I often say that I owe my name, my height and a lot of who I am to being - very proudly - a Guernsey girl.  Coming from Guernsey has shaped who I am, and I'm so grateful for the love of being outside, the coast, community, family, culture, and shared history that growing up on the island gives. It's not a surprise that my love of Cumbria - where I'm based - reflects lots of those aspects though with more mountains, lakes and rivers than beaches near me!  Much of my creative work is based on that identity.  My visits back are often to see wonderful family and friends and the sights and smells of home, but there's so much creative inspiration there too and that's what drew me to making work inspired by both of my homes.

So this project ... When the opportunity to be involved with the new Guernsey banknotes was first published, the ideas and inspiration started flowing.  I've grown up collecting Bailiwick notes, coins, and postage stamps (a habit I haven't grown out of!) and was very excited about the possibility of being a part of that rich history.  During that time, Hayley Mallett contacted me about using one of my photographs for her submission and the idea of a collaboration came into being. Having gone to Hautes Capelles Primary and St. Sampsons' Secondary SchooI with Hayley, we reconnected in 2022 when Sula Gallery featured an exhibition of my photographs.  Whilst we hadn't seen each other properly in almost 20 years before the exhibition, both Hayley and I have such a complimentary love of Guernsey's nature and flora - especially in detail - and I've been following her beautiful interpretations of the natural world for years - it's been such a natural collaboration and our shared ​love and focus on nature has informed the concepts behind our designs.  We've worked together - with photos by me that have then been beautifully worked by Hayley in thread and bead - to create designs for the bank notes that are examples of the islands’ nature that we hope bring a sense of pride and joy in our Bailiwick, something we feel strongly!

I can't wait to reveal the designs (that won't be for a while yet though!), but you can hear a little more in the States of Guernsey film above or on their website: The new bailiwick banknotes - States of Guernsey.  On the reverse of the notes, work by the talented Natasha K. He will be featured. 

You can see Hayley's beautiful work on her website: Hayley Mallett Art - Mixed Media Textile Artist.

What a wonderful privilege to be part of the Guernsey banknotes!

A recent trip to the wonderful Holehird Gardens.  Here's the Winter/Spring border... a sea of spring! Another fantastic plant from Holehird coming up on the blog soon! If you live locally or visit the lakes, do go ans visit Holehird.

Another Wainwright off the list for me!  A brisk walk up, past some lovely rhododendrons, and up the fell for views across to the Lion and the Lamb, Wetherlam and my favourite Langdales. I'm always a little nervous of taking my main camera out on a potentially rainy day but it was worth it on this occasion and we avoided most of the showers.  The top of Steel Fell had a good - if less interesting - view across to Thirlmere but it was the journey back towards Grasmere that had the most amazing weather coming in across from the South.  The d850 is so perfect in these lighting situations and so I was so glad to have it for this brooding fell that offered to some lovely moody angles!  I couldn't believe how painterly the rain looked in the expanse of sky above the Lion and the Lamb.  

Prize Draw! The results are in! Did you win? Thanks to everyone who took part, especially in the 'Help Me Choose' voting - the most popular cards are now available on my card shop if you want to see if your favourite made the list.  I'll be in touch with Kirsty who won theSpring Competition and Jean who won the chocolate bar! Thanks again to all who entered!

Over a series of coffees at Verey's Bookshop in Pooley Bridge, Sarah Newby and I thrashed out what she was looking for in a website and put together something that looks great and is going to be a fantastic resource for her customers.  Most people don't need complicated coding and intimidating jargon, when I assist with web design it's really helping people do it themselves by doing it with them!  Sarah and I talked through what she needed, she provided the content for the site and I designed and created the pages including the membership areas before handing it over to her.  Sarah has such an amazing passion for her people and her profession and it was such a pleasure to go on the website journey with her!  Check out here site here.

Which of these should be cards? I love to send and receive cards in the post, and I've loved having some of my photos on Hospice at Home cards (you can pick some of those up in the Carlisle and North Lakeland shops!)  I'm in the process of adding six greetings cards to my shop but I'm great difficulty choosing and so I'm calling on you all to help me! 

The vote is now closed and the winner of the chocolate bar will be announced soon!  You can still vote for your favourites or leave me a comment but I'm afraid the chance for chocolate is now gone!!

It's time for our Spring competition!  We are giving one of our Sitting Vouchers with a beautiful piece of Wall Art.  The Sitting Voucher is for a full portrait sitting at an outdoor location or at the studio.  The Wall Art is an impressive 42x15" Frame with five 6x7" Prints as you can see in the pictures taken in my spare room!  The winners will be drawn on Monday the 8th of April 2024.​

​The small print - no purchase necessary and the winners will be selected at random.  The prize is as described on this post and can't be exchanged.  The photo session is to take place in Cumbria so please only enter if you are able to attend or can pass on to someone who can.  The frame will need to be collected in person or local delivery as it's too long to post!  One entry per person.  Winners will be notified once the competition is drawn on the 8th of April 2024.  Please contact us for more information.

A couple of years ago, Liz Newport of Buzy Lizzie Garden Design, introduced me to the work of Piet Oudolf and the idea of multi-seasonal gardening.  It's something I'm slowly trying to achieve in my own garden and am so eager to capture in others.  Having shot some of Liz' gardens in winter, I know how effective the structural shapes and differing colour palette of the colder months can be.  With this in mind, last month I headed to Holehird Gardens near Windermere for my first trip of 2024.  I'd had the pleasure of a guided walk around the gardens in Spring 2023 and revisited with some areas in mind.  I honed in on a few plants and here are the results! 

