Two people jumping into rough ocean waters from a concrete ledge, observed by a person standing on a balcony.

Biarritz to Bilbao, a road trip through Basque Country

Back to the quiet rituals of looking — a camera in hand, the road ahead, and time to let things unfold. Road-tripping in a Land Rover with a partially functioning immobiliser and three children, we crisscrossed the French and Spanish border, from Santander to Canfranc.

What emerged was a fragmented story — a melancholy ode to the off-season, somewhere between beach time and ski time.

Personal projects for me rarely involve people — maybe it’s a way of stepping away from the prescribed requirements of both editorial deadlines and commercial lifestyle briefs. Blurry pictures, dark frames, miserable muted colours… I suppose they say something about how I see when no one’s looking.

Not a beautiful model in sight — just a few pigeons scratting around, and a blurry surfer.

Hasta la vista. I'll be Basque.

Top view of a child with blonde hair standing against a dark textured background.
Urban street scene with red storefront and pigeons
Interior hallway with decorative blue tiles, framed pictures on the left wall, potted plants and a chair on the right, and a partially open glass door revealing an off-road vehicle outside.
Stacked wicker chairs against a white wall with sunlight streaming, near a textured stone surface.
Mountain range under a dark sky with clouds.
Three cars parked inside an empty bullring, surrounded by white and red painted walls and stepped seating.
Children walking on a path lined with trees under a sunny sky.
Blurred view of a lifeguard station or observation platform above the waterline under a cloudy sky.
Beach scene with a towel and swim fins on the sand.
Person jogging on a sandy beach near the ocean with buildings and hills in the background under a partially cloudy sky.
Stone house surrounded by vineyard rows with green hills in the background.
Flowing river with rocks and rapids
A small green 4x4 car parked on the street in front of a pink house with light blue shutters. The house has three stories and a gray door, with a small garden area fenced in front. The sky appears overcast.
Assorted potted plants on a cobblestone path in front of a house with green shutters and decorated glass windows.
Ocean waves crashing against a rocky structure with a statue on top and a metal bridge leading to it.
People playing in ocean waves on a sandy beach with a clear blue sky.
View of ocean and mountains through a window with dark, cloudy sky.
A person standing on a dimly lit beach with a dark sky and trees silhouetted in the background.
View from a car driving on a winding mountain road at dusk, with a stop sign on the right and snow-capped peaks in the background.
Scenic landscape with a cow grazing in a lush green field, surrounded by dense forest and mountains in the background.
Street scene with row of parked cars, man walking, colorful buildings, and pink flowers in foreground.
A child sitting on a stone bench in a park, looking at the surrounding greenery.
Close-up of hands on a car steering wheel, with dashboard in view.
View from a car interior of a rural landscape with a farmhouse on a hill, surrounded by fields and trees.
Rough ocean waves crashing against a small rocky island with three crosses.
A stuffed teddy bear on the back seat of a car with red upholstery, viewed through a window reflecting the surroundings.
Cows walking on a road beside a car with a side mirror reflection.
View from a car side mirror showing a winding mountain road with trees and snow-capped peaks in the background under a clear blue sky.
Person swimming in rough ocean waves under a cloudy sky, rocky shoreline in background.
Vintage car steering wheel with a stack of wicker chairs against a wall in the background.
Off-road vehicle in front of a white building with a mountain backdrop under a cloudy sky.
Dimly lit stone hallway with arches and columns, featuring intricate stonework and a glimpse of sunlight.
Rustic building facade with wooden shutters, exposed timber framing, and house number 3.
Reflection of mountain road in car side mirror.
Aerial view of dense forest with a curved road visible in the lower section.
Teddy bear on a red car seat
Mountain road with forests and snow-capped peaks in the distance under a cloudy sky.
Sandy path with tire tracks leading toward a grassy hill under a cloudy sky.
Mountain road at dusk with stop sign
Close-up of pink hydrangea flowers and green leaves in low light.
Two SUVs parked on a street near an old stone building.
Child sitting on a stone bench in a park, surrounded by greenery.
Interior of a dimly lit church with an ornate painted ceiling and a small round window. A pipe organ and chandelier are visible.
Person in wetsuit sitting on a stone wall holding a surfboard, overlooking a cloudy beach with ocean waves and distant people.
Overhead view of a flowing river with rocks and gentle rapids
Two people walking down a tree-lined path on a sunny day.
View through a car window of a white vehicle parked in a small garage or shed surrounded by greenery and overgrowth. The scene is framed by the car window and a side mirror reflects part of the outside.
Flock of sheep grazing in a green field with houses and trees in the background under a cloudy sky.
People on a sandy beach with waves under a clear blue sky.
Old stone wall with small white flowers and grass at the base
Brown cow grazing in a scenic mountain landscape with lush greenery and distant rocky hills.
Waves crashing against a rocky pier with a statue on top, located in an ocean setting.
Oceanfront building with ornate balcony railing, cloudy sky, and sea waves in the background.
Off-road vehicle parked near a fence with a white building and snow-capped mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.
Person swimming in rough sea with waves
Dark mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks and cloudy sky.
Blurred view of an offshore platform above a misty sea surface with overcast sky.
Beach scene with a towel and a pair of swim fins on sand.

Matthew Lloyd is a UK-based editorial photographer with a background in international photojournalism and a focus on natural, cinematic storytelling. His work blends the spontaneity of reportage with a refined visual style — making him a strong fit for both editorial commissions and brand-focused projects. This Basque Country series reflects his broader approach to creating image libraries for brands: rooted in place, mood, and story. Whether working for magazines, agencies or directly with clients, Matthew builds photographic narratives that feel honest, human, and visually consistent across platforms.