Project 52- Week 8

Project 52- Taking a photo of each child every week for a year

It was my nephews 1st birthday this week and we all had a little get together.  The bears were beside themselves because their cousins have a trampoline in their garden and despite it being a reeeeeeeally chilly February day, they bounced around for hours.

Laura x

Visual artist Liz Atkin

I recently had the honour of photographing a fascinating talk by visual artist Liz Atkin at Chelsea Physic Gardens.  The lecture which was given to a group of medical humanities students from Imperial College London was on the subject of dermotillomania or 'skin picking disorder' and detailed Liz's journey to recovery through her artwork.  The students also got a chance to get their hands dirty and do some charcoal sketches of their own out in the garden.

If you would like to know more on the subject of skin picking, please take a look at Liz's social media:

www.lizatkin.com and www.instagram.com

Laura x

Project 52- Week 7

Project 52- Taking a photo of each child every week for a year

They have a shed load of lovely toys but sometimes a garden refuse sack and a breeze id just as entertaining. Also, hanging out on my bed.

Laura x

Project 52 Week 6

Project 52- Taking a photo of each child each week of the year

We are trying to go buggy free as much as possible now and encourage the bears to walk more.  This is proving a painfully slow process and we are currently going on lots of very frustratingly short walks but here we are on a nice sunny day on the North Downs.

Laura x

Snowdrops in Chelsea

I was asked to take some photos at Chelsea Physic Garden again which always make me very happy.  This time it was to showcase their snowdrop display, a couple of staff headshots and record them getting ready for their opening weekend 2018. We scheduled it for the sunniest day of the week and I'm glad we did, I love that low Winter sun.

Laura x

Project 21- Week 4

Project 52- Taking a photo of each child every week for a year

Failed a bit on Project 52 already.  Feel like we have all been ill with heavy colds for weeks and January was a bit of a slog. Anyway, the cold and cloudy weather and numerous viruses have not stopped Lady Bear from requesting that we go for picnics (her favourite thing in the world) so here we are freezing our bums off eating sandwiches. By the way, that mark on Mr Bears cheek is from him falling over onto a pointed star Christmas decoration weeks ago, am hoping it doesn't last forever!

Laura x

Project 52 week 1

Project 52- Taking a photo of each child every week for a year

If I am honest, Project 52 fell apart a bit at the end of 2017, we all got a tummy bug, then we all had an endless stream of heavy colds and then it was Christmas.  Anyway, excuses over, it is now 2018 and a new start so here is week 1 of Project 52 for 2018!  We are currently trying to get the bears better at walking, Nick and I both love walking and would love to be able to do decent walks with them at some point.  However at the moment they are in that awkward stage of being too heavy to carry and too attached to being pushed in the buggy and too little to walk too far.  So, bit by bit we are trying to get them to walk further and further, this involves lots of grumping, sitting down on muddy ground and refusing to move but coaxed with promises of M&M's, we managed to get them to the top of Juniper Top on a cold windy Sunday morning and here are the photos.

Laura x

A Year On

Very few things make me happier so far in this photography journey than a follow up shoot.  I had a session with this family the last day of October 2016 and almost to the day again this year.  I love seeing how the faces of the toddlers are developing into children and cannot think of a nicer way of recording the passing of time than an Autumnal sunset shoot.

Laura x

Project 52- Week 43

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

Finding painted rocks, frolicking in heather and intense stares this week

Laura x

Project 52- Week 42

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

I have recently realised that my Project 52 probably gives an unrealistic view that all we do as a family is frolic around in pretty green spaces.  It's not that I'm trying to present a false impression, it's more that amongst all the day to day hubbub of school runs, paid work, housework, meal cooking and washing that is my weekdays, it's really only generally the weekends in which I can find the time/motivation to pick up my camera.  I will try to change this I think to better represent us.  In the meantime, here are some images of the bears frolicking around a pretty green space!

Laura x

Project 52- Week 41

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

Leaf fights and a trip to Newdigate and Leigh this week. 

Laura x

Laid back at home shoot, family of four

I always find it quite humbling that people who don't know me welcome me into their homes, their personal, intimate little sanctuaries and allow me record these little moments of their families lives.  This family were especially laid back and natural which of course really helps me to capture good images.

Laura x

Project 52 - Week 41

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

I am a pretty much a prime lens only zone when it comes to taking pictures but I noticed that the photographers whom I like don't follow this rule and manage to take images that I love. Sooo, this week, my husband challenged me to use only my zoom.  I felt completely out of my comfort zone and literally had to leave the house without my other lenses as I knew I would give in and switch back. 

Anyway, that's the techy stuff! We had a day out Ripley and decided to walk along the tow path with the kiddos on their bikes, however we totally over estimated their stamina and walked too far and as a result had to carry, them/their bikes/all the picnic stuff on the walk back.  Maybe we are not quite done with that double buggy yet!

Laura x

Project 52- Week 40

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

I sometimes find it difficult to muster up enthusiasm to leave the house on chilly cloudy Autumnal days. Luckily having the bears is a bit like owning a dog- they need to be given regular exercise and fresh air which means I have to go out and I'm always glad I did.

Laura x

Project 52- Week 39

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

Lady bear has learned to ride her pedal bike! She still not sure about the whole idea though, hence the slightly nervous expression in one of the shots. Mr bear loves her trike still and as soon as his little legs get long enough I sure he will be pedaling along on two wheels too.

Laura x

Beautiful baby girl shoot

I was originally asked to photograph this little girls christening but upon chatting to her Mum we decided to do a shoot at home a couple of weeks later instead when her parents we not having to look after guests and their girl was not being overwhelmed by a barrage of relatives squeezing her cheeks.  I think the best images always come when people are relaxed.

Laura x

Project 52- Week 38

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

Well that's it, Autumn is upon us, the leaves are turning golden and Lady Bear is officially a school girl!  I was warned to expect tears (hers and mine) and grumpy evenings due to tiredness but so far she seems to be loving it, is happy to wave me goodbye at the gates and as for being tired? haha as if! Unexpectedly though, her little brother seems to be finding the changes a bit challenging.  I don't know if it's because she is getting more attention at the moment whilst we settle her in or because maybe he feels left behind but it has been a very emotional and stroppy couple of weeks for him and I think my photos this week probably reflect everything I have just said!

Laura x

Project 52- Week 37

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

Trip to Southwater Country Park this weekend which the bears loved. A lake to balance bike round, a playground and a cafe that sells ice creams, pretty much ticked all the boxes for the bears at this age!

Laura x

Project 52- Week 36

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

Sadly I did not take many photos of my two this week which always makes me annoyed with myself when I come round to writing my Project 52 post.  I have definitely noticed that on the weeks that I have paid work recording my two takes a serious back burner which is silly because it doesn't need to.

Anyho, went for a little stroll over Abinger Roughs this week.

Lady Bear:

Mr Bear: I always seem to catch him mid sentence but then it is hard not to as he is ALWAYS talking! Here he is talking about and showing me a fir cone he has just found.

Bonus sibling shot: She is certainly a little more hesitant than him but they both love their balance bikes

Laura x

Project 52- Week 35

Project 52- Taking a photograph of each child each week of the year

Mr Bear: It's amazing how many photos I have of the bears upside down, surely this can only be enjoyed by children?!

With his big cousin, he reeeeeeeally loves him

Lady Bear:  Here's her upside down shot!

and her cousin shot.......

Laura x