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Last night saw the launch of the Southwark Business Awards in the Wren Room at The Shangri La Shard + WHAT a night!! The hum of chatter and networking from the packed room and speeches by Southwark Mayor, Katherine Glass, Seller, Southwark College was fantastic!
To enter go to Southwark Awards
2018, marks 100 years since women in the UK won the right to vote, a victory that took 86 years from the start of the campaign and although an amazing accomplishment for all women, there was still discrimination against the type of women who could vote. 2018’s International Women’s Day theme is #Pressforprogress, which couldn’t be more fitting, in today’s society where inequality & discrimination towards women is still taking place, worldwide.
It will be held between 5:30 and 7:30 on Thursday 8th March at the LNK unit in Centrale Shopping Centre in Croydon Town Centre and will include guest speakers, entertainment, sparkling wine & cakes and the chance to network with and meet other inspirational women.
Lives Not Knives would like to invite you to join us, at an evening, celebrating women and their many achievements. Tickets to the event can be obtained from EventBrite or names emailed directly to karen@livesnotknives.org.
I see so many forms of love every time I pick up my camera that I wanted to share this throughout February + each day I'm posting a new image + adding love to my 'instagram story'. From weddings across the spectrum to friendship - it's all pretty magical!
Baby Grace, gently holds her Dad's finger whilst gazing towards the camera and figuring out that 'clicking' noise came from me!!
Last February I ran a photography workshop + my student shared with me he was going to propose to his girlfriend. I was beyond excited!! I love the excitement and nerves of knowing a proposal is coming and the planning and the details and the ring and of course the "YES"!!
So fast forward many months from our conversation and knowing they are in New York City I smile wondering how things are going and IF anything has happen when I receive a photo and this message below!!!
I screen shot the message because I was smiling and beaming from ear to ear at the picture they sent me + the joy + excitement on their faces AND then because they asked if I would be their photographer right away!!
+ here I am writing this post to share with you just what that meant.
I see love in so many different ways every time I pick up my camera and photograph people, you can't not. Love varies day to day and person to person but it's there + it's magic + to be asked to be someones wedding photographer is pure brilliance. It's one of my most favourite things ever I LOVE WEDDINGS!!
To be asked to be their photographer right after their proposal is beyond memorable. Being in on a proposal plan is enchanting and thrilling all at the same time. To be trusted with that information on something so personal + something life changing always makes me tingle.
I've been writing 3 things I'm grateful for each night, not because I need to lift myself out of the January blues, although that would be an excellent way if I had them, but because it's important to remember and be appreciative of the people in our lives, the part we play in theirs + the footprints we leave as we go x
Amy & Lewis are expecting their first baby in a few weeks + we (as you can see) had so much fun capturing pictures on their maternity session. A lovely walk around Crystal Palace park and stopping in their favourite spots, we were lucky with the weather, a slight chill but light cloud and a sprinkling of sunshine!! Amazing xx
snapping (w/myphone) 'La Tour' taking a quick 'selfie' between our shoot
Oh My goodness!!! Yesterday was so much fun + SO great to work with such a talented group of singers...especially when they busted out the tunes during our photo shoot!
On location at The House of St Barnabas proved a super setting and backdrop and I cannot wait to share the images!!
I wanted to share this pricing visual if you're on the hunt for a photographer and you're finding your feet with what to budget for with the different services and professionals that combine to create your wedding day + if you have any questions just shout! x
Discovering London
10am - 4pm * Spitalfields + Around London * Throughout 2018,
I have dates throughout 2018 + whether you are an absolute beginner or want to refresh your skills do get in touch!!! Email me or call me on 07754 757716 and we will make a plan!
(This image was't supplied with the writing, I just LOVED it + wanted to share xx)
“You can have flaws, be anxious, and even be angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world.
Only you can stop it from going bust. Many appreciate you, admire you and love you. Remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments. To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord.
It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity. Being happy is not a fatality of destiny, but an achievement for those who can travel within themselves. To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny's author. It is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul. It is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life. Being happy is not being afraid of your own feelings. It's to be able to talk about you. It is having the courage to hear a "no". It is confidence in the face of criticism, even when unjustified.
