The Other Side Of The Lens
I’ll be blogging soon about our experience… on the other side of the lens!
A New Person
A new person
Well she’s called Rebecca and I can’t wait to show you more photos….. just a little cuddle she is just beautiful!
A Photo of Inspiration
I’d just put one of my favorite Autumn photos on my Facebook page and a friend Micheal Neary was inspired to write a few lines… how nice is that!
‘Light plays and shadows shade amongst the crisp Autumnal glade’
31 Days in October
Oh what a beautiful month ok we’ve had some rain but if you just look past that and at the gorgeous display of colours mother nature has put together it’s really quite breath taking. It’s funny some of these photos I took earlier in the month of beautiful golden leaves, have now been stripped from the trees by the Autumn winds. One day they are there then next they have gone dancing in the breeze. So totally inspired by my previous challenge to do a photo a day I thought I’d do it again but stick to Autumn colours. Most of these photos have been taken on my lunch break with simply a canon 350D and a 50mm lens. xx
A 60′s Styled Photo-shoot
A few weeks ago I traveled over to Leeds. I’d been given the opportunity to help document a 60′s styled photo-shoot. Tasked with photographing the photographer Natasha 
directing the photo-shoot. I also managed to take a few sneaky photos for myself too…. well it would be rude not to! First to arrive on the scene meant we could have a wee catch up. Soon to follow was Karen the FAB make-up artist, Marie our beautiful model for the day and Laura from Grandma Eileen’s Affordable Vintage who provided the vintage clothing. What a great team we made some how we all just clicked together. New friends made and a great day had by all. xx
Time Out
It’s been quite a while since I had some time out. What better way to spend it than with my Ray in the beautiful boutique hotel Plato’s in Kirkby Lonsdale. A whole two nights of luxury before heading off to a gig in Barrow in Furness. On arrival a warm greeting, complementary coffee with heart shaped biscuits and cakes…. delicious! Our room didn’t disappoint, comfy with beautiful decor a few books to read, a jar of sweets on the fireplace, tea and coffee facilities including fresh coffee with cafetiere. The bathroom what a lovely surprise when I stepped on the tiled floor only to find under floor heating Oh Bliss. Shampoo, conditioner, hand and body wash, body lotion and little soaps from the Sedbergh Soap Company mmmm lemon scent, not to forget the fluffy bath robes. Oh I’ve got to tell you this bit every night fresh milk is left by your door for that all important morning brew. After a full English breakfast lots of cups of tea some toast with the most exquisite raspberry jam by Sue Prickett we ventured out in to the town for a mooch around the shops and market. A walk along the river from Devils bridge up the Radical steps then along to Ruskins view (painted by Turner) This really is a must one to help work off the breakfast, two the view is just breath taking take time to sit and soak up the beauty on perfectly situated benches… All in all a wonderful time was had xx
31 Days in August
So today is the last day of my challenge set by my good friend Natasha… to Blog 5 days a week and take photos every day for the whole month. It really was a challenge I’m really pleased to have completed it …. last nights blog made it with a minuet to spare . So today my blog lay out is going to be a little different I thought I would share my 31 photos of August…. I hope you enjoy it xx
Roots Room With The Del Rio Ramblers
Sunday was spent with the boys from the Del Rio Ramblers at the Roots Room Derby…. So when I’m not photographing weddings I’m photographing the band and being a roadie I love it ! The part I like best is when I am invited into the Del Rio Den while they run through a few warm up songs before the gig, There is a temptation to direct as if it’s a photo shoot but I resist and document a bit like a fly on the wall… Thanks Guys for your patience but I think you are getting used to it now xx
Where Did It All Start
‘My passion for photography’ It started at a very early age, my Dad always had a camera and documented our family life. Like all little girls and boys we have phases of wanting to be like either one of our parents and copy them, at this point in my life it was my dads turn. I remember the toy camera in the photos below, as you pressed the button it squeaked as a smiley face popped out from where the lens should be I loved it! I would be about two and a half when these photographs were taken, you can see me in the last photo crouching down to take a photo… just like my Dad.
