Chasing Dreams

‘If it excites and scares you at the same time, it probably means you should do it’ - Gurubogsa

Yesterday marked two months since picking up the keys to my dream studio and what an exciting two months it has been!  Although it was a little intimating at first to step completely out of my comfort zone, I have loved every second of this new chapter and putting together my dream space, as well as the opportunities it has brought me and my little business so far!  There is no better feeling than waking up each morning to do what you love and in an environment that completely inspires and motivates!

Here’s to pushing ourselves outside of those comfort zones and chasing those dreams!

(Studio tour post coming very soon!)

Where the Lavender Line Photography magic happens

‘Feel the fear and do it anyway’

Teepee Tuesday

Tuesday 25th February marked a very special day for Lavender Line Photography…. the first official photoshoot day in my brand new studio!  As if that wasn’t exciting enough, it was made even more special as it was capturing my best friend’s (22 years and still going strong) beautiful baby girl who was on her first time visit to the Emerald Isle at just 9 months old!  I honestly cant think of a better way to have kicked off the first official shoot and what I hope will be the first of many to come in my own space!

Introducing #TeepeeTuesday

Seeing Stars at Lavender Line Photography HQ

An important aspect for me in this photography journey is to capture those all important and special moments in a completely natural and candid way, to create a safe and engaging environment that feels homely to the client.  That’s when #TeepeeTuesday came to mind!  I’ve always enjoyed capturing those playful small children moments but struggled somewhat with what props to use as I am a firm believer in the less is more approach and also think that it is important to use props that wont date over time.  It was a tent Instagram post from @SostreneGrene that inspired me and brought forward this exciting new theme for my small children shoots….. Teepee Tuesday : a fun and vibrant play area that can be easily personalised to suit each baby.

Introducing the very beautiful Miss Ela, just 9 months old and 10,000 miles travelled already!

A very special Tuesday afternoon with a very special little girl

My Brown Eyed Girl!

Tiny toes : It’s all about those little details!

I feel that my first #TeepeeTuesday was a total success. Miss Ela was right at home in her new afternoon play area with a mix of her own toys as well as some bright and shiny new props which captured her attention almost straight away. This Teepee set-up also allows for mummy and daddy to get in on the fun which makes for an afternoon and shoot to remember, an aspect that I really love!

Those special Mother/Daughter moments

BTS moments captured by my very talented best friend

Winter Wandering

‘The colour of springtime is in the flowers; the colour of winter is in the imagination’ - Terri Guillemts

Tuesday saw the return of the white stuff and that magical winter wonderland that I had been so badly craving this winter finally hit the Emerald Isle! It’s the first time in a long time that I felt the snow might skip us completely this year and left me feeling a little disappointed as winter is my all-time favourite season! There is no better feeling than waking up to a winter wonderland and setting out into a winter wander to capture the beauty of the transformed landscape!

Naturally the Cavehill was calling out to me, the snow day tradition that I started back in December 2017! For years I had always wondered what it would be like to walk to the top and look out to a frozen world below and in 2017 I decided to just go for it… one of the best decisions I have ever made! There is something magical up there, the change in atmosphere, the quietness its remoteness brings and the way in which you become one with its surroundings! It’s a walk I love in general as no two days are the same weather wise, but there is something really special about it in snow which gives it an advantage to any other season!

‘Climbed a mountain and I turned around, and I saw my reflection in the snow covered hills, until the landslide brought me down’ - Fleetwood Mac

Although the walking conditions can be a little hazard depending on the weather conditions, it is a winter wonderland adventure that I definitely recommend, just make sure to take care and wrap up warm as temperatures really plummet up there with those winter winds.

Winter Wanders : My reliable Converse pull through after a forgetful change in footwear!

Into The Blue : A winter wonderland wander to the top of the Cavehill

Winter Wishes : There is something about this view and tree that make me stop each Cavehill walk to appreciate the view

Cavehill Winter Wonderland 2020, done!

Another World : A Cavehill winter wonderland visit is a must when the white stuff comes to play!

‘Taylored’ For You

I am excited to announce that not only can you book me privately to capture your special moments, but you can now also book me through Taylor Content! 

A few months back the lovely ladies from Taylor Content contacted me to join their all female photography team becoming their first Northern Irish based photographer. Taylor Content is a platform that connects you to your dream photographer to capture those all important moments in a photography style that suits you!

An exciting new collaboration to capture and create beautiful content taylored for you!

Lavender Line Photography HQ

It seemed only right that I document the first important milestone in this new and exciting small business venture of mine! So, here is to one month on from picking up the keys to my dream studio and making this beautiful space my home from home!

