Phoebe's Christening Party

Absolutely loved documenting this garden party for my lovely repeat clients

Sophia's Baptism Ceremony

Little Sophia’s baptism was an absolute joy to capture. It was a beautiful ceremony in a small but really picturesque Greek Orthodox church in North London. Here are some highlights of the day

Jessica and Nicholas, St Barnabas Church, Dalston

This intimate wedding was the first one I did after the first lockdown, and it was perfect in every way - beautiful, relaxed and just magical.

Local businesses project : Tailor Made Living Store

Our corner of North London has a small town vibe to it. There are so many local businesses on our doorstep that are welcoming, lovely and authentic, and bring a real feel of a close knit community to the area.

I have thought about running a photography project that would help shed the light on what it’s like to be a small business owner in Enfield, and, to my delight, the idea was met with enthusiasm.

First up is lovely Antonia who owns a beautiful Mediterranean inspired lifestyle store offering a collection of unique gifts, homeware and fashion accessories.

Here is her story:

What's the story behind your business?

I grew up on the Mediterranean island of Menorca and retail there has always been a very different experience from what it is in the UK. Independent often family-run businesses are everywhere. Shopkeepers know their local customers by name and every purchase is embued with personal touches and a sense of tradition. As a child, these shops were fascinating to me and I harboured a dream to one day run my own little shop and be my own boss. Then life got in the way and I was set on a different path but eventually, I found myself in my thirties, disillusioned in my job and with children that didn't need me quite so much anymore. Crucially I spotted a gap in the market in our local area for good quality independent stores. You could say it was the perfect storm!

What does sustainability mean to you and how do you incorporate it into your business?

When sourcing products I look for ethical brands that have made a commitment in some way to making a positive impact on the world. That could be anything from being eco-conscious to brands that go the extra mile to fund charitable projects that make a difference. A lot of our brands are independent female-founded and I have a personal relationship with most of our suppliers. Making good choices is so much easier when you know the person behind the product.

Our collections are carefully curated to fit with our signature Mediterranean-inspired style. We don't follow trends aggressively and we source beautiful products within a neutral colour palette designed to fit seamlessly into your life. We want you to love the products you buy from us for a long time so we're huge fans of classic pieces that will last for years.

Sustainability is increasingly important to us as we continue to develop our own products. Our newly launched home fragrance range is hand-poured in the UK using vegan soy wax and essential oils.

Has the sense of being a part of a community changed in any way since you opened your business?

In my view, the pandemic has accelerated a trend that was already in motion and people are much more motivated to support independent businesses. I feel that in pre-pandemic times the move towards shopping small was definitely happening but in many ways more of an aspiration rather than something we actually did. Whereas now people have a greater understanding of what it takes to keep small businesses going. The pandemic has really forced us to rely on the little shops, we've got to know our shopkeepers which is an enriching experience that leaves both individuals and businesses feeling great!

What are the highlights of running a small business?

I get a real kick out of knowing that I have brought joy to someone's day by providing great customer service and a unique shopping experience. We strive to create the sort of environment that is both thrilling and inspiring by paying close attention to the smaller details. We burn scented candles, play chilled music, and design displays that will give you styling ideas you can replicate at home.

Beyond that, being your own boss and having the ability to actively make an impact in your business is huge. The responsibility can be overwhelming, especially once you build a team of employees but it's a very dynamic and exciting environment to be in.

What is the best business advice that you have been given?

Hold your nerve! It's incredibly hard to start up and run a business whilst staying true to your vision but it's all a process of trial and error. Consistency is key, things will undoubtedly go wrong and there will be times when you will want to give up but trust the process and don't be afraid of evolving. Also, don't be derailed by what others are doing, everyone's business journey looks different and you never know what really goes on behind the scenes so keep your head down and keep going.

What helps you to stay inspired?

My brand is rooted in the Mediterranean and in the sights and smells of my childhood. Whenever I am looking for inspiration I try to reconnect with my roots so I visit Menorca as often as possible. Our signature candles are inspired by plants and flowers native to the island. Being out in nature and connecting with other makers and creatives can really help to spark new ideas!

