Sunday, 4 January 2015
Little bundle of cute
A while ago, a friend of mine asked if I could take some photos for her sister of her gorgeous baby boy, Jonah. Looking at these, you can see why it was impossible to resist when you have a model this cute. I'm looking forward to seeing this one grow up - I can see lots more photo shoots on the horizon!
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
Summer by the sea
Wow! It's been a long time and so much has happened since I last blogged but I've still been snapping away, and I felt it was time I shared a few shots from my summer... especially as the nights are drawing in and the cold is starting to bite, we all need a reminder of what the Great British Summer looked like.
It was the beautiful South Devon coast that drew me back again this August. Whilst I have plenty of shots of Dartmouth harbour, the boats and the fun of the regatta from over the years, I thought I'd try to get a few more traditional seaside shots this time around, so I headed out on the steam railway to Paignton to capture the bright colours of the beach huts and all the traditional seaside sights.
So, below are a few highlights from the summer. I hope they brighten up a cold Autumn evening!
It was the beautiful South Devon coast that drew me back again this August. Whilst I have plenty of shots of Dartmouth harbour, the boats and the fun of the regatta from over the years, I thought I'd try to get a few more traditional seaside shots this time around, so I headed out on the steam railway to Paignton to capture the bright colours of the beach huts and all the traditional seaside sights.
So, below are a few highlights from the summer. I hope they brighten up a cold Autumn evening!
I also picked up these delicious macarons from the food fair in Dartmouth. Couldn't resist the pretty pastel colours, and although they're not traditional seaside food, I thought they toned in rather nicely with the summer seaside pastels.
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Oh baby!
Still, there are good things about birthdays. One of which is all the lovely flowers my even lovelier friends gave me. The other good thing is my Amazon wishlist, which allowed my (also lovely) mum to find out that what I really wanted for my birthday was a Lensbaby. Since having a play with one of these a while ago, I've had a real hankering for one of my own for some time now. Plus, I think I need something new to get me back into a photography groove and inspire me to snap more. And my little Lensbaby seems to have done the job.
I've only had a little play so far, but I'm liking the results for now. Check out that blur! Can't wait to give it a proper test run.
Monday, 4 June 2012
Jubilant
I wasn't that bothere about the Diamond Jubilee. It's a good excuse for a few days off and a bit of celebration, but I find it hard to get excited about the royal family.
But, today I got a taste for what it's all about and remembered that it doesn't really matter what your views are on the royal family, the jubilee is a great reason to celebrate community and come together with people you might not usually have much chance to exchange more than a 'Hello' with on an ordinary day.
So, this afternoon, my neighbour knocked on my door to tell me that they'd started an impromptu garden party and were hoping the whole street could join in. We have communal gardens out the back, so it's perfect for this sort of thing. Everyone brought a bit of something to eat or drink and we all just chatted and got to know one another a bit better whilst the Pimm's was flowing and the children played.
We even managed a toast to the Queen.... but more importantly, we raised a toast to Bath Terrace and all the fabulous people who live here!
But, today I got a taste for what it's all about and remembered that it doesn't really matter what your views are on the royal family, the jubilee is a great reason to celebrate community and come together with people you might not usually have much chance to exchange more than a 'Hello' with on an ordinary day.
So, this afternoon, my neighbour knocked on my door to tell me that they'd started an impromptu garden party and were hoping the whole street could join in. We have communal gardens out the back, so it's perfect for this sort of thing. Everyone brought a bit of something to eat or drink and we all just chatted and got to know one another a bit better whilst the Pimm's was flowing and the children played.
We even managed a toast to the Queen.... but more importantly, we raised a toast to Bath Terrace and all the fabulous people who live here!
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Camille's Appeal 2012 Calendar
So, all you organised people, already looking for next year's calendar, look no further! 2012's Camille's Appeal calendar is available to order now, featuring a selection of beautiful images from some very talented photographers (and me!).
Camille's Appeal is a fantastic charity set up by the parents of a beautiful little girl diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009. The charity raises money for children under the age of 5 who are suffering with a brain tumour, trying to find ways to ensure that the long-term effects of treatment are minimised to allow the child to lead a normal life.
You can find out more about the charity and about Camille herself here: http://www.camillesappeal.co.uk/
There are 2 formats available: a slimline layout or an A4 layout.
They are for sale via ebay, where you can also purchase Christmas cards designed by the extremely talented artist Nicki MacRae.