Magical Mournes

‘And you can find me where the sea pours into the stars’ - Eden

One of my main goals this past year has been to capture sundown at the famous Mourne Mountains. To walk along the beachfront and watch them bask in that magical golden hour glow, and last Sunday that Mourne Mountains sunset dream finally came true!

Although there was no sunshine in the forecast I decided to make the trip to Newcastle anyway for a first time visit to Murlough Beach, somewhere that I had been looking forward to exploring and photographing after many recommendations. After a long stretch of beautiful beach walk and stopping every so often to watch those waves rolling in, it seemed that luck was on my side as clouds soon gave way and that magical golden hour was about to begin!

I have visited many famous locations over the past few years to capture golden hour and the Mourne Mountains did not disappoint! To watch the sun shine proudly above Slieve Donard before making her beautiful descent was truly mesmerising! The changing of colours from pinky red to lavender blue, the whispering waves with their pastel reflections…. a truly unforgettable sunset and one that I highly recommend everyone experience!

And so golden hour begins!

Dancing under red skies

Mourne Mountain Magic : A sunset to remember

Now to achieve my Mourne Mountains dream of climbing to the top to capture those stunning costal views from above!

New Year, New Beginnings

‘And suddenly you know: it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings’ - Meister Eckhart

Proudly introducing Lavender Line Photography HQ

A new year, a new decade and an exciting new chapter has just begun for Lavender Line Photography! I am excited to announce that as of January 9th 2020 I signed the contract to my dream studio space! It still feels very surreal that I am now a studio owner, and although I am a little scared and nervous about this new chapter, I am really excited to see where it takes me and my small business!

It was back in November 2018 at a Shared Threads wreath making workshop run by the lovely Janice (@gatheredthreads) and Kirsty (@shared__threads) in the stunning Portview Trade Centre that I first fell in love with the building and its beautiful studio spaces. A building with artistic character that instantly draws you in, inspires you and makes you want to work there! Never in my wildest dreams did I think that a little more than a year later that big photography dream of mine would come true!

A firm believer in what is meant for you will find you, it finally feels that fate is on my side in allowing me to follow my dream, that 4 years of working extremely hard to establish and maintain Lavender Line Photography has finally paid off! Here is to chasing those dreams and making them a reality no matter how big or scary they may seem! A new chapter has just begun and I for one am ready for it!

The Autumn Leaves of Red and Gold...

‘If a year was tucked inside a clock, then Autumn would be magic hour’ - Victoria Erickson

I couldn’t agree more with Victoria Erickson’s description of Autumn, it really is our magic hour! The falling leaves, the crisp air and the beautiful tones that bring new life to sceneries before us. There is something magical about those early morning Autumn starts, the way in which the sunlight casts her spell through ever-changing trees and the rustling of fallen leaves breaking that morning silence. It is a time to reflect and inspire, a time to set new goals, a time to dream!

I always find myself more inspired this time of year, challenging myself to find new Autumn scenes, new twists on perspective and a new play on colours. There is something exciting about adding my own touch to the beautiful scenes that Mother Nature gives us. Like Autumn, I feel that it is important as an artist to embrace the ever-changing!

Below are just some of the beautiful scenes that I have come across this October and that are available for purchase on Etsy!

‘Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn’ - Elizabeth Lawrence

Summertime Sadness

‘And all at once, Summer collapsed into Fall…’ - Oscar Wilde

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn! A summer that has gone by in a blur and one that I was happy to see come to an end. Summer 2019 was a Summer of heartbreak and sadness due to the loss of my beautiful cat Chloe who was just short of 17 years old. It has been a real struggle adapting to this new chapter of life without her and as a result I found myself not wanting to do much this Summer other than a day trip here and there.

Now that we are into a new season and one that is all about the black cat, I want to try and move forward. I want to think of my her with happy tears instead of sad tears. They say that time is a healer and I for one am ready to begin the healing process surrounded by Autumn and the comfort of knowing that it was Little Miss Chloe’s season!

They Call It Mellow Yellow

'She was a wildflower in love with the sun' - Melanie Koulouris

Nothing says Hello August more than the beautiful Sunflowers of Portglenone! A sea of yellow that can be seen for miles and one that should be visited for that ultimate sunflower experience! I have always been drawn to sunflowers and their elegance, the way in which they stand to attention, tall and proud and soaking up every inch of sunshine, but I never imagined that one day I would get to walk among them up-close and personal to truly appreciate their beauty!

If you haven’t been to Portglenone’s Sunflower field then I highly recommend adding it to your August must-visit list as an afternoon among the sunflowers should be experienced by all! You will also be helping to support a great cause as all proceeds made go towards Macmillan in Northern Ireland. An August day out you will not forget!