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What I loved this month: August 2018

30th garden party with yellow and pink tropical theme

There was a lot to be loved this month! On the wedding front, I deliberately kept this month free so I could take a little break to catch up on wedditing and take some time off for my 30th birthday. It was a pretty good idea, and I’m now feeling pretty fresh and raring to go! So heres my monthly roundup:

  1. Cookbook Meal Prepping

I’m huge on my fitness and normally always have my meals planned out in advance, because I’m a big nerd like that. It also really helps when you’re vegan – although in London its super easy, sometimes its still difficult to find vegan options when out and about. I find it super relaxing to cook so have enjoyed planning out meals on a Sunday with my ‘River Cottage: More Veg’ cookbook then having everything ready to go for the rest of the week. I’ve tried a ton of new dishes and looking forward to doing more of the same next weekend 🙂 What are your fav cookbooks?

2. Zero Waste Products

Over the past few months, I’ve been gradually switching more and more towards zero waste. I started with a Chilly’s bottle and that changed my life so after that have continued. My biggest change has been in my bathroom. I used to hate having to throw away make up wipes everyday, and then empty shampoo and shower gel bottles. I bought reuse-able face wipes from Cheeky Wipes and they are so good – it feels great not to be filling up my bin everyday! I’ve also ditched the bottles and got myself a Lush Shampoo bar and some gorgeous lavender soap from The Little Soap Company . Both smell amazing and I think the shampoo bar will last for ages! Thank you to my lovely friends I also got some reuse-able birthday goodies – an extra large Chillys bottle for cycling with, and a portable set of stainless steel cutlery!

Pink reuseable Chillys bottle
Cheeky Wipes' reuseable make remover pads

3. Tropical Themed Birthday Party

With the big 3-0 this month, I wanted to really push the boat and make it memorable. I always think you should celebrate a birthday – any excuse to change from the day to day, and gather all your friends in one place. Me and my twin set about planning our tropical themed birthday party, and I got so into it! Huge thank you to Jason for helping us and making the Twinny’s Tiki Bar. We also ordered a cake from Sonia’s Cakes in Southampton – it was unbelievably good! She had included all of our favourite things and kept in the tropical theme. Because I decided to have a birthday fortnight, I also had a great night clubbing at Underworld in Camden – I love reliving my 00s teenage years!

4. Alexia Clarke workouts

Having done LDN Muscle’s Bikini Guide a few times in a row, I figured it was time for a change as I had lost my funk in the gym slightly. A friend recommended me Alexia Clarke, who promises you will never do the same workout again on her plan. Her plan is a subscription based model, where you get 5 new workouts a week. I’ve been doing it for around a month now and I love it – every workout uses different equipment, mixes up regular exercises in a new way etc. I’ve definitely got my gym motivation back. Go check her out if you love weightlifting and fancy a challenge!

6. Shooting a top secret styled shoot

This month I shot my first styled wedding shoot since my destination one way back in March. The theme, by Kayleigh K Mua is incredible, and it all came together so well. I’m super proud and can’t wait for you to see the images once they are all edited and out in the world! Watch this space, but this is definitely not one you want to miss.

7. New vinyl

My beautiful friends got me some amazing vinyl goodies for my birthday, including Toto – IV and some Rough Trade vouchers which I immediately went out and spent. I treated myself to two Editors albums – a band that has been one of my favourites since their inception so many years ago now. I also bought myself Frank Turner’s ‘Be More Kind’.. before realising I already had. I clearly forgot how much I love Frank! I ended up swapping it for Haim – Days Are Gone, which is just as fab a listen 🙂 I have a little bit of credit left on the voucher, so comment below on what you think I should add to my collection next.

