In October 2021,  I had the immense pleasure of spending the day with Darryl and Naomi - along with family and friends - as they celebrated ten years of married life by renewing their vows.  By my height and my name, it's very clear that I'm a Guernsey girl (not a relative of Walter though!) and this beautiful family moved to the Lake District just before Covid from Guernsey too.  There's a small but strong group of islanders who have made Cumbria their home!  I'd not crossed over with Darryl and Naomi before (unusual in Guernsey circles!!) and so it was a double delight to meet them and record their day.  

The service - which was filled with celebration and warmth - was at St. James' Church followed by a fantastic reception at Woodlands Country House in Ireby.  The Etoile String Quartet played beautifully at both locations and after months of little or no live music, their playing added to the emotion of the day which was already full of so much joy and love.  If anyone is considering how to celebrate a marriage milestone, I can think of no better life and love-affirming way to do so! Congratulations Darryl and Naomi!

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.

On a beautifully chilly day in January, Ben and Ailsa got married! We had a lovely wedding wander around the balmy Winter Gardens in Duthrie Park, Aberdeen. Lots of joy and beauty in these photos! Congratulations Mr and Mrs Millard! 

Just before Christmas we had the pleasure of spending a wintery day with these lovely people down in the South Lakes at St. Thomas' Church in Kendal.  The day was crisp and the atmosphere was joyful with lots of smiles and laughter! Congratulations to the lovely Mr and Mrs Theobald! 

It's been a busy two or three months leading to a very delayed 'Best of 2017'.  I almost considered leaving it until 2018 but there were so many lovely moments in the last year that I thought it was worth popping them up even if they are a little late.  Thank you to all those who have appeared through the lens of the de la Mare camera this year!
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Starting with a stunning Couple's shoot for Simon and Bethany in January, following their London wedding, this year's weddings have been a joy! There's a couple in here too of Tom and Hannah's stunning Graphistudio album that arrived this year.  Congratulations one and all.

It's hard categorising photos - a few in here could fit into the lovely people section, just they aren't people! Getting out and about or shooting pets in the studio were some of the highlights of 2017, with another successful Pet Week in Angel Square and lots of opportunities for capturing nature.

It's been such a pleasure to work with lots of different local businesses and organisations again this year including the beautiful work of mj cabinetmakers, a stunning fashion collection, work for the wonderful Ullswater Community College (including a little bit of Joey Essex) and Eden Boutique and a project for Hospice at Home's 20th anniversary including a visit from The Duchess of Gloucester.  If you don't know about Hospice at Home, please check out their website - it's a wonderful charity.

Really, it's all about people.  Thank you to all of these people who spent a little portion of their 2017 with me as we preserved a few memories together.  

Happy Anniversary to these two! It was a crisp, beautiful day in London last November (followed by a equally crisp and beautiful day in the lakes for a couple shoot which will follow soon!) when these two tied the knot.  Such a beautiful one and lots of fun and colour! Congrats Mr and Mrs Ward-Wilson!

After a great time at last year in the Devonshire Arcade, we're running our second Pet Week in Penrith.  We saw so many cute fluffy and furry local residents and we're looking forward to seeing even more this year!  We will be in Angel Square in Penrith, handily next to Costa Coffee, next week from Monday the 23rd to Saturday the 28th of October.  Go to our Pet Week page to book in or feel free to contact us for more info. We look forward to welcoming you to Pet Week 2017! 

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'm a little slow in getting these up too but another enjoyable, and lovely, family sitting.  This time the session was a complete surprise for Mum as a Mother's Day present (well done Dad!).  Such a cutie too!