Debbie has always enjoyed photographing friends and family at various occasions and admits she can’t remember a time when she didn’t have a camera in-hand. But it was when she left school and began working in Jago and Jago, the former chemists on Molesworth Street - which also happened to sell cameras and process film alongside the pharmacy - that her passion really began.

“I found it all really interesting and learnt a lot there, especially when we started doing one-hour film processing in-store, which was very exciting for the town at the time,” she told Wadebridge Life. “I’ve had no formal photography training so am reluctant to call myself a photographer, but people seem to like what I do. A few years ago I started selling a small range of local greetings cards and my little business has gradually grown from there.”

With a focus on the North Cornwall area and due to popular demand, Debbie's product range has expanded over the years from photo prints and cards. Today, many of her images are featured on homewares and stationery products, and she even has her own shelf in Winifred and Mabel. Beach shops in the local area also stock her cards and calendars for those holidaying in the area wanting to take home a memento of their visit.

“It’s hard not to be inspired by the beautiful area we live in,” Debbie continued. “Whether it’s a short drive to the coast for a beautiful sunset, or just a mooch around the river in Wadebridge, there is always something that inspires me to get my camera out. We have the beautiful Seven Bays in one direction and Polzeath, Daymer and Rock in the other, so often the most difficult decision I have to make is, which beach do I head to today!

“I think maybe it is a photographer’s curse that you start seeing everything as a potential image, so you rarely get a relaxing walk!"

The beauty of the changing seasons is what really draws Debbie out with her camera each day, whether it’s capturing the sea pinks carpeting the coast paths in summer, the rich colours of the Camel Trail in autumn, or a frosty sunrise in winter. But photographing community events is what’s most rewarding.

She said: “I enjoy photographing community events such as the carnival, and spend a lot of time on the boundary of our local cricket club trying to capture some memorable moments. I do these events in a voluntary capacity and love being able to give a little something back to the community in this way as a thank you for all the work that goes into putting these events on, and for the support the community have given me.”

One of Debbie’s most popular products is her annual Wadebridge and North Cornwall Beach calendars, carefully put together using a series of selected images from her collection of the local area. They make a lovely gift, or a nice reminder of the beauty on our doorstep!

“I’ve been doing local calendars for a few years now and customers come back year after year to buy them to send all over the world,” Debbie explained. “They do take quite a lot of time and effort to put together: lots of early mornings, checking the weather forecast and tide times, and trying to vary the images from year to year. The photos in the Wadebridge Calendar tend to be seasonal, whilst the North Cornwall Beach Calendar features beaches from Mawgan Porth to Polzeath. “This year, for the first time, I have produced a calendar from a selection of photos I captured of the swans and cygnets. I had so much fun meeting people and chatting about the cygnets as I was taking photos - it was as if the whole town were invested in their progress.”

As the year comes to a conclusion, Debbie has been reflecting on what community means to her as a local photographer with a passion for capturing the area’s beauty, people and wildlife. She added: “I’m looking forward to late night shopping, when everyone comes out to support the town. Wadebridge is a fabulous community to be a part of; I am so grateful for the support I get as a small business, whether it’s those who pop in to see me at the craft fairs at the John Betjeman Centre, or people who stop and have a chat as I’m out for my early morning camera walks. I always come home feeling lucky to be part of such a special place.

“The amount of voluntary work that goes on in Wadebridge is incredible, from putting on community events, to the running of the many clubs in and around the town - this is what being part of a community is all about.”

To browse Debbie’s range of prints and products, go to www.debbiebatephotography.co.uk