Editors vinyl collection
Girl holding up Toto's IV album against white wall

Wahoo, August was great, and I’m hoping September will just be great. It’s kicking off with a trip to the Harry Potter Studios, thanks to my other half who booked it as a birthday surprise 🙂 Going to totally get my nerd on … and drink butter beer for the first time! 🙂

Caroline x

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London Life: Exploring Notting Hill & Kensington

Firstly, I must apologise for my very sparse blogging! This wedding season has been so full on, and trying to juggle it with a day job means blogging/social media uptake took a real hit! I can’t believe it took me so long to write this.. but here you go!

One of my new years resolutions was to explore London more, as its so easy to be lazy at the weekend, or just hang out around my local area. Back in May, on my last free weekend before wedding season madness started, I spent a beautiful sunny Sunday exploring Notting Hill & Kensington.

A purple house covered in ivy and greenery

I followed A Lady in London’s walking guide to Notting Hill which I can definitely recommend doing. It took around an hour and a half (with plenty of stops to take photos), and took me through Portabello Market, around pretty hidden Mews, and up into the residential streets of Ladbroke Grove.

Row of pastel blue shops in Portabello Market
Blue house and yellow front door with yellow roses on Portabello Road
Red and purple terraced houses with purple blossom in the gardens
Brightly coloured blue terraced home with greenery overhanging the balcony
Close up of yellow wisteria blossoms hanging
Pastel pink front door with white steps in Notting Hill
Pink cherry blossoms in west london

As I did it on a Sunday, Portabello Market was lovely and quiet – for once I wasn’t desperate to leave the crowds behind. Blossom was still out and the colours of the buildings were so vibrant. I also came across so many gorgeous classic cars.. which seemed like they had been parked to co-ordinate with their surrounding buildings!

Classic Citroen parked against trees in Kensington
White Fiat in front of classic house in Kensington
A classic white Volvo parked next to a traditional red postbox in West london

A classic car parked in front of a pastel house in Notting Hill

Bright blue classic car Morris Minor in Notting Hill
White classic car parked opposite brightly coloured terraced homes in Notting Hill

A worn white wall covered in ivy with a pastel blue door

Blossom overhanging a brick wall in Kensington
Traditional red british telephone box in a garden in London
Bright blue and white terraced home in Notting Hill

Red front door with red rose blossom around it

Bright yellow Victorian home with pink blossom
Pastel pink home with olive front door and rose plant around it
Front door with wisteria hanging over it in Kensington

After finishing the tour, I decided I would continue on to Holland Park, some where I have never been in my 10+ years of living in London! Around 15 minutes walk away, when I arrived I was surprised at how rural it felt, despite being right in the middle of time. I loved the Kyoto Garden, and can imagine on a week day it is lovely and peaceful (it was full of tourists so I didn’t stay long). Walking down through the Orangery, the flowers were in full bloom, with wisteria still hanging over the walkway.

Sunbathers lying on the lawn outside Holland Park cafe

A Japanese water feature with pigeon sat on top
A peacock on a lawn in Holland Park
Macro image of white blossoms against purple in Hyde Park
Yellow flowers in front of the shaded orangery in Holland Park

From here, you can continue directly south to Kensington High Street, where I picked up a quick lunch and took it to Hyde Park to sunbathe. Wanting to enjoy the sun as much as possible, I walked through Kensington Gardens and up towards the Lido/Serpentine. One of these days I am going to have to try the lido – it looked like the perfect day for it as there was a pretty hefty queue! I eventually reached the other side of the park and made my way through Mayfair to get the tube home from Bond Street. I had walked for around 4 hours, covering 10km, and it was an absolutely gorgeous way to spend a Sunday. You get to see so much of London by walking, and I discovered parts of west London I have never seen before 🙂 This was also another outing for my new Fuji XT2 – its growing on me every time I take it out 🙂 The very shallow images were taken on my Canon 50mm and an adaptor.

Purple flowers blowing in the wind
Bright yellow Victorian home with pink blossom

What neighbourhoods should I explore next? Follow my board on Pinterest for ways to spend your weekend in London.

