We are KIJN Product Shoot
Have a look at some of my favourite photos from my shoot with KIJN a few months ago….
In June I had the pleasure of shooting a new activewear brand based in Belfast. KIJN is a life-wear brand for everyday and every-body. KIJN was created by two sisters who have a passion for women their comfort and creating a community. They are more than brand, they are a Kinship.
Below are some of my favourite photos from this shoot.
'Places to Shop' by 91 Magazine
Have a look at some of my photos of the local independent shops featured in the ‘Places to Shop’ book by 91 Magazine.
Last Year it was lovely to be involved in providing photos of some beautiful Independent shops in Northern Ireland for the new ‘Places’ book by 91 Magazine Editor, Caroline Rowland.
I had a great few days capturing some of my favourite shops and it was lovely to see them in print for this unique book.
Below are some of the shops and photos featured in the book.
Hunter Paper Co, Ballyhackamore.
BTS Concept Store, Coleraine (Now in Portrush)
Maven, Lisburn Road Belfast
Down to Earth, Bangor
Native Ivy is all about supporting and promoting local shops and makers so it was a privilege to be involved in capturing these unique Northern Irish Shops for this special book.
‘Places to Stay’ book is launching in the next few months featuring lots of unique places to stay in the UK and Northern Ireland… pre order your copy here.
Blossom Meadow
A selection of my favourte photos from a shoot with Blossom Meadow…
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Joy at her beautiful home in Newtownards to capture her new summer collection of Faux Flowers, bouquets and wreaths.
Below are some of my favourite photos from our shoot.
Follow Blossom Meadow on Instagram for more….
Helen Clark - Meditation Teacher & Mindfulness Coach
Meet Helen, a Meditation Teacher & Mindfulness Coach based in Killinchy, Northern Ireland.
Last week I had the pleasure of visiting Helen, a Meditation Teacher and Mindfulness Coach based in Killinchy, Northern Ireland. She welcomed me into her home where she holds her group and one to one meditation classes. I spent the morning with Helen taking some portraits and chatting about what she does and why.
I must admit that my knowledge of meditation was very small so I was really interested in learning more about her skills and how she helps others.
After our shoot I asked Helen a few questions about her work and what inspired her to start her business. Read more below.
Hello Helen, Can you start by telling me a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a Meditation Teacher?
I’m a Chopra Certified Meditation Teacher, based in Balloo, Killinchy Co Down, and a former Senior Civil Servant who worked in London specialising in behaviour change communications (campaigns like drink drive).
I’m passionate about helping people to integrate a self-care practice into their day to support their lifestyle, starting with, but not limited to mindfulness and meditation, while also helping them to manage stress.
I also teach Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM) which is a healing practice that allows us to experience inner calm and deep relaxation, which benefits our emotional and physical health.
Like everyone I’m dealing with stress every day, and it comes in all shapes and sizes -some stress can be good, but a lot of stress is bad for you, your health and those around you.
I spend as much time outdoors as I can for the sheer love of it and because I find connecting with nature so powerful and healing. I take inspiration from nature and the seasons and it’s one of the reasons we moved to Balloo - we’re surrounded by the countryside on the banks of the River Blackwater, and it’s teeming with wildlife from badgers to woodpeckers. It’s also just a few minutes away from Strangford Lough and all with an easy 25 minute drive to Belfast.
The benefits of meditating became even more apparent to me last year when I had major surgery. Apart from medical appointments I was largely housebound for several months and had to learn to walk again. My world suddenly became very ‘narrow’ and being able to meditate really helped me navigate all the ups and downs of my rehab.
For someone new attending one of your classes what would you tell them to expect?
While meditation is very easy when you’re taught how to do it, everyone is unique which is why I offer a range of sessions.
You can dip your toes in with a guided meditation where I coach people through the session so they get the best of out their practice regardless of their level of experience (group on a Monday evening or 1-2-1s) or you can dive right in and learn to meditate through a four class programme.
I also deliver guided meditations to businesses and the corporate world.
Was there something that inspired or encouraged you to become a Meditation Teacher?
When I first moved back to NI six years ago, I was still weekly commuting to London, but I began to make more time to develop a self-care practice that worked for me. It started with sea swimming and then a friend suggested that I try meditation. Anyone who knew me then would have though this was hilarious as I was full of energy and ideas and the idea of sitting quietly didn’t seem like a good fit for me!
