A Dancing Maternity Photoshoot
There is a term 'like a child in a sweet shop' and this would best describe how I felt last week when I got to photograph Emma at eight months pregnant. In the magnificent grounds of Wyndcliffe Court Sculpture Gardens nestling in a hillside, just outside Chepstow, South Wales with views of the Severn Estuary.
I first spotted Emma and her baby bump performing ballet and jazz routines during a dress rehearsal for dance shows that took place last month. These were organised by a local dance school and it was at that point I met her backstage (my daughter was part of this spectacular show, along with over 200 dancers aged from 7 years upwards). So after I hurridly explained to her who I was, between the speedy costume changes, a photographer who'd love to do a maternity photo shoot with her, it was six weeks later we got to meet again.
"So, what exactly are you doing here?"
She arrived complete with her wheelie case not even unpacked from the dance show, full of the amazing outfits she had worn on stage and I might add, were only now just fitting her and her growing bump. There was plenty of laughter between us and one of the tradesmen working in the main house that day. He got quite a shock as Emma tiptoed passed him, wearing a vibrant array of dance wear on a quiet Monday morning "So, what exactly are you doing here?" he asked. To which she replied "that is a really good question!"
We planned our escape into the gardens between the downpours
The natural light that poured into the Ballroom of Wyndcliffe Court was perfect. We cleared an area to be able to use the magnificent 1920's window as one of our backdrops. And as it was a typical showery spring day, we planned our escape outside between the downpours. It was there that we discovered all sorts of secret gardens, the naturally wild and the elegantly landscaped. We found a couple of rope swings which sit in a tiny dell, framed by the bluebells growing there, and sets of elegant gates which separate one garden space from the next.
It was during the morning that Emma poignantly told me how this pregnancy has been quite a whirlwind for her and her partner (they already have a one-year-old son). So for her this morning became an important and unique experience that she will able to share with her unborn baby when s/he grows up.
But for me?... I'm just happy that Emma turned sideways on stage when she did during her dance performance, showing her and dancing baby bump in all their glory.
A forest family photoshoot: the next chapter
I want to hold my hand up and tell you here and now, that I was emotionally unprepared for this photoshoot. I'll explain why... Bethan's mum contacted me last-minute and asked if I had any free time on a particular Saturday. It was because her eldest baby was about to start university life and this day would be their final morning together as they are right now. All seven of them (not forgetting Rosie and Maggie, the family dogs) taking a walk in the woods, before they drive off to the uni campus to begin a brand new chapter of her life.
Bethan's mum had been thinking for sometime about how to get them all together for a family portrait, then with overwhelming clarity - without telling the rest of her family when she booked, I might add! - she decided "why not make it on the day we take her?"
As a parent myself, I felt this bittersweet point after B's family had supported and guided her into this next adventure of her life. Her ambition and excitement that morning was keeping up the stronger wall, with just a little keyhole of the unknown shining through.
The 'flying of the nest' thing, it's huge one and I can't help but let my mumma-time machine fly 10 years ahead and see us, on that same morning, doing exactly the same thing.
They are an extremely close family, with the usual sibling pranks and outrageous teasing that takes place in most families. This morning was no exception. With younger sister, Carys and brother, Ioan teasing about how much more space there'd be at home, and the potential bedroom swaps, as they used fallen branches, tree trunks and woodland paths to act out their fictitious rivalry.
There was plenty of laughter, quite honestly it was the most perfect way to start any day. And I'd been doing so well at keeping my emotions in check...after all it was just another family 'shoot in the woods, right?
When they got back to the luggage-ladened car, reality hit as Carys saw she was in with a real chance of her big sister's bedroom. Tears flowed all around as the enormity of what was happening, happened. Not wanting to end this story as a 'farewell to Bethan' story because it isn't. I should finish by saying that she's nearly at the end of her first year in University, has made loads of life-long friends and her family enjoy many city breaks while visiting her. She'll be home soon for a long summer, so I must find out if Carys got her bedroom after all!
To mum, I love you because...