Caroline x

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What I loved this month: July 2018

I’m not quite sure where July went, its absolutely stormed by. Amazed that it is already time for me to right this blog, and to be honest struggling to remember what I did this month apart from masses of editing! I was shooting Rosie & Davide’s wedding last weekend and now have a 6 week break before the next – I’m not quite sure what I’ll do on my Saturdays now!

Here is what I loved in July:

  1. My bike

With the heatwave sweeping the UK, by the middle of June, and after 4 years of sweating it out, I decided enough was enough on the central line. I had been deliberating buying a bike to cycle into work for a few months but always put it straight out of mind thinking it was too far/dangerous. But I was fed up of dreading my commute home so went ahead and bit the bullet. I did a few test runs on an OFO bike and after the first run was in love with cycling. I bought myself a Dawes Duchess and it is my new baby! This was my first full week cycling everyday and its been so great – my commute now feels like a little adventure and I appreciate London so much more – being able to cycle through Victoria and the Olympic Park every day is a real joy. Admittedly.. my opinion may change when the colder, wet weather creeps in but I’m determined that my central line days are over.

My Duchess Dawes blue bike in Victoria Park

2. How Not To Die

In my last post I had just started reading this but raved about how interesting it was. The book is essentially a list of the worse diseases and how your diet can help to prevent/cure them – your diet being a plant based one. It’s really eye opening and I can recommend it to anyone.

How Not to Die review

3. Buddha bowls

Influenced by the book above I’ve been trying to eat more of the ‘Daily Dozen’, which are the 12 ideal foods to eat everyday to fight off disease. With the summer heat as well, my fav dinner has become a buddha bowl where I can just chuck in all sorts of veggies, protein and some grain. Topped with hummus, always.

4. The Staircase

Our show of the month on Netflix was definitely The Staircase. For any Making a Murderer fans.. this is for you! Following the story of a man who found his wife lying at the bottom of their stairs dead and the subsequent police investigation, this will be your next binge. I’m not going to give much away so just go watch.

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Reading wise this month, apart from How Not To Die, I’ve been limited – normally I would read for about an hour everyday on the tube but thats now gone! So the only other book I read this month:

The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks: This was part of Amazon’s 100 books to read in your Lifetime so I decided to tick that one off. It was a very dark read, and as a vegan, with the numerous cases of animal cruelty in it, I had to remember this was just a book. I really enjoyed it though and the ending was a huge twist! 3/5

Caroline x

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What I loved this month: June 2018

Hello all! Hope you have been enjoyed the wondrous summer we seem to be having! This blog is a little bit late as June was the craziest month of the year for me. I had 3 weddings, and ended up doing a 10 day trip to Tokyo with my day job as a video producer! The month has flown by, and I can’t believe I am over the hump of my 2018 weddings season already. So here’s a round up of what I loved in June:

  1. Tokyo

I was in Tokyo directing a video shoot for 5 days and then took 5 days to myself to explore the city, as this was my first time in Japan – and my first time travelling alone.  I will be doing a separate blog on this, but will just round up by saying it is the best place. I felt so at home, and whilst everyone says Tokyo is this crazy, busy place, I actually found it very relaxing. My highlights were strolling the Imperial Palace Gardens on a Sunday, spending Saturday night playing old Sega video games in Akihabara, and vintage shopping in Shimo-Kitazawa

Akihabara skyscrapers at night in Tokyo

2. Japanese Wellness

Having visited Japan, I am so intrigued by their approach to food and wellness. I can tell you I didn’t see any overweight Japanese people while in Tokyo. On the weekend it felt like everyone was being active – so many cyclists and people out for strolls in the parks. I loved the way of eating as well – lots of smaller dishes with plenty of variety. I did struggle slightly finding vegan food places, but managed to battle on through and ate like an absolute queen while there. Below is one of my more beige meals.. but I loved the vegetable dishes I tried. I definitely want to read up more about the general Japanese approach to wellness, so if anyone can recommend any books or websites, drop me a comment below!