Mum stays in the picture ( or why family prints and albums are important )

Leafing through famiIy albums is what I loved doing ever since I was a child. There are a few of them at my mum’s house - big, heavy, leather bound old fashioned albums that are such treasures. The earliest photo in them must be the sepia image of my great grandparents taken in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

There are a few images of all the extented family on my mother’s side, taken at my grandparent’s garden, as it had become an annual summer tradition since my uncle, who was an avid photographer, started bringing his film camera along. This is the reason I have a few photos of my mum in that family album - she wasn’t the one who was taking photos. She was a part of the image.

Fast forward to modern days, and most women that I know ( even photographers ), take photos of their children and family instead of being present in them ( apart from selfies - but not a lot of people would print photos off their phone ). These photos don’t end up on the wall, or even in a photo album. They tend to stay on the phone, sometimes backed up, sometimes not. Sometimes, sadly, they get lost.

This is why I can’t stress the importance of these two things enough - getting all the family in the picture and actually printing those photos.

Seeing images of the people you most love on the walls of your family home would fill you with happiness. The children love seeing themselves being little, or doing things they no longer do - like taking their first steps, being fed with a bottle ( or breastfed! ), blowing bubbles in the sunshine or playing with their baby brother or sister.

Prints don’t have to be expensive - I offer a free one with every mini session.

But the larger prints and frames are so worth investing in.

These frames make the house look lived in, authentically yours. The albums would become treasures of long forgotten memories to you and your children, and your legacy.

Every time I get a print or an album after a client session, I feel giddy. They are beautiful, shiny, they will definitely become your best loved art. So let me capture ( and print! ), your memories.

Julia x

New announcement ( plus why my clients love family prints )

I must say that I didn’t expect to have a busy summer because, as for many of us, as March arrived the uncertainty hit.

But once the lockdown was over, I started to get inquiries. Social distanced outdoor sessions commenced.

I was over the moon to be able to do what I love most - capturing memories for all you amazing people.

But something else happened also. This year I saw a huge increase in print orders. My clients asked for extra prints and wall art. Because, as so many people now work from home, they want to enjoy their interiors, and wall art plays such an important role in the way your home looks and feels. It makes it cosy, it makes it special, it makes it unmistakably “yours”.

There is something else we realised being faced the pandemic for the first time ever - that all this time we were so busy rushing around, pushing those deadlines, taking our children to various extracurricular activities, we just never stopped and time flew faster than ever. Those photo albums and wall art remind us of the time when we were able to slow down and enjoy each other, our children, our extended families or pets. When our children were babies and our pets were tiny.

My clients have also been asking me for prints to give to their extended families, for that same reason.

Which now brings me to this announcement:

for a short time only I am offering a free 8x6’ framed print to anyone who books any session ( apart from the mini one ) by December 15th, to be redeemed any time in 2021. Let’s document your memories ( and put them on your walls! ).

I am looking forward to hearing from you, lovely people.

Julia x

Doorstep Portraits

Session details

15 minute session = 3 hand edited high definition digital files

Session fee - £50

I am donating £25 off every session to Evelina London Children’s Hospital

Prints are available upon request ( priced separately )

These sessions are limited to June-July only

Weekend spots are filing in fast - hope to see you at your gorgeous doorsteps soon!

Julia x

I can’t quite believe this is my first blog post since this website went live in January, but I think we can all agree a lot has happened since that altered our lives as we know them.

Now that we are slowly getting back to normal, I am happy to announce that I am able to start booking outdoor sessions again.

Naturally, the first ones that came to my mind were the doorstep portraits. I think it’s important to document the times we are living in, despite everything we’ve been collectively put through. And to celebrate our lovely doorsteps ( or back gardens - if there is a side gate option ), that are often overlooked but could have the same intimate feel as indoor sessions do.

Here is what my lovely friend Hannah said after our session:

“ The doorstep photos Julia took of us are such a gorgeous reminder of the little joys that have come out of these times of strangeness and uncertainty. “