Thank you Dad for inspiring me so early in life xx
Sneak Peek
Today’s sneak peek is from Sundays styled photo shoot with Natasha from Margaurita Photography can’t wait to show more…. we had so much fun! xx
Wedding Albums
This is where we (me and you) turn your special memories, your magic and your families heritage into a beautiful storybook. So what happens, each album is bespoke and personally designed by me, I feel as I was there on the day I can re-create the happiness and emotion also tell the story of your day as it unfolded. So I go ahead and create – I do love this part – The first proof is usually sent in a PDF format via email, we chat either on the phone or via email about the images you may wish to swap. Usually we try where possible to do like for like, what I mean is a portrait for portrait (shape) and landscape for landscape (shape) hope that bit makes sense :-). Once these initial changes have been made we have a little meet up, I bring my laptop and make any final tweaks that may be needed while we are together. When the pages are approved the artwork is sent off to be made into a beautifully crafted album. Made by a local firm in Lancashire who work to a very high standard the books are made with sturdy/rigid lay flat pages in either mat or glossy finish…..
Something extra special to bring back those wonderful memories and treasure for ever xx
Keep Following Your Dreams
Today’s blog is really to myself, a reminder to keep following my dream. ‘To feel the fear and do it any way’.
On Loan
It’s not the first time this camera has been on loan to me. I actually can’t remember how long ago it was that I did my City & Guild in Black and White photography,it’s definitely over 10yrs. This is my Dads canon camera & he has kindly leant it to me again. It’s going to be quite a challenge to even remember how to use it, the next step it to get some film. I’m feeling quite excited as I’ve been inspired by Jose Villa a highly talented photographer based in California. In fact I’ve just finished reading his book. I really fancy trying out some of his setting and see what happens, so watch this space…. xx
My trusty 350D
Yes I do have a professional camera it’s big and can feel heavy, obviously don’t get me wrong I absolutely love it ..but sometime well a lot of the time for day to day use I use my trusty canon 350D my very first DSLR . Attached to it is a 50mm 1.8 a x lens if you want to get closer…well you use your legs and move closer, want to get more in your shot yup you’ve got it, use your legs and walk back. So this weekend Ray had a gig I didn’t feel like taking the big girls camera I knew I may struggle with the 350D but it’s a challenge to get the best out of the camera possible. I shoot manually it’s something I learnt at college and I just cant go back to using automatic, aperture priority or shutter speed priority. I’ve learnt at the gigs to sometimes ignore the setting a do what I feel is right, a rough guide a 1/60 of a second will freeze a slow hand wave. So I push my little camera to it’s limits shooting wide open at 1.8 the highest iso my camera will do which is iso 800 and shutter speed approx 1/80th… check the back of the screen and adjust if needed. The drummer ask me to get a bit of motion blur so I lowered the shutter speed upped the iso and changed the f stop just a little I’m please with my results see below Photos are of Rex and Neil from the Hobo Kings and the freight train.
Preferential Treatments and Lavender
Tucked away down a side street is a little cottage No10 Duck street this is home to Preferential Treatments. On entry you are greeted with a wonderful aroma of essential oils and the warmth of Susan’s smile. All of which relax and put at ease any tensions you may have. Essential oils are part of my life so I thought I’d share some insight to what Lavender can do to perhaps calm some of those pre-wedding nerves. Lavender is renowned for its’ soothing and reviving effects, So here’s a few suggestions on how to use it, Inhalation just simply smell the oil .. it’s a simple as that. in the bath a couple of drops and relax, or a bowl of hot water and a couple drops of Lavender cover your head and bowl in a tent like fashion with a towel then breathe slowly and deeply. So three simple ways of using the calming and reviving effects of lavender oil.