Vegan dining in Tokyo

3. The World Cup 

I wasn’t particularly excited about the World Cup before it started – I normally love the atmosphere but let’s face it, it’s also normally a bit depressing for England fans. I missed some of the first matches because I was in Tokyo, although did watch a Japanese game amongst the locals while I was there. Since getting back I’ve caught up a lot and the whole buzz around the England team at the moment is amazing. I haven’t enjoyed a World Cup this much since I was an early teen! It also feels like Gareth Southgate is going to be a national hero by the end of the tournament.

4. Yoga downtime 

In the peak of yoga season, it is very easy to 1) get super stressed and 2) be super achey from carrying heavy cameras around for 14 hours a day. I have been trying to do Yoga With Adriene religiously this month around my regular workouts, and it helps so much. Any photographers out there, I can suggest doing one the day after a wedding to loosen up your back and shoulders! I typically do a session right before bed and it helps send me right to sleep 🙂 After each of my long haul flights to Tokyo and back I also did this session, which I tell you – it was divine after being cramped up on a plane!

5. George Ezra 

‘Staying at Tamara’s’ really is the album of summer 2018, isn’t it? I listen to it most mornings – it’s the perfect uplift to get you in the mood for the day! I’ve also been enjoying the new Panic! at the Disco album, and Penguin Prison who I discovered the other day during a Spotify explore 🙂

Vinyl shopping in Brighton

My reading this month took a big hit – after spending most of my evenings editing, I do yoga then fall straight asleep. However, two 12 hour flights and several dinners alone in Tokyo meant I still ploughed my way through a few books:

  1. ‘Salems Lot – Stephen King. I did say in my last post how Stephen King has probably been my fav author since I was a teenager, and his books really got me through lots of travel this month! I could not put down ‘Salems Lot – the plot was definitely not what I expected but it was a terrific and chilling read. 5/5
  2. Bag of Bones – Stephen King. After finishing ‘Salem’s Lot, I chose this as the book to get my through my 12 hour flight to Tokyo. I read it on there until my eyes hurt! I’m not going to give anything away but it is another fab book and one you won’t be able to put down. 4/5

Having gone for two novels, I wanted to read a factual book next, and was researching Japanese wellness guides when I stumbled across ‘How Not To Die’. A few people have recommended this book to me, so I figured I would give it a try. I’m only about 30% of the way through but it is so fascinating! Written by a Doctor/Nutritionalist, the book goes through 15 of the major causes of premature death in humans, including the big ones like Heart Disease, and most types of cancer.  He goes on to explain the science behind each disease, and how nutrition and diet can hugely help to prevent or off set each. At so many times I have stopped and just been wow-ed by the facts he reels off. Don’t get me wrong, it is also a slightly scary book! The final section, which I haven’t got to yet, outlines how using scientific knowledge you can practically use your diet to stay healthy.  I get asked all the time why I went vegan – if anyone asks me again, I’m just going to direct them to read this book.

How Not To Die review

Hope you all enjoy July, and let me know what you’ve been enjoying! xx

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Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer: Jonny & Jay’s spring engagement in Harpenden

I met these two on a drizzly Saturday night for their Harpenden engagement shoot. They had chosen the Nickey Line as the location – a fab disused railway line turned scenic walk.

Couple holding hands in woods with bluebells

Couple holding hands on Nickey Line in Harpenden
Couple kissing on the old platform on disused railway line

Unbelievably, although it rained for my whole drive there, and my whole drive back, some how it stopped for the duration of our shoot, so thank you to the rain gods!

Couple stood together in Harpenden woods
Couple holding hands in woods with bluebells

We ventured into the bluebell woods off the main track, and took some shots there. You wouldn’t really have believed it was nearly May – we were all wearing winter coats and the fallen leaves in the woods made it feel very autumnal. It was so muddy we did nearly take a tumble down a steep bank, so thank you Jonny & Jay for being happy to have a bit of an adventure!

