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:  

It's Opening Night at 'The Bailiwick In Bloom' Exhibition at Sula Framing & Gallery in Guernsey tonight! Great to have Hotspur (a particularly flamboyant Nerine!) in the Exhibition as one of the sixty pieces on show.  ‘The Bailiwick in Bloom' has work from artists of all ages and is being held from 4th - 20th May 2023 with opening night tonight! See a little glimpse of the Exhibition here on Facebook.

Hotspur is for sale in my Art Print Shop, as well as a variety of Nerine Fine Art Prints.  You can see a selection of similar work on the Nerine section of my blog. 

It goes without saying that 2020 has been an unusual year. It’s also been a time of change here as, after 15 years, I’ve gone full-time as a photographer and creative. For many years, I’ve had the pleasure of working for a few days each as a graphic designer for Ullswater Community College and have counted celebrating the students of that school as one of the joys of my life. As 2020 began, it felt right to transition my role out and give my time fully to my business after eleven years at UCC. From this summer we’ve had a name change, from de la Mare Photography to de la Mare Creative, and whilst this isn’t necessarily the easiest year to do it in, I’m excited for the changes and opportunities ahead!

Over the next few months there will be updates on our website and social media pages - we have exciting new collaborations happening, some seasonal shoots and a new photographic venture coming too. So follow us and come along for the ride!

You can find us on facebook: www.facebook.com/delamarecreative and on Instagram @delamarecreative

For many years, March meant my annual visit to Eden Boutique at Newton Rigg for a fantastic couple of days shooting the end of year Creative image work from the hairdressers and beauty therapists there.  Sadly, due to Coronavirus, this year's shoot had to be cancelled so here's a couple of my favourites from the class of 2019 instead!

 A couple of months ago I had the great pleasure of shooting with the Lost Art Theatre Company.  The play, Number 8, is based around the life of the Carlisle-born suffragette Maud Mary Brindley.  What a performance it was! The subject matter was stirring and, putting the particulars of the politics aside, the story of human endurance and singularity of purpose was interesting in the light of the current climate on freedom, and on freedom fighters.  It was wonderful to work with director Jane Reardon again and alongside Jordan Summers from 1Five Events for the performance at the Old Fire Station in Carlisle.  If you missed the performances in August, Number 8 will be making a return at the Borderlines Festival in October.

Once again it was an absolute pleasure to photograph the final projects of the students at Newton Rigg's Eden Boutique.  As ever there was great evidence of creative ideas and skilful execution.  Here are a few of my favourites from the two days...

I know 'Photos of the Year' type posts are meant to be limited to a small amount of shots (I have a great deal of respect for photographers who can choose 10!) but I've gone for a smaller amount of shots in a variety of categories! 2015 has been a fun and varied year with lots of exciting and beautiful things to capture.  Spring and summer seemed particularly long this year and so there were more opportunities for outdoor photos.  I also had the great joy of becoming an Aunt too (my new nephew Eli makes an appearance below).

To all who I've had the privilege of working with this last year, thank you!

Some lovely locations locally and further down the country (a beautifully sunny Bristol!). Congratulations to all this years couples x

As ever, its a real pleasure to live in Cumbria with easy access to the Lakes.  There were also some new (furry) additions to the residents at Dalemain Mill that will probably mean that next year's 'fav photos' will feature less birds!

Thanks to Creations Hair and Beauty Salon, MJ Cabinetmakers, Eden Boutique, and The Rendezvous Restaurant for some fantastic sessions this year. As always, it's been great to work with Ullswater Community College again this year and join in with all the wonderful things they do. 

Thanks to all the lovely people I've spent time with this year - I look forward to seeing some of you again soon! And of course, welcome to Eli!

Lastly... a little splash of colour at two Hospice at Home Colour Runs.  If you weren't involved this last year and live in Cumbria I'd definitely recommend signing up for the Carlisle or Penrith event.  As you can see, it's amazingly fun!

There may or may not be a film show reel of the year too but just in case - a belated Happy New Year! Here's to an equally wonderful 2016