Just in case anyone believes that photos only exist on this blog, I had to post this.

Its wonderful to see images in their rightful place. Enriching our homes and adding life to our walls! I have often felt I would love to do a ‘picture tour’. Just visiting all my past clients and taking pictures of where their photos live now. They could live in a book. They could be a tiny black and white, in a treasured, vintage frame at a mother’s bedside locker. They could be 40 inches across the living room wall! They could be part of a staircase gallery featuring generations of loved ones, spanning many years…  One thing I have learned is, we all live very different lives and there is something for everyone when it comes to lifestyle, choice and presentation.

When the pictures leave me, looking all framed and lovely, I kind of feel a little bit sad. The blog is my only record that I ever met those wonderful people and took those pictures to begin with. All the loved-up couples, the chubby babies, the hard-working families, cosy newly-weds, the ‘full-of-beans’ toddlers, the shy teens,  and last, but not least, the five-day-old newborns, just starting on this wonderful journey we call life. Maybe I’m feeling a little thoughtful – having just watched ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – but I can only hope that those people look at them, smile, and be very glad they always have that moment in time to hold in their hearts forever.

This is why I love my job.

Happy Valentines.x

Throughout the year in nursery, every child has a week on the ‘Special Board’.

Last week was Seanan’s turn. I know this probably doesn’t look like much but, as a mum, this is mega in our world.

Seanan had to list all his favourite things including books, foods and games. He also had to answer questions about members of the family and paint lots of pictures. I was interested to see how this would play out. My son is not one for sharing information freely. In fact, after school I really have to work at finding out what he had for dinner. And, for an easy life, he will often just make stuff up. I was sweating a little at what might actually appear on this board!

So I was helping put together his board at home. There were spaces for photographs to be supplied. Whoohoo!! I think Mummy got a little ‘photo happy’ on this request. Well, I do have pictures of everything! I was born to do this ‘Special Board’ project. Dessie came in from work to find me in the WHZ (workheadzone). Quite scary, I’m sure. If Seanan thinks he is always going to get this amount of enthusiasm over homework he is very mistaken. Just wait until he brings home maths. Ugh! Then maybe Daddy will be in the zone.

Anyway, here are some of his answers:

1.  Seanan doesn’t really know specifically what Mummy does. She works at her computer and emails. All these photos came as a bit of a revelation to his teachers!

2. At least this is better than what Daddy does. He works at his work. Oh, and sometimes works at his work at home. This answer is not surprising. Like Chandler Bing, no one really knows Dessie’s exact job description. Sometimes I don’t think he knows himself.

3. There are crocodiles in Craigavon lakes.

4. Seanan best friend Darragh has grey hair.?? It is spikey.

5. Mum likes to make pasta. Almost every night. In fact all Seanan ever eats is pasta. Daddy loves mum’s pasta.

6. Mum has black hair- True. Dad has black hair also – Untrue!

7. Dad has a pink and black shirt. Hmmmm…. I would like to know if this is true.

8. Seanan loves trains.

This just makes me smile so much. But he didn’t tell them about how scared he is of school at the moment. How shy he is of strangers, but so completely loyal to his friends. How he loves to climb into Mummy’s bed at 7am to play with her hair. How much he loves Cafolla’s ice-cream and chips on Fridays. How very patient he is with his highly-strung, little sister. That ‘The Gruffalo’ and milk in bed just completes his day. That he loves his new bed so much that he can’t wake in the mornings. That bouncing everywhere like a ‘Tiger’ is still the best fun by far. That he is a whizz at Jigsaws. And power-hosing with Dad is the best way to spend Sunday afternoons. That his favourite movie is ‘Jungle Book’ and he sings a mean version of ‘The Bare necessities’… and goodness, a whole lot more that only a mum would think is so very, very special…

BTW: In case anyone is under the illusion that I have a complete angel here there are lots of naughty things I haven’t mentioned. Like stealing my iphone and sending emails to clients! And answering the work phone when mummy is in the loo. I will not go into the details

My fascination with Michael Fassbender continues. The most enigmatic man in the world. The one I would most like to shoot (with my camera of course). He is half Irish, half German, raised in Killarney, his mum is from the north. You just have to look at this picture to know there is a whole lot going on behind those eyes. I am glad to say he is going from strength to strength lately. Yes indeedy. Ever since he first said ’sorry’ I have been completely, irrevocably captivated. What a fantastic actor he has proved to be since then. 300, Hunger, Inglourious Basterds, Fishtank… He has starred alongside the likes of Gerard Butler and Brad Pitt, (completely outshining them both in my opinion!)

By the end of 2010 everyone will be in love with Michael, I am convinced!. You do know, someday I will be photographing him. In the meantime, I’ll just keep the dream alive! My major crush blog post finished. x