Groom to be smiling at bride in Harpenden woods
Couple laughing in autumnal woods
Couple walking naturally through bluebell woods
Couple smiling at each other in bluebell woods
Couple kissing amongst bluebells in Harpenden woods
Spring engagement shoot in bluebells

Everyone should have someone in their life who makes them laugh as much as these two make each other laugh.

Couple holding hands and laughing in yellow rapeseed field
Couple laughing together in flowering field

Couple stood in yellow rapeseed field smiling at each other

Engaged couple kissing amongst yellow flowers in field
Couple holding hands and walking through rapeseed field

Engaged couple stood in middle of yellow rapeseed flowers

Our shoot was exactly 6 weeks before their big day, which I can’t wait for! Also super excited to find out what their honeymoon destination after is as it’s a surprise for Jay (romantic or what?)..

Couple stood on disused railway platform in Harpenden
Photo of puddle with couple kissing reflection

 

Get in touch now to book your 2019 wedding or an engagement shoot!

Caroline x

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Travel: Day Trip to Whitstable & First Outing for Fuji X-T2

Colourful row of houses and white picket fences on Whitstable seafront

A few weeks ago, I went to Whitstable for a day trip out of London with one of my best friends. We discussed doing some weekends away to get out the city this summer and see new places, but with busy schedules we ended up making our first attempt a day trip. For me, nothing beats a road trip, even if its a short one! I love the feeling of freedom – being able to jump in a car and go anywhere you want, at any time. 

A vintage bike with Windy Corner Stores advertising in Whitstable
The front of Whitstable's quaint produce store, with seats outside
Rustic wooden sign for oysters in a shop on Whitstable high street

We chose Whitstable because I know a lot of people living on the Kent coast who love it, and it was within easy driving distance (about an hour and fifteen from Wanstead in East London). Having just bought tickets to the ‘Silent Alarm’ anniversary tour that week, we pretty much listened/sang along to Bloc Party the whole way there.

Old architectural details on red brick building in Whitstable

Arriving at lunch time, we parked up in the centre of town and walked down the high street, towards the coast. The high street was just as you would want – beautifully quaint and with a true sense of being by the seaside, but not in a cheesy way. There were so many trendy boutiques and vintage stores – honestly, without restraint I could have spent a fortune.

Day trip postcard from East Quay Venue, Whitstable

We came out by the Harbour and wandered round the market – there were some really beautiful pieces of art, including some incredible landscape photography. We carried on down the seafront towards West Beach, stopping at the Old Neptune pub on the beach. Down this way, there were endless brightly coloured beach huts along the pebble shores.

Wide shot of Whitstable's west beach and the Old Neptune pub

Blue sign for the Old Neptune Pub on Whitstable's West beach
Blue beach hut called 'the West Wing' on Whitstable's west beach

After walking all the way down the beach, we backed up on ourselves down Island Wall. I loved walking past all the white washed buildings and choosing which home we would like to live in. They were all lovely and there was the real feeling of history. Whitstable is also home to a number of tiny alleyways leading off to who knows where!

Young woman walking past colourful beach huts

We stopped for a very traditional seaside lunch at Elliot’s, No 1 Harbour Street. Can definitely recommend it – we got chatting to our waitress, who also suggested we stop in at the New Inn pub, which we did after another coastal walk. We had headed towards the castle, which has really lovely gardens, and would be a gorgeous wedding venue! If you carry on up the seafront towards Tankerton, you pass loads more coloured beach huts, and can see for miles, out towards Clacton-On-Sea. Once we got back to the harbour, we came across the Oyster Shack. As we had already eaten, we didn’t stop in, but it would make an amazing date location or place for a beachside beer.

