Looking back at 2016

2016 was a year of community spirit, of solidarity, of strength and of love.  It had a less than ideal start whilst we began the process of recovering from the Boxing Day floods which badly affected our little town of Hebden Bridge, the surrounding area and many other towns and cities around the country.   The way the people of the town, and also strangers from far and wide pulled together and helped get those affected back on their feet once more, was truly heart warming and makes us both very grateful.

This year there have been giant wreaths, fireside cuddles, films, snowy and foggy walks in the woods, twirling in tutus, weekend relaxing at Salts Mill, our favourite Hebden shops back in business, a spot of glamping in a bamboo forest, old undeveloped film re-discovered, new adventures lived, first steps, first dances, family breakfasts, swinging in the trees, a spot of fishing, new additions, family stories, inspiring designer makers and many more magical moments.

To all those of you we've spent time with this year and to those we have yet to meet, here's wishing you all a wonderful 2017. Sarah & Suzi xx

And if you have a little more time - here's a selection of some of the short films we've made with families, makers and artists. Here's to a wonderful 2017 xx

Ethel and the Giant Wreath

Filming for this year's John Lewis advert took place in July & August, and the big department stores are often working a year in advance designing their glittering shop windows. So when Sarah from Simply By Arrangement approached us to collaborate on the Live Ribble Valley magazine front cover, and being Christmassy folk anyway, October seemed to be a more than reasonable time to be working on it!

Sarah had the idea that the cover should showcase a big wreath, held by a small child, and that the feel should match the muted tones that the magazine favours for its covers. As we'd worked with Ethel before, we absolutely knew she had the perfect safe hands for the job!

So one October morning, we all gathered around Sarah's kitchen table for pre-shoot tea and crumpets. Ethel is a big fan of a nice cup of Yorkshire tea! 

As we were choosing outfits downstairs, Sarah took Ethel on a little tour to show her the views.

Outfit decided, we ventured out.

Unfortunately the first outfit was a little on the itchy side, so we came back in for a rethink, and another cup of tea. I 'amazed' Ethel with my 'where's the top of my thumb gone' trick!

We tried a few more outfit and hat combinations.

And then rested on this, which was the shot chosen for the front cover.

Just before we left, Roger next door took us on a little tour of his barn (I had so many shoot ideas racing through my head!), and he also looked rather fetching holding the wreath too!

We're looking forward to making our own wreath under Sarah's expert guidance in a couple of weeks - we just might need to get a bigger door!

Toby Cotterill Jewellery

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of spending a morning with super talented and all round lovely chap Toby Cotterill. He makes exquisite silver jewellery inspired by the natural world. As Toby says, his pieces are wearable sculpture. With the commercial photography I take, I love to work with artists and makers, documenting their processes, their work-spaces, and seeing where their inspirations lie. Toby's studio is a perfect corner to create. It's light and airy, surrounded by delicate treasures found on beaches, tools in old coffee mugs, and quotes and designs pinned to the walls.

It was fascinating to watch him at work, it was almost meditative. Here's a photo story of our morning together. I left feeling incredibly inspired. 

And here's a short film showing Toby in his studio talking about his childhood, his inspirations and his processes.

If you'd like to see more of Toby's beautiful work - his website is here.