Calendars - buy here (£5 and £8 + p&p)
Christmas Cards - buy here (£5 for 10 + p&p)
Here is a sample page from the A4 format:
and a slimline sample:
Thursday, 25 August 2011
Summer in Dartmouth
It's funny how a change of scenery can lift your mood so completely. There's something about the tranquility of the sea, and the new places to discover that feels like a different world and allows that escape that you only ever get on holiday. Dartmouth in Devon has always been the place we used to escape to for family holidays. Three generations of my family have been coming here since the 1960s, and whilst a lot has changed in that time, the picturesque views, the narrow rambling streets crammed with colourful houses, and the bustle of the regatta always stay the same.
This time, I was determined to take some long exposure seascape pictures. I bought some ND filters a few weeks ago and have been keen for the opportunity to try these out. I wasn't disappointed when I arrived at the house we were renting to find two enormous bay windows granting views of the entire estuary, from far up the river Dart, right out to sea. The weather forecast hadn't been promising, but I still hoped I might manage to capture a few moody and dramatic skies. With the typical fickle nature of British weather, it turned out that the moody skies stayed away, and in their place were some of the most beautiful, peaceful pastel sunrises and sunsets.
These were taken from the window of the house at sunset:
This time, I was determined to take some long exposure seascape pictures. I bought some ND filters a few weeks ago and have been keen for the opportunity to try these out. I wasn't disappointed when I arrived at the house we were renting to find two enormous bay windows granting views of the entire estuary, from far up the river Dart, right out to sea. The weather forecast hadn't been promising, but I still hoped I might manage to capture a few moody and dramatic skies. With the typical fickle nature of British weather, it turned out that the moody skies stayed away, and in their place were some of the most beautiful, peaceful pastel sunrises and sunsets.
These were taken from the window of the house at sunset:
View up the river
The view out to sea with Kingswear across the water.
I even set my alarm to go out and capture some dawn images:
I love the neat rows of houses, all with their different shapes and sizes and colours, yet still strangely ordered and geometrical. You can only really see the full effect when you take a boat up the river, which is how I took this one:
... and just because I can't quite manage to leave the portraits alone for long, this is my nephew on a little beach excursion to Blackpool Sands. He didn't catch anything apart from a few pebbles, but at least he looked the part!
The only drawback is, this has given me a taste for landscapes, and now I've got a hankering for a decent wide-angle lens so I don't have to rely on my ropey old kit lens just to get some width. Sigma 10-20 anyone?
Saturday, 6 August 2011
Bedroom bliss!
Over the last 5 months I have been going through the nightmare process of buying out my house from a joint mortgage. Every possible thing known to man and mortgage advisor that could go wrong, went wrong along the way, but finally the transfer took place and the house is now solely in my name!
As the whole process ended up costing a lot more than it was supposed to, I haven't been able to go away this summer, so I decided to treat myself to a bedroom makeover instead. I've not really done anything to it since moving in 4 years ago, so it was starting to look a bit tired and definitely needed a bit more of my stamp on it.
I had been looking around for wallpapers for some time and had spotted some lovely designs in Laura Ashley which I had earmarked for a feature wall. However, my plans went slightly awry when I found the perfect paper. I am deeply ashamed to admit this, but I saw it adorning the walls of the girls' bedroom in the Geordie Shore house! Yes, the backdrop to their sordid nights of debauchery was the wallpaper of my dreams.
After a bit of scouring of the internet, my friend google found the paper for me, and although it nearly tripled the budget of my Laura Ashley designs, my heart was set. I colour-matched the background to get a Dulux paint mixed up for the other walls and was good to go.
So, after a couple of days of hard-decorating, all done by my fair hand (I really am the wallpapering pro these days), here is the finished article, my beautiful, blissful, blue boudoir!
Wallpaper: Cole and Son
Paint: Dulux Liberty Blue
As the whole process ended up costing a lot more than it was supposed to, I haven't been able to go away this summer, so I decided to treat myself to a bedroom makeover instead. I've not really done anything to it since moving in 4 years ago, so it was starting to look a bit tired and definitely needed a bit more of my stamp on it.
I had been looking around for wallpapers for some time and had spotted some lovely designs in Laura Ashley which I had earmarked for a feature wall. However, my plans went slightly awry when I found the perfect paper. I am deeply ashamed to admit this, but I saw it adorning the walls of the girls' bedroom in the Geordie Shore house! Yes, the backdrop to their sordid nights of debauchery was the wallpaper of my dreams.
