If someone told me ten years ago that I would be running my own photography business one day, I would have said “you’re ‘avin’ a larf” (exactly like that, as I’m from Essex originally). Photography back then was something I dabbled in, especially whilst travelling and even more so on a Friday night, capturing my friends busting shapes on the dancefloor. My mates used to constantly take the mick out of “the beast” that I would carry around in my oversized handbag even on a night out. Back then I still wanted to freeze those extraordinarily fun moments in time. And not just with a crummy mobile, as the cameras then were not what they are on today’s iphones. I wanted proper photos. The collection I have of my friends and I travelling and clubbing are something to be cherished. Forever. Although some, might be best forgotten!
Anyhow. I digress.
So, I’ve started my little photography business. I have to take a moment to thank my friends Kate and Emma, whom without, I may not have had the courage. And of course my lovely husband who has been extremely supportive and encouraging to give this a go. Lastly, my little boy Harry. Whom without, I probably would not have explored and developed “my knack” for portrait photography and film. Plus, as my constant guinnea pig, has allowed me to hone my style. Thank you petal.
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I’m extremely thankful that I have had the opportunity to take the leap from the 9-5 grind to doing something I love.
You see, I used to commute in the slowest of traffic, every day, back and forth, along the A127 in Essex. It was tedious, beyond belief. To a job, that I pretty much hated (although I adored my colleagues – still miss them). Then my husband had the barmy idea of moving to Northumberland (his home). I thought he was mad. It takes a lot for a southerner to move north. We have some funny thoughts down there! But, after a few long weekends away, enjoying the open spaces, grandeur and rustic beauty of Northumberland, I was smitten.
At the time we were talking about starting a family, and we lived in Leigh-on-Sea. Which, don’t get me wrong, is a brilliant place. Full of cafés, bars, restaurants, boutiques, next to the sea and only a short train ride from London, but we couldn’t afford the space a young brood needs to be free. But up north, our southern budget has bought us, admittedly not the most beautiful house known to man, but the space a free spirit like Harry needs to go wild. We have open fields to the back, horses popping by to say hello, blackberries to pick, fords to splash in. I’m in a constant state of wonder at how lovely this place is for our little guy. And now, this space, should I say mind space (probably also due to giving up my career to become a housewife) has enabled me to really get to know me. I know that sounds so cliché. But I have discovered more about what I enjoy. It’s the simple things really. And those “things,” people mostly, are what I frame up constantly through the lens.
If it wasn’t for motherhood, I would not have discovered what is so important to so many families out there. I think before you become parent you take so much about families for granted. But as soon as you have a little monster of your own, time just flies. Like it never did before. You blink and they’ve changed. From crawling to walking. From running to climbing. From babbling to talking. And then they grow. Those little chubby bits you loved so much, just fall off. Their hands, their legs, their little baby feet. Awww, I feel myself getting sad already. Anyhow. What I’m trying to say is that, realising how quickly life changes when you have a family has inspired me to photograph the EveryDay. I know that having beautiful “staged” portraits can be lovely on your walls, but I honestly feel, it’s the EveryDay moments that we should capture. That’s what ultimately we’ll wish to remember. And to pass onto our children. That’s why I long to help others tell their stories. To capture the small things that count. The breakfasts, the bath-times, the walks to school, the struggles, the dancing – everything that makes your EveryDay special. All natural. All Unscripted.