Please remember to use 100% pure oil, Young Living is a good brand and you can find it at Preferential Treatments… Have a lovely weekend and pamper yourselves xx
Love Reminders
Today’s blog is inspired by the book ‘The lovers little instruction book‘ We often wander through life taking each other for granted not on purpose but life seems to be moving so fast these days. It seems difficult to find time for each other there is always something else that needs doing. Some other words of wisdom from my mum too the house will still be there when your not. So on that note I leave you with a quote from the little instruction book xx.
Little Dancers
This drawing by my 5yr old niece sits proudly on my mums units. I smile every time I see it. The use of colour, the expressions on their faces, the shoes and headdresses it’s a happy drawing that I thought I would share with you… hope it brings you a smile too xx.
Something Nice
It’s quite a while ago since I received this lovely little book through the post (thanks again Tasha) I thought at the time it would be something lovely to blog about.We often dwell way too much on the not so pleasant things in life. I’ve decided to make a change and focus more on the nice things, it doesn’t have to be anything amazing to be nice it’s just something that brings a smile, warms your heart or brightens your day. You just need to start looking out for them why not join me and see how many lovely things happen to you in a day, week, year xx
Wild Flowers
I’ve always had a passion for wild flowers from being a little girl. Red campions were very much one of my favorites, my mum often reminds me when we see them. I was proud of myself I knew them all (well I thought I did). Over the years some of the names of these beautiful flowers have escaped my memory. Well perhaps it’s a little late in the season to start recording but I’m going to anyway. I love the way mother nature throws colors together perhaps in way we would never think of in our own garden. So with my new 100mm macro lens I’m ready to capture all these beautiful flowers in their natural surrounding… what better way to practice my close up photography. This a photo of a Red Campion to be improved on with my new lens can’t wait watch this space….Happy days xx
The Challenge
Starting today Rhaaa I’ve been challenged by my good friend Natasha. To Blog 5 days a week for a whole month. Heaven knows how I’m going to do this…but I’m up for it! So any words of encouragement are more than welcome to keep me going…Please.
But wait there is another part to this challenge and that is to take a photo everyday for the whole month too Yikes! I’ll show you at the end of the month fingers crossed I’ll get there lol. ps why not pop over to Natasha blog here to see how she is getting on and show some love there too xx
Bristol Via Wales
A trip to see my lovely cousin Merryn was on the cards I also wanted to see Bristol in Summer, my previous visits have been in Autumn / Winter. So this years trip I hoped to see a green and sunny Bristol. On my way I seemed to get stuck in every available traffic jam…know the feeling?
The final stint of the journey was full of road works Ugh, well in all the confusion of signs… yours truly took the wrong turning (poor signage honest it wasn’t me lol). I was crossing the river Avon feeling panicked with palpitations all I wanted to do was turn round but I couldn’t !! I was charged £6 for the privilege of my mistake luckily 2 miles up the road was the next service so I could cross the river back to England. Well at least I’d been abroad that weekend .
So I arrived at Merryn’s with just enough time to get changed catch a train and grab a lift to a BBQ party. where I met lots of lovely people most of whom had just finished a years horticultural course with my cousin. We enjoyed the evening in a beautiful garden with some yummy food a lot of which was home-grown, as you would expect from these green fingered friends.
The rest of the weekend was a lot more chilled, we popped in to city center / harbor, hid from a few showers had cake and cups of tea mmm.
A couple of visits to Merry’s allotment, it’s a wonderful place and oasis within the city. We pick some vegetables and herbs for our evening meal then we cooked up a feast delish
Thank you little Cuz for another fabulous Bristol weekend xx
What Do You See
While traveling to my sisters I wanted to photograph the blue sky it has been quite a while since I had seen some, I felt the patch of blue was worthy of a photo as we were driving along. It wasn’t until we were scrolling through the photos we noticed the number 4. Do you like finding shapes faces, animal even numbers in the clouds,,,This brought happy memories of happy hours looking at clouds xx