After a bit of scouring of the internet, my friend google found the paper for me, and although it nearly tripled the budget of my Laura Ashley designs, my heart was set. I colour-matched the background to get a Dulux paint mixed up for the other walls and was good to go.
So, after a couple of days of hard-decorating, all done by my fair hand (I really am the wallpapering pro these days), here is the finished article, my beautiful, blissful, blue boudoir!
Wallpaper: Cole and Son
Paint: Dulux Liberty Blue
Friday, 3 June 2011
A bit of colour!
June is here and the sunshine is back!
I've been making the most of this, trying to get my garden into some state of pretty. Lots of veggies planted now and some gorgeous flowers blooming.
It was this tiny little thing poking through the concrete that caught me eye, though.
I've been making the most of this, trying to get my garden into some state of pretty. Lots of veggies planted now and some gorgeous flowers blooming.
It was this tiny little thing poking through the concrete that caught me eye, though.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Wedding Day
I've been seriously lacking in photographic inspiration lately, hence the neglect of the blog and the abandonment of the 52 weeks project :-( Luckily, this weekend I was inspired to pick up my camera again and get snapping. My cousin was getting married and it was the most glorious spring day, so the perfect opportunity to take some sunny shots.
In fact, the conditions were a bit too bright and, as there was little shade, it was tricky to catch people without harsh shadows and squinting eyes. Still, I'm not averse to having a little flare and haze for that dreamy, summer look.
Anyway, here are a couple of shots from the day:
In fact, the conditions were a bit too bright and, as there was little shade, it was tricky to catch people without harsh shadows and squinting eyes. Still, I'm not averse to having a little flare and haze for that dreamy, summer look.
Anyway, here are a couple of shots from the day:
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Another year, another project! 52 weeks
Week 1: 1st to 7th January
Snowflakeh
So, time to start a new challenge. I can't cope with another 365, so this year I'm going to attempt a 52 weeks project to give me something to make sure that I get my camera out and keep trying new things.
Anyway, I needed to go to Hobbycraft last week to get some double-sided tape (I had a very revealing dress to wear for New Year's Eve, and didn't want anything falling out whilst I was dancing!!) Whilst I was there, I saw all the pretty craft punches they had, and picked up a snowflake one, thinking I'd have another go at shaped bokeh.
It's still wintery cold here at the moment, and apparently there's snow forecast for Friday, so I guess it's appropriate for this week as well.
Snowflakeh
So, time to start a new challenge. I can't cope with another 365, so this year I'm going to attempt a 52 weeks project to give me something to make sure that I get my camera out and keep trying new things.
Anyway, I needed to go to Hobbycraft last week to get some double-sided tape (I had a very revealing dress to wear for New Year's Eve, and didn't want anything falling out whilst I was dancing!!) Whilst I was there, I saw all the pretty craft punches they had, and picked up a snowflake one, thinking I'd have another go at shaped bokeh.
It's still wintery cold here at the moment, and apparently there's snow forecast for Friday, so I guess it's appropriate for this week as well.
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Project complete!
Hooray!
Day 1:
Day 365:
It has been a real challenge, and there are a couple of blips. I forgot one day (was tipsy on my birthday and forgot to take a picture), and then took a couple of photos on my iphone which I lost before uploading, but it is at least a complete set of photos for every day of last year.
It's great to look back on the whole year like this and a really interesting record of what I've been up to. I also think I've learnt a lot from it. I've tried out a few new techniques, and just become a bit more confident and imaginative.
It was a real struggle at times, and there are a few too many photos which are total rubbish that I just took to get a shot that day. I'm not sure I'd do it again, but I'm so pleased I've completed it. I'd definitely recommend anyone else to have a go
Here's the set:
Project 365
And a couple of my favourites:
Day 1:
Day 365:
It has been a real challenge, and there are a couple of blips. I forgot one day (was tipsy on my birthday and forgot to take a picture), and then took a couple of photos on my iphone which I lost before uploading, but it is at least a complete set of photos for every day of last year.
It's great to look back on the whole year like this and a really interesting record of what I've been up to. I also think I've learnt a lot from it. I've tried out a few new techniques, and just become a bit more confident and imaginative.
It was a real struggle at times, and there are a few too many photos which are total rubbish that I just took to get a shot that day. I'm not sure I'd do it again, but I'm so pleased I've completed it. I'd definitely recommend anyone else to have a go
Here's the set:
Project 365
And a couple of my favourites:
Sunday, 7 November 2010
365 days project - week 43
I've got really behind with uploading pictures and with blogging each week's progress, but don't worry, I am still on track with the project, it just might take a while to catch up on here.