The front steps of the historic Whitstable Castle wedding venue
Black fish huts with green doors on Whitstable seafront

Over all, we had a great day on the Kent seaside, and I came home feeling like we’d had a proper break, despite only being there for the afternoon! This was also the first time I took out my new Fuji X-T2. I’ve bought it as a travel camera – it’s around half the size and weight of my Canon 5D, so definitely something more appropriate for just sticking in your handbag and carrying around all day. I can’t tell you how different I found it though – the EVF (electronic view finder) really threw me for the whole day! It’s a bizarre thing to get used to. Also just buttons being in different places, and actual dials for settings meant it took me forever to set up a photo (I always shoot in manual). It’s going to take some used to, and I can’t wait to properly test it out more after wedding season. Any images you see in this blog were taken on it, with a Fujinon XF 18-55mm. I want to gradually invest in some other lenses, but figured this was a good starting point. I’ve also bought an adaptor which means I can use my Canon lenses on it for now (only in manual focus). Photographers amongst you, keep an eye out as I will probably do a more lengthy review of the XT2 once I’ve had a good chance to play with it.

Caroline x

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What I loved this month: April 2018

Speeding through 2018 aren’t we? I’m happily sat writing this at my new desk, absorbing these moments of peace – from now, my diary is completely full booked until August. What madness, but excited for plenty of weddings and fun times.

One-Friendly-Place

This month I’ve been really focusing on trying to balance a crazy work life, with finding time to destress and relax. This has been something I’ve been increasingly working on for the past year – possibly through me getting older(!) and generally getting more mindful about how I spend my time and what makes me happy.

So in line with that, you may see some certain themes popping up in this month’s post of what I’ve been loving:

Happy Place podcast - Fearne Cotton

  1. Happy Place Podcast by Fearne Cotton

I’ve really gotten into my podcasts this year and tried out Fearne Cotton’s ‘Happy Place’ this month. They’re a joyful listen and she has some great speakers on, talking about how they find happiness and peace in their busy schedules. Dawn French was one of my favourites!

2. Exploring Scotland – The North Coast 500

So this technically was only this month, and it already feels forever a go, but our trip to Scotland at the start of April was so needed! We drove the North Coast 500, billed as the UK’s version of Highway 1.. and boy, I can see why. Driving through, there were several bits which reminded of Big Sur. It was so scenic, with ever changing landscapes – lochs, snow covered mountains, plains, the seaside.. everything you could want. I’ll write a separate blog on this as there was just so much to talk about, but I can definitely recommend this as a trip.

Wide image of Kylesku Bridge and surrounding mountains

3. Engagement season kicking off

Well, wedding season has well and truly started, with pre-wedding shoots galore this month. My first was Hollie & Jon’s Brick Lane shoot. I’ve never done a proper urban shoot like this before, so really enjoyed doing something a bit different, and these two were super lovely. Check out my blog post to see the shoot in full.

Natural photo of couple smiling at camera against street art graffiti
Couple holding hands against colourful wall with street art
Couples shoot on cobbled street with graffiti in Shoreditch

4. Throwing myself into plenty of books

I’ve read so much this month! It’s been completely blissful 🙂 This month I made it through:

  1.  The Mountain Shadow –  Gregory David Roberts. The sequel to Shantaram, I bought this immediately after I finished the first book. I have to say, I was so disappointed! The plot was just terrible, and it had all the feeling of ‘I have to write this as a follow up, but I’m not really sure where I’m going’. It had lost all the magic of the first book. Sorry, Shantaram.  2/5
  2. The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood. Set in a dystopian future, I’m sure loads of people have heard about this book through the TV series. For something written in 1985, it was so ahead of it’s time in picking up on challenges the future may hold if we don’t change our way. Obviously, it took it to an extreme, but the concept was fascinating. I ploughed through this in just a week! 3.5/5
  3. Bossypants – Tina Fey. I figured I would go for something a bit lighter after the last two books, so went for Tina Fey’s autobiography. A short read, it had me laughing out loud on the tube and is worth reading if only for her responses to internet trolls. 3.5/5 

I’ve now gone old school and am reading ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ – my first ever Agatha Christie novel!

