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!

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.

I had the great pleasure of going to the opening night of the Telling in Full exhibition, part of the Lancaster Words Festival, and seeing some of my work exhibited (along with a fantastic live music installation by Sound Book Project). A massive well done to the curators Jessica Elleray : Artist and Ellie Moore. I'll post the links to the films in the next couple of days but if you are in Lancaster today, it's the final day of the exhibition - see the event here: Telling in Full exhibition or you can view the digital catalogue here.

The first film that forms part of the triptych was made for an Adobe Competition. Loosely fitting around the idea of memory that runs through the three works, this is my exploration of Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell - Author - I would thoroughly recommend this beautiful, beguiling book. Thanks to Josiah de la Mare for his musical expertise.

This is the second film exhibited - where the lost things go.  This piece is in response to the idea of Norfolk - a place where all the lost things end up - in Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. I found the idea of such a place intoxicating and, again, would thoroughly recommend the book. Thanks to Lucy Vidamour for taking part in the film and Anya and Jamie for assisting. The hauntingly beautiful music is an instrumental version of 'For a View' by wonderful The Bookshop Band.

The third and final film that completes the triptych of short films exhibited.  As the exhibition was based on the theme of ekphrasis or 'telling in full' which is the idea of translating works of literature into another art form. This film was inspired by some of the themes from The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng which are encapsulated in the statues of Mnemosyne (or Memory) and her twin sister Forgetting. I discovered this beautifully poetic book when The Bookshop Band performed their song 'An Old House Retains it's Hoard of Memories, which is based on this book. I'm very grateful to have an instrumental version of the song as the backing to this film. Thank you to all who took part in this film.

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

Between one thing and another I've managed to get very behind on blog updates for the last 6 months or so.  As a lover of lists, I have lots of them! However no amount of lists can actually blog for you!  With my work at UCC quietening down for the summer, I'm hoping to catch up.  It's been a busy period with a lot of fun things.  One such thing has been continuing working with the lovely team at MJ Cabinetmakers.  I can't commend them or their work enough and it was a pleasure to photograph many of their items - small and large - over the last few months.  They've recently opened a new showroom at their premises near Bassenthwaite and it's well worth the visit. Here are a couple from their beautiful winter exhibition:

More recently I popped to an amazingly stunning location in the Lakes to shoot one of MJ's dining tables.  The design and production of the table was created to fit the shape and feel of the room.  Simply gorgeous.

Check out their website at www.mjcabinetmakers.co.uk.

A very quick round up of a wonderful year - thanks to all those involved!

A quick blog - check out the footage we took at MJ Cabinetmakers' Christmas Exhibition.  Very festive and gorgeous stuff!

Over the summer, I had a couple of visits 'home' to Guernsey - partly thanks to Chris and Larissa's wedding! It was an opportunity to catch up with family and friends as well as spend time in one of the most lovely places in the world.  I am biased, I know.  Part of the trip was spent camping on Herm Island and for that I didn't have my 'big' camera, just my Nokia Lumia, but those photos are for another post! Here are a few from my grandparents garden.  They are avid gardeners and grow a large variety of vegetables.  I seemed drawn to the fronds and vines again, so here they are... Hope you enjoy them!

It seemed a fitting time to post a photo and the mini-film I did a month or two ago for MJ Cabinet Makers as I'm off down to Windermere in a little bit to work with them again.  They are based near Bassenthwaite and make the most beautiful things out of wood! It's like the woods melted into the furniture shapes! Absolutely stunning! Check their website out here: mjcabinetmakers.co.uk

You can have a look at their mini-film below -off to Windermere!

Last month I took a trip up to Scotland with the family - visiting Fort William, Glenfinnan and the 'Harry Potter' train.  There was a little bit of sheep racing for charity going on in Fort William, a little bit of whisky tasting at the Ben Nevis Distillery. I'd highly recommend the train ride from Fort William up to Malaig.  The scenery is stunning and, for the Harry Potter fans, it crosses the viaduct from The Chamber of Secrets as well as passing Dumbledore's island (spoiler-free!).  I have a huge amount of respect for landscape photographers (I don't claim that to be my speciality) and the landscape shots are more 'snaps' caught along the way - candid landscape if you will! I think I'm particularly in love with ferns this summer though - maybe I'll specialise in them...

There are moments nearer the end of this mini-film when its clear that I either need to go to the gym and lift weights or remember to take correct stabilising equipment out with me! As muscular arms wouldn't really suit my 5'1" frame, I think it'll have to be the equipment in future, especially for when the wind picks up.  I thought I'd share this anyway as the day was just beautiful!

Having been out shooting a Duke of Edinburgh group for UCC's Success Magazine (see http://bit.ly/1wwLChY for a couple of pics from the day, the magazine will be out next week) I took the opportunity to spend a little more time out that way with my Mum.  We walked around Elterwater and made our customary stop at Chester by the River.  I'd recommend the route to anyone - one of my favourites!! I feel I might need to take my camera again in the autumn and get another few shoots and a bit more footage.  A less busy day at Chesters would mean less wobble on the decking too! Though Chesters always seems to be busy - not a surprise there!

The Lake District, Elterwater and the Langdales in particular, are some of the most beautiful places to be in all of England!

There are days where the sun shines and the whole Lake District seems to do a little dance to show off how beautiful it is.  I was lucky enough to be out on location shooting a Duke of Edinburgh group for a magazine article on Monday and so spent a good part of the day in the Lakes with my camera! I had time to take some film too so hopefully I'll be able to throw that together in the next few days too. In the mean time, here's a couple from the day (the magazine ones will come out next month).

Chris Wormald popped in to UCC today for a tour of the school and some hospitality.  It was good to meet him and see some of the students perform, but I wanted to share a couple of pictures of the food - doesn't it look amazing! From the UCC Catering team kitchens.

During April and May, I took part in an online film course run byAdobe Generation.  Whilst I've been involved with film elements at Ullswater Community College, it is an area that I really wanted to get some training in, as well as have the opportunity to give time to filming creatively.  Firstly, I can not recommend the course enough.  The free course provided tutorials, industry guests, encouragement, peer assessment, forum discussion and a framework for progression, all hosted by great tutors.  It was both fun and challenging from a creative and technical point of view.  Adobe Generation are currently running a game design course and an app design course following that.  I think they will be continuing the courses next year, so keep an eye on their website if you are interested. 

The final project for the course was to create the intro section (60 seconds or less) for a book that you love.  Having gone through lots of my favourite books - Never Let Me Go, The Remains of the Day, Midwich Cuckoos, Count of Monte Cristo, Toilers of the Sea - and discarded them as either having been done too well or needing to live in Guernsey etc, I settled on Cloud Atlas.  I have avoided all the trailers etc for the Wackowski's film as I was nervous of losing the version I had from the book, so it was an exciting prospect to film my own introduction.  

It was a pleasure to plan, film and edit this.  A pleasure to bump into the 2nd Ashton Scout Group from Preston who so very very kindly let us film in the cave whilst they waited outside for a good half an hour.  A pleasure to work with my brother who composed the music based on my mad scribbles and gesticulations of 'more sad', 'loopy and repetitive' or 'more scratchy'.  A pleasure to spend the day with my brother and sister-in-law helping me (and eating food at the amazing Chesters by the River).  And it was a lovely lovely thing to win the competition at the end of it all.

So if you think a spot of filming would help people connect with what you do, or would like a filming aspect to your wedding photography, it would be my pleasure to work with you.

My Cloud Atlas film:

And a couple of shots from the day: