People and places :: K and the horses

There's something special about photographing people in places they love. They sort of lose themselves in the moment and it's a bit magical watching it all unfold.This is my friend's daughter in the place she would probably live if her folks allowed her! Horses are her everything, so capturing her before a competition was an amazing experience. I've had next to no experience with horses, but watching her work with them and seeing the trust between them was just incredible and put me completely at ease. I'm looking forward to brighter, dryer days when I can capture her riding and jumping.If you're thinking that this is the year you really need to update your family photos, or you would like to capture a place or activity that is special to you, I would love to hear from you. You can use that little contact button or find me on Facebook or Instagram.

Dear dads

You are awesome! I have watched a lot of dads at work during newborn or family sessions and at weddings. And we'd be lost without them. From making sure they don't fall off a climbing frame to jumping on a trampoline with them. From giving smushy newborn kisses to changing nappies that should have a health and safety warning attached! From walking daughters down the aisle to welcoming new sons and daughters into the family. There isn't much I haven't seen.In honour of day of the dads, I thought it would be nice to share some of my favourite images of dads with their kids of various ages from the last number of years.Dads, you really are amazing!

The Millars

One of the best bits of photographing a couple's wedding, is that sometimes you get a call a year or two down the line to share the amazing news of a new addition to the family and the need for some new photos. I was had the best time second shooting with Aly Harte at Pamela and Andy's wedding several years ago, and as Aly has decided to focus full time on her art and wellbeing blog (and sold me most of her equipment!) it was me who got to document the new family of 3.Now we all know I'm a sucker for a baby session, but the cuteness of this and Eva's facial expressions for one so young literally tipped me over the edge. Also, is there anything more beautiful to watch than new parents who are in love with their baby? I think not. I have some space for family sessions through the summer, so if you would more information I would love you to fill in the contact form at the top of this post. I promise you won't regret it! 

a pocket full of posies

It's such a miserable night here - rain is pelting down, the wind is blowing the bins all over the place, and we've the fire lit for some comfort inside. Somehow it just doesn't feel like spring has sprung, even though the Google logos are trying to convince us otherwise! So in the name of encouraging spring along, I thought I'd share some photos I took of my friend Zoë teaching a group of fabulous women how to make a floral crown. Zoë is the owner of Zoë Conville Design House, based here in Bangor, and we're doing a little mutual Mother's Day giveaway on our Facebook pages which you might want to check out. Her floral creations are completely stunning yet she manages to make it all look so easy. I've had a go at it and I can tell you it's not!These images were taken at a party organised by another creative and talented friend, Janice of Gathered Threads, and the combination of creative women, sunshine and maybe just a little bubbly made for a wonderful evening all round. I highly recommend a nosey at the websites and Facebook pages of these two, as well as making sure you're all signed up to the giveaways. You can enter Zoë's via her Facebook page and mine by making sure you're on my newsletter list before Friday 23 March at midday. You'll find the link for that here. For now I shall leave you with these gloriously sunny photos and head back off to the fire, and maybe a wee gin!Don't forget you can sign up to my newsletter here for news, offers and general chit chat delivered right to your inbox! 

And baby makes 3

We all know that time flies, but sometimes something happens to make you realise just how fast it is actually going. This happened to me recently when I took pre-baby photos for my friend on her due date (she lives on the edge!) followed by a newborn shoot less than 2 weeks later. But it was the fact that I had also done an engagement shoot with them and had the privilege of being their wedding photographer that made me realise that not only had time whizzed by, but that life changes literally in the blink of an eye.From a carefree couple in love, through the precious vows of marriage, to the strange last days of it being just two, and finally to the exhilarating and exhausting days of being first time parents. It has been an absolute delight to watch two wonderful human beings I am proud to call my friends move through these transitions, and I can hardly wait to get my camera round to the baby chub that is now forming rapidly on these fragile little limbs!One of the things I love about this pair is their willingness and desire to be in the photos. All too often I hear clients (read 'women'!) say, "Oh don't get me in the pictures - I'm so unphotogenic/need to lose weight/hate my nose..." And I'll admit, I feel that too. But life is short, people. And your kids don't see what you see. And they will want to look back on photos so they can judge you for your hair style and fashion sense - indeed, it is their right, so who are you to deny it?!!I have some spaces available over the next few weeks for sessions out and about or at your home, so if you think you might need to get yourself in the picture, why not give me a shout? I mean, Mother's Day is just around the corner and it would make an awesome present - I even have gift cards if you would like to purchase a session as a gift and book at a time that suits.Don't forget you can also sign up for my newsletter, where there will be exclusive special offers and giveaways that you don't want to miss!

Home is where the heart is

It's funny how some things just sort of creep up on you, and then there's a moment, an epiphany, and you wonder how you hadn't realised it before. I've photographed so many different things, from weddings to restaurants, in amazing gardens, parks and locations. And yet, I've discovered over the past year that the thing which makes me happiest when I have my camera in my hand, is photographing families at home. Maybe it's because at home we are most ourselves. Our true selves, with messy kitchens and fingerprints on walls, toys spilling all over the place and more noise than you ever thought you could cope with!I've had some amazing lifestyle sessions with families at home and I really think I should start sharing them with the world. So lets me start with the O'Rorke family, an amazingly warm and open family with two adorable little sons. When I went to their session I felt instantly at home, coffee was brewing and a very cute two year old was excited to tell me all about his Transformer toys - so glad I had prior knowledge from my own boys! Really, it was a dream session.I read a brilliant quote recently by another photographer, Tara Whitney. She said that her clients know how it feels to love their families, and that she could show them what it looked like. I admire her work so much, and I truly hope that the families I am lucky to photograph feel they get a little of that from their images too. If you'd like to know more about my lifestyle sessions at home I would LOVE to hear from you. You can use the contact form here or find me on Facebook, so please, give me a shout!