5.  Whitstable

A few weeks ago, I took a random road trip with my bestie to Whitstable. It was the perfect distance away for a day trip from London, and we had a blast driving down there singing loudly to Bloc Party the whole way. Whitstable itself was gorgeous – so quaint and  relaxed, it was exactly what I wanted from a British seaside town! We walked along West Beach and stopped at the Neptune Pub, saw a ridiculous amount of coloured huts, roamed the back streets of white washed buildings, and had a traditional seaside lunch before heading home. I came back feeling like the weekend had been really well spent, even if we had only been there a few hours! We definitely want to do more day trips, so if anyone has suggestions of places within easy reach of London, comment below 🙂

Wide shot of Whitstable's west beach and the Old Neptune pub

Let me know what you’ve been loving this month! Caroline x

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London Wedding Photographer: Hollie & Jon’s Colourful Brick Lane Engagement Shoot

Engaged couple cuddling in front of Whitby Street graffiti

At the start of April, I met Hollie and Jon by the the historic Ten Bells pub, ready for our Shoreditch street art engagement shoot. It was the start of the *good weather (*temporary), and by the photos you would think we were in mid summer thanks to Hollie’s gorgeous dress.

We set off down Brick Lane, with the first stop being one of my favourite street art locations – a small mews opposite The Monsoon restaurant, which is covered in large art works.

Couple against blue street art
Couple in front of blue and pink street art on Brick Lane

Working our way down to Shoreditch High Street and Box Park, we stopped at Hanbury Street, home to the wonderful Blitz vintage store, The Canvas Cafe.. and at the moment this huge sumo wrestler art. This is one of my favourite roads coming off Brick Lane – at the end of the road there are two huge murals, both of which we made use of for this shoot.

Couple walking past sumo wrestler street art in Shoreditch

Couple's shoot in front of tiger street art on Hanbury Street, Shoreditch
Couple holding hands against street art in Shoreditch

I have never done a truly urban pre wedding shoot before – I normally tend to shoot at locations with plenty of greenery and natural settings, so this was completely different! However, working around the area everyday, I’ve always wanted to do a Brick Lane engagement shoot so really glad Hollie and Jon chose this as their spot. The sheer number of people about was a challenge but the colours, graffiti designs, and of course lovely Hollie & Jon made the whole thing super easy and enjoyable! It’s definitely one of the most vibrant engagement

Couple stood in front of love street art

Couple laughing in front of colourful street art in Shoreditch
Close up of blue engagement ring

The sun was just starting to set as we came to our final locations around Redchurch Street / Chance Street. Jimmy C’s art on Whitby Street have always been some of my favourite pieces here, so I was really glad to get his portrait of a woman included in the shoot.

Couple posing on Whitby Street, Shoreditch
Couple kissing in front of Whitby street pastel street art
Close up of couple holding hands in Shoreditch
Couple walking down a Shoreditch street with graffiti

Couple holding hands next to graffitied wall

Couple holding hands against colourful wall with street art

Natural photo of couple smiling at camera against street art graffiti

Couple looking at each other against colourful wall in Shoreditch
Couples shoot on cobbled street with graffiti in Shoreditch

Get in touch to book a shoot here, or check out my blog post on why I think pre wedding shoots are so important. For more engagement shoot ideas, head to my Pinterest board

Caroline x

A couple stood in front of a red, yellow and blue mural on Chance Street, Shoreditch

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Travel: 5 days in Malta

Last month, I travelled to Malta for a short holiday. I went mainly to support my sister who was playing in the Women’s World Snooker Championships, but I’m also not one to pass up the opportunity to see somewhere new.

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As part of my ‘wedding bucket list’, I’ve always wanted to shoot a beach wedding so I decided I would also plan a styled shoot while there. I’ll writing a seperate blog on that, so keep your eyes peeled. Amongst all of that snooker watching and having wedding cakes/flowers etc arrive at my hotel, I’m glad to say we did manage to explore Malta 🙂

exploring Malta, Malta roadtrip, Imgiebah Bay, what to see Malta
Malta, Malta's coast, Imgiebah Bay, Natural Malta, what to see Malta

Loving a good road trip, we hired a car – always my favourite way to explore somewhere!