As a mum to a daughter, and a daughter to a mum there is nothing more deep rooted in me than this kind of relationship. I put a call-out for two people to come and spend a morning with me to practise some new connective techniques I've been learning about. So I was absolutely over the moon to hear from 10-year-old Maisie and her mum, Bev.
We went to one of my favourite places only down the road from where I live, Magor Marsh, which is one of the natural homes managed by The Gwent Wildlife Trust. A truly magical place with overhead height hay meadows, waterways and an abundance of wildlife. It's a place where I breathe deeply, reflect and feel totally alive in the great outdoors. I'm so happy to know that it's also become one of Bev and Maisie's special places too.
It was there I learned about a few of Maisie's hidden talents - did you know that she is the perfect impersonator able to mimic any member of her family with hilarious perfection? And that the best feeling in the world for her is when her mum wraps her up in a blanket when she's feeling unwell, or when she's feeling sad...they talk about everything together.
Earlier that week, I'd asked Maisie and Bev to each write a love letter to the other to read out on the day. I wasn't prepared for the emotional words that flowed from these pages as they spoke to one another. The complete honesty and sharing of a very real deep bond reduced us all to tears. I cannot thank you enough for letting me be part of this moment with you both.
“For the two of us, home isn’t a place. It is a person. And we are finally home” - Stephanie Perkins
According to the Oxford English dictionary, the meaning of word, Boudoir is described as: a woman's small private room - but here on this page it means much much more. So I'm going to tell you a little bit about Hayley and how I came to photograph her at this time in her life.
She married Gareth when they were 18. Their relationship is one of two soulmates, deepened by the tough times as well as the happy times. They've got three gorgeous kids, lead hectic lives and are finishing off a house renovation while still living there.
Hayley came to me wanting to do something a little different with a portrait photoshoot, something quite out of her comfort zone for their next wedding anniversary, and for it to be a total surprise for Gareth. She'd recently turned 40, looks amazing (I hope she realises this) but most importantly has reached a place in her life where she's confident about her achievements, her relationships, her own strength and where she wants to be.
Her home is her safe place, the life blood of this family, and at the bottom of the garden lies the most magnificent ancient woodland which belongs to them. She tells me it's one of the main reasons they bought the house and nearly broke into cartwheels when she first saw it - I can see why! So it seemed only fitting that we explored the wonders and connections of their lives there, laughing throughout the day at the secrecy of what we were doing, and how he might think that "those wild boars have broken in again and tramped down the undergrowth in the woods."
owain and thomas
I spent a magical Sunday morning with this little man and his baby brother. Though a most unusual event occurred, as halfway through our morning, just as he was showing me his favourite game and some school certificates for amazing work... he left, just vanished. Suddenly I am face-to-face with Spiderman. Now these strange things can sometimes happen with no explanation at all. The next thing I know Spidey is bouncing on the bed, spinning webs around his brother's toys and generally saving the world, as you do when you are that kind of superhero.
"Mummy, can she (that's me) come back again tomorrow for a sleepover?" said Owain. By my reckoning, this has got to be the most heartfelt testimony to date. I have since told his mummy that I'd be delighted to, but only if he lets me raid his dressing up box next time!
Photographing a 1940's wedding - Maizie and Darren style
Here is a photo story about Maizie and Darren...about on this August day, after being together more than 10 years and having four completely stunning children (two boys, two girls) together, they chose to get married in true 1940's style. It was not only a day to celebrate their relationship and all that they've experienced together, it was a day where they embraced everyone they know and love in their lives.
Now the 1940's is Maizie's favourite era and actually it's mine too, though she is without doubt the queen of all things exquisitely vintage. The detail was incredible, her bouquet was hand knitted by her mum, along with all the button hole flowers which were sent out to each and every guest before the day. The boys adorned waistcoats and long shorts and Darren was suited and booted for the era, complete with the odd cry from friends of "you look like an old-fashioned chimney sweep mate!" proudly wearing his flat cap. And as for THAT liquid gold-coloured wedding dress...
