 It's safe to say that this was not the April 2020 anyone was expecting. Now is the time of year I'm usually revving myself up, ready for at least six months of glorious wedding season madness, and it's beyond surreal that for the first time in seven years that's not happening. I’ve watched more TV on the past month than I want to admit (is there anyone out there who hasn't seen Tiger King?? It's like the other big thing of 2020 so far), and done jobs around the house that have been put off for AGES. In all seriousness though I don’t need to tell you that times are hard, because we’re all going through it. Apart from the hugely serious side of this whole pandemic, there is the daunting side to these times we've found ourselves living in, where mine and many other peoples income went from normal to nonexistent in the matter of a couple of days, and no one really knows when things are going to go back to normal in just that respect, daunting to say the least. I want to thank my wonderful 2020 couples, I’ve received some lovely messages. They really have meant a hell of a lot. I am truly grateful for you all.
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 2. The brides perfume: A clean smell, with a strong whiff of alcohol… |  3. A very topical ring shot. |
Have you ever just wanted to go away to a place that feels like the middle of nowhere? Stay in a cottage with a real fire and barely any phone signal, lots of nature all around you so you can really unwind? Pete, Scampi and I did and it was pretty sweet.
Dolydd Cottage where we stayed is a beautiful cottage in a great location, I easily could have stayed for longer/forever, and we were also we were welcomed with a plate of welsh cakes which were delicious!
Dolydd Cottage where we stayed is a beautiful cottage in a great location, I easily could have stayed for longer/forever, and we were also we were welcomed with a plate of welsh cakes which were delicious!
The owners were so friendly, one morning they offered us carrots to feed the animals on the farm before we whizzed off for a day out. Totally unexpected but so enjoyable, I mean who doesn't want to do that?!
Last month I travelled up to London to this brand new event, armed with my Notebook, my oyster card, a lot of enthusiasm, a few nerves, and just my phone for photo taking.
The day for me was not about picture taking, and I wanted to be in the moment and soak up as much as possible, so the cameras did stay at home. Plus I am finally having fun again taking photos on my phone, using different apps and whatnot, and fun is important! Wooo!
'Speak Now '19' was an event organised by the brilliant Marianne Chua, so when I first heard about it I knew I had to go, and I was not dissapointed.
The day for me was not about picture taking, and I wanted to be in the moment and soak up as much as possible, so the cameras did stay at home. Plus I am finally having fun again taking photos on my phone, using different apps and whatnot, and fun is important! Wooo!
'Speak Now '19' was an event organised by the brilliant Marianne Chua, so when I first heard about it I knew I had to go, and I was not dissapointed.
Thanks to a delayed train I along with a few other ladies rushed into Islington Metal Works, got signed in and went to find an available seat.
Laura Babb had already started her talk on 'Presenting like a Boss' but I have to say what I caught was great. I've heard of Babbs before and heard a lot of praise about the SNAP Photography Festival, so there was a sence for me honestly of "Oh cool! It's that really great person I follow online, in real life, like, right over there!... sweet..." which sounds so silly to admit but I think we've all done that a couple of times haven't we? I felt that a few times that day anyway...
Laura Babb had already started her talk on 'Presenting like a Boss' but I have to say what I caught was great. I've heard of Babbs before and heard a lot of praise about the SNAP Photography Festival, so there was a sence for me honestly of "Oh cool! It's that really great person I follow online, in real life, like, right over there!... sweet..." which sounds so silly to admit but I think we've all done that a couple of times haven't we? I felt that a few times that day anyway...
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.
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!
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!
“The comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.”
🌻
I always remember HATING having my photo taken as a kid, and apart from an awkward embarrassing selfie phase I’m sure most teenagers go through (..please tell me I’m not alone? Every MySpace profile needed about a dozen of them right?!) I’ve never been comfortable or confident in front of a camera.
🐔
About two years ago I finally decided enough was enough and I’ve been on a personal mission to get more comfortable with having the camera turned on me. It seemed silly to be so scared of being in front of it and so happy behind it, especially as I know how photo shoots with the right photographers are such great confidence boosters and important in documenting milestones.
When I turned twenty-five I had something of a mini mid-midlife crisis. Among many things I felt that it was such a shame that I let my very normal personal hang ups, depression and anxiety take the reigns and have so much influence over so many of my decisions. Not doing something out of choice is one thing, not doing something out of fear is different. I’ve never wanted to be centre of attention, I’m much happier floating around on the edges doing my own thing. I am quite chatty most of the time yes, but at my core I am a huge introvert, and if you meet me in person you’ll likely see me wearing my glasses and wearing no make up.
