A designer's life

Running a design and photography business can be a juggling act some days. That's definitely not a complaint though...creativity is wonderful in any form! I particularly love working with small businesses. The excitement of being at the start and watching them grow, somehow, always makes me feel like a proud parent. Our small business design work has included logos and branding for a dance school in Berkshire, a jewellery company in Kent, a mother and baby gym club in Gibraltar, a photographer in California and an Italian home wear company. Larger projects I have worked on include promo material for St Vincent and the Grenadines Special Olympics Team, various materials for the NHS Staff Awards Evenings, literature for a travel company in Bhutan, event programmes for Sparks Children's Charity in London and window graphics for an insurance group in Chicago. So you see, we really can do almost anything you need for your business, wherever you are in the world. Get in touch via our Contact Page to discuss your design requirements and we will bring the coffee and doughnuts!

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Shineshine and Dickens

The Dickens Festival is a biannual event, where Dickens enthusiasts of all ages flow down the streets of Historic Rochester, in order to commemorate and celebrate the life and works of the influential Victorian writer. The summer festival – held during the second weekend of June every year – was as colourful as ever, with the usual cast of Fagins, Murdstones, Copperfields and Havishams lining the cobbled streets and enjoying each other’s fanciful and creative ensembles.

The shots I took during the sun-drenched parade included people eager to show off their costumes, candid portraits of festival-goers enjoying the spectacle, and even a couple who decided to put a steampunk twist on their otherwise classically Victorian look.

Dickens lived near Rochester for the last decade of his life, and his influence has clearly affected its residents for the better, allowing for many interesting photographic opportunities. See you again for the winter festival!

 

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Love and laughs, family style

A couple of weeks ago on a sunny Saturday afternoon in London, I spent time with a gorgeous family. The head of the family Eve finally had all her children and grandchildren under the same roof after a long time and wanted to capture that. So we headed out to the park and her 'babies' posed up a storm with their very proud Momma/Grandma. It was a loud fun filled few hours with lots of laughter and chat...the best kind of shoot in fact!

Time in the US of A!

At the end of April 2015 I headed off to The States (not my first visit) for a few weeks...and ended up staying for 3 months! I was enjoying the trip so much I couldn't help myself! As you can imagine I took 1000s of photographs. From the excitement of the streets of New York City, to cook outs with family and friends, to the beauty of the architecture in Brooklyn and Pennsylvania, I tried to capture it all...well as much as one person could. I had the best time, so went back in November 2015 and I'm heading back there in May 2016! I'm rather enjoying this travelling and working life!

Empire State Building viewed from 'Top of the Rock' (Rockefeller Center)

Empire State Building viewed from 'Top of the Rock' (Rockefeller Center)

Selling Mexican Ice Pops on The High Line

Selling Mexican Ice Pops on The High Line

Enjoying the sunshine outside FAO Schwarz (which sadly closed it's doors in July 2015)

Enjoying the sunshine outside FAO Schwarz (which sadly closed it's doors in July 2015)

Brooklyn brownstones

Brooklyn brownstones

Having fun on the Alice in Wonderland sculpture in Central Park

Having fun on the Alice in Wonderland sculpture in Central Park

Tree lined street in Brooklyn

Tree lined street in Brooklyn

Rochester Society Calendar...

One of my photographs is the 'September' image for the Rochester Society 2015 Calendar...yes of course I should have posted this a while ago! So here is my shot of Eastgate House in Rochester...

Fuse Festival, Medway...

Last summer I attended the Fuse Arts Festival. It's a yearly event that happens across various locations within Medway in Kent. I took a stack of photos and a great day was had by all. I decided to post some photos today as I can hardly wait for sunshine and summer fun to happen this year! Saying that the sun has decided to shine as I'm typing this...perfect! 


Riverside Country Park...

It's been a while since I posted here. I've been busy working on photography and design projects...and you know the clients always comes first! I did take some time to feel the (very) fresh air in my bones on a wintery day a while ago, when I headed out to the riverside. The stillness was wonderful and even though I love the sunshine there's something rather lovely about a crisp grey day in January.

The beauty of West Berkshire...

A week in June, spent visiting family in Lambourn, was always going to be special. The stunning countryside soothes my soul and the beautiful little villages in the surrounding areas are postcard perfect. As always I could have spent all day AND night taking photos. If it wasn't for my sister and cousin 'needing' dinner I would have!