Day 302 - More naughty treats
Day 301 - Flaming Autumn
As it's half term, I was able to pay a visit to Harcourt Arboretum today to get some pictures of the beautiful autum leaves.
The colours are just spectacular, and as the sun was shining today, the trees were just flaming in the autumn light.
Day 300
Wow! Day 300! And another photo of Chester, I'm afraid. He was having a lazy evening.
Day 299
Day 298
The autum light has been just beautiful in the afternoons lately. I've been taking advantage of it as much as I can.
Day 297 - Chocolate and caramel and yumm
So, my 365 seems to consist mainly of pictures of .... my shoes and my naughty food. Today - my naughty food. I'm not feeling very well today, so I had to get some comfort food in. These were soooooo good!
Day 296 - Introspection
Day 302 - More naughty treats
Day 301 - Flaming Autumn
The colours are just spectacular, and as the sun was shining today, the trees were just flaming in the autumn light.
Day 300
Wow! Day 300! And another photo of Chester, I'm afraid. He was having a lazy evening.
Day 299
Day 298
The autum light has been just beautiful in the afternoons lately. I've been taking advantage of it as much as I can.
Day 297 - Chocolate and caramel and yumm
So, my 365 seems to consist mainly of pictures of .... my shoes and my naughty food. Today - my naughty food. I'm not feeling very well today, so I had to get some comfort food in. These were soooooo good!
Day 296 - Introspection
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Sunday, 24 October 2010
365 days project - week 42
Things have been very hectic! I went on a girls' weekend to Cardiff, which was a much-needed chance to let our hair down and forget all our stresses. It's also been the last week before half term, which has meant lots and lots to do, especially preparing for exams when we get back.
So, all in all, not the most inspiring set of photos this week, but I have the week off, so I may be able to come up with something a bit better next week when I finally get some time off!
Day 295 - Speccie-four-eyes
I ran out of contact lenses this morning because I'm too disorganised and have too much going on at the moment, so I'm back to being a speccie-four-eyes at the moment. I'm hoping it's making me look more intellectual!
Day 294
Hee hee!
I know this is a bit of a cheat - a photo of a card - but being a veggie, it does make me chuckle.
Day 293 - Wrapping up
Brrrr! It's turned cold this week. Really cold. The winter woollies are properly coming out now.
Day 292 - Heaven
I'm so ready to curl up in my bed and shut out the world.
Day 291 - Glo!
So tired after my weekend!
We had the glo-sticks out on Saturday night (retro, baby!), so I'm lacking in imagination, here is my little glo-stick face.
Day 290
Here we are, ready to hit the town!
Crap photo, I know, but I'm having a weekend away so haven't really got the time to take decent photos.
I really did think my iphone should take better photos than this though; you can't even see our faces (probably a good thing in my case!)
Day 289
So, I'm having a weekend away in Cardiff with my best girl friends. It's a much-needed chance for us all to let our hair down, so I'm afraid I've not really got the time to think about taking my camera or taking any decent shots. Tonight I just grabbed a quick shot of one of my favourite shoes!
So, all in all, not the most inspiring set of photos this week, but I have the week off, so I may be able to come up with something a bit better next week when I finally get some time off!
Day 295 - Speccie-four-eyes
I ran out of contact lenses this morning because I'm too disorganised and have too much going on at the moment, so I'm back to being a speccie-four-eyes at the moment. I'm hoping it's making me look more intellectual!
Day 294
Hee hee!
I know this is a bit of a cheat - a photo of a card - but being a veggie, it does make me chuckle.
Day 293 - Wrapping up
Brrrr! It's turned cold this week. Really cold. The winter woollies are properly coming out now.
Day 292 - Heaven
I'm so ready to curl up in my bed and shut out the world.
Day 291 - Glo!
So tired after my weekend!
We had the glo-sticks out on Saturday night (retro, baby!), so I'm lacking in imagination, here is my little glo-stick face.
Day 290
Crap photo, I know, but I'm having a weekend away so haven't really got the time to take decent photos.
I really did think my iphone should take better photos than this though; you can't even see our faces (probably a good thing in my case!)
Day 289
So, I'm having a weekend away in Cardiff with my best girl friends. It's a much-needed chance for us all to let our hair down, so I'm afraid I've not really got the time to think about taking my camera or taking any decent shots. Tonight I just grabbed a quick shot of one of my favourite shoes!
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