Glass half-empty, glass half-full

Something which has been on my mind recently is how and when do you give yourself limitations?

Everyday I go to work, and don't get me wrong, in the current economic climate of doom and gloom, I am incredibly thankful that I have a steady, regular and secure job. But how much of yourself do you give over to something that your heart just isn't in? I've never been a person to do thing by halves, and I really struggle with the notion that although I should care and put in my best at my day job, I'm frequently told that I shouldn't care too much.  I should let all those little battles go, all the little things that make me feel like I'm truly doing the best job that I can. How do you decide how much of yourself to give over and how much you keep back when trying to keep up energy on your own little projects? Every day that I have off I seem to have a list as long as my arms and legs put together of things I want to achieve, and am lucky if I manage to focus enough to cross off some of those things! Crafty projects, drawing projects, photography projects....

I don't think I'll ever quite get the balance right, but as I said, I can't do things by halves, either I care about something or I don't, I can't keep up a nonchalant interest whilst doing the bare minimum. But it's a cross I guess I have chosen to bear, for the moment at least. If I ever began to wane in how much I care about what I do, or what I believe in, I think I would become a little bit less me.

As for the glass, half empty half full? I'm heading in to 2013 and I'm going to try and cram everything in that I possibly can. I don't do halves, so fill me up.

Thanks to my model who doesn't get a choice :)

Good For The Soul

So, with Christmas and all kinds of winter illness more than a whole month has gone past quicker than you can blink. In between present making, present shopping, making plenty of mulled wine and consuming ALOT of cheese, I have been practicing. I have been planning.

The new year brings with it fresh starts, resolutions, plots, plans, schemes. It will bring new adventures, a new marriage and a new business adventure. 2012 has been full of highs, lows, and for many people I know its been an incredibly tough year, which has dragged its feet.

But onwards and upwards right? The beginning of January has meant that I need to get a crack on with sorting out various wedding things with Glen (we've transformed our mirror into a new notice board and check list! Who needs to see their face in the morning?) And it brings refreshed enthusiasm for all those resolutions, but this year the most important one for me has to be to make more time for people and projects that are important to me. Taking more trips, taking more photos, making things instead of buying them. Remembering all the ways to celebrate the people we appreciate the most. The things that are good for the soul. Its been a phrase that has been bouncing around in my mind for the last month or so, and building this huge momentum.


2013 - you are mine.

Here are some snaps from Christmas. I hope you like them.

Life After Welcome Home

W E L C O M E   H O M E

Three weeks ago my world was radically rocked. After at least 2 years of ummm-ing and ahhh-ing about the pros and cons of trying to conquer the big wide world, someone spoke words which felt like they cut through all my feeble insecurities and shook me in to action.

Courtesy of Lydia Stamps Photography

Courtesy of Emma Case

Courtesy of Alexandra Tyndale

I attended the Welome Home workshop hosted by the indescribably charismatic,warm and fabulous Emma Case and her husband Pete, and the hugely talented Shutterbox films. You see, I was there not as a photographer, but as part of a guinea pig couple for Emma and her workshop attendees to shoot. Photographically speaking of course.
Nervous and anxious with anticipation we walked through the Paintworks in Bristol to find the right unit in which the workshop was being held. What if we weren't good enough to be the models? What if we didn't look cool enough to be there. Suddenly I felt a little foolish.

We were greeted by enthusiastic waves from Pete, Lee and Dawn followed by great big hugs from everyone involved. Our nerves started to melt away.

Emma instantly made us feel at ease when taking our photos, peeling away our fears and somehow reminding us of all the little things we loved about each other, instead of all the little things we were insecure about. In front of 10 other camera wielding people. What can I say, the lady is a magician. It was a pretty intimidating situation with so many lenses pointing at you.

Courtesy of Emma Leivers

As someone who has constantly fought with the world to find where I should be in it, I was stunned to find all these like-minded people saying the things I had always thought and felt. I had a voyeuristic twinge of guilt as I felt maybe I shouldn't have been there. I was there as a test person to have photos taken, not to learn from the workshop myself, but it was just too good to tear ourselves away from.
Emma opened her heart and arms to every person there and in response we were filled with an infectious passion and fire in our bellies.

   Courtesy of Laura Kate Photography

                        Courtesy of Emma Leivers                                   Courtesy of Elizabeth Armitage

We came away with a whole host of people who have cornered a special place in our hearts, people who felt as though we had known them forever, but who we also wanted to know everything about, all at once. We came away wearing our emotions raw on the surface of our skin. With each email and post of photos from the talented and magical bunch of photographers at the workshop, came a new flurry of excitement.  I came away with a new courage that taking on the world didn't seem as big anymore. Never before has the term Welcome Home seemed so appropriate.  Thank you to everyone involved. We were immensely thankful and privileged to have been part of something wonderful.

Courtesy of Millie Benbow

So life after Welcome Home, well, what can I say - Look out world, I'm a'comin' for you!

P R O P S

Please have a nosey at everyone's blogs to see more wonderful pictures. All the above pictures are courtesy of the experts of their craft.

Emma Case Photography

Lydia Stamps Photography

Emma Leivers Photography

Millie Benbow Photography

Laura Kate Photography

Elizabeth Armitage Photography

Alexandra Tyndale Photography

Introductions

So here it is...

H E L L O SUNSHINE

I thought I would start with a little bit about myself.  I am a  mid-twenties, trying to find my place in the world passionate soul. I take pleasure in the simple things in life, a warm pair of socks when its chilly, kicking autumn leaves, a cup of Earl Grey, the sound of rain on the window.
I love music. Its the soundtrack to your very own story. I love old bikes, old cars and old cameras, records and sitting on the beach at night. Whatever the weather.

I am not a morning person, but a night owl. I always have the best intentions with early morning projects but it just doesn't work out that way.  I am fiercely loyal, and family is important to me.

Also, I love this boy. We continue on our adventure next year when we get married.