Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
After months away from photographing purely for myself, I finally packed the camera gear, loaded the campervan and headed west to County Mayo.
This trip was different. There was no deadline, no pressure to create a certain image and no focus on what an algorithm might want to see. Instead, it was simply about getting outdoors, exploring the coastline and enjoying photography again.
Joining Bernard and Milo, we headed to Achill Island to photograph the sea stacks along the Atlantic Drive. With the weather changing after weeks of clear skies, we had the chance of better conditions and some interesting evening light.
In this video, I share the experience of photographing this incredible part of Ireland, using different compositions, flying the drone and reflecting on why sometimes the best photography happens when you stop worrying about creating content and start photographing for yourself.
Let me know in the comments: do you photograph because you want to, or do you ever feel pressure from social media and deadlines?
Watch until the end to see the final images from Achill Island.
#AchillIsland #LandscapePhotography #IrelandPhotography #WildAtlanticWayπ©
COAST Volume II is now live on Kickstarter! If you'd like to help bring this book to life, I'd be incredibly grateful for your support.
π kickstarter.com/projects/darrenjspoonleyphoto/coast-volume-ii
Thank you, everyone!
Free Resources
π Get the complete FREE Essential Landscape Photography Skills Trilogy (Volumes I, II & III) when you subscribe to my newsletter.
π darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter
π Download your FREE Photography Location Guide
π darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite
π Books & Photography Guides
π COAST (Printed Book)
A collection of my favourite coastal landscape photographs from around Ireland.
π Ireland Photography Location Guides
π darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview
π The Alphabet of Landscape Photography Series
π darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series
π₯ Learn With Me
π₯ Patreon
Exclusive videos, behind-the-scenes content, early access and more.
π patreon.com/darrenjspoonley
π One-to-One Photography Tuition
π darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session
π₯ Photography Workshops
π darrenjspoonley.com/group
π οΈ My Photography Gear
Want to see exactly what I use in the field?
π darrenjspoonley.com/gear-list
You'll find my cameras, lenses, filters, accessories and recommended gear all in one place, alongside free resources, location guides and workshops.
Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. In some cases, you may also receive a discount by using them. Supporting the channel this way helps me continue creating free content.
π Stay Connected
π© Newsletter
darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter
π° Blog & Latest Articles
darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley
π Website
darrenjspoonley.com
π· Instagram
instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto
π Facebook
facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography
π΅ Music I Use
epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0
If you're new to the channel, welcome! Consider subscribing so you don't miss future adventures, photography tutorials and behind-the-scenes videos from around Ireland.
If you enjoyed this video, a like really helps, and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Whether you have a question, some feedback, or simply want to share your own experience, I'll do my best to reply.
After months away from photographing purely for myself, I finally packed the camera gear, loaded the campervan and headed west to County Mayo.
This trip was different. There was no deadline, no pressure to create a certain image and no focus on what an algorithm might want to see. Instead, it was simply about getting outdoors, exploring the coastline and enjoying photography again.
Joining Bernard and Milo, we headed to Achill Island to photograph the sea stacks along the Atlantic Drive. With the weather changing after weeks of clear skies, we had the chance of better conditions and some interesting evening light.
In this video, I share the experience of photographing this incredible part of Ireland, using different compositions, flying the drone and reflecting on why sometimes the best photography happens when you stop worrying about creating content and start photographing for yourself.
Let me know in the comments: do you photograph because you want to, or do you ever feel pressure from social media and deadlines?
Watch until the end to see the final images from Achill Island.
#AchillIsland #LandscapePhotography #IrelandPhotography #WildAtlanticWayπ©
COAST Volume II is now live on Kickstarter! If you'd like to help bring this book to life, I'd be incredibly grateful for your support.
π kickstarter.com/projects/darrenjspoonleyphoto/coast-volume-ii
Thank you, everyone!
Free Resources
π Get the complete FREE Essential Landscape Photography Skills Trilogy (Volumes I, II & III) when you subscribe to my newsletter.
π darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter
π Download your FREE Photography Location Guide
π darrenjspoonley.com/store-darrenjspoonley/photography-location-guide-lite
π Books & Photography Guides
π COAST (Printed Book)
A collection of my favourite coastal landscape photographs from around Ireland.
π Ireland Photography Location Guides
π darrenjspoonley.com/locationguidesoverview
π The Alphabet of Landscape Photography Series
π darrenjspoonley.com/alphabet-series
π₯ Learn With Me
π₯ Patreon
Exclusive videos, behind-the-scenes content, early access and more.
π patreon.com/darrenjspoonley
π One-to-One Photography Tuition
π darrenjspoonley.com/one-2-one-private-tuition-session
π₯ Photography Workshops
π darrenjspoonley.com/group
π οΈ My Photography Gear
Want to see exactly what I use in the field?
π darrenjspoonley.com/gear-list
You'll find my cameras, lenses, filters, accessories and recommended gear all in one place, alongside free resources, location guides and workshops.
Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. In some cases, you may also receive a discount by using them. Supporting the channel this way helps me continue creating free content.
π Stay Connected
π© Newsletter
darrenjspoonley.com/newsletter
π° Blog & Latest Articles
darrenjspoonley.com/blog-darrenjspoonley
π Website
darrenjspoonley.com
π· Instagram
instagram.com/darrenjspoonleyphoto
π Facebook
facebook.com/darrenjspoonleyphotography
π΅ Music I Use
epidemicsound.com/referral/5b24o0
If you're new to the channel, welcome! Consider subscribing so you don't miss future adventures, photography tutorials and behind-the-scenes videos from around Ireland.
If you enjoyed this video, a like really helps, and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Whether you have a question, some feedback, or simply want to share your own experience, I'll do my best to reply.
