Five on Friday

I've had this idea in my head for a while to start a bit of a regular series - maybe not even photo related (gasps in shock!) - where I share some of the cool things I've found or encountered in the past week. I love sites that link me to things I haven't seen before or that get me excited about some new idea. It could all be a huge disaster and you may get bored by the end of the second link, but let's give it a go anyway! So I bring you my first Five on Friday!!1. This video. I came across it on Facebook and I almost never click on those (much to my mother's disappointment) but it may have been the lights in the video image that made me click on this one. And I'm so glad I did. These guys are awesome and are guaranteed to bring a little heart-flutter to your weekend! 2. Continuing on a video theme I've recently come across this series of yoga videos that I think are brilliant. I am not a natural yoga girl and to be honest some of the hardcore yogis I see on Instagram intimidate me more than inspire me even though their videos and poses are amazing. But Adriene, who hosts this series, is my type of person - very normal and not scary and even kind of fun! I've done a few of these at home and as someone who hasn't the first clue about yoga I highly recommend them!3.  Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Body Buttercream. This is actually heaven in a tub! My sister in law bought me a gift set for Christmas and I kid you not, it's the nicest thing I've ever put on my skin! And to top it off, it's on special offer in Boots at the minute. It would be rude not to, and if you're a mum reading this, I'd let someone know quick smart that this is on your Mother's Day list! 4. This next one only really counts if you live in Northern Ireland or plan on visiting in the next while, but I couldn't do this post without reference to the Ramore Wine Bar in Portrush. If you live here you will understand! If not, just come and visit but remember to get there early if you don't want a 90 minute wait. Nothing makes me feel more like I'm away from home than Friday night tea at the Ramore with a glass of wine and some Bang Bang Chicken! I'm drooling at the thought!   5. I've been working on my digital scrap skills over half term and one of the best things all week has been the love and encouragement over at The Lilypad. It may not be your thing but if it is, they have an amazing store full of incredible designers, one of whom I'm lucky enough to create for, but the community in the gallery is the best I've ever come across in this line of activity. And the creations by the people who use the gallery is so inspiring.So there you go! Five on Friday to maybe make you smile or inspire you. Whatever you're up to this weekend I hope you have a lovely few days! Janine xx

The Jamaica Inn

Sometimes two things that you love just collide and it's like all your birthdays have come at once! That's exactly how I felt about getting to shoot the newly refurbished Jamaica Inn in Bangor a couple of weeks ago. If you haven't been before you are seriously missing out and need to get that rectified immediately! It's one of my all time favourite restaurants, and the fact that it's mere minutes from my house and has stunning views across the Lough are added bonuses. But it's the food and the atmosphere together that make it the perfect place for a meal or a night out. Don't even take my word for it - just look!! I really hope you do head to the Jamaica Inn sometime soon - I promise you won't regret it!

The happiest wedding ever!

I've been wanting to blog this wedding for ever and until now life has just kept getting in the way. But I'm not letting anything stop me this evening.These two are quite possibly the sweetest couple in the world, and to say it was a privilege documenting their day is a gross understatement! Not only did I get to photograph the day for a good friend, but I gained another along the way and for that I will be eternally grateful.The weather was rubbish, raining nearly all day, but as you will see, not even the dampest Northern Ireland weather can rain on true love's parade! So grab a cup of coffee (glass of wine optional), get yourself comfy and take a peek at the happiest wedding ever!Now, don't you feel altogether cheered and jolly to your core? Mark and Linz, you two were a dream couple to work with and to count you as friends made it all the more special! And to Aly, I will forever be all over any opportunity for the #dreamteam to work together!!

Boys are the best

I'm going to make a bold and drastic statement here, but photographing boys is my favourite and my best.  Maybe it's because I have two boys and I know a bit about what makes them tick and what makes them laugh (fart noises every time!)I was so lucky to get to photograph these brothers at the end of the summer.  Their mum wanted them as a surprise for their dad's birthday, and if happy boys racing in the sand and jumping around like lunatics doesn't make for a great birthday present, I don't know what does!! This is a little bit of their life documented. If you 'd like a little bit of your family's life documented, whether it's just to update the family photos, a birthday, christening or other family event, go ahead and click the contact button up there - I'd love to hear from you! 

Amy and Adam got married

It was such a privilege for me to document Amy and Adam's wedding at the start of the summer.  I've known Amy since forever and her family feel like family to ours.  It was a beautiful day from start to finish - if you don't count the 10 minutes when we thought we were going to have to cut a zip out of one of the bridesmaid dresses!  Every little detail was simply perfect and it was a joy to be a part of.

A bit of life documentation

I've really got out of the habit of posting about my creative habits and family documentation.  So I am going to remedy that right now!  If you're new to my blog then you may not be aware of my guilty little pleasure, the one we call scrapbooking- *pauses for sharp intake of breath from unsuspecting readers*!At this point I am aware that some people will instantly have glazed over and gone back to  Facebook.  So I am grateful to those of you who have stuck with me!I confess to having quite an addiction to pretty paper products and assorted fancy embellishments and I love combining them with scissors and glue and making a bit of a mess in a bid to record our family lives.  The good and the bad.  At the minute I seem to default to the Project Life form of pocket scrapping which allows me to document the everyday bits and bobs easily.  I even allow myself to subscribe to a kit from Studio Calico because, you know, it's really pretty stuff!  When you put it together it looks a bit like this... See!! It's really fun! And on that note I'm going to stop before people start talking about me behind my back!

Max and Patrick

Hi ClareI managed to whittle the photos down to 54 total, which is still a lot to choose from! They're uploaded at a small size so you might see them a bit grainy or pixelated in full screen but they will be full size on the USB when you get it.I hope you don't have too much difficulty choosing your photos! Enjoy and I'll speak to you soon.Janine x

I {heart} families!

Families are such a blast to photograph.  Especially when they're multi-generational and super fun!  And don't mind the rain!!I had the pleasure of photographing the fabulous Moore and Gibson families in the grounds of the Galgorm a few weeks ago.  For those of you that follow me on Instagram, this was the shoot where I wrecked my leg (and possibly a bench but ssshh, don't tell!)  But it was totally worth it to capture this lot.  Moores and Gibsons, you were brilliant and it was a pleasure spending the morning with you!

A bit of a brag

I am really lucky to get to photograph so many gorgeous families, kids, couples and babies.  But I have no hesitation in declaring that this particular baba is the most beautiful one ever.  In.  The.  World.  OK, I know she's my niece but I would like to again congratulate my sister and brother in law for producing such a shining wee beauty!These are from a couple of months ago when she was six months.  So gorgeous!I told you!!

Love on the coastal path

I had a blast with these two this week along the coastal path from Crawfordsburn on a beautiful summer evening. I've known Amy since forever (I babysat her when she was a mere nipper!) so it was such a privilege to get to take these engagement photos for her and her fabulous fiancé, Adam.  And it will be an even bigger privilege to document their wedding at Mount Stewart this Friday! This is just a snapshot of their session as the sun set over the lough.