Breast feeding campaign in Nottingham

Small Steps Big Changes (SSBC) is a lottery funded organisation working with local communities to talk about and encourage breast feeding.  The campaign ‘Feed Your Way’ is a breastfeeding public health campaign designed for Nottingham. It was co-created with thousands of Nottingham families and residents, health professionals and business owners.

 The campaign focuses on the real, lived experiences of six Nottinghamshire families and they currently feature on billboards and banners across Nottingham City, including the City Council House on Old Market Square.

 I covered the launch event of the campaign in the ballroom of the beautiful Council House in the centre of Nottingham. The council are working alongside SSBC to help promote the campaign with a huge banner placed on the outside of the building.

Headshots for a newly qualified nutritionist

Janet has just qualified to become a full-time nutritional therapist and is in the process of setting up her business. She needed bright, natural and authentic images reflecting who she is for her new website and social media. We met pre-shoot to discuss the sort of images she needed and on the day of the shoot collaborated to set up the shots and bring her vision to life. We had a large kitchen to work in with plenty of natural light flooding in which help to make the fresh fruit and vegetables we were using look appetising and pop with colour.

WellSpring Church in Wirksworth Derbyshire

A corker of a job in the lovely market town of Wirksworth in the Derbyshire Dales. I was lucky to find myself there on a beautiful summer’s day and had help moving bits of furniture from the different rooms I was shooting from three very helpful members of the congregation who had volunteered to help me.

 This build is a wonderful example of how to add a contemporary new extension (and modifications to an existing structure) to what was originally a Methodist church built in 1886. The extension houses a new community kitchen and dining area along with new stairs connecting the kitchen to the rest of the church.

 The structure is filled with natural light thanks to the installation of the large windows on one side and the high ceiling over the kitchen area gives a sense of grandeur to the space. Likewise, the dining area is light and open with plenty of space for people to mingle and chat over some food and drink.  

The modifications are in the large community room where children’s and other activities take place during the week and the spacious prayer room in the old church which is so well linked by the main staircase to the new community kitchen beneath it.   

Interior design - Woolaton in Nottingham

A wonderful morning collaborating with interior designer, Hilary Marconetti, who has completed the first room in this newly purchased (and soon to be completely renovated!) house. This is my preferred way of working where we discuss and try ideas on the shoot to ensure I deliver the shots Hilary wants for her portfolio. The contribution of designers like Hilary bring a fresh perspective to a room and it’s clear that Hilary has the vision to elevate what could be ordinary to something really beautiful, tranquil and extraordinary. I love the soft pastel colour palette and the very cool furniture Hilary sourced from her known suppliers. The room is a calming space with great light streaming in from that gorgeous bay window. I know the family who commissioned her to do the work were delighted with the result and I look froward to seeing what Hilary does with the other rooms in the house. 

W Creative Beauty Salon

I had the pleasure of photographing this new beauty salon in Nottingham recently. I loved the colour palette used in the main area downstairs from reception all the way to hairdressing in the back of this substantial space. Upstairs, where the treatment rooms are located has a different feel entirely, with a clean monochrome look but the two areas do work well together.

There’s lots of natural light coming into the building so it makes for a welcoming and airy salon to spend time in. I love the cinema seats in the reception area below those inspiring words and the pink neon on the brick wall behind the coffee bar. Not to mention the excellent playlist that I was listening to while I worked. Clearly someone has great taste in music!

Halton Manor

Out in the countryside photographing an exquisite property with a large cellar, extensive grounds with fruit trees and a series of outhouses which could provide workshops, studios and a large utility room. It was the the best day to be working in a property like this with sunlight coming through all the large windows to show off the beauty of the very different rooms and spaces around the property. The front of the house is discreetly set back from the narrow lane so walking through the front entrance definitely gives the wow factor and a feel of just how beautiful this property is as you make your way inside. I was keen to capture that sense of wonder and awe for prospective buyers as you step inside the front door and into one of the spacious reception rooms offering tranquil views across the grounds.

A celebration of the great British garden

I had my work cut out for this shoot given how many buildings I had to get round but also extensive grounds that I could have happily worked in all day. The weather was beautiful and the garden was well organised with distinct areas for growing, playing and sitting in quietly to eat and drink, read, reflect or just listen to the birds. The colours and textures were rich and varied and I realised how much joy it gave the owners to walk around the space and enjoy the different areas of their garden.  I wanted to show how the distinct areas all connected so that prospective buyers could get a feel for the layout of the garden and just how much it had to offer. I admit that exploring and photographing this garden did make me want to have my own little green space to cultivate and maybe even photograph. In the meantime here’s some of my favourite shots from photographing this wonderful space.     

