Lavender Line Photography Meets Titanic!

A throwback to a fab product photography shoot I did back in June with the lovely Aisling from City Sights Candles and the newest addition to her beautiful candle and wax melts range.

As the Titanic is such an iconic symbol I wanted to keep to a simple nautical theme that didn’t take away from the design itself. I wanted to play on the importance of the world’s most famous ship and so my fisherman’s table backdrop and Titanic picture book made for the perfect accessories to create an overall rustic feel.

A beautiful candle and wax melt set to add to your home decor for the cosy ‘ber’ months ahead!

If you are a small business owner thinking about your products and the cosy months ahead then be sure to get in touch to discuss a product photography shoot perfect for you and your business!

That Small Business Product Photography Sign!

‘You don’t take a photograph, you make it’ - Ansel Adams

I have been meaning to do a post like this for a while now, but in true small business fashion that old Imposter Syndrome crept in and put it on the back burner! So, here goes…

As many know for the past year and a half I have been working alongside other small business owners to capture their beautiful products and showcase their work in a way that not only ties in with their business and branding, but that helps bring attention to their work in an ever aesthetically pleasing world. It’s an area within my work that I adore as I get to not only challenge myself, but I get to help other creatives bring their visions to life in a way that might not come so naturally to them.

A lifestyle product photography shoot I did for my Mindful Moments Coaster range, bringing a feel of the outside inside!

As a small business owner myself I know firsthand that costs come into play with all decision making which can unfortunately mean cutting back on certain important areas within a business, photography being one of them, and so I have made the conscious decision in keeping to affordable pricing plans to help small business owners reach their full potential with images that help bring new life to their promotional material!

I will be opening up my product photography slots again in May, so if this is something that calls out to you and your business then please don’t hesitate to get in touch, maybe this is your sign to book the shoot!

PS. To the businesses that I have been very fortunate to work with, thank you so much for trusting me in bringing your visions to life!

Simply Scandi Summer Callin'

Goodbye April, Hello May! ☀️

Summer season is almost here and what better than the release of the Simply Scandi Summer edition to mark the occasion… you might also come across a little Lavender Line Photography while flicking through!

When I think of Summer I think of clear skies, dreamy sunsets and city wanderlust which seemed like a perfect fit for Simply Scandi’s Summer small business directory. I decided to combine my love of sunsets and travel with two of my favourite cities ; When Stockholm Meets Copenhagen photography print set.

This year a big goal of mine was to have my photography work in print, so it seemed only right to celebrate a matching Simply Scandi Summer shoot with my previous Simply Scandi Spring feature shoot.

When Stockholm Meets Copenhagen - Available for purchase on Etsy, the perfect print set for those with a love of these two beautiful Scandinavian cities!

A Simply Scandi Summer out now!

The perfect Summer reading awaits!

The Simply Scandi Summer issue is out now for your hit of Summer inspiration as well as heading over to Lavender Line Photography for all things wanderlust & city dust for your home decor Summer photography print needs too!

When Stockholm Meets Copenhagen, the perfect print set for those Scandi lovers!

The Dreamscape Three!

Wednesday Waves brought to you by Dreamscape Three!

Inspired by my love of the sea and ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) photography, Dreamscape Three is a special photography print set and series that had me stepping out of my comfort zone and challenging myself to capture sunset waves in a new and exciting way.

Dreamscape Three, a perfect touch of dreamy sunset vitamin sea for your home decor

What I love most about Intentional Camera Movement is the freedom it gives when shooting, how there are no set rules, how experimental you can be playing with movement and shutter speeds, and how unique each and every capture is. I still have some things to learn when it comes to this technique but I love how it adds the perfect dreamy mix to an already dreamy sunset scene.

Dreamscape Three - Fresh off the printer and ready for its new home in America

Dreamscape Three has made its way to new homes here in Northern Ireland, Australia, and just recently America added to the list. A perfect print set for the Spring and Summer seasons!