It is to kiss your children, pamper your parents, to live poetic moments with friends, even when they hurt us. To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple. It is to have maturity to be able to say: "I made mistakes". It is to have the courage to say "I am sorry". It is to have the sensitivity to say, "I need you". It is to have the ability to say "I love you".
May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness ... That in spring may it be a lover of joy. In winter a lover of wisdom. And when you make a mistake, start all over again. For only then will you be in love with life. You will find that to be happy is not to have a perfect life.
But use the tears to irrigate tolerance. Use your losses to train patience. Use your mistakes to sculpture serenity. Use pain to plaster pleasure. Use obstacles to open windows of intelligence.
Never give up .... Never give up on people who love you. Never give up on happiness, for life is an incredible show.”
Pope Francis
Have a GREAT Year everyone + See you soon! xx
OMG!!!!! OMG!! OMG!!!
YES - Doing cartwheels all over the place :-) My images from Mark & Molly's amazing proposal in London has been selected and included in The 10 Most Epic Proposals From Around The World in 2017 over on the Flytographer blog.....wooooohhhhooooooo - YES YES! What an awesome between xmas + new year surprise <3 :-) xx
As the studio shuts down for Christmas and a little break, my attention turns towards little jobs I've been meaning to do and haven't quite gotten around to!
This is one such mission (in a good way!) I've two rolls of 120 film from my Holga camera that have been developed and it's time to take a closer look at them and see what I've got.
West End Cameras in London did a fab job of developing and scanning them for me + now as ai rub my palms together in glee it's time over the next week or so to see exactly what's going on and I'll let you know my progress and what I find when we come back in January :-)
Have a brilliant break, enjoy + Happy 2018 xx
Thank you all so much for being part of a magical 2017, I'm super grateful and delighted to have worked with you all over the last 12 months + as we approach a little break I'd like to wish everyone a joyous holiday season <3
We are now closed for Christmas + will be back January 3rd * Have a great time unwinding, relaxing + hanging out with those you love,
See you all in 2018! JK xx
Yesterday in a lovely location just outside of London, I spent hours wandering around selecting spots for an upcoming photo shoot and found GREAT delight in actually slowing down and taking a breathe and being in nature. These pics just made me smile, the light, the simplicity + the quietness...all super important at this time of year as we start preparing to hibernate + rest + rejuvenate, enjoy x
Excited to be a small business, making connections with my clients who become friends, watching families grow, businesses expand and new ventures develop. Here's to a super weekend and THANK YOU for choosing me xx
rude not to have a leaf fight lol
A couple weeks ago I met Emma + Tom at their wedding venue and got the chance to explore and discuss photography for their wedding in detail with them. We conjured with sunny weather and shhh...a plan b just in case lol. Choosing spots for their private 'just married' pictures, groups images and pictures with friends and family + discussing how the day is going to flow. I'm so excited for next year, it's going to be gorgeous!!.
A haven of nooks and crannies, we had such fun dodging the rain drops, exploring hidden delights and being creative with costume changes + 'Boggin's' their lovely dog was a super model .
This image pretty much SUMS UP our photo session - SO MUCH FUN & SO MUCH Laughter!!!
These ladies were so great to photograph and we got to wander around Kensington Gardens (which is one of my favourite places in London). So fantastic to create memories and so much laughter and fun
Thank you so much xx "Just had my first look at our photographs. Love them. So very pleased with them. You are a great photographer xxxxxxx" Kathy Tallentire
Thank God for iPhones when you're a short ass!
As dusk set in, tar races started, children training to become the barrel racers as they age and quite the commotion of bangs and flames. The picture above at the beginning of the night, crowds gathered in eager anticipation. My mum and I as onlookers have NO idea what to expect apart from a crisp night and fun.
Groups of men ran around the crowd in a relay passing the barrel from one person to the next...occasionally dropping it!!! Crowds moving swiftly lol
Yep! Real flames, real Tar, real people!!
Try something new, clear out the old + make way for the new....
