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Photography Portfolio

                                                                            Weddings                                   

                                            Amy and Lee: 2009                                    Karen and Wil: 2009
                          

                                         Chris and Ele: 2009                                         Laz and Caz: 2011
                          

 

                        

 

Piano.

There has always been a piano in my parents house, for as long as I remember, and even better - it has always been played.

There is nothing sadder than seeing a piano gathering dust, out of tune and out of use. Nope, our piano is in use. (Actually there is a lot of things sadder, but in terms of pianos - there is nothing sadder!)

So the pianist is my Dad, and I have many a fond memory of listening to him play music, except if I wanted to watch tv and then I am sure I was so not so thrilled. But you know what, I remember fondly Dad playing the piano and I don't really remember whatever it was I missed on tv! My favourite pieces of all time that he played, were Troika, Sergei Prokofiev and Rondo Alla Turca by Mozart. 

Luckily for me, Troika was an especially hard piece which meant he had to play it lots and lots and whilst I think he got frustrated, I was pleased to get another rendition of the piece. Kind of like when you buy a song you like, and play it over and over again. Yep thats me. 

So, one of my requests was that I got to hear Dad play Troika on Christmas Day. It was the ideal Christmas present, he got the sheet music and put lots of hours into practicing it. Sadly for me (and happily for him) he got it pretty much right the first time so I didn't get endless renditions but I enjoyed it nethertheless!

Listen to Troika on youtube

Listen to Rhondo Alla Turca on youtube

Thankyou for your hard work Papa!

 

Vagabond

In an area full of cafes and full of people to fill up the cafes, a new cafe can only be a good thing. So after we found the Front Room, Tollington Park was full to the brim we went along to the new cafe Vagabond for our lunch.

I have been hearing nothing but good things about this place for a while so was looking forward to the experience and it did not disappoint.

It looks quite unassuming from the outside and the basic theme is continued on the inside. It is not for the person who enjoys comfy chairs or heat. It is for the person that likes a good coffee, great great service and a lovely atmosphere. Definitely worth a try. But wear a jumper!

            

Rainbow in the Waves

 

                

I've been meaning to blog this photo for a while, but unsure what to say about it. But this evening it came to me.

Seeing these waves remind me of my time in South Africa, the crashing waves. Sometimes life is like the calm sea and sometimesn when full of challenges, it resembles these waves, but even at these times you can see the beauty if you look hard. Like the rainbow in this wave.

This photo can well describe how my head feels right now. Crashing waves, from a migraine. The best thing about migraines, is that they do go eventually, and they make you appreciate migraine free life so much more. Just like experiencing winter makes you appreciate summer so much more. The challenges help you appreciate the calm. What beauty are you seeing in the challenges?

The 8th, 6th and 4th Birthday.

January is the start of the birthday season, and Cass starts it off. This year she turned 6. I can barely believe it, she has been in this world for 6 whole years and what a delightful world she makes it. What a delightful world they all make it. Liss will be 8 next month (goodness, that means in two years she will be 10 and then that will mean she is half way to being 20, how does that even happen?!?!?!) And Jojo will be 4 in March. Liss recently referred to her 'olden days', the mind boggles at how an almost 8 year old can even have olden days. 

I am glad for Liss and Cass that they love each other and appreciate having each other as sisters. I am glad for Jojo that he gets on (more or less!) with his big sisters. The girls are the type that gives kisses and hugs freely and are a joy to chat to. Jojo's speech is coming on so well, it is lovely to hear him having conversations. It is all round great to see them growing up.

Happy Birthday Children!!!

I'm loving Cass' long curly hair.

Jojo is naturally and probably quite rightly a little suspicious of my camera, he can be persuaded to be in a photo when his sisters are already posing.

And the obligatory funny face post, always a good way to reward the kids for posing nicely!

A Little French Village {2}

 

 

 

A Little French Village

On our last full day in France, I took a little walk through the village where we were staying. So many pretty details, vivid colours... here are just a few of my favourites.

 

 

Postcards from London: The Tower of London

The only time I have ever visited was as a child with a family friend Alison. 

Alison was the loveliest kind of person who makes you feel so important as a child by taking you out, making you feel so grown up when you go out without the parents.

We saw the crown jewels but my overriding memory has to be the lack of anywhere to eat. (Edited to add, there is no shortage of places to eat now, it is a faboulous place to visit!)

In this city where buildings change so often, it is nice to have the consistency of a building that is 945 years old. All the things these walls have seen!

Pigs in Stroud

This summer I learnt that pigs are like children.

They like attention from adults...

Not talking doesn't stop them from saying, 'look at me! look at me!'

They put everything they find in their mouths.

'It wasn't me!'

'Look at me! Look at me!'

It is good to have friends.

 

Postcards from London: Houses of Parliament

 

Le Paris

The day I arrived in Paris was a tuesday and will probably be etched on my mind for all the wrong reasons. My two successes of the day were I didn't burst in to tears or lose my temper. A fine result.

It all started when I slept through my alarm. And then through the second one. And only woke up when the cab driver called. Which is slightly strange as my alarm is the same as the phone ring (classic ring) and it is not very quiet.

Well I managed to get dressed and out the house in 7 mins flat, got in to the cab and asked him to stop at an ATM on the way. Which he did and I went to get out some money, the ATM seemed to crash. 5 mins is a very long time when you are on your way to catch a train and have an impatient cab driver. However the ATM eventually had a change of heart and returned my card and on I went to catch the 5:25am to Paris. As I got out the cab I realised I had left one of my bags at home, the one with my trainers (I put om Birkenstocks in my rush) and toiletries. Ah well.

I arrived in around 9ish and had time for a coffee before meeting the family at midday at the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately they got stuck in traffic and were a little late, 3 hours in fact. Thankfully for me I had a good book and the weather was pretty nice for the most part.

By the time they arrived, the weather had turned as pointed out by the east Londoners sitting next to me who kept pointing out that 'the wet stuff' was coming. We had time for a little lunch before the heavens opened and we took refuge under the Tower from the wind, thunder, lightening and rain. We decided against climbing the tower figuring that there was not going to be much of a view and went instead the Musee D'orsee to see Van Gogh's exhibition. Only to find they were closed due to a strike. Only in France.

It certainly was a memorable day and I still managed to get lots of fine pictures on our walk round Paris, after the rain had passed.