Aušra Froggatt who now lives in Carlton, has found that photography has helped her during the difficult year working as a nurse amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
Describing herself as an amateur photographer whose knowledge of the medium is very ‘limited’, she has captured some incredibly stunning photographs in areas around Burton Joyce and further afield. The Local News caught up with her to find out more about her photos, what the new hobby means to her and how it has helped her this year.
She said, “My name is Aušra Froggatt, my first name is Lithuanian as it’s where I was born but I’ve lived in the UK for 23 years, 16 of these in Nottingham. I’ve lived at Bulcote and Stoke Bardolph but now I live in Carlton. My girls went to Burton Joyce Primary and have now moved on to secondary school.
“I am a nurse and work full time at QMC Nottingham University Hospitals at a medical elderly ward. This last year has been so much more challenging, unpredictable and at times scary during this pandemic. My ward had been turned to a Covid-19 ward for elderly at first lockdown and then again at second. We still treat patients with this nasty virus. As a person and a nurse this was hard in many ways as we all had to adapt, learn very fast and knowledge regarding the new virus was very limited at the start. The worry going to work and knowing that we might be bringing this home to our loved ones was unsettling too. I was extremely unlucky and had COVID in March and later in November again. I am lucky that I was able to return to work and continue to do what I enjoy.
“I talk a lot about my work as it’s a big reason why I take photos. Due to anxiety related to stresses from work and managing family, walking became my release. I take my phone and at times my camera with me. I always took more photos than some other people, but since the limitation been applied where we could travel, me and my partner discovered local areas. One of a few favourites being Netherfield lagoons, walking by the River Trent and Colwick Park. We both enjoy nature, so I started taking photos of what we see, and post them on my Instagram account.
“Walking in local areas made us realise that there is a lot of hidden gems all around us. Through taking photos, I met lots of lovely people and I’m even starting to learn the names of some birds and other wildlife that we see as previously my knowledge was very limited. I love taking photos of nature and sunsets or sunrises.”
To find more of Aušra’s local photography, follow her on Instagram here: @ausraf