The Power of the Photograph to Evoke Feelings of Joy

Sibling love.

Over the years I have had the privilege of photographing your children – from when they were babies, right up to adulthood to create a story of their lives for all to reflect on. It always fills me with joy when I see these photographs from years gone by framed and taking pride of place in your homes.

I’m showcasing a few photographs of two brothers I started photographing seven years ago when they were two years eight months and eight months old.

Every April the photo-shoots take place in a local woodland that is filled with the most beautiful bluebells. And this year, 2022, was no different, other than they have a sister who was introduced to the photo-shoots in 2019.

Take a look at the gallery below, by clicking on the white arrows on the left and right of the main picture to scroll through to see the evolution of time and just how important it is to take the time to enjoy every single moment to reflect on. The only year we missed was 2020 when the pandemic took its grip.

The relationship I have built with their mum started in 1997 when she was one of my first customers when I opened the studio next door to her place of work. She chose to commission me to take her portrait to mark her birthday as a gift for her mum’s 50th. Fourteen years later I was asked to photograph her wedding day and so the story goes…and this is what fills me with joy to connect and create images to tell the story of your life.

What’s your story?

Thanks

Stella

Father's Day Gift Ideas and Inspiration

With Father’s Day on the way, we have various gift ideas to show your Dad, or any special father figure in your life how much you care on Sunday 20th June!

If he is motor mad you may want to wow him with a little something from our sister brand’s online shop via this link Stella Automotive Photography Shop – choose from postcards, prints and limited editions of some of the world’s most sought after cars and bikes – or select a gift voucher for him to make his own choice.

Choose a piece of art to wow him with!

Perhaps he would enjoy a photography masterclass to help him understand how to get the best out of his camera? This photography masterclass link tells you more.

A masterclass on how to use his camera always goes down a treat!

Or, if he prefers to be in front of the camera how about a family photo-shoot in the garden or location of his choice? This photo-shoot link tells you more.

A photo-shoot at home or another special location.

Whatever you decide to choose for Father’s Day we make sure it will be an extra special gift or experience to make him feel loved and appreciated just as he should be.

Contact us via email here or phone on 01883 722282 or 0777 181 0105 to make an enquiry or purchase.

Thank you we look forward to hearing from you!

Stella

Below is a summary of past blogs to explore, further blogs can be found on our blog page here.

Timeless Photo-shoots Amongst the Bluebells

With Springtime upon us we can look forward to longer daylight hours and the sweet smell of the bluebells in the woodlands – my favourite time of year!

Last year I wasn’t able to invite any of you for a photo-shoot in the woodlands because of the lockdown restrictions – the first time in over 15 years and I really missed it!

This April, with the easing of lockdown I‘m looking forward to venturing out with you and your family to capture some treasured moments with loved ones – especially if reuniting with grandparents and celebrating missed occasions due to the pandemic.

Connecting with Mother Nature on a regular basis is proven to boost your mood, I know it does for me. We are so lucky to have such amazing outdoor spaces to enjoy on our doorstep.

To find out more about an exclusive bluebell photo-shoot this Springtime do get in touch via the link below or call me on 01883 722282 – they are usually at their best at the end of April beginning of May – it varies each year – I’m keeping a close watch!

Below are a few images from years gone by to enjoy. Do you recognise anyone you know or would you like to return for an update?

Find out more about a shoot amongst the bluebells here.

Simply email me here and I’ll get back to you.

I look forward to seeing you again, it’s been a long time!

Stella

Memories Are Made Of This

When was the last time you looked at a photograph and it brought back a powerful memory?

I’d say it was a frequent occurrence, and one we take for granted.

It’s only when life takes unexpected twists and turns that we really appreciate the power of the printed photograph and how it tells the narrative of our lives.

Photography began over 100 years ago using the science of the simple pinhole camera to capture an image onto a chemically coated light-sensitive piece of paper, processed through different chemicals to ‘fix’ it for eternity. How clever is that?!

We all know photography has evolved to where we are now – to the simplicity of the touch of a button on a smartphone, to an instant memory that can be shared anywhere on earth (within reason) in a split second! Now that is clever !!

My point is – without this wonderful means of freezing time, just how would future generations see how we lived – the clothes we wore, our food, our faces, our social history and so, so much more…

Over the past few weeks, having just lost my mother, I have been delving into my own archives to relive my childhood and what a wonderful journey it is proving to be.

As a child I used to love rummaging through old family suitcases of black and white photographs, it intrigued me to see the life my parents lived before I was born and to understand even more about my Greek-Cypriot heritage.

Hopefully it won’t be too long before we are allowed to reconnect with each other to create many more memories to reflect on as we approach springtime and the wonderful woodlands filled with bluebells, a perfect location for photo-shoots!

This link to our restoration and copying page tells you more.

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.

Fun Photography Christmas Gifts for Loved Ones

With less than four weeks to go until Christmas Day look no further than here for original and fun photography gifts vouchers for loved ones to enjoy in 2021.

It’s so easy, simply call us on 01883 722282 or email here to personalise your gift voucher and leave the rest to us, you’ll be very glad you did!

YOUR CHOICES:

STUDIO PHOTO-SHOOT

A one hour studio photo-shoot for beloved dogs to enjoy a fun-filled experience either on their own or with their owners. The cost includes a £100 credit towards their order, which can be increased should you wish to spend more.

£195

LOCATION PHOTO-SHOOT

A one hour fun-filled outdoor photo-shoot for all the family to enjoy in stunning settings such as the woodlands, a meadow, a vineyard or even their own garden. The cost includes a £100 credit towards their order, which can be increased should you wish to spend more.

£275

PHOTO-SHOOT WITH MEMORY BOX OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Your loved ones will enjoy a one hour fun-filled studio or outdoor photo-shoot and their favourite six images beautifully presented in a luxury memory box. Photo-shoots take place in stunning settings such as the woodlands, a meadow, a vineyard or even their own garden.

£500

A memory box of wonderfully finished photographs from a fun-filled photo-shoot.

PHOTOGRAPHY MASTERCLASS

For the enthusiastic photographer in your life to help them understand their camera better to achieve professional looking results with technical and practical tuition during a two hour class with me.

£185

A two hour photography masterclass with Stella to achieve rewarding results.

AUTOMOTIVE ART

For the automotive lover in your life, visit our sister website ‘Stella‘ for automotive photography of selected commissions to choose from a collection of limited editions, open edition prints, greetings and postcards of some of the world’s finest and most sought after classic cars, supercars and bikes.

This link to the site and this link to purchase gift cards.

Prints £45, postcards £1.50

Visit our automotive shop to choose prints and cards from the collection.

We look forward to sending you your gift vouchers ready to present to loved ones on Christmas Day!

Explore our website here.

Happy shopping.

Stella

Father's Day Gift Inspiration

With Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to treat the special man, or men, in your life – your dad, husband, boyfriend, granddad or any father figure.

We all need some cheering up during lockdown and something fun to look forward to – so what better time to buy him a personalised gift voucher to use when he’s ready.

Prices from £150 for a photo-shoot in his garden, the local woodlands or somewhere a little more remote. Simply call us on 01883 722282 or email here to find out more.

Below are a few examples of how he can enjoy your gift…

If he is camera shy another idea that might just appeal, and launched in time for Father’s Day – our new collection of automotive prints of some of the world’s finest classic and supercars – follow this link to our sister website ‘Stella’ to find out more.

Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you.

Stella

With his best friend

With his family

An experience of his choice

With his beloved horses and dog

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.