🌻
I always remember HATING having my photo taken as a kid, and apart from an awkward embarrassing selfie phase I’m sure most teenagers go through (..please tell me I’m not alone? Every MySpace profile needed about a dozen of them right?!) I’ve never been comfortable or confident in front of a camera.
🐔
About two years ago I finally decided enough was enough and I’ve been on a personal mission to get more comfortable with having the camera turned on me. It seemed silly to be so scared of being in front of it and so happy behind it, especially as I know how photo shoots with the right photographers are such great confidence boosters and important in documenting milestones.
When I turned twenty-five I had something of a mini mid-midlife crisis. Among many things I felt that it was such a shame that I let my very normal personal hang ups, depression and anxiety take the reigns and have so much influence over so many of my decisions. Not doing something out of choice is one thing, not doing something out of fear is different. I’ve never wanted to be centre of attention, I’m much happier floating around on the edges doing my own thing. I am quite chatty most of the time yes, but at my core I am a huge introvert, and if you meet me in person you’ll likely see me wearing my glasses and wearing no make up.
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.
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! 📷
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.
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! 📷
Love & stuff
xo.
Time with your best friends is made that extra bit sweeter when you are spending rare time together in a place like Brighton. It's such a brilliant mix of being vibrant, unique and bustling in quite a small town way perched right next to the sea, and I really love it. I haven't been to Brighton for years and I loved visiting again for a long weekend with my friends.
I sometimes struggle to get the balance of going somewhere/spending time with people I love and also documenting it with my camera. Clearly I wasn't going to take my camera with me on a night out, but I would be a fool and very much regret it if I didn't take my camera with me on a holiday, so glad I took some snaps of our trip...
I sometimes struggle to get the balance of going somewhere/spending time with people I love and also documenting it with my camera. Clearly I wasn't going to take my camera with me on a night out, but I would be a fool and very much regret it if I didn't take my camera with me on a holiday, so glad I took some snaps of our trip...
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This was my first Airbnb experience, and it was an absolute winner. Great flat in a great location for a very reasonable price - A big shout out to Nick who was our Airbnb host, who we never actually met but he was so kind and has such a cute flat!
The coffee table had so much random stuff in it, and every day each of us would randomly shout out after looking into it's depths that we had discovered a new thing in it. I know it looks like my feet are hairy or dirty in this photo (LOL) but I have weird and strong tan lines on my feet, because quite frankly Rocketdog flip flops are one of the most comfortable shoes in the entire universe, and in the summer mine pretty much never leave my feet.
Beccie has been one of my best friends since we were eleven, and I met Helen later on near the end of high school and ever since she has also been one of my best and greatest friends.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the beginning of my love affair with photography. A full ten years since I decided to be brave, and make the decision to drop out of sixth form and instead, go to the local college to learn more about the only A-level I had enjoyed. How did I celebrate this? I did what many camera nerds would do, I went on a photography course.
No single photographer knows everything there is to know about the art, and every year I try to get my teeth into learning at least one new area of it. You'll have to stay tuned to find out what that is for me this year in my work over the next few months, all I can say is I really can't wait to learn more and put it into practice at weddings!
The class took place in a function room of The Water Poet pub, and sitting in a dark room with lines of tables, ornamental mirrors, red draping, animal heads and the like, made me feel like I was in a gothic school of some kind.
No single photographer knows everything there is to know about the art, and every year I try to get my teeth into learning at least one new area of it. You'll have to stay tuned to find out what that is for me this year in my work over the next few months, all I can say is I really can't wait to learn more and put it into practice at weddings!
The class took place in a function room of The Water Poet pub, and sitting in a dark room with lines of tables, ornamental mirrors, red draping, animal heads and the like, made me feel like I was in a gothic school of some kind.
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It was absolutely fantastic an I really learned a ton. It's one of those things where I know that I've got to grips with a certain area more than I had that very same morning, but there is so much more to explore, practice and eventually understand.
The room was full of fellow wedding photographers, oddly all women and oddly all using Canon cameras! It was so wonderful to be surrounded by friendly women who all had a shared passion for photography. A huge thank you Marianne for an amazing and instructive day (and for letting me take pictures of her with her "lightsaber", I really want one of my own now.)
The room was full of fellow wedding photographers, oddly all women and oddly all using Canon cameras! It was so wonderful to be surrounded by friendly women who all had a shared passion for photography. A huge thank you Marianne for an amazing and instructive day (and for letting me take pictures of her with her "lightsaber", I really want one of my own now.)
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Love & Stuff
Xo.
The Ramblings of Holly Cade:
Wedding and Portrait Photographer - based on the Isle of Wight.
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