A lovely home in the countryside on a perfect shoot day

I admit I got very lucky with the weather on this shoot. Beautiful blue skies and a lovely part of Lincolnshire to be working in. This home is down a quiet country lane and externally is quite understated. The outdoor space is very generous and the view out of the kitchen is wonderful. You could sit peacefully on the patio looking out all afternoon! A great space for entertaining friends or hosting a large family gathering. The interior was a joy to shoot as there was lots of sunlight streaming through the windows and cosy rooms to settle down in for the evening with wood burners and large sofas. The owners were very friendly and accommodating by clearing surfaces and tidying up so that I could move from room to room easily and concentrate on what the best angles were to make images from. This is a small selection from the shoot.

A stunning new build home in the village of Boothby Groffee in Lincolnshire

A beautiful newly built home in the village and civil parish of Boothby Groffee in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire. The weather was changeable so there was a little stopping and starting with the outside shoot but it’s all part of the job. Both the developer and I are really happy with the final images. 

New builds that haven’t been ‘dressed’ are less complicated to shoot as there’s no furniture to have to work round. However, it’s then all up to the prospective buyers to visualise themselves in the house and think about how their furniture and personal belongings will fit in. How to bring the best out of their new home to make it comfortable for them and welcoming for family and friends?

Some people have the gift of just knowing how decor, furniture and artwork all work together but others will consult with interior designers to help find the best ideas and colours for each room. It’s exciting to start with a blank canvas and I imagine the person who buys this house will have a lot of fun creating a wonderful home.

Pelham Waterside Development

These are some of the images I shot of a show home on the Pelham Waterside development near the River Trent in Nottingham. The architects have done a great job on the layout, across three floors, complete with a private terrace outside the master bedroom. I loved the way each room has been styled and how the space worked so well as I moved from room to room. It was a dream shoot and it’s wonderful to work with a team of professionals who give me the freedom to think and shoot so that we have a selection of images that give a sense of what it would feel like to live in this house. I’m already looking forward to the next project.

Architects: www.cpmg-architects.com

Styling: www.claudehooper.co.uk

PR: www.bigoldhouse.com

Design work: www.simpkinburley.com

Small really is beautiful

Images from a show home on a brand new development in the centre of Newark in Nottingham. This house has two bedrooms and is an excellent example of well planned layout and bold interior design. Any home, no matter what the size, can look beautiful and feel luxurious. It was wonderful to be working on this project with a progressive housing association keen to build such great homes for people to live in. I had so much fun walking around and shooting this home. I was lucky to have a good weather day with lovely diffused light coming through the windows. I can’t wait to start the next project with them and share it with you.

Headshots for a dream client

When I arrived at the house and Manju told me she had prepared a playlist for our shoot (what a brilliant idea!) I knew we were going to make some great images together. Manju introduced me to some new music (which I’m keen to add to my library!) and we had a fun and relaxed time. It’s always great to work with someone who has a natural warm smile and is full of joy. It’s wonderful to watch someone really enjoy a shoot and collaborate with me to achieve the most authentic representation of who they are as a person. We're both really happy with the results and here are some of my favourite images from the day.

A shoot of a show home in north Nottinghamshire for a housing association

I was really impressed with the quality of accommodation on a recent shoot working with a housing association on this site is in north Nottinghamshire. I was blessed with a lovely sunny day so wherever possible I showed off all the natural light pouring into the different rooms. It was a little tricky with the site still very much a construction site so I had to contend with machinery and builders darting about the place outside the windows but I managed to avoid most of it. I'm looking forward to working on more projects with the team in the coming months.

Photographing for Middlesex University Mauritius

After a twenty one year absence I finally decided to visit Mauritius and I was very excited to be commissioned by the university to spend an entire day photographing for them. Different subjects were outlined in their detailed and comprehensive brief which I was happy to complete. I met and photographed a range of staff and students on campus who were all lovely to work with and very accommodating. The campus is near one of the most popular beaches on the west coast of the island and I was very pleased that the day was a little overcast at times, so I could get some respite from the warmer temperatures I would normally be experiencing, which made the job a little easier. Lots of beautiful light to work with and I couldn’t help thinking what a wonderful place it is to study. These images are ones I shot of the library and I will share other images from the shoot in future posts.

