I’m typing these words with both office doors propped wide open and breathing in the last warmth of an autumnal afternoon and the scents of the season shifting.  

Cartwheeling children and, in the background, a spaniel and terrier cavorting on the lawn, this was my final family session of summer. The light was good and, when I rocked up to photograph them, the family 50% still in pjs. Which I thought brilliant. All relaxed and with a complete ease and acceptance of the lens.

There was plenty of outdoor shooting this month. Team headshots for a US/UK corporate wellness organisation, we captured these all outside and miraculously evaded sheets of rain which poured relentlessly for most of the day in question. 

My fir tree friends down at the Christmas Tree Farm hosted their first Wylds Wedding with a caravan of bell tents. These popped up across the field and looked so completely inviting under a clear and starry sky. The drone footage of the wedding procession is magical and the yard looked phenomenal once again this summer.

With a new website about to launch along with new zing brand colours, it was only fitting that I try them out and incorporate these into some vivid edits to populate said website. I am a big fan of the shades and the result. In fact, it was me that picked the zing limey lemon shade originally, some three years back, and we’ve had it hovering in a side folder ever since, awaiting the Wylds Events business to take shape.

As August began, the farmyard also came alive with faerie folk and laughter as the PSF wove their story ribbons with a midsummer production. The giant Red Oak – Quercus Rubris – turned green, brilliantly lit for the occasion. 

The weather for the performance which I covered, well, it held. On at least one other occasion, I know that twas indeed a tempest that did cometh and disturb the picnicking with Puck. That was such terrible Shakespearean English. Do you forgive me that? I hope yes. But the whole show was a feast for the senses and I captured lots of film also which the PSF will be receiving shortly.

On a side note, we welcomed a rescue pup into our home. His name ‘was’ Rolo but he is black and white with a pirate patch over one eye and doesn’t in any way resemble any toffee / chocolate confection. So he was renamed. To the phonetically very similar Roscoe. We are smitten and he is being photographed a fair bit. Of course he is. You wouldn’t expect otherwise. I can recommend the charity who enabled this very rewarding and heartwarming opportunity. A New Leash for Life is a locally based rescue charity.

I also stopped by The Kings Arms Project, a Hampshire-based youth charity, to capture their headshots and also a team picture. My youngest came along to assist as he himself is supported by the KA. Absolutely he managed to leap into the group image. And got the dog in the frame too.

Here are a few recent preoccupations …

• Open your Mind by Ward Thomas who happen to live quite close and once played a set at my local.
• Tiffany Francis-Baker for Equinox essay writing and delightful illustrations of the natural kingdom
• Pilea + Spider plants they’re taking over here.
• Feel Better, Live More the podcast by Rangan Chatterjee whose guests and conversations are teaching me a lot.

December has been a veritable mixed spice of a month so far and we’re only at Day 16 as I write here, awaiting the big two’s return to the nest from uni at any moment.

Whilst the spirit is largely Christmas scented at this time of year, we also have a double birthday in our household; fifteen years ago in December my own birthday was hijacked by my last-born child, Jake. I did, I gave birth on my bloody birthday so I did. And on the due date no less.

Birthday Thief

The Birthday Thief turned fifteen this year; me, I turned significantly more than fifteen. For whatever reason, he saw fit to celebrate the start of ‘our day’ by arriving at my bedside, bellowing ‘happy birthday Mum!’ and promptly emptying a full glass of water over my head. Ever the prankster.

Wylds Things

Fittingly, this month saw a collaboration with the Hampshire charity which supports Jake and many other young people like him. The KA devised a Treasure Trail Fundraiser at Wylds Farm Christmas Trees , with whom I work each and every festive season, and it’s proving a great hit with children who visit the farm for their tree. Twelf Days of Christmas, twelve stripy legged wooden elves and lots of clue searching fun amongst the firs and spruces. A feature I’m proud of naming and suggesting is the ‘Lost Propertree’ fashioned from upcycled timbers and, each season, gradually decorated with lonesome mittens, stranded scarves and beanie hats.

They’re a fabulous group of people, Team Tree, and have collectively worked very hard this year to ensure the farm Experience is as full of all the festive feels as is possible. I love capturing the event with Sophia and Nick as it unfolds each winter. We always have so much fun in the process. This year required a refresh of farm imagery across all online marketing. Additionally, I project managed and wrote the copy for their new website, designed and built by Posabilities. It ticks all the boxes for functionality and aesthetic.

Little Donkey

Little Donkey is available as a fine art print ( dm for details & to buy a limited edition giclée print ) A framed giclée print was donated as the prize to the above charity Fundraiser. Said donkey is living her best donkey life under the Ashford Hangers and has a best friend donkey plus a dozen Indian runner ducks for company. When I visited her paddock, I hung a white backdrop bedsheet over her gate; she enjoyed the parsnips and apple I brought along to lure her in front of this.

Branding shoots; 32 Feet, muted threads and colourful Skies.

Earlier in the month, photographing for The Maas Clinic, we had a record canine choreography moment with 32 feet in the same line up. 20 of these being paws. Dogs and humans alike brought the very best energy to the shoot. Capturing spaniels on camera in beautiful low, golden winter sunshine and in ancient woodland was a seasonal highpoint. Albums were commissioned to be enjoyed by faraway family members.

Photographing for talented textiles designer Kate Box was a first also. We captured new toasty knitwear flavours for her latest Collection and worked in a very considered way using only natural ( dramatic ) light to create images which showcase the colour & softness of Kate’s designs and suggest movement and flow. We also shot moving images to complement the Collection.

With some strong linear designs, this time on cotton rather than wool, we shot the new African Skies Collection of designs for Titley & Marr which previewed this autumn and are shown here captured for a Christmas campaign, against the clock.

If you’re in need of a gift to give a loved one, my gift vouchers come beautifully printed, packaged and personalised and may be redeemed against a number of photography offers and experiences. Ordered before December 20th these will make Christmas delivery by post to the UK mainland.

Please send me an email to request more details.

I’m feeling very grateful as this year draws to a close. There have been such a lot of unprecedented and challenging situations to contend with over recent months. For us all. My health is good, my family in fine fettle and my heart is full. I have enough and appreciate this enormously.

Wishing you all a most peaceful, restful and abundant Christmas wherever you are and with whomever you’re able to enjoy celebrations.

Sarah