Where to start?! I'm not sure any words can do justice to the last 12 months other than 'WTF' and 'did that actually happen?!' It's rare that a period of time is so neatly bookended - usually one year just rolls into another, but this year, or specifically from March, is solidified with milestones (bad ones) and memories we'll never forget (but perhaps would rather). In many ways it has been an awful year - the worst - not seeing family and friends, cancelled plans, cancelled weddings, and of course loved ones lost. But Looking back I'm pleasantly surprised about how many good memories were made.
January started with a long weekend in Norfolk - one of my favourite places. It was also the month I got a new camera - a Sony - which has really changed the photography game for me - it just fits with how I take photos and made me love photography even more. Windy walks on the beach and cosy country pubs - this was the perfect weekend away - and, little did we know, the last one where things were still 'normal'.
I also managed to squeeze a bit of work in pre-apocalypse - a few couples shoots which now seem a million years ago...
And then, with the best timing ever, I managed to squeeze in a holiday abroad in mid-february with my wonderful Mum. Glorious sunshine. Lots of cocktails. Dreamy. We had one of those hotel rooms where the only channel was BBC world news so every night while getting ready to go out, we had it on in the background, half interested in some mystery virus in China. Images of people in hazmat suits disinfecting the streets did seem a little bit wild, but it was in China and they probably had it all under control...
In early March I took some photos for a local martial arts school. At the beginning of the class the instructor told the kids about a virus and explained to them that they had to cover their mouths if they coughed and wash their hands. Other than that, Business as usual....
In early March I also went to town. Nothing unusual - out for lunch, and to a coffee shop, with no idea it would be my last trip like this for a while...
And then...23rd March..the UK's first lockdown. For me this was the height of things feeling apocalyptic. Months of shops shutting, only leaving the house once a day for 'exercise', no socialising, queues to get into the supermarket to fight over toilet paper, facemasks and a virus we still didn't really understand. But amongst all that scary stuff, there was good stuff, and actually quite a lot of it. Long summer days, getting to know neighbours, family FaceTimes, quizzes...and more bloody quizzes, time for hobbies, enjoying walks, and a long long period of time that lasted much longer than a few months usually does. Slow. during this time I also started doorstep portraits - at first for fun, and then as a project for Mind charity which I really loved. I met so many fab people around my local area and was there to share in anniveraries, surprise birthdays, new babies and family reunions - lots of joy in a year we might otherwise remember as not very good.
And then in July and August, somehow, despite the world still being a crazy place, I ended up doing quite a lot of work. Portraits, weddings (small ones), engagement shoots, styled shoots, and baby's first birthdays. It was great to get out and shoot again, even if weddings meant masks and mum and dad on FaceTime...
I also somehow managed to squeeze in another getaway. Undoubtedly the highlight of 2020 for me. Blessed with glorious weather, eating lots of fresh seafood and living my van life dream, what a week...
And then summer was over and into September, October and November - a few more headshots, some commercial shoots, Micro weddings at The Albert Hall in Manchester and The West Bridgford registry office in Nottingham, an engagement shoot, some stationary flat lays and some autumnal fun. Not so bad for global pandemic month 6...
What. A. Year. Of course it hasn't been good, or what we'd planned. But I am super grateful for all the good moments. The sunshine, slowing down, amazing people I've met, my lovely neighbourhood and local shops, holidays (3 - a miracle!), and definitely for my camera and love for taking photos which kept me focused and busy. Thanks to all of the amazing people I've worked with this year, and lots of excitement towards the amazing jobs I've got booked in for 2021 - see you then (hopefully with a hug and without a masks on!).