However, a 21 day meditation challenge popped up on my social feed with Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey. I gave it a go and was hooked. I loved the sense of peace, the time for self-reflection and the opportunity to develop greater self-awareness, so I continued beyond the 21 day challenge, simply meditating every morning for 10 minutes, instead of hitting the snooze button and my daily meditation practice built from that. The benefits of meditation to release stress, improve sleep, increase focus and creativity etc are well documented and I wish I’d started practicing it regularly much earlier in my life so I want to share meditation, mindfulness and all the benefits.
A lot of people worry that they won’t be able to meditate and ‘quieten their mind’ but like anything it can take a bit of practice, and it becomes easier if you’re taught correctly.
I’ve found meditation hugely beneficial, and it really is ‘doing less to gain more’ and that’s why I worked towards a professional qualification to make sure I had much more knowledge and insight to share with others.
Is there a particular part of your job that you love the most?
The feedback so far has been humbling and it’s lovely to see people go on their own journey and enjoy the benefits of meditation. I love the whole process of sharing meditation from research and writing (I started out as a journalist) through to coaching and teaching.
Do you have a certain clientele or are your classes open to everyone?
Meditation is open to everyone.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a Meditation Teacher?
Follow your heart and do your research to find the best teachers you can. I’d been meditating for a few years before I started my teacher training. My training took a year and was very thorough with inspirational teachers including Deepak Chopra, Devi Brown and Roger Gabriel. It culminated in assessments through teacher practice with a variety of students, an exam and three presentations. I’m now part of the Chopra global alumni which means I continue to learn and can access guidance from the teacher support team.
What hopes and goals do you would you like to achieve for your business in the year ahead?
I hope to share meditation with more people and I’ll also be offering Mini Mindfulness sessions to children aged 4 to 11 from early next year to provide them with some tools to help navigate their day and set them up for success. (It’s a requirement that a parent or guardian also attends each session to watch or join in so they can support their child at home).
Thank you to Helen for taking the time to answer a few questions about her business. If you are interested in speaking to Helen or in taking one of her classes get in touch here via her Instagram.
Slemish Hideaway
I look inside my stay at Slemish Hideaway, a cabin getaway at the foot of Slemish Mountain.
I was delighted to be asked to stay and capture Slemish Hideaway. An Airbnb at the foot of Slemish Mountain. Adele booked the Airbnb experience package which includes a One night stay where I document my stay and what I got up to while I was there.
As I drove up the lane to this unique stay, I was struck by the incredible view of Slemish Mountain. I had never quite seen it like this and it really caught me off guard, that alone is a reason to book your stay.
When we arrived the weather was as expected for Northern Ireland in early February…. cold! but as we stepped into our cabin we were greeted with warmth and we were able to sit, enjoy an afternoon tea provided and take in that beautiful scenery.
When we warmed up, we stepped outside again to capture our surroundings and take in all the details that Adele has added to these lovely cabins.
Each one has its own luxury hot tub which we were lucky enough to enjoy as the sun set. In between the two hot tubs sits what I think is the most eye catching thing of this whole place… the sauna. There’s something pretty great about stepping out of a very relaxing hot tub in to the cold weather and into your own personal sauna, and to level it up you get to experience that view even more.
Once the sun had set we headed to Broughshane, around a 10 minute drive from Slemish Hideaway to get some dinner. There are a few places to choose from in this little town but we settled for some good old pub grub at Thatchers inn. It was delicious and the staff were really friendly.
We finished our stay the morning after with another dip in the hot tub and then headed to Ballymena, 15 mins from Slemish Hideaway to get a morning coffee and bun at Middletown.
There are so many great places to visit around Slemish Hideaway which makes its attraction that much more popular. With towns such as Carnlough, Broughshane and Ballymena within driving distance you have plenty of options for outings.
You can book your stay at Slemish Hideaway here
Ruth Osborne Art
A selection of photos from my shoot with local Artist Ruth Osborne.
At the beginning of this month I spent the morning shooting the wonderful art of Ruth Osborne. This shoot was styled by Steph from This old home, at their studio in Belfast.
Ruth’s original art is created using mixed media on Irish Linen. Inspired by the world around her she uses leaves, flowers and foliage to create these pieces.