Lavender Line Photography Meets Lavender Scents!

‘Melt, Pour & Enjoy’

As briefly mentioned in my last post, I recently had an exciting product photography shoot with the fabulous Purscents, a sustainable candle business that encourages us to breathe new life into our empty jars with their beautiful nature inspired scents. Not only are you helping to repurpose and help the environment with your Purscents purchases, but you have the added fun of pouring your own candles too, something that makes it so much more personal and something that I couldn’t wait to do!

It seemed only right that ‘Rise N Shine’ be the first candle I make and photograph given that Lavender is its main ingredient along with Lemon and Bergamot, a match made in heaven if you ask me! A quick read of the instructions and I was ready to get to work!

Step One : The placing of the lead free candle wick to jar bottom, ready to bring Rise N Shine to life!

Step Two : Place compostable refill pouch in the microwave for two minutes and Rise N Shine is ready to pour!

Step Three : Once set, your new candle is ready for lighting, bringing those beautiful natural scents into your home!

Step Four : Easy to extinguish, leaving a beautiful aroma around the home while looking pretty in its surroundings!

Coming from a completely creative background I couldn’t wait to get stuck into this product shoot. I found the making process very simple, as well as satisfying too knowing that these Purscents compostable refill pouches mean that one less candle jar will go to landfill. A candle business that not only encourages creativity in the form of taking charge of your repurposed candle vessel, but makes sure to help protect our planet is one that gets my vote and one I will highly recommend time and time again!

Here is to a Summer filled with Purscents!

P.S. Don’t forget that Product Photography packages are available with Lavender Line Photography, helping bring new content to your small business!

When Six Small Business Dreams Become One Reality!

‘I wake up with a new idea and new dreams every day, and I follow that dream, as they say’ - Dolly Parton

Well I think it is safe to say that when it comes to blogging I have every good intention in keeping on top of it, but then finding the actual time to do it becomes almost impossible as a small business owner! This is something that I am going to schedule time for in 2024 so that I can sit down at the computer and keep you updated on all things Lavender Line Photography, but until then here is a quick roundup of all things LLP in Autumn 2023…

A lovely first time trip to Rathlin Island, a fabulous 4 days (should have been 5 but that is a whole other post) in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, a new print series coming very soon, and a beautiful Pop Up Shop that myself and 5 other small business friends have created together to make for an unforgettable shopping experience this holiday season!

I will talk more about Rathlin and Copenhagen in separate blog posts, along with the new series of work, but this post is dedicated to our beautiful The Portview Pop Up!

The Portview Pop Up, a must-visit this holiday season!

When six small business dreams become one reality!

I think I can speak for most small business owners right now in saying that this year has been one of the toughest years when it comes to business and selling work.  Shopping habits and spendings have changed (my own included) and for the first time it has left me a little unsure of what the future may hold.  I am very much a ‘day by day’ kind of gal and so thinking ahead can make me feel a little uncomfortable and uneasy, but I do know that things need to change come the new year, and with that means adapting the business once again to suit current climates and situations.

It was these sorts of small business chats with my lovely Portview Crew that lead to the discussions of possibly teaming up together this Christmas to create something magical, and so during a very casual Monday morning business breakfast catch-up our Portview Pop Up was born!

The Portview Pop Up is a collaborative venture between myself and five other small business friends located in Portview Trade Centre, our mission: to offer an unforgettable shopping experience while helping to promote the importance of small business and supporting local.

From Photography to Faux Flowers, Vegan Hair Care to Watercolour Prints and Jewellery to Storytelling Gifts With Purpose…. there is a little something for everyone this Christmas!  So, if you are in the Belfast area this November and December then be sure to pop into The Portview Pop Up, we are open every Thursday - Sunday! Not only have we come together as 6 very different businesses, we have also given the opportunity to 8 other small business owners to showcase their talents with our Small Business Saturdays and Sundays, meaning The Portview Pop Up is the perfect place to browse and shop with its ever-changing format!

