A Few of My Favourite Images From 2019

Where has 2019 gone, it seems to have flown by, does it feel the same for you?

As this is my last blog of 2019 I always like to take stock of the year gone by and choose a few of my favourite images to share with you that really don’t need any words.

This is always hard for me because I take thousands of images during any one calendar year, but here we go, a selection that have made the final cut from both my brands - SMS Creative Photography and Stella Lifestyle Photography.

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2020!

I’ll be back in January with more updates.

Thanks for reading…

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Give the Gift of Education this Christmas

A little bit of education goes a long way!

Owning a new camera or one that you have had for a long time can be a daunting prospect if you don’t know quite how to use it!

Do you just leave it on automatic and hope for the best? Do you want to experiment, or are you fearful that you’ll not be able to get back to where you started? These are all things I hear time and time again and it’s what keeps you stuck in a place that prevents you from enjoying your camera and exploring your creativity to give great results.

Over the years I found time in my busy schedule to teach small groups of enthusiasts how to understand their cameras better, but have found that not everyone has the same camera and their knowledge differs. This is why I offer one-to-one masterclasses to help you get the best out of your camera and to build your confidence too. Starting with taking control of your camera rather than the camera making all the technical decisions.

This education stands you in good stead and like anything new it has to be practised regularly. Once you feel a little more accomplished you can graduate onto learning more to build your confidence to create professional-looking images from the classes offered below. The rest, as they say, is up to you.

Your choices:

A. One two-hour class - £185 includes theory and practical tuition with printed guidance to refer to.

B. Set of four two-hour classes - £695 to reinforce theoretical knowledge and to explore a variety of photo-shoot options, such as portraits, animals and landscape using flash and different lighting techniques too, classes are tailored to your specific needs.

C. One day class, eight hours - £750 tailored to your requirements, includes downloading and post-production too.

If this sounds like something that appeals to you or as a gift for the enthusiast in your life then please do get in touch on 01883 722282 or email or visit this link to our website to find out a little more.

A little bit of education goes a very long way…

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Be Thankful, Today and Everyday

Today on Thanksgiving I have taken a moment to reflect and to think what does ‘Thanksgiving’ mean to me?

Well, what does it mean to me, as I ponder on this moment?

I have never really, really stopped to think, until now that is, as I embark on my seventh decade…

It’s not just about being thankful for all the very small things we take for granted like the air we breathe and the water we drink - both of which we wouldn’t exist without - but just thankful for being alive and to know we are in control of our thoughts and where they take us…

• The freedom to take control to exist as we see fit.

• Each moment is precious and fleeting, enjoy each one because we won’t know when our last will come.

• Our emotional and physical health is our best friend.

• Strive to be the best version of yourself as you’ll never stop learning during the process.

• Love and nurture the connections you have with your family and friends as these are the essence of our emotional well-being.

• Immerse yourself in what brings you pleasure.

• Be open to new possibilities.

• Do not fear the unknown, embrace it.

• There is no time for destructive negativity.

• Be thankful for the simple pleasures that money cannot buy.

• Smile often, laughter is the best medicine.

What a difference it has made to me today to have stopped and taken a few precious minutes to still my overthinking and racing mind and to say to myself…

“you can stop now, you can’t control every single outcome and predict the future, but what you can do is… go confidentially knowing that you, and only you, are the author of your future, don’t miss the joyous present as your future is built on this very foundation”

What are your thoughts for today and every day? Take half an hour to stop and write down what ‘Thanksgiving’ means to you, you will be very glad you did… I know I am.

With love and laughter, thank you for taking the time to read this.

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run 2019

For the past five years I have had the pleasure of photographing the Bonhams London - Brighton Veteran Car Run arrivals at Madeira Drive, Brighton, this takes place on the first Sunday of November, and has done so for the past 120 years.

My recently published blog on my sister website - ‘Stella’ Lifestyle Photography tells you more about the arrivals on Sunday 3 November 2019 and the previous days’s event at Regent Street - the penultimate event of London Motor Week.

To keep reading and to see more photographs follow this link.

Many thanks

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Your Personal Vineyard Photo-shoot

For a fun-filled photo-shoot experience with your family and friends, the glorious Kent countryside provides me with the perfect setting to capture you amongst the wonderful vines in a secluded and private spot.

This location is stunning any time of year as it evolves through the seasons. From harvest time right through to the summer months it always offers something different and the lighting is always beautiful.

If this appeals to you or as a gift for a loved one in the coming months please do get in touch on 01883 722282 or email me stella@smscreativephotography.co.uk . More information can be found here on our website.

Bye for now.

Stella

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.

Glorious Woodland Family Photo-shoots

Mother Nature really is wonderful and it never ceases to amaze me how truly privileged we are to have four different seasons to enjoy each year.

I know as a nation we complain about the weather and how some days it feels like we have experienced all four seasons in one day, but autumn has to be something pretty special as we transition from summer to winter.

With the spectacular array of colours, from burnished reds, browns, yellows and greens, it provides me with a multitude of options to choose from in our local woodlands or your garden for the fun-filled experience of family photo-shoots.

Don’t forget to include your beloved pets, they enjoy the experience too!

Your photographs make ideal gifts for grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and other cherished people.

To book your photo-shoot before winter arrives do get in touch with me on either 01883 722282 or my mobile number 07771810105 or email stella@smscreativephotography.co.uk to find out more this link to our website will help.

Thanks

Stella

Moments to cherish…

To read other previous blogs these can be found on the ‘Featured’ blogs below by using the arrows on the right to scroll through the past 30 blogs.