Dewsbury photographer Jason Batley captures life in his hometown

For the past year, Jason Batley has been capturing scenes of Dewsbury throughout the seasons.

“Everything you hear about Dewsbury is bad news,” he said. “I wanted to change people’s impression of it.”

The 41-year-old from Thornhill Lees returned to his childhood hobby of photography when pictures he took for displays in his photo framing shop proved a hit with customers.

Jason, who runs Honeysuckle Gallery in Huddersfield, said: “About three years ago I decided to take pictures to help sell the frames. I didn’t think people would buy my images but it turned out I was selling photos rather than frames.”

Pictures of Huddersfield scenes like the town’s canals and Castle Hill were particularly popular with customers.

“Within a few months, I’d sold 40 of the Castle Hill ones,” he said. “I made it a mission to go out every weekend and take more photos.”

Jason went on to study photography at Kirklees College and has built up a second career in commercial photography.

Last year, he started work on a collection of Dewsbury scenes – but finding the perfect shots has taken real patience. Jason, of Lees Hall Road, said: “I’m still trying to get some great shots of the Minster, which is one of Dewsbury’s main landmarks.

“I wanted to get some in autumn, but it was so windy and rainy that before I knew it there were no leaves left on the trees. It’s all part of the job though.”

Jason plans to turn the photographs into a calendar once his collection is complete.

In the meantime, his pictures are on display at the Savile Arms in Thornhill, the Yorkshire Puddin’ in Mirfield and on his website, www.jasonbatley.com.

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