Grain et Feuille Coffee roastery and retailer

I first had the pleasure of working with Grain et Feuille in France (in the region of Rhône-Alpes) a couple of years ago and went back this year to shoot product shots for their social media. There is so much work that goes in to producing a decent cup of coffee which I started to appreciate more fully after spending time watching the coffee beans being roasted, ground, packaged, labelled and sold. This business has only been going for two years but is already in profit and I expect that it won’t be too long before they expand into new premises and accrue even more venues to place their premium coffee and machines into. I‘m back to do more work for them late next year so looking forward to spending some time in this beautiful part of France and exploring the region more.

Photographing all things shiny!

I had a wonderful afternoon photographing products for jewellery designer Karen Duncan at PonyPonyPony. Karen really enjoys working with a wide range of stones, gems and metals and loves the process of taking raw materials and changing them into something even more beautiful and decorative. So, in keeping with her love of all things natural, Karen wanted real people modelling her unique pieces of jewellery. She invited a group of friends to her home and based the shoot in her garden. Amongst other things, I used the trees, old shed and garage walls to show off the different items. It was a fun day and luckily for me not too sunny so I had soft diffuse light to work with for the most part. I always enjoy working with new clients to help tell their story and working with Karen was a very enjoyable collaborative experience. I look forward to working with her again photographing her amazing range of totally bespoke pieces of jewellery. Do get in touch with her if you would like to commission and perhaps even help design a unique item for yourself or a loved one: karen@ponyponypony.co.uk

Beautiful homes and lots of fun doing property shoots

I have long had an interest in photographing architecture and all sorts of buildings both commercial and residential. I like pondering what makes a structure a great place to live or work and thinking about what lessons we have learnt from the past about how we utilise space. The buildings we occupy should be not only functional but also spaces where we want to spend time and simply enjoy being there. The best architecture does, of course, lift our spirits and makes us feel happy to wander around and explore different areas and watch the play of light in and around the structure. We have an emotional connection to the space and look forward to our visit to either work rest or play. Lately I have been lucky to visit some lovely homes to photograph in preparation for selling and had the pleasure of meeting and talking to interesting people. Here's an example of some of the homes I've had the pleasure to work in. 

Nottinghamshire Hospice

A little trip down memory lane here but a year ago the lovely people at Nottinghamshire Hospice got in touch to explain they had great news about some free promotional space which they would need images for. Nottingham City Buses had offered the hospice free advertising on the back of one of their buses and so I was asked to produce a range of images which meant working all over the site to cover the different services they offer, the staff that work there and the wonderful grounds the hospice is surrounded by. The building is a day centre and offers numerous services to people including a range of therapies, treatments, refreshments and a freshly prepared hot meal at lunchtime. 

Fortunately, I had a warm and slightly overcast day which meant there were no harsh shadows to contend with when photographing the grounds and people sitting on the benches relaxing and talking. In the end the main image chosen does, I feel, reflect exactly what the hospice is about and that is people. People and the quality of life they can enjoy for the days, weeks or months they have left. Nottinghamshire Hospice is a wonderful charity doing really important work to help people in the community.  if you would like to know more then here is the link to take you directly to their website: www.nottshospice.org 

International Women's Day - BBC Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Police

BBC Radio Nottingham invited firearms officer, Angie Cochrane, one of only 4 female firearms officers in a team of 52 from Nottinghamshire Police to discuss her career to date. She talked about her most memorable 999 call, her pet hens and what it's like being a woman in a male dominated environment.  I was asked to nip over to the BBC building to photograph Angie and Verity once they had finished the interview and managed to get this image of the two of them in the recording studio. The interview wasn't broadcast live but was part of a series of programmes being aired weekly over Women's history month of Verity speaking to different women about their careers. I have often passed the BBC Radio Nottingham building and wondered what it would look like inside so was very excited to finally be walking through the doors! I obviously didn't have much time to grab my shots, as both Angie and Verity had to get back to work but managed to get this shot, straight after the interview.   

Annual LGBT+ Partnership Conference at the Council House Nottingham

This was my third year photographing the annual LGBT+ Partnership Conference in Nottingham and this year, for the second year running, at the beautiful Council House in Market Square. The organisations that come together to host these annual conferences work together throughout the year to organise events that are always well attended and offer and safe place for insightful dialogue and debate. The organisations that work together to make these conferences a success are Nottingham City Council, Nottingham City Homes, Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, Nottinghamshire Healthcare and NHS Trust, and Vision West Nottinghamshire College. The ballroom at the Council House is a wonderful place to photograph as it benefits from excellent light thanks to the enormous windows that are equally spread all along one side. I love shooting in this type of natural light and had many opportunities to make great images as the light changed from morning to afternoon.