Goodness what a shoot this was!! Having run up and down Haystacks (apparently Wainwright's favourite fell), I was well warmed up by the time I met Kenji and Georgia on the shores of Buttermere for their engagement shoot. Having met overseas, the couple were visiting Georgia's childhood home over the summer and decided to have a shoot during their visit. We wandered along the shores of the lake, and I had a whale of a time letting them celebrate being them (and clicking away in the process). Their joy and love for each other is so evident in the photos. It's been a pleasure spending time with these two (from the shoot to their little messages on their slideshow!) and their prints are going to be boxed up soon. I love my job!
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In addition to the lovely spread of our photos (and brilliant article by Woodlands Country House & Cottage) in this month's edition of Your North West Wedding magazine from Naomi and Darryl's day, the magazine kindly carried an article all about the Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland 25th Anniversary Raffle. You can see it the article here.
I've had the absolute pleasure of working with Hospice at Home for a number of years – from promotional films and photography to helping to sell sunflowers at Kendal Calling, and I’m always amazed at the wonderful work they do. I'm so pleased to contribute a sitting voucher and one of gorgeous Nkuku frames as one of the prizes in the raffle. The raffle runs until the 24th August, 2022. Get in contact if you want to know more or you can buy raffle tickets here. It is part of a Guernsey childhood to grow up with tales of shipwreck and salvage. The story, potentially apocryphal, is that nerines arrived on the beaches of my home island in this very manner. Along with their South African sister the Agapanthus, they have thrived in Guernsey and it was a thrill to photograph The Guernsey National Collection of Nerines care for by Plant Heritage Guernsey.
They say that Guernsey folk are always on a rubber-band pulling them back; in a stolen moment before the November Covid-19 lockdown, a flight to Guernsey was possible to be amongst the people and places of home. In this time of crisis and unknown trajectories, there seems to be a great need for that feeling of home and belonging. For me, these nerines – and their greenhouse - are a representation of that very thing and I was keen to capture a moment of their beauty at the end of the season. Fittingly, they were on the cusp of their winter fade with some in full splendour and some submitting to the change of the seasons. The Collection beamed with timeless beauty whilst giving a reassuring nod to the cycle of their growing year and the year to come. It was a joyful thing to walk amongst the plants with my camera, being drawn in by the Collection as a whole and at a more intimate, individual level; photographing the character of these plants, both delicate and flamboyant, and the peace and beauty of what they represent. Last May, I had the pleasure of meeting this lovely lady when she took part in the Kaleidoscope Devoted Film. She is an artist and I filmed her creating a pastel piece based on the idea of celebration and 'party threads'. After meeting, we organised to get together along with her husband in Astley Park in Chorley to shoot some maternity photos and then again when their gorgeous little boy was born. I'm so passionate about the power of photos, and their memories, being in peoples hands and homes that I was thrilled when I was able to create an album for them. Working together, we designed one of Graphistudio's beautiful 'Baby Book' album and box sets to house their photos so they can go back and enjoy these precious moments again and again! I feel I say it a lot, but it really is always a pleasure to share and celebrate these life events with people. We have a 20% discount offer running for our sittings booked in January and February, use the code 'WINTEROFFER20' when checking out one of our Gift Certificates for a Sitting or get in touch to book a sitting!
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! What a joy it is to photograph people! This is what it's all about... this wonderful family weren't able to be together in person for Lucy and Rubens' wedding but we were able to capture these photos of pure joy and togetherness over Christmas. I've worked with the lovely Mother-of-the-Bride before (as well as both being Guerns) and it was such a pleasure to celebrate their new international family with these photos down at Pooley Bridge with Ullswater behind us. The clouds parted for a very brief window where we walked rain-free for these photos, before it carried on with a vengeance for the rest of the day! The last years have been tough with many missed moments, however silver linings like these are beautiful to see. Get in touch to book a sitting - they are such a bundle of joy and a great way to celebrate your family!
A quick blog update, with a phone pic, from the Nerine Festival in Guernsey - what a pleasure to be over shooting the National Collection once again. You can find out all about the Festival on the Guernsey Plant Heritage website. Photos coming in the coming months!
I've tried - somewhat unsuccessfully! - to maintain a seasonal update email over the years. It's time to try again... if you'd like to see little reminders on upcoming events, offers and photos then feel free to join our list! Wit and regularity isn't promised!
Earlier this year I was involved in directing a film for Kaleidoscope art network and tonight it goes live at the online Devoted 2021 event! The film, which is based around a spoken poem, focuses on social justice and was made to partner with the event's keynote speaker Natalie Williams who is Chief Executive of the poverty and social action organisation Jubilee+. It basically saw we filming across the North West and collaborating with lots of artists - it was a great joy to be involved with this project!
Credits:
Creative Directors = Ali Mac and Jez Chalmers Production and Direction = Rachael de la Mare Music = Andy Lowe Narration = Clara Mukuria and Blessan K Babu Spoken Word Contributors = Clara Mukuria, Rose Cooper, Emma Elliott, Lydia Ritter, Jez Chalmers Dance = Sharon Cameron Pastel Artist = Shadi Rhm Potter = Matt Cameron |
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