LIFE LATELY

..according to a couple of point and shoot cameras..

BE THE ARTIST // PRINT

After coming back from New Zealand we both wrote a blog post about how we felt and how life changing the retreat A Bit More Soul was for the both of us.  Pete has always got such a good way with words and what he wrote.. well,  I wanted it on my wall to look at every day.

We put a call out on fb to see if any one could make Pete's wonderful words look pretty and one of our friends Charlie Felgate came up with the goods… aghhh I LOVE it!!

Me and Charlie got chatting and our mutual friends.. the wonderful Andy and Emily Squires (they are actually one of our first couples that we photographed back in 2010) had had a bit of a rough time last year…

On the 14th April 2013 their gorgeous little boy Thomas was diagnosed with severe bacterial meningitis.  He was extremely sick, spending 3 weeks in hospital and many months afterwards recovering.  They subsequently found out that the illness has left Thomas profoundly deaf.  Whilst the news was devastating, Thomas appears to have made a full recovery and is a beautiful, happy and healthy little boy.  He now has bilateral cochlear implants to help with his hearing, both Andy and Emily are learning BSL as signing will be an essential skill for Thomas as he grows up and integrates himself within the Deaf community.. and the future is looking positive.

A few weeks ago Andy and Emily both ran the Brighton Marathon in aid of Meningitis Now and all their friends and family are so, so proud of the money that they've raised but more than that.. the sheer bravery and incredible strength that these two wonderful parents have shown.. we're just in total awe.

So we wanted to do a bit more.

We have a limited stock of 100 x 'Be the Artist' A5 prints and all the profits will be donated to the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton where this little family's whole world was tentatively held in their hands.  From speaking to both Andy and Emily.. the Doctors and Nurses did an absolutely incredible job and we'd love to be able to show them just how much that means to Andy, Emily, all of their friends and family.. and of course to the smiliest little boy in the land, Thomas.

Me and Pete went to visit Andy and Em a few weeks before Thomas was due to have his cochlear implants fitted and I can't tell you how much of an absolute honour it was to capture this beautiful family's 'every day'…

  

So if you fancy some wonderfully inspiring words on your wall and would like to help an incredible hospital help more little people like Thomas then grab a copy of our limited edition 'Be the Artist' print now.. :)

'Be the Artist' A5 Print
350gsm Uncoated card

£12.50
Includes P&P

Orders should be received within 10 working days

A MASSIVE thank you to Pete for actually making up these awesome words in that lovely head of yours.. to Charlie for her crazy wonderful illustrative skills and to Veronica Dearley for helping me with photoshop and colours.. Go team!!

If you do buy a print make sure you instagram it proudly wash taped to your wall using the hashtag #betheartist

A SOUNDTRACK

Over the past couple of weeks we've been travelling around the country holding our Welcome Home Workshops and just before they started I bought London Grammar's incredible album.   I'd been listening to it pretty much on repeat ever since and now, to me this album accompanies my strong feelings when I think back to each of the workshops.. a soundtrack if you like to the wonderful people we met.. the experience.. the discoveries.. the pure joy of creating some amazing memories with a group of such positive people.

I was trying to work out the exact emotion I feel when I now listen to this song.. and I've got it...

This song makes me feel grateful.

LABOUR OF LOVE

Sometimes people ask if shooting polaroid is worth it when the film is quite expensive and they can be pretty temperamental at times.

For me it is a complete labour of love.  The process, the dedication, the mistakes, the surprises, the craft.. you have to invest in the relationship.. give it your time, not give up at the first hurdle.. and that's when the rewards come.

After leaving this polaroid to develop I squealed taking it out of my bag.  The butterflies as you turn it over.. you have no idea what each exposure will give you but when you hit it.. it is the BEST feeling.

The texture, the detail.. the life.. all in one beautiful piece of art.

It just gives me so much pleasure.

WORK, REST AND PLAY

A few weeks ago we headed to Camber Sands to spend some quality time with some special peeps. It was much needed and we had the best few days.  Me and Pete are realising more and more how important it is to set aside time to spend with the people we love.. and we loved this weekend.. :)

Some iPhone goodness..

Love you guys.. 

We've also been shooting Agnes and Norman's new S/S collection.. oh my.. you're going to ADORE them!!!

I bought a new dress at the wonderful Yellow Vintage fair in Southampton which my gorgeous friends Zoe and Nathan organise all by themselves.. (super proud friend alert)..

Max's shredded paper drawer diaries continue..

Seeing my bestie.. 

Being a guest lecturer at Staffordshire Uni.. (in like a proper lecture theatre an' everything)

Visiting friends and being reminded of what is important.. (ohhhh Rufus.. gimme those cheeks)

Then we headed off to do some Welcome Home workshops..Oh hello Welcome Home selfie!

We had the cutest couples to shoot..

…and we'll be blogging fully about the workshops very soon.. :)

And then we headed to the Royal Opera House London to shoot a very special collaboration with Rachel Simpson and Freed of London.. 

..and got to shoot inside the factory where they make all the incredible shoes..

….aaaaaaaand breathe!!!