MAGNOLIA Stellata - I love magnolia blooms but this was the first time photographing their catkins.  What a stunning winter display.

MORINA Afghanica - When I saw the architectural structure of this plant, I thought I recognised it as the Chelsea favourite from a couple of years ago, Phlomis.  I'd shot a couple of Phlomis in a beautiful Bea Ray designed garden in summer-time and thought I'd correctly identified this plant.  When I came to look at the designation on the helpful signs at Holehird I was surprised to see that it was a completely different family (though both Asterids) and not what I was expecting.  Another example of how interesting it can be to leave your plants as winter homes for wildlife and a visual feast for you!  The position of the Morina at Holehird is especially lovely with either the waters of Windermere or the winding paths of the gardens behind. 

ASTILBE - Holehird is home to the National Collection of Astilbes.  I've yet to visit when they are in full bloom but I can't say how much I loved watching their forms sway in the wind with a great depth and breadth of russet tones.   

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES - On my way out as the light was properly beginning to disappear, I spent a moment looking out towards Windermere through these beauties.  I couldn't find a black label for all of them but there's definitely some Miscanthus sinensis 'Yaku-jima' in the mix there!

A tiny January wander up Gowbarrow.  Not a proper summit for me this time (and not quite as dramatic as Hartsop above How the other day!) but what a treat to see the snow-topped fells - stunning!

Over a number of years, it's been my pleasure to work alongside the team at Meals on Wheels Cumbria to highlight what they offer for the community.  From helping them with their website to capturing photographs and film, it's always great to celebrate and promote the work that they do.  If you are looking for a hot meal and a little extra contact during the week for yourself or a family member, do get in touch with them at mealsonwheelscumbria.org.  Whilst I can't provide smell-o-vision (the food looked and smelt amazing!!) you can hear from the team, volunteers and customers themselves on the film we made at the end of 2023:  

I do love an up-hill wander - not because I love exercise (I really don't) but because I love fresh-air, being in nature and seeing the amazing views that are other-wise out of reach from ground-level.  I know not everyone can live around here or is in a position to walk up the fells themselves, so here are a couple of my shots from a recent trip up Hartsop above How with my fell-buddy and Mum, Ruth.  Wainwright say 'there is no better place for appraising the ruggedness of the eastern crags' and he's not wrong! I'm notching up my Wainwright fells but there's still a long way to go yet!

Once again I'm going to be posting my favourite photos from across 2023 on the de la Mare Creative Instagram and Facebook accounts.  Last year I posted two from each month to take us through the 2022 but I thought I'd shake it up a little and had a 'grand idea'.  As you might've seen on the first post of Advent, I had the great idea for this year's to do a letter a day. "Perfect" I thought "24 days until Christmas, 24 letters in the alphabet... why hasn't anyone done this before?" I asked myself. Well my friends, that's because there's 26 letters in the alphabet. I shouldn't admit that I have a degree in English Literature..! I'm still going ahead with the alphabet but I'm going to run on a little after Christmas Eve!

Once again, thanks to all the represented in these pictures - it's been a privilege! Happy Advent!

I didn't get the best of light this year, however they look gorgeous no matter the weather.  You can see from the film above though that I was battling the wind, not an easy thing for photographer nor camera!  Enjoy these beauties.

It's not too far off now... last Christmas posting dates (if you are local, it might be possible to order slightly later and collect in person - please get in contact first though!)

​Prints:
Fine Art Prints (so gorgeous!!) - Wednesday 13th of December
Standard Finish Prints - Monday 18th of December

Christmas Gift Vouchers:
Postal Delivery - Monday 18th of December
Email Delivery - 5pm on Christmas Eve, 24th of December

Art Shop
Wednesday 13th of December

In the longer days of summer, Mr and Mrs Fiamor-Young got married! It's been such a pleasure getting to know Alex and Klenam over the past couple of years - from walking around Rydal for their engagement shoot to all the lead up to the big day - their love for each other, their families and friends and life in general made for a fantastic day. Great to meet Jane Ryder Make Up, shoot at St. Thomas' Church Kendal again and see the stunning views from Helsington!  Congrats Alex and Klenam, and thank you for including me in your day! ​

The colours are reminding me of two shoots over that last years with this gorgeous family - one after their little boy was born, then last year with their little girl too! What a joy it is to celebrate milestones with people. 

Autumn is such a beautiful season, especially in the Lakes.  I'd wholeheartedly recommend it for an outdoor shoot, there's often a crispness in the air and days that gives a little buzz to photos and of course, the colours of the changing trees and landscape make fantastic surroundings.  Whether it's down Ullswater or through parkland, it's a great time for a shoot. Get in touch if you want to make the most of the season! 

If you want to keep up-to-date with goings on here at de la Mare Creative, my autumn newsletter will be out soon with lots of pretty things from across the season. If you'd like to receive it, you can sign up here.

Almost two months ago Matthew and Jessica got married!  During a December family shoot in 2021, I'd shot this fab couple before they were engaged and thought there was something special there.  It wasn't very much afterwards that a proposal happened! It's always extra special for me to capture images of people across the years and so I was particularly pleased when they contacted me about photographing their day.  And such a beautiful day it was at South Farm with lots of laughter, photos in bath-tubs, wisteria, caravans and a little bit of magic. How gorgeous do the beautiful bride and groom look? Congratulations to you both!

A very stylish Airbnb shoot this week with a gorgeous little visitor!  A stunning apartment to visit and brilliantly placed to enjoy the Lakes! You can check it out here: Lake District Hideaway