My NN: Photographer Khandie
My NN: Photographer Khandie
Delapre Abbey, St Peter's Way and the Matchbox cafe all feature in the Northampton photographer's favourite places to visit.
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Photographer, content creator and educator Khandie travels in and out of town, so we thought who better to share some of her favourite local haunts.
Moving from Buckinghamshire to Northampton town centre seven years ago, Khandie has also lived in Northern Ireland, Germany and Cyprus.
She works from her photographic studio in Burns Street where she does a wide range of photographic shoots from lifestyle, portrait and event photography to weddings. She has most recently come back from shooting a psychobilly and rockabilly festival, Cruisers World Rumble, in Daventry.
Khandie posts on YouTube content such as ‘behind the scenes’ of a shoot and ‘how to start a photography business.’
By Sarah Becker
Which locations in Northampton are your favourite places to shoot?
“In the town centre, I really like the little alleyways, the cut-throughs such as St. Peter’s Way (next to Boots.) I like it there because the graffiti changes; it has beautiful light, and you can shoot there uninterrupted. Home to the Wall Games Project, the alleyway boasts some beautiful graffiti artwork. It’s a shame that the council decided not to go ahead again with the project this year.
“For a classical shoot, it’s going to have to be Delapre Abbey. I really like the old building, the water, the big open spaces with so much going on and the fact it’s all being used. My favourite part is a little nook just past the restaurant, down past what was once the water feature and on the left hand side the sun pools there and it’s beautiful. I’ve done a few shoots there.”
What’s your favourite festival in Northamptonshire?
“I really love Pride – (taking place this year on 8th July). It’s one of the ones that isn’t as promoted in the same way as some of the others. I also love the Diwali festival (in November) in Northampton which is stunning as well and a big shout out to the owner of Butt Savouries shop on the Kettering Road - his food is wonderful. He always has a stall at the Diwali festival and I make a beeline for it whenever I see his stand. He does the most incredible food and I also shoot round to his shop for lunch when I am working at my studio in Burns Street.”
What is your favourite place for a great night out?
“It really depends on what kind of night I am going for and which crowd I am with. I love V and B’s Wine bar. It has a very different atmosphere to other places in Northampton. If I’m with a group of friends who just want to hang out and listen to good music, often The Fish (in Fish Street) has good music on. It also has amazing cocktails.
“Recently I was also invited to the private members club in Cheyne Walk opposite the hospital. The bar man there makes the most incredible negroni cocktails.”
Where is your favourite place to eat?
“For grabbing a quick lunch, I really like the café, Matchbox in Abington Street. Run by Bing Wan, it’s a little café that serves wholesome food and Bing does some great specials. If he does Bangers and Mash, get in quick and his ramen noodles are also really good. I also like Yokoso Sushi and Bento, a Japanese noodle bar in Fish Street. It’s really good value and they make great mooncakes. I love Japanese food and drinking Saki.
“Caffe d’Italia (in Fish Street) is also special. Manuel the owner is incredible and he introduced me to Bali coffee. Have you tried his Nutella filled croissants?”
Which is your favourite street?
“It will have to be Fish Street as it has The Fish, Caffé d’Italia and Yokoso. If you go out of the street towards St. Giles Street, V and B Wine Bar isn’t too far away either!
“I also like the street where my business is, Burns Street. It’s a really friendly place with a great vibe.”
What is your favourite cultural spot?
“I think Abington Park museum in Abington Park is vastly overlooked. Sometimes, people forget it’s there but it is beautiful. I hate mannequins with a passion and it’s hard to walk through the war displays containing mannequins of soldiers there (mannequins are my phobia!). However, joking apart, it’s such a nice, vibey museum which does a lot for the local community and I’ve hired the museum for a photoshoot and all the staff were super friendly.”
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