It's been a busy two or three months leading to a very delayed 'Best of 2017'.  I almost considered leaving it until 2018 but there were so many lovely moments in the last year that I thought it was worth popping them up even if they are a little late.  Thank you to all those who have appeared through the lens of the de la Mare camera this year!
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Starting with a stunning Couple's shoot for Simon and Bethany in January, following their London wedding, this year's weddings have been a joy! There's a couple in here too of Tom and Hannah's stunning Graphistudio album that arrived this year.  Congratulations one and all.

It's hard categorising photos - a few in here could fit into the lovely people section, just they aren't people! Getting out and about or shooting pets in the studio were some of the highlights of 2017, with another successful Pet Week in Angel Square and lots of opportunities for capturing nature.

It's been such a pleasure to work with lots of different local businesses and organisations again this year including the beautiful work of mj cabinetmakers, a stunning fashion collection, work for the wonderful Ullswater Community College (including a little bit of Joey Essex) and Eden Boutique and a project for Hospice at Home's 20th anniversary including a visit from The Duchess of Gloucester.  If you don't know about Hospice at Home, please check out their website - it's a wonderful charity.

Really, it's all about people.  Thank you to all of these people who spent a little portion of their 2017 with me as we preserved a few memories together.  

I'm a little slow in getting these up too but another enjoyable, and lovely, family sitting.  This time the session was a complete surprise for Mum as a Mother's Day present (well done Dad!).  Such a cutie too!

These photos are from a recent walk near Lowther with a lovely family - Nadine, Tom and Mayson had received a gift voucher for Christmas, and it's always fun doing voucher sittings!  A gorgeous day and family.

These lovely people were around a couple of weekends ago and so we braved the March weather and popped outside for a couple of photos!

It won't be long now at all until this little one makes an appearance, but ahead of the big day we spent a lovely hour in Rickerby Park in Carlisle catching a few pre-baby photos! I can't wait to meet the third member of the family!!

I know 'Photos of the Year' type posts are meant to be limited to a small amount of shots (I have a great deal of respect for photographers who can choose 10!) but I've gone for a smaller amount of shots in a variety of categories! 2015 has been a fun and varied year with lots of exciting and beautiful things to capture.  Spring and summer seemed particularly long this year and so there were more opportunities for outdoor photos.  I also had the great joy of becoming an Aunt too (my new nephew Eli makes an appearance below).

To all who I've had the privilege of working with this last year, thank you!

Some lovely locations locally and further down the country (a beautifully sunny Bristol!). Congratulations to all this years couples x

As ever, its a real pleasure to live in Cumbria with easy access to the Lakes.  There were also some new (furry) additions to the residents at Dalemain Mill that will probably mean that next year's 'fav photos' will feature less birds!

Thanks to Creations Hair and Beauty Salon, MJ Cabinetmakers, Eden Boutique, and The Rendezvous Restaurant for some fantastic sessions this year. As always, it's been great to work with Ullswater Community College again this year and join in with all the wonderful things they do. 

Thanks to all the lovely people I've spent time with this year - I look forward to seeing some of you again soon! And of course, welcome to Eli!

Lastly... a little splash of colour at two Hospice at Home Colour Runs.  If you weren't involved this last year and live in Cumbria I'd definitely recommend signing up for the Carlisle or Penrith event.  As you can see, it's amazingly fun!

There may or may not be a film show reel of the year too but just in case - a belated Happy New Year! Here's to an equally wonderful 2016

A very quick round up of a wonderful year - thanks to all those involved!

It's taken me a few weeks to put these up but I had the immense pleasure of photographing the brand-new baby boy of some good friends.  He was only twelve days old and very much a cutie! Here's a couple from the shoot.

I'm very excited to be able to announce that we are now offering the gorgeous fair trade products from Nkuku.  Having been a big fan of Nkuku for a number of years, it has taken me a long time to realise that I could offer them to photography customers! These albums and frames are truly beautifully made and designed by artisans with a unique feel and look.  Just as important is the whole ethos of the company, whose mission is to be 'socially responsible' and to build 'on the principles of fair trade and equal opportunity'.  This ethos is something I would like to fully support. Have a look at their website for more information: nkuku.com

Our Nkuku Frame and Album price list is available to view here.

To celebrate, we are running a Mother's Day offer of a Sheesham Wood Frame (including the nine 6x4" prints) and a portrait sitting for the reduced price of £40.  This voucher is available to buy online or contact us for more information.  All vouchers will be valid for a year. 

It's rather late in arriving but I've been compiling a 'favourites' folder from 2013 for a while.  Looking back and forward is a little luxury at this time of year and I can hardly believe how quickly this year has gone.  Sadly I was without a camera for my trip to France in the summer, but other than that I've had a ball!

I have had the privilege of spending time at UCC photographing many of their events.  Once again, I was able to see and shoot the A-Level art exhibition which included the light shell on the magazine page above, which was a particular favourite (you can see the shell in action in the footage we shot in the second part of this mini-film).  It's also been a pleasure to photograph productions and devised pieces from the Drama department - much is due to Jane Reardon (pictured), who has left this term.  One of the true highlights of the year was the visit of actor John Hurt to the school to launch the Branch Out reading event - what an honour and a truly lovely man.

It was almost impossible to choose a few for this blog from the session - a larger selection were put in May.