It's such a special thing to have the opportunity to photograph people across the years.  A number of years ago, I spent a lovely day with my camera at Darryl and Naomi's Vow Renewal based from their beautiful guest house in Ireby and last month we celebrated Darryl's recent Marmalade win with a series of photographs.  

The wonderful Dalemain - home of the Dalemain Mecanopsis - hold their Marmalade World Awards each year with a fabulous mixture of fun and artistry, freshness and heritage (the children in my family were so sad to miss it this year that we had to hold our own mini-awards!).  This year, Darryl won the Hotel and B&B Marmalade category with his 'Christingle Marmalade'.  Made from the oranges from a cancelled Christingle at the church next to their guest house, the Marmalade has a wonderful story as well as an award-winning taste!  To mark the win, we got together to create these photos featuring the Marmalade and Darryl.

So many congratulations to Darryl, and all at Woodlands Ireby, for such a wonderful thing! 

Over the last number of year's I've had great times working with Penrith Town Council, particularly in recording the Penrith entries for the Britain in Bloom competition, and this May Day was another fab one.  It's always an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful place that is Penrith and photographing the May Day 2025 celebrations did just that! 

From the charming Teddy Bear zip wire at St. Andrews to the performers and bands, it was a great day.

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!

If you've been reading my blogs or posts, you'll notice the phrase 'it's a privilege' come up quite often.  The reason is that it often is a privilege to photograph the things I get to celebrate.  That's never more true than when working with Hospice at Home.  From making films to recording photos like these, helping shine a light on this wonderful charity really does make my heart sing.  Do look into their excellent work and considering supporting them today: www.hospiceathome.co.uk 

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.

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:  

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

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. 

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

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!