Between the mad busy-ness of September and the mad busy-ness of October this year, I had a week away with my parents, my sister, her husband and their daughter, along with my Husband and our dog. 

Firstly, I have to say that I've had such a busy year which has been ridiculously busy at times. It's been such a great year with my business but a week physically away from home was something I desperately needed.

Secondly, we stayed at the nicest possible place I could have hoped for in order for this well  needed break. If you are looking for a staycation in Dartmoor or Devon in general, somewhere that's just out of the way enough to feel in the middle of no where, but somewhere were you're still able to go to the shops for essentials, have a trip to a nice local pub or two, or just somewhere for a great long walk, I could not recommend West Nymph Holiday Cottages highly enough. 

The converted barn we stayed in "Holly Hock Cottage" (total coincidence with the matching name) could not have been more beautiful, cosy and clean. The main bathroom had a humungous shower that I enjoyed dancing like this in whenever I had a shower in it. Something that makes my heart happy as well is a curved free standing bath, so you better believe I was grinning like a fool when I was having a soak in that beast! ​

We got a little welcome spread of treats on our arrival which we really loved and appreciated, and Scampi even got a large jar of dog treats too, which I'm pretty sure she really loved and appreciated. Those scones where bloody delicious by the way...

Isn't it funny how when you're younger, older people often feel the need to tell you how fast life goes. You really just can't get your head around it though until it starts happening. You might intellectually understand the concept, but until you start getting older yourself it just doesn't hit home. Also when you see other young'uns growing up around you, it hits home even more, and my niece is growing up so quickly. 

She is such a beautiful intelligent sweet little person, and I wish I spent more time with her, but unfortunately life too often gets in the way, and maybe it's one of those things where it would never feel like I spent enough time with her.

During Leanne and Sam's wedding day Alan Partridge was mentioned in one of the best men's speeches, an Einstein quote was featured in the ceremony along with a Tolkien reading, and the ceremony was kicked off with a beautiful cover of the Queen song You're My Best Friend, all things that made me so happy to hear!

I think it is the windiest wedding I have ever shot at and the ceremony had to stop a couple of times because the wind was so strong, but it all went very well, and it was a little bonus for me that a couple of times Leanne's very long veil got caught up in it which was great to photograph, there was even a little confetti tornado at reception! 

Hair & Makeup: Style Sisters.
Ceremony: Island Celebrants.
Wedding Rings: Serendipity Diamonds.
Flowers & Arrangements: Inspired Island Events.
Venue: Albert Cottage, Isle of Wight.
Band: The Rockafellas.
Cake: Boudewijns Bakery.

Thank you both so much, you were a dream to work with, and thank you for the lovely review you wrote for me.

I had seen a photo of a poppy field in Chale on the Isle of Wight, on a facebook photography group and knew that I had to make a trip to this mystery field. I then realised that in a few days time Rachel and Ryan were going to have their pre-wedding photo shoot with me, so I messaged them on the off chance they we're up for the challenge of finding it's location and having their shoot there, and thankfully they accepted! 

We worked it out, although I have to say Ryan should get most of the credit for that, and we we're off across the island in a little car on a photographic mission. Not only did we find it but I think we found it at the perfect time of day and we even had enough time to make a trip to Compton Bay as well before the evening light had disappeared. 

Rachel and Ryan booked me as their wedding photographer many moons ago now and it seems so strange that the day is finally almost here and all the plans that we talked about will soon be unfolding. Thank you both for asking me to photograph your wedding day, I'll see you both very soon!

It all started with a random conversation between Jordan and I when we were setting up another wedding themed photo shoot. As we unpacked the gorgeous floral creations Jordan had made out of the boot of her car, we were talking about how much we both love dogs and how we wished people would take them along to their weddings more. Then she said "Do you fancy doing a photo shoot with dogs sometime?" to which I nearly shouted back "OH MY GOD YES! YES LET'S DEFINITELY DO THAT PLEASE!"

The result was this shoot. Featuring Ruby the Golden Retriever, Winston the Jack Russell, Alli the Fox Terrier, and my dog Scampi who is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. ​

I am a huge dog lover and obviously I enjoyed taking photos of all four of my gorgeous models (and chatting to the humans that were there as well), but it was so lovely to give them cuddles and praise in between shots. Most of the time when I sat on the floor taking photos of the other dogs, Scampi (who is in the first few photos) came to sit on my lap, I think maybe to remind me of who my dog was and to maybe send a message to the other dogs, silly pup!

A huge thank you to all the canine models and their owners for taking part.

So recently I stepped out from behind the camera again for Amanda Herbert, I took off my specs and put on some make up. If you don’t know who Amanda is please go check out her work because it’s so good and she’s so lovely. 

Every time I do a shoot like this I honestly do learn so much about what it might feel like for my clients and it definitely helps me keep developing as a photographer and change my approach. It's great to also model for a friend like I did with Amanda because you really can relax a lot more, bounce ideas off each other and not feel scared to try new things.
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Two years ago I would NEVER have had the confidence to do something like this, yet alone post the results on the internet, and if I'm honest I don't think I will be doing it again for a long time, I'm happiest and feel more myself being the photo taker.

​Am I perfect? No. Do I think I am in any way perfect? Oh hell no! But I think every single person on the planet should have as much fun as possible while they're still on it, try different things and not let those pesky personal hang ups or other issues hold you back too much. Photos really aren’t fatal, so what if you get a bad photo of yourself? And if you get a great one taken by someone as talented as Amanda you’ll definitely walk on with a bit more spring in your step. 

Thank you so much Amanda, you rock! 📷