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On our first day, we headed to the north of the island and found a gorgeous secret bay, off a back road somewhere. This was probably my highlight of the holiday – the place was so secluded and peaceful. While there, we drove round another back road and came out in Imgiebah Bay, where we met a retired man walking. He was telling us he spent every winter in Malta, walking most days around the coast of the island. Sounds like my retirement dream! This coast line was so incredible, I can definitely recommend making time to walk there.

natural beauty malta, what to see Malta, Imgiebah Bay, Malta coast, Malta's coast
Malta coast, Malta natural sights, Imgiebah bay, what to see Malta

The west of the Island

Another day, we headed more to the West of the island. On our way to Dingly Cliffs, we stopped at Mdina, the ‘silent city’. We had a quick walk around the fortified town, exploring the narrow lanes within the city wall. It was seriously beautiful – very quaint, with gorgeous architecture and plenty of interesting nooks and crannies to find.

Mdina, Malta, Silent City, exploring Mdina, coloured doorways Mdina
Mdina, Malta, Silent City, exploring Mdina, what to see Mdina
Mdina, Malta, Silent City, exploring Mdina, what to see Mdina

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Mdina, Malta, Silent City, exploring Mdina, what to see Mdina
Mdina, Malta, Silent City, exploring Mdina, what to see Mdina, coloured doors Mdina

Carrying on past Mdina, our sat nav sent us on what seemed the most random route – the track took us between farm fields, and then into narrow lanes which we barely fitted through (despite only being in a small car). Great fun though, and we eventually reached Dingly Cliffs. This side of the island is stunning – very dramatic coastline, and you can see for miles out to sea!

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We took the coast road further south and found the Blue Grotto, a natural cave formation in the cliffs. We stopped off at the small seaside resort next to it, Il-Qrendi, and had a stunning outdoor lunch by the sea. It couldn’t have been more perfect, as it was also the hottest day on the island since we’d been there.

Blue grotto malta, blue grotto, what to see Malta, Malta natural beauty
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Malta local, Malta life, Dingli cliffs, the real Malta
hard rock cafe valletta, Valletta waterfront, Valletta where to drink, what to see Valetta, Malta, explore Malta

Valletta

One evening, we drove into Valletta, the culture capital of Europe for 2018. We needed to cheer up my sister who had been knocked out the snooker, so stopped for cocktails at the Hard Rock Cafe in the harbour, before wandering up to the old town for sunset. And what a sunset we had! The skyline was absolutely stunning and I really enjoyed walking through the old streets as it got dark. We dined al fresco in a lovely square covered in fairylights, before heading back to the hotel. It’s a truly stunning city.

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valletta, valletta sunset, valletta sightseeing
valletta, valletta sightseeing, valletta sunset, upper barrakka gardens

Gozo

On our final day in Malta, we decided to catch the ferry to Gozo, having had recommendations we should see The Azure Window, a natural door formation which recently collapsed into the sea. It was such a windy day we thought we were going to get blown over the edge when looking into the Blue Hole, a natural swimming pool in the rocks next to the collapsed window. I can imagine what a gorgeous spot it must be for a swim in the summer.

blue hole, azure window gozo, azure window, gozo sights, what to see gozo
Wied Il-Mielah, Gozo, Gozo sightseeing, Gozo sights, Gozo natural beauty

As it was the final of the snooker that day, we decided we would squeeze in one more bit of sightseeing before rushing back to the hotel to watch it. We drove north to the Wied Il-Mielah, another natural door forming in the cliffs of Gozo. It was a lovely spot to see, although I stumbled up the steps and dented my wide lens… massive fail.

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Before heading back to the airport for our flight home, we were meant to visit the small fishing town of Marsaxlokk, but thanks to it being the closing ceremony of the snooker, and St Patrick’s Day the evening before, our heads were a bit sore! Cue napping before a slow journey to the airport. However, there is always next time! Would love to go back to Malta in the summer and make the most of the coast and secluded bays 🙂

Caroline x

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