Snapshot: So Victoria

Victoria Beddoes is a Digital Marketing and Communications Officer, professional photographer and author of the award-winning home and lifestyle blog called So Victoria. It was 26 years before the Bromsgrove-based blogger first discovered Winterbourne – and now she can’t stop coming back.

“My progression to professional photography was a long journey. I studied photography at university but found myself frustrated with the dark room and didn’t really pick up a camera for ten years. I started to explore digital photography and share my images on Instagram and then enquiries started to roll in. As my client list grew, so did my determination to move from photography as a hobby, to a career.”

Passiflora caerulea, photograph by Victoria Beddoes, Snapshot So Victoria, Winterbourne House and Garden, Digging for Dirt

Passiflora caerulea, photograph by Victoria Beddoes

“My photographic style is very much inspired by natural elements – light, colour and texture. My images are feminine and soft, I like to capture the world in a way that makes me appreciate the beauty that is in my life. I love the challenge of photographing plants. As a natural light photographer, working with the elements is an aspect I particularly enjoy.”

Winterbourne House and the Walled Garden, photograph by Victoria Beddoes, Snapshot So Victoria, Winterbourne House and Garden, Digging for Dirt

Winterbourne House and the Walled Garden, photograph by Victoria Beddoes

“The light can be constantly changing, and every single plant is unique. I always feel it’s important to focus on what you want to capture about a particular plant and embrace the light and weather conditions. These images were taken in the same week of September, one year apart. It was so wonderful to revisit plants that I’d photographed the year previously and see how dramatically different they looked.”

Cyclamen hederifolium, photograph by Victoria Beddoes, Snapshot So Victoria, Winterbourne House and Garden, Digging for Dirt

Cyclamen hederifolium, photograph by Victoria Beddoes

So Victoria is my blog – an ode to all that I enjoy. The blog informs and inspires others to celebrate and embrace their lives and to enjoy living by focusing on what makes you happy. I think blogs like mine can help spread awareness of beautiful gardens, but also offer new ways of appreciating them by sharing moments of beauty that hopefully inspire others to come and enjoy it for themselves.”

Copper pans in the Old Kitchen, photograph by Victoria Beddoes, Snapshot So Victoria, Winterbourne House and Garden, Digging for Dirt

Copper pans in the Old Kitchen, photograph by Victoria Beddoes

“I am passionate about celebrating Birmingham and there is so much to share! From incredible places to dine, to soul-soothing, historically-rich experiences like Winterbourne. I feel like I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of what a rewarding place Birmingham is to live. I really feel that the second city is going from strength to strength and I love being able to shout about it.”

The Walled Garden, photograph by Victoria Beddoes, Snapshot So Victoria, Winterbourne House and Garden, Digging for Dirt

The Walled Garden, photograph by Victoria Beddoes

“I first discovered Winterbourne through a friend who visits regularly and I couldn’t believe that I’d missed out on such a beautiful spot for so many years. Whenever I visit, I always gravitate to the Walled Garden. I think it represents a place where the home meets the garden and the sense of purpose and history of the house and garden seems so vivid.”

Tomatoes in The Walled Garden, photograph by Victoria Beddoes, Snapshot So Victoria, Winterbourne House and Garden, Digging for Dirt

Tomatoes in The Walled Garden, photograph by Victoria Beddoes

“Winterbourne is so inspiring in so many ways. Seeing how the garden changes with the seasons helps me to think about my own garden and how I can bring a little bit of Winterbourne to my home. This summer, I planted lots of new plants purchased from Winterbourne and I’ve even started to tend my own veg patch!”

Dahlias in The Walled Garden, photograph by Victoria Beddoes, Snapshot So Victoria, Winterbourne House and Garden, Digging for Dirt

Dahlias in The Walled Garden, photograph by Victoria Beddoes

“I visit Winterbourne every few weeks because it’s just the perfect spot to relax.  Once inside the garden, you would never know you were in the city. Just sitting and enjoying the plants and flowers and the wildlife they attract is my ideal way of creating balance. Ensuring spaces like Winterbourne are available for future generations to enjoy is so important.”


Got a favourite? There’s more than one way to dig it! Let us know using the comments box below or share on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter using the icons at the top of the page.

3 Thoughts on Snapshot: So Victoria

  1. Marianne

    Reply

    I’m impressed by the passiflora caerulea. It’s exotic and beatiful.
    Winterbourne House and Garden looks like a peaceful paradise. I would love to visit it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *