Stories of the Everyday - Diya & Amba

A couple of months ago, I started a hashtag on Instagram - #storiesoftheeveryday. Folk have been sharing everyday moments of the little and big people in their lives, and what they've been getting up to during the day. It's a little community, but it's growing, and I've been really struck by the stories people have shared.

One Monday morning, I had the pleasure of spending time with these two. Diya & Amba are sisters, confidantes, they watch out for each other, they're sensitive beautiful souls. I documented their morning routine getting ready for school.

I love photographing life at home, especially at this time of year - cosy family time. I found this quote recently and it struck a chord with me; 'Home is people, not a place' (Robin Hobb).

So - let's celebrate the everyday! If you'd like us to tell your story, it would be great to hear from you. And if like me you're an Instagram addict, you can find me here. It would be great to see your images on #storiesoftheeveryday and I have set up a page too if you'd like to follow.

For now, I'll leave you with Diya & Amba.

A Foggy November Morning (by phone).

I don't know how many times I've said it over the last couple of weeks, but this autumn is absolutely stunning.  Light, colour, atmosphere, it's got it all. It's like the distinct autumns I remember from childhood. Early morning fog, the smell of damp moss in the air (I love that smell), the sun splinters through the trees, and the fog vanishing to reveal all those colours.

I went out for a walk this morning and headed into the fog.  In fact it never left the valley all day. I took these images on my phone (iPhone 5s), using the vscocam app. I'm writing this listening to Kate Bush, the fire is lit at home, and I'm craving stew for dinner!

Dami & Anthony

My first meeting with Dami & Anthony was a virtual one.  Suzi had just bought a new cover for the iPad and I struggled a little with setting it up on my desk, but just before our designated time to chat, all was calm.  The call came through and I had my first glimpse of those wide smiles! I realised as we were saying hello, that the volume needed adjusting on the iPad.  Not being used to the cover, I managed to knock it over and couldn't quite get it back to how it was. I kept noticing the picture of me that was being streamed to Dami & Anthony, and due to the angle, it was a little more nostril based than I would have liked! I forgot about this though as we chatted about their plans for their wedding at East Riddlesden Hall. It felt I'd known them for quite a while as we chatted, I felt that connection with them.

We met Dami & Anthony a couple of days before their wedding, along with both sets of parents, and we had a little shoot around Hebden Bridge as we chatted more about the wedding.

The day came, and we met Dami at The Old Registry in Haworth. Dami's smile is infectious as you'll see from these images. As we documented the morning, friends and family popped in. We felt so much a  part of these preparations, we shared in the laughter and joy. We left the cobbles of Haworth and hot footed it to East Riddlesden Hall. A very dapper Anthony had just arrived too, more smiles.

Dami rocked up in a mint green VW camper (Liberty Campers). We had seen her dress in the morning, but when she stepped out, helped by her Dad, we had a tear or 2 in our eyes.  I could wax lyrical about the day. There was a perfect mix of Korean & Yorkshire influences, blended with Dami & Anthony's style and warmth.  Hopefully the images do the talking for what an utterly beautiful day this was.  I'll leave you with the infectious smiles, but also with a poem that Dami's Mum wrote on the morning of the wedding, and read out at the end of the speeches:

When you were a baby
I said to you
Be beautiful like a flower

And don't forget
Every flower has its own smell and beauty
Just like a rose

When you were a child
I said to you
Grow straight and true like a tree

And don't forget
Every book is made of trees

When you grew up
I said to you
Be free like a bird

And don't forget
Stars are friends of darkness
Rainbows are friends of rain

Dami and Anthony
Love and respect one another
Because you have now become one

And don't forget
When two streams of water join
They become deeper and clearer.

- 12th July 2015 Jungja Jun -