In The Simple Things!

It has been quite hard keeping quiet about this.  But now, as the magazine in question is out in the shops, I can natter away!

I love a beautiful magazine.  The way they feel, and for for some, (and I know this sounds strange), the way they smell.  I love the sound of the pages as you're flicking through them.   I admit that, for some, I just pour over the gorgeous pictures.  When I picked up the first issue of The Simple Things though, I needed to sit down properly to take it all in with a cup of tea.  I completely immersed myself in it!  It's a celebratory magazine, enjoying life's little pleasures, concentrating on the simple things that fulfil our lives.

So, to the story of the shoot. I had a very excited call from Hannah saying that the magazine would love to do a feature on her, creating something illuminating, and she wanted me to take the photos for it!  She came up with the idea of candle covers that people could deisgn and make themselves.  We sat down for a chat about the shoot, and decided on the pictures that would best document the making process.

Hannah decided on a gorgeous snowdrop design and the cutting began.

Then it was onto the next section of the crafting.  The stitching of the candle cover.

 The finished product:

 Here is a peep at the section in the magazine...

For me, this is a great end to a busy and exciting year.  I hope you all enjoy designing and making your candle covers!  I'm off to finish reading my copy of the magazine and looking forward to finding out what's in store in the next issues - thanks to my sister for my Simple Things subscription for Christmas!

Dream For Life - Taylor

In January, I will be launching a shiny new portrait package called Dream For Life.  I've been really excited preparing for this!  The idea came to me earlier in the year when I did my annual photo shoot with Amy.  This year I asked her what she would like the theme to be, and she came up with the gorgeous idea of a Teddy Bears' Picnic.  You can see this shoot on an earlier blog post here.

After taking and looking at these images, my mind was racing with new ideas.  That a child can come up with the concept for their own shoot.  It might be a character from a book or film, being a magical fairy, racing through the woods being one of the Wild Things, or sailing a ship alongside Captain Jack Sparrow, it’s entirely up to them! 

In the first instance we will sit down together and talk through their Dream For Life shoot, plotting and planning and deciding on the props we may need to make their dreams a reality.  This is what happened when I met up with Taylor.  She decided that in her shoot she wanted to make perfume.  So, we sat down together and the preps began!

We both really enjoyed styling the shoot.  So, the day came and we went down to Hardcastle Crags armed with fresh flowers, mixing bowls and perfume bottles.  We were greeted by a magical winter wonderland scene, everything was frosty and glistening.  It was perfect!  

Here's Taylor's Dream For Life shoot in full.

After we had taken all the shots, and finished sipping our last mug of hot chocolate from the flask, we packed up and left our magical winter scene behind.  I really can't wait to launch this new addition to my portrait packages.  Capturing wonderful bespoke memories that will last a lifetime.

Jacob

What a wonderful little chap Jacob is.  He made me smile all through this shoot!  His Mum & Dad, Debbie & Ian, told me about his love of the outdoors when we first met. Jacob is a real nature boy!  He loves trees and leaves, so this formed the backdrop for the shoot.

 Whenever Debbie or Ian mentioned that we were going to be playing in the leaves, this next shot was Jacob's reaction!

Some of the photos I took reminded me of when I was Jacob's age, always carrying a leaf or a twig around.

I like this little series of shots.  A little guy, in a big clearing, with the lovely autumn light shining through.

We saved the leaf throwing to the end.  Jacob was in his element!

Debbie and Ian are expecting their second baby imminently.  A new little playmate for Jacob.

This is what it's all about for me.  Natural family portraits in the great outdoors.  It was a very pleasant day at the office!