My niece Caoimhe (Kiva).

She is sixteen. She is half Spanish, half Irish. I like to think she looks Spanish but her heart’s Irish:)  She is thoughtful and witty and the smartest sixteen year old I know. She loves re-runs of Blackadder and consumes books at lightning speed, (Harry Potter books do not stand a chance).  She speaks two languages fluently and teaches English to kids in her spare time. She also speaks ‘Norn Irish’ which I think definitely counts as a third language.  Her single, biggest passion in life is music.  She knows more about music than most adults I know, and her itunes library spans the decades. She is a writer, and maybe one day would like to be a music journalist. I’ve told her she ‘IS’ going to be the editor of NME. I love how she sees the world. The world is a better place through her eyes. She is honest, calm and steady. And she is very much her own person already.

I miss our chats over coffee. I miss her.

There is only ever going to be one YOU Caoimhe. Let your heart fly.

p~

It’s been a while since I’ve photographed a boudoir session. I’m thrilled to share some highlights from this one. It was shot in the Merchant Hotel Belfast, and I had the very talented duo Jennifer Ireland on make-up and Sonya Mac on hair. I’m also glad I’ve photographed the gorgeous Collette many times before as she is so very comfortable in front of my camera now. Plus we have alot of laughs together when we’re shooting.

I love photographing skin. But sometimes I feel like I’m photographing light too and its just a matter of playing with light for a while, especially on shoots such as these. I prefer to see these as ‘reveal’ sessions. Not just about the revealing of skin, and our very feminine qualities, but revealing, hopefully, a little more of our private, more vulnerable selves too, heart and soul.

p~

“I plant the kind of kiss that wouldn’t wake a baby
On the self-same face that wouldn’t let me sleep
And the street is singing with my feet
And dawn gives me a shadow I know to be taller

All down to you, dear
Everything has changed

My sorry name has made it to graffiti
I was looking for someone to complete me

Not anymore, dear
Everything has changed

And we made the moon our mirrorball
The streets, an empty stage
The city sirens violins
Everything has changed

So lift off love
Lift off love

We took the town to town last night
We kissed like we invented it
And now I know what every step is for
To lead me to your door

Know that while you sleep
Everything has changed

We made the moon our mirrorball
The streets, an empty stage
The city sirens violins
Everything has changed

So lift off love”

Elbow

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Before Christmas, my good friend Sarah Fyffe and her man Troy took me on a tour of the city that’s been their hometown for the first ten years of their life together. Derry is one of those cities you could fall in love with easily in a day. It’s steeped in history and character.  I couldn’t have had better company. Love these two :) This is a very special session to mark those ten years and the closing of a chapter . They now have embraced the country life in Omagh and left the city behind. I think Derry will always have their hearts though.  I am so delighted and honoured to have been the one to do this for Sarah. It’s wonderful that she has these now to remember their time there together. And to yet again be asked to do this by a friend and a photographer that I admire so much is awesome.  Check her work out here. She is such a talented photographer in her own right, and for a long time Sarah has been behind the camera, making other people feel special. Now it’s finally her turn. I absolutely love their style, the hats, the coat (that Sarah’s had from student days!), the vintage powder blue frock. This could easily be 1969! Styled to perfection and fantastic to shoot. A perfect match in a perfect place.

p~

I think I’ve been stalling on this beautiful session. Because I can’t find the right words. In fact, words fail me still.

I know alot of people are following the Walker story. I’m not going to tell it here as it is not my story to tell. But if you have been following Janine’s blog you’ll know how important these photos are to her, and to Andy.  Janine has already been capturing all the good times since the boys arrived and her photos  and updates are just so wonderful, funny and completely heartwarming. The only thing that is missing is photos with her in them! Like most mummy photographers we are always behind the camera. I’m so glad she had the courage to do this and I’m so glad she asked me. What I couldn’t believe is how well they fit, how natural they are together in such a short time. Some things and some families are just destined to be.  I can’t dwell on this too long as I get a wee bit teary. Good tears. These are the most adorable wee boys I have ever met. And Santa will be getting copies of all these photos of course as promised.

Murlough Beach looked stunning bathed in the low sunlight of November. The winds of the Irish sea were very cold though and I’m glad the boys were hopped up warm in the woollies. Btw: how cute are those outfits? Trust J to pull off the most stylish family shoot ever!

Before I send this out to its new and rightful home, I thought it would be a nice share on the bloggity. It helps clients visualise how their session images can look when presented in the right way. I’ve admired this frame for a while and I finally got a chance to use it on Harriet’s newborn session. Love & heart this mucho!!!!  I now would like one for myself.  This is a large chunky 24×24″ frame in a paint-washed, creamy, chabby-chic style. It’s perfect for these types of images. I love how the colour tones match also.  The montage is uniquely designed by me and heatsealed for durability so it requires no glazing. It’s such a contemporary finish and I know Claire is going to find an amazing place for this in her beautiful home. This is going in my Cherish gallery as a fav right now.

the end.

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