Did you notice the photos I posted of the school sports day this year?

No?

That's because I didn't take my camera.

Some time ago I realised that I was taking photos to show other people things that I should have been witnessing for myself but that I was actually missing out on because I had a camera stuck to my eye. Mummy type things - school plays and such like. Sometimes I look at photos I have taken and can't remember taking them. Worse - I can't remember the event because I have been so focused (sorry) on the taking of the photos rather than the taking part.

Hmm - ok - this may be because I am a photographer and it is hard for me to not be joined to my camera via my index finger at all times but there are some things more important to *experience* than to *document*.

Who am I documenting for anyway?

So, with that theory in my head, it was with interest that I found out about Non Photography Day on 17th July.

Whatever your activities that day, appreciate the life and dimension of the moment you are in rather than documenting the appearance of it.

The idea instantly rang true for me and I felt a sense of relief that someone else felt the same way as I did about it all. When you take as many photos as I do in a year, it doesn't do any harm to stop and take stock of the important things and simply have a day off. I know that some people will think it is a silly idea and will be scornful of it all but I totally understand the sentiment behind it.

On 17th July I will be spending the day with my family on holiday. Thankfully I wont have to cancel any client shoots or abandon a wedding! I will be trying my best to have a day without my camera stuck in front of my face.

Do you think my children will recognise me?

Photo by poppy kay over at Flickr.

Tags: Photography, Photos

I finally have something on Deviantart - but I didn't put it there myself. I still think it is cool though.

I had a pregnancy shoot yesterday (and another one next week!). The girl was lovely and had loads of ideas about poses. We worked through loads of different shots and I got a few good ones.

Am going to put a couple here as you can't identify her in them. I don't like posting client shots that you can recognise the people.

I am finally getting round to applying for my driving licence. It is still in our old address which we moved from 6 years ago. When I say *I* I actually mean Iain as I have been sitting looking at the application form for the past month and if there is any chance of it getting put in the post it will only be because someone else does it for me.
I have been reliably informed by that the nice people at DVLNI will have written to me inviting me to renew the licence - but that isn't much good to me now is it? Six years ago, perhaps.

While I was filling out the forms it staggered me to see the photo on the old licence - taken in early 1996. I decided to do a little exercise while I still had the old licence available to me.

This one wasn't a driving licence photo but was taken in 1987, close to the time I passed my test so is close to what I looked like then. I have no recollection of having this photo taken but remember that suntan and the necklaces I was wearing that year. Actually, I think this was one of the four photos that the booth would have given me when I went in for the *serious* shot for my licence as my provisional would have run for a while after I passed my test. . . . I passed my test in 86. . . yea - that all makes sense.


For some reason this shot always reminds me of Myra Hindley. This was taken before I was pregnant with David, before Jessica, before I was 30, before I was . . . well. .. . before. This has been my driving licence photo for the past ten years. I wish I looked that young still.




And this one was a couple of weeks ago and will be the photo for the NEXT ten years. I wonder what the next photo will look like. I'll give extra points to you if you work out what Threadless t-shirt I was wearing that day.


This has been a painful exercise for me. Only made better by snatching the first shot, above, this evening and, yes, I know I am so dead!

Now, your homework for me is to send me a scan or photo of your licence - I want to see what is on it. Those of you who have had it for more than a couple of years I most certainly want! I need only a small photo . . . I will then stick them all into a Rogues' Gallery.

I am not persuading you am I? I lost you somewhere along the way huh? Aw go on - I did it - it would be a laugh. . . .

I have been looking at the photos I have taken this week. Some I am really pleased with and some I am not so happy with at all.

Here is a round up of some I love.

Last week David, Jessica and I took Nanna out for a drive and lunch and ended up in a play park quite by accident.



I love this photo of Jessica. She is such a wee devil at times and this shows the fun she is capable of having sometimes!

Last Sunday we went out as a family and I took loads of photos.

With it being Easter Sunday the kids had their chocolate eggs to take with them. Look at the delight on THIS face!



Here is a pretty decent one of David. Mostly he pulls funny faces which detracts from his perfect handsomeness.. .



Here is another one of Jessica which I totally love too!



This is one of a boat I fell in love with.



I am hoping to use this one in my HND course. This is the *before* version. I have played a little with it in Photoshop since and lifted the colours a little. I love the abstractness of it.

Part of what I enjoyed so much about my photographs on Easter Sunday was the fact that I was the only photographer there. Now do not get me wrong - I LOVE going out in a pack too but this time I was able to work at my own pace and *see* my own photos. Mostly when I see other people taking photos I then don't want to take the same one - it kinda detracts from it all for me cos then I feel like it isn't MY photo - just one that anyone could take - you know?

I came home quite satisfied with myself after that day of photographing. . .



Take this shot for example - how individual am I for having taken this one? Surely no one else in the world would ever have taken this one before?



Grin. Some people can keep their horizons straight it would seem! And it is amazing what a little sun can do too huh?

Thing is - if we had been there at the same time - I probably would have hung back and not taken that shot!

On Friday I did a wedding. They were lovely people and I had a great day. The bride was really nice to me, making sure I had a break and a cup of coffee and something to eat to keep me going a while longer.



Happily enough, although I will show her all the good photos from the day via a dvd, both the bride and groom agreed that I should just get on with the album and choose the photos I think are best. I think I should make that a stipulation from now on - so much easier than having to mess with proofs out and proofs back etc.

And just to finish off - a barn door!



It is funny how the good weather makes you want to get out and take some photos isn't it?

Here is Caitlin Susan Dunn. Born 17 April 2005 at 7.20pm. I still can not believe her weight. . . . . I may have to just check with Mum tomorrow before I actually believe it! Dad's can sometimes get these things wrong! 11lbs! You read right! See why I want to check? ;O) Poor Lorna! Hey - thanks you two - big honour with the name thing - I'll look after her well now - I didn't know you loved me so much . . what? Granny? Huh? It wasn't after me? How Rude! ;O) Seriously though - CONGRATULATIONS TO ETHAN on his new baby sister and to Peter and Lorna - I am so pleased for the both of you. . . . now - if you need a decent shot of her - let me know huh? Big hugs to all of you! x