The final month of 2013 has been really busy. Christmas started for me in mid-November, as I had to organise photo shoots early to ensure I met pre-Christmas print deadlines.
The pop-up portrait studios at Serendipity have been a great success. All the toddlers were really comfortable in front of the camera, and I had the pleasure of getting to cuddle a few smaller babies too. The distressed walls of the downstairs at Serendipity made a lovely backdrop and I have eaten so much delicious cake there in the last few weeks – most recently rosemary, honey, oats and white chocolate. Many thanks to Jackie for her hospitality and baking! She has also taken a collection of my framed photographs of nature to sell, so if you are looking for something for your wall (or someone else’s) and like water or trees, pop in and have a look.
I have just finished printing and delivering the pop-up portraits for Christmas presents as well as doing very varied family portrait shoots – an eightieth birthday with family flying in from the States one week, pictures of a four month old baby to send to her grandma in Greece the next. I also visited a beautiful hotel in Surrey that will be the venue for the wedding I am photographing on New Year’s Eve.
Additionally, I am beginning a new personal project inspired by the wonderful Dayanita Singh exhibition that has just finished at the Hayward Gallery and working on a social documentary of West Norwood. I love how being busy and excited about things attracts new ideas and opportunities to you. However, now that all my prints are delivered and almost all my presents are wrapped I plan to relax tonight with a well-earned ale.
Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!