The Old Year
The old year. One not to forget about. One of the biggest years in my life with some big changes and 6 months on, I can finally say that I’ve moved on and it feels so good. But let’s start from the beginning. I won’t go into all the details but I’d like to give you a very nice flowery idea of how my year was.
The year started with snowdrops and daffodils and the instant urge of wanting to garden right away. Luckily, it started early as I signed up for a Propagation Class at Green & Gorgeous Flowers and oh my, it was one of the most useful and informative classes I’ve ever had. Not to mention the seeds and dahlias I came home with and that covered the garden that year. This class is on
Spring also brought my first printed images in House&Garden. The images I worked on the year before again, with Green and Gorgeous Flowers. It was such an excitement! And it went on until dahlias in September. Have a look how these articles looked like. Some of these 6 articles have recently been published by House & Garden South Africa as well, so happy!
In May, I travelled to Italy with House&Garden where I photographed a garden and you can see it in their April issue so check that one out soon! While in Italy, we stayed in Sermoneta, look how beautiful this little town is.
By May, I used up almost all of my public holidays as I worked full time and I took holidays for my shoot days. I had worked for this company for 10 years and it was my second ever job and I loved it a lot, it was almost like a small family to me(before it really started to expand) and I travelled a lot thanks to work, so yes, on one hand it was a very very good job but on the other hand, my heart was in photography and the day came when I had to decide which one to choose. I cried all day on my last day and it took me months to let it go. But with the new year coming, I finally did!
Due to this fact, our only holiday last year was a quick trip of 5 days to Copenhagen. It officially became my favourite city (maybe only because I haven’t been to Stockholm yet?) so yes, have a look at some of my photos here and here. We also went to Sweden for a day where we visited a wonderful museum.
That Summer, I wrote a little article for 91 magazine, you can read it here. I also started a collaboration with Botanika Floral in Sussex . We’re working on something flowery and creative that you’ll be able to see at the end of this year. I’m also I’m coming around to Bea’s if you sign up to her classes and would like a photographer to take photos of your floral creations, here are more details.
During Summer and Autumn, I photographed a beautiful garden in Somerset. I can’t say much about it just yet but I’ll let you know as soon as I can. It was such amazing experience - and I really can’t describe it - being so close to nature and still in a garden designed by a wonderfully talented garden designer and the two being in perfect harmony. More on this, later this year!
Summer also brought a beautiful collaboration of Blue Tin Produce and The Mill at Cuxham. I loved photographing this very relaxed, so friendly, super super delicious and beautiful-countrysidey event.
I also did some styled shoots, including one in a beautiful country house. My super talented stylist neighbour was the stylist and it was again such a great experience, when you’re tired but still full of energy at the same time? We used a lot of ceramics from local artist Joanna Oliver’s ceramics for this shoot and also textiles from Jill Waite.
I was commissioned by The English Garden magazine to photograph an article of a wood-magician as I call him, this is in their current January 2018 issue.
Lucky me, I got to spend some time at Soho Farmhouse as a photographer. Just getting there from where I live, it’s always a magic trip itself, deep in the Cotswolds. Not something I can really share but you can see some images here. Well, just imagine a relaxed and stylish environment..
I started the year with a class and finished the year with a class. The finishing one was a Winter wreath class with Botanika Florals. I learnt so much and I’m very grateful for Bea for this class.
At the end of the year, when you get into the festive mood, I also created a gingerbread recipe book that you can still download here but also, you can read about it in the Chilterns Food Magazine. It’s only my photos but professional words of their editor.
There was so much more there, including the remarkable ladies at Pyrus botanicals in Scotland, the lots of private gardens I had the chance to visit and photograph, I’m forever grateful for those who let me in their private space. I photographed for local businesses too, that sometimes included freezing cold mornings but just loved every second of those shoots too.
To remember the year and keep flowers around us all year, I created this calendar. Thank you for everyone who ordered one.
So yes, and the new year is here already, there will be definitely flowers but not only those! I’ll certainly keep you posted. If you like seeing my work and what I do, do come and read the blog or if you’d like me to come and photograph for you, do get in touch!
Happy New Year!
Pre Christmas walk
Today we met up with my friend Justine and her wonderful dog, Stanley. I emphasize wonderful as not long after we started our walk, Henry decided he wanted to explore the deep, unknown woods and off he went. I got a bit worried and I knew the more you call him the deafer he becomes. But there was Stanley. He understood my worrying face and voice and he ran after Henry and found him and brought him back! Wee pals.
After the incident, we all enjoyed the rest of the walk and Henry wasn’t always on the leash, he had some good runs with Stanley and other dogs. Then back on the leash through big woods. And to the church for a cup of tea and mince pies. The church of Pishill couldn’t be more picturesque and tranquil. It overlooks the beautiful Stonor valley and you only hear the birds sing. And what’s more, you can enjoy a cup of tea (or coffee) there, just make sure you clean the mugs after you leave. Very British, isn’t it? So yes, it was another beautiful day..
Great Milton and Le Manoir
I love Winter. I especially love very cold days when it’s dry and the sun is shining. This is how last Saturday was. And as our friend stayed, we went for a walk in Great Milton, a village near us. This pretty village is famous for Raymond Blanc’s Manoir. We didn’t go in for a nice cup of tea, no, but we decided to walk around the gardens. Even in the depth of Winter, the gardens were full of beauty and inspiration.
The village itself is quite quintessentially English, thatched roofs, cosy cottages and hollyhock still flowering. And because until just a week ago it was very mild, there were many signs of Spring with cow parsley, snowdrops and daffodils showing off their greens. When Spring is back, I’ll be back too.
All photos taken by my iPhone.
Stourhead
On my way home from a photoshoot in Somerset, it would have been a shame to miss Stourhead. I was so very tired, I even left all my camera stuff in the car (which I never do but I thought a National Trust parking can only be safe) Anyway, showers and sunshine and miles of beauty - here’s Stourhead for you.
Bradenham Manor
When Bradenham Manor opened its doors to visitors. Well, to visitors of the garden but not the house. Bradenham Manor is set on Bradenham Estate which is owned by National Trust. Set in the beautiful Chiltern countryside, visiting this garden truly felt like stepping back in time..
The Lakes
On our way up to family visit in Scotland, we love driving via the Lakes. And we usually stop for a walk with Henry. Or to see Beatrix Potter’s garden and house, Hill Top. What another wonderful corner of the world this peaceful little village of Near Sawrey is. Driving through the Lakes is always the best part of our trip up North.
Blockley and Upper Slaughter
Some pictures for you from a very early Spring walk around Blockley and Upper Slaughter. There will be many more images from these places as I absolutely love coming to this part of the Cotswolds.