Lambourn Downs

Lambourn Downs

Lambourn Downs

Lambourn Downs

East Garston Village

East Garston Village

East Garston Village

East Garston Village

Sunday at the Farmer's Market...

A beautiful Sunday morning was spent shopping for produce at my local Farmer's Market in Rochester, Kent. The sights, smells and tastes were far too lovely to resist. Lunch was an asparagus, smoked bacon, mushroom and cheese crepe from 'Crepe in my Face'. Fab name and absolutely perfect crepes! A couple of hours later and a bag full of breads, cheeses, cakes and jams to carry home! I'd highly recommend a visit. It's on once a month...you'll love it!

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My Best Friends Wedding...

No not the film (though I did enjoy that too), this was real life mixed with the stuff of fairy tales! A beautiful bride and her handsome groom, the cutest flower girls, tears of happiness, loud laughter, lots and lots of balloons and a rather gorgeous VW Camper Van! Oh and to top it all off a honeymoon in St Lucia! I love a good romance and I always knew I was going to be there when they tied the knot. But being asked to photograph their very special day was an immense honour for me. I've never seen my dear friend look more beautiful...

Beautiful View...Gorgeous Cakes...

I spent a lovely afternoon at The Penthouse, Leicester Square, London having afternoon tea and taking in the spectacular view! It was a birthday treat from a friend...who made sure I didn't have a clue what was happening until we got to the top floor and stepped into the room! Needless to say I was rather overwhelmed by it all. The view...well the photos speak for themselves. The cakes...beyond perfection! All of these beautiful teatime treats were from the highly talented David Leslie and his team. http://www.davidleslie.com/  I highly recommend a visit if you can. Oh and I got to decorate chocolates and take them home...ahhhh!

Stunning view across London from The Penthouse.

Stunning view across London from The Penthouse.

Beautiful view of the London Eye.

Beautiful view of the London Eye.

Perfect Macaroons.

Perfect Macaroons.

Raspberries and cream filling and American strawberries with a white chocolate sauce...incredible!

Raspberries and cream filling and American strawberries with a white chocolate sauce...incredible!

Chocolate praline filling...doesn't get much better than this!

Chocolate praline filling...doesn't get much better than this!

Handmade chocolates decorated by yours truly!

Handmade chocolates decorated by yours truly!

This town surprised me...

Last weekend I spent time with friends on their beautiful houseboat. Not only are they very lucky to live in such a beautiful home...the views are pretty gorgeous too! We spent a few hours wandering, shopping & having lunch (naturally!) in Gravesend in Kent. I was so surprised at some of the lovely architecture & just had to stop & take some pics!

Sunrise view from the houseboat.

Sunrise view from the houseboat.

Heritage Quarter of the town.

Heritage Quarter of the town.

The town's original Coat of Arms.

The town's original Coat of Arms.

The Market Place.

The Market Place.

Local architecture.

Local architecture.

Sussex Weekend...

A couple of weeks ago I spent a girls weekend with friends and my sister in Sussex. Our friends live in the most glorious location overlooking a harbour...even the swans come to visit! While out for our Sunday walk by the beach everyone had great patience while I stopped every five minutes to take photos! 

No editing required!

No editing required!

Sunday sailing

Sunday sailing

Dancing in the breeze

Dancing in the breeze

Sunday stroll in the sun

Sunday stroll in the sun

A sneak peek...

Last weekend was spent on London's Southbank taking photos for a fashion label who will be featuring in a new magazine coming in Spring 2014. Until then here are a few behind the scenes shots!

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The best anniversary gift...

This week I photographed a gorgeous couple, Klare & Rick, who have been together for 20 years and have four beautiful children. What a fabulous way to celebrate your anniversary... by getting married!


 

To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with. - Mark Twain

To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with. - Mark Twain

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!

Beautiful Berkshire...

I love being in my sister's sports car, taking photos of the landscape as it flies past... while praying my camera doesn't disappear over my head in a gust of wind!

Reminds me of a Van Gogh painting...

Reminds me of a Van Gogh painting...

Beautiful Berkshire countryside

Beautiful Berkshire countryside

Gorgeous landscape

Gorgeous landscape

Childhood Memories...

A quick visit to Dorset in June, brought back wonderful memories of running around on my Grandmother's farm free as a bird. The church always reminds me of The Vicar of Dibley!

The Farm House

The Farm House

Church Window

Church Window

Not The Vicar of Dibley church!

Not The Vicar of Dibley church!