But I'm not going to talk anymore about the glorious detail of this day, because what was particularly unique about photographing this wedding was how naturally and effortlessly Maizie and Darren's families and friends blended together. How they couldn't fit them all in to the beautifully panelled modest-sized room for the ceremony. How M and D insisted that the windows were flung wide open so that everyone they wanted there could take part in their wedding vows. How they'd chosen the registrar - he'd recorded the births of their children those years before. And how the roaring sound of applause and whoops of delight could be heard right down the street.
The entire wedding party, including their very own personal musicians, took a walk through the town, through the park and down to the pier. Not onto the pier but under the pier, where an impromptu beach party was held. Children playing on the sand, the bride and groom chatting and singing with friends, friends playing guitars, champagne flowing - who was that clever guest who packed the bubbles on ice! - all this took place before going on to their main wedding party and provided great photo-opportunities for me.
This day was a true testimony to what a vibrant and connected couple Maizie and Darren are, and how much their families and friends mean to them in this world. It wasn't only authentic to 1940's detail, it reminded me of the simple fact that we seamlessly attract and connect with those people who we are ourselves.
a day in the life of a classroom
I have a great relationship with the school my daughter attends. Regular updates on her progress, interactions with teachers and plenty of social occasions that enhance my picture of life through her eyes with the teachers she learns from and children she learns with. Of course many of us understand how our children connect and behave within their learning environment. BUT what really happens in the classroom? What does it look and feel like to see them engage and show pure excitement when they grasp that mathematic equation, or how they work out some of life's debates through playground games with friends at break times?
It has been a privilege to witness this first hand, not just for my own daughter but for many other parents' sons and daughters lately. The traditional school photograph will always hold an important record of our children's time there. So I'm now offering an alternative approach through fly-on-the-wall documentary to show these profound moments as they happen in the classroom.
If this is something your school might be interested in hosting please do get in touch. I also donate a percentage of fees to the school's PTA fund.
martha's dancing heart
Martha was born on the 10th of January 2015, checking into this big and beautiful world a whole five weeks earlier than planned. It was an emotionally charged journey for mum and dad, Michelle and Rick leading up to her birth, with regular hospital visits until this gorgeous little lady was able to come home some weeks later.
Michelle and Rick, along with Martha's big brother Will have decided to raise £10,000 for the Children's Unit at the University of Wales Hospital by her first birthday. Without the love, support and care from the Unit, things may have turned out very differently for this family.
I asked Michelle to write some words about her journey to meeting Martha and how she came to launch Martha's Dancing Heart...
On the 23rd of December I went for my routine 32 week check-up with the midwife, I'd had an amazing pregnancy and felt really well all the way through. I was looking forward to Christmas then welcoming our new baby girl in February.
The midwife did all the regular checks and all was fine, she then said she wasn't required to listen in to the baby's heart beat anymore, unless I asked her to. She was smiling as she said it and I laughed and asked her to listen in.
It quickly became apparent that all wasn't quite as it should be - our little girl's heart was beating twice as fast as it should and it wasn't long before I was in the hospital hooked up to a monitor having fluid pumped into me.
I was kept in overnight as they tried to stabilise her heartbeat - it was 240 bpm (a normal rate would be 100-140) - and allowed home at 8pm on Christmas Eve on a cocktail of heart drugs, needing to come back to the hospital daily for ECGs.
The next three weeks are a bit of a blur to be honest. Christmas came and went and new year passed with me regularly staying overnight at the hospital. The heart drugs I was taking were slowing my heart, but having little effect on our baby. By Jan 9th my heart rate and pulse had fallen very low, so the consultants decided the safest option was an early delivery by c-section the following day.
On Jan 10th 2015 our daughter, Martha was born and diagnosed with a condition called PJRT ... it's a type of tachycardia and is basically an electrical short circuit in her heart. It's a condition that is rare in babies and needs to be controlled with medication.
Martha was cared for by the amazing staff at the Neonatal ward of University Hospital Wales, and the staff of the Children's Heart Unit for Wales, After four weeks we were able to take her home. She's now doing fantastically well, and we know that without the love and support of her hospital angels, she could have been very poorly. So we want to say a huge thank you by fundraising in lots of different ways throughout the rest of 2015. We want to be able to donate at least £10,000 to the Children's Unit at UHW before Martha's first birthday.
