One recce down, one to go for the proposed photography holidays; it’s the first time of visiting this part of Italy, and the area that I’m going to, Cilento, sits within a national park, my expectations are high. I was drawn here by my friend who lives here and runs her own wedding business, http://www.italybrideandgroom.com/ For brides, this area must be a dream; blue seas lined by beautiful beaches in a quiet intimate town with a wedding meal at a restaurant perched high above the coast in the hilltop town of Castellabate, more about this town later.

Santa Maria, Cilento, Italy

Though as a photography location or an area for Healing with Photography holidays, is it right? That’s what I’m here to find out. As the plane descended into Naples airport, after an absence for me from Italy of four years, I crane my neck to look out of the window and get a glimpse of my beloved island of Capri. As it came into sight tears pricked my eyes, it felt so good to be back after all this time apart.

I arrived at sunset so daylight the following morning was to reveal the secrets of Castellabate and Cilento. A flat coastline, long sandy beaches, lidos – wooden built cafes – lining the beaches and small harbours revealed possible photo locations.

I decide that the high hills that surround the coastal town of Santa Maria probably hold the real magic of the Cilento area. The hilltop town of Castellabate, with its castle, beguiling alleyways and views across the countryside, captured my imagination and I spent a good few hours exploring around here and taking photos. It wasn’t only my imagination that was fired by this town, a film crew were here too making a sequel to the Italian film Benvenuto al Sud. I have a real soft spot for this little town and the restaurant Belvedere, with its delicious food and wonderful views over the bay and the Amalfi coast below. Read More→

Ruth Bayley

Living in the beautiful rural county of Yorkshire it was perhaps natural for Ruth to have an affinity with the countryside and its wildlife. Creativity is Ruth’s driving force finding an outlet in television & radio she worked for many years as producer for BBC & ITV.

However a love of photography and for being surrounded by nature called her to go back to her photography training and bring pleasure and joy to people through her connection with our planet.

Staying in the moment when taking her images allows her to experience the natural magnificence unfolding before her eyes. It is this moment of mediation, of gratitude, that she evocatively conveys through her images.

www.healingwithphotography.co.uk