Bev's life through a lens

A Saddleworth mum has spent almost 1,500 days capturing family life through a camera lens.

Since her exhilarating, life-changing moment of a 12-week scan for her first born, Joseph, Bev Ridyard has documented her family’s life with a photograph every day. 

She clocks up 1,500 days on Wednesday week (20th).

What started as a bit of fun to document her pregnancy ultimately led to a total change in lifestyle for the now mum of two. 

Bev said: "I had so much fun photographing this chapter of my life that it ended up becoming part of our family culture.

"Once Joseph arrived, my world changed even more than I had imagined and life just took on a new meaning. 

"It was Joseph who inspired me to leave my career as Head of Airline Marketing at Manchester Airport and follow my new dream to become a photographer. 

"Inspired by Joseph was born and I have never been happier or more fulfilled in my life!"

Every day, Bev takes the opportunity to capture a memory from that day.

Sometimes it is the mundane, such as the chaos of meal times but others, it's a new milestone, such as taking Joseph and Victoria out for the first time with no buggy.

It’s also given Bev the opportunity to document new traditions that now form a part of her family culture. 

Bev sees no end to this daily challenge.

She added: "Yes, we all have good and bad days, but usually each day is a limiting balance and therefore the ideal time to take the everyday moments which illustrate beautifully and authentically the story of life as a mum. 

"In reality, being a mum isn’t always plain sailing, but that isn’t a reason not to photograph it. 

"It’s really easy to let life pass you by in the mundane of day to day life, but the best part about memories is making them."

As well as photographing families, Bev works hard to empower mothers to take personal responsibility for realising the benefits of being in more photos with their children, documenting their day to day lives on a continuous basis. 

"It bugs me that most mums don’t get in enough photos and I am on a mission to stop this for the sake of our children," added Bev.

"Moreover, what gives us the right to make this decision on their behalf? 

"And it shouldn’t be up the dads to take the photos either - don’t get me started on that one. 

"In reality, I understand it when we say we don’t have time, but if we spent one less minute using our phone for other purposes to instead take just one photo, surely we can all manage that?"

Bev, owner of Inspired By Joseph, describes herself as the helpful mum and Oldham photographer for families who want to preserve memories before they fade.