We'd love your help and support xxx
http://www.gofundme.com/nt8b0c
Magenta Change... "make each day your masterpiece"
Sue Revell got in touch with me as "a self-confessed hater of having my photo taken" but on the brink of launching her new website and brand, she accepted the inevitable that this couldn't be avoided any longer. So this was the start of our honest and creative relationship together.
I have certainly found one of the most fanatical tennis addicts - that's watching or playing it - and she's also rather partial to her jazz, in fact she's taken up singing lessons specifically around it. This lady is quite the inspiration, I've loved every minute of getting to know some of what makes her passionate in this life. Her colourful and authentic energy was an absolute delight to work with.
magentachange.com is about daring to be you, being unstoppable, and Sue loves guiding people to stop holding themselves back and to create something extraordinary. One of her favourite quotes is
“make each day your masterpiece”
"We start off by simply talking about what the client really wants to achieve through working together and, in that moment, something changes. As soon as we start to articulate our thoughts and breath our dreams into life, the journey of personal transformation begins. As coaches, we often talk about creating and holding space for our clients and that’s a huge part of what we do.
But great coaching is more than that. The soul focus of a great coach is to walk your journey with you, to will you on, and to witness your transformation. By igniting your unique potential, your life becomes a powerful expression of your unique talents! Helping people to create something extraordinary is a huge privilege as a coach. I love helping people to increase their confidence, create more impact and to become UNSTOPPABLE!"
Martha's Dancing Heart
Martha was born on the 10th of January 2015, checking into this big and beautiful world a whole five weeks earlier than planned. It was an emotionally charged journey for mum and dad, Michelle and Rick leading up to her birth, with regular hospital visits until this gorgeous little lady was able to come home some weeks later.
Michelle and Rick, along with Martha's big brother Will have decided to raise £10,000 for the Children's Unit at the University of Wales Hospital by her first birthday. Without the love, support and care from the Unit, things may have turned out very differently for this family.
I asked Michelle to write some words about her journey to meeting Martha and how she came to launch Martha's Dancing Heart...
On the 23rd of December I went for my routine 32 week check-up with the midwife, I'd had an amazing pregnancy and felt really well all the way through. I was looking forward to Christmas then welcoming our new baby girl in February.
The midwife did all the regular checks and all was fine, she then said she wasn't required to listen in to the baby's heart beat anymore, unless I asked her to. She was smiling as she said it and I laughed and asked her to listen in.
It quickly became apparent that all wasn't quite as it should be - our little girl's heart was beating twice as fast as it should and it wasn't long before I was in the hospital hooked up to a monitor having fluid pumped into me.
I was kept in overnight as they tried to stabilise her heartbeat - it was 240 bpm (a normal rate would be 100-140) - and allowed home at 8pm on Christmas Eve on a cocktail of heart drugs, needing to come back to the hospital daily for ECGs.
The next 3 weeks are a bit of a blur to be honest. Christmas came and went and new year passed with me regularly staying overnight at the hospital. The heart drugs I was taking were slowing my heart, but having little effect on our baby. By Jan 9th my heart rate and pulse had fallen very low, so the consultants decided the safest option was an early delivery by c-section the following day.
On Jan 10th 2015 our daughter, Martha was born and diagnosed with a condition called PJRT ... it's a type of tachycardia and is basically an electrical short circuit in her heart. It's a condition that is rare in babies and needs to be controlled with medication.
Martha was cared for by the amazing staff at the Neonatal ward of University Hospital Wales, and the staff of the Children's Heart Unit for Wales, After 4 weeks we were able to take her home. She's now doing fantastically well, and we know that without the love and support of her hospital angels, she could have been very poorly. So we want to say a huge thank you by fundraising in lots of different ways throughout the rest of 2015. We want to be able to donate at least £10,000 to the Children's Unit at UHW before Martha's first birthday.
We'd love your help and support xxx
http://www.gofundme.com/nt8b0c