected Beauty Around Every Corner

Throughout the month, I captured a wide range of flora:

The tall, striking foxglove
Fluffy pink blooms of Spiraea Salicifolia
Wild field roses, adding a romantic touch to the hedgerows
The unusually named Nipplewort, bringing splashes of yellow
And sweet wild raspberries, which were as delicious as they were photogenic

Each walk was filled with something new – colours, textures, and small wonders that might be missed if you weren’t looking for them. That’s the joy of this kind of challenge. It encourages you to slow down, pay attention, and really notice the changing landscape.

Looking Ahead

Capturing the Colours of July has been a refreshing and joyful creative break from my client work. It reminded me that some of the best subjects are the ones waiting just outside your door. I’m already looking forward to what August will bring – new colours, new textures, and more little surprises from the natural world.