Be sure to pop in and say hi this holiday season, and if you can’t unfortunately make it then be sure to check out the links to each fab business below :

Innocent Chaos

Jude Fenton Art

Lavender Line Photography

Monday’s Child

Storybox

Studio A114

More photographs and videos from our lovely Pop Up to follow very soon!

A little more information from our press release :

The historic Portview Trade Centre, once a pioneering spinning mill from the early 1900s and celebrated for its progressive employment of women and blend of traditional craftsmanship with innovative technologies.

Rachel McIlgorm, founder of Storybox NI CIC said, “The collaboration aims to demonstrate the resilience and creativity of the local business community while providing a tailored shopping experience for all.  By supporting local enterprises, visitors and customers can not only find one-of-a-kind treasures but also play a vital role in bolstering their neighbourhood’s economic well-being.

Lynette Murray of Studio A114 said, “When 6 business women put their heads together they create brilliance.  A Christmas Pop Up has been put together so beautifully to showcase how you can shop small and support local businesses this Christmas.”

Goodbye July, Hello August!

‘Breathe the sweetness that hovers in August’ - Denise Laverton

Hello August, hello to another month of Summer and hello to chapter 8 of 12! I’m not quite sure how we have gotten to this point so quickly, but here we are! I’m embarrassed to say that my July to-do blog list hasn’t quite gone to plan, but maybe it’s something that is better suited to August and the phasing out of Summer instead!

Image and words by @words_by_wilde_road

Calendar 2023 - Ballycastle Beach, County Antrim

July, well what can I say about July other than it has now officially broken all records for being the wettest month in Northern Ireland since 1836! I’m not someone who usually minds bad weather, but the constant July rain has meant that I wasn’t able to get out with my camera as much as I had planned to which has been really disappointing! So, here is to the power of positive thinking and August having some perfect shooting weather to create some new coastal prints just in time for that seasonal change!

And just incase August does not want to play ball and it is another month of record breaking grey skies and rain, then August’s wallpaper will be the perfect dose of daily colour with that much needed sunset vitamin sea for your phone lock screen (now available for purchase on Etsy).

Hello August : bringing a touch of that Lavender vitamin sea to the new month ahead! Now available of purchase on Etsy

A Black & White version to match incase Lavender isn’t your thing! #TwoForThePriceOfOne

The month ahead at just the simple tap of your phone screen!

Here is to those August adventures, to the return of sunshine and making this month one to remember! Let me know if you have any exciting August plans in the comments.

Goodbye June, Hello July!

‘Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August’ - Jenny Han

It’s hard to believe that we are now into what could be known as one of the best months of the year…my birthday month! I know I say it each new month, but where exactly has the time gone?! To think that we are now more than half way through 2023 is crazy to me, but what a fab few months of adventure it has been!

I do want to give each 2023 adventure a blog post of its own (it’s on my July to-to list), but here are four sneak peek words of what’s to come : London, Stockholm, ABBA Anniversary! Until then, here is to July and the new month ahead, to another year around the sun and to chasing adventures whatever they may be!

Image and words from : @girlandhermagic

Incase you missed it, July’s wallpaper is now available for purchase with what I hope will be your Summer motto : Everything, in time. A perfect touch of sunset vitamin sea meets the new month ahead at the simple tap of your phone screen, and if the quote is not for you then don’t worry, you can have it with or without text with both phone wallpapers included! #TwoForThePriceOfOne

Hello July Wallpaper: Why not add a touch of that sunset vitamin sea meets the month ahead to your July phone lock screen!

A July wallpaper perfect for that Summer motto : everything, in time!

Now to make a start into that July to-do list!

Share Your Magic!

If you follow me on Instagram then you may have seen yesterday’s post about an exciting new stockist for Lavender Line Photography, a post that I should have shared back in October but it somehow slipped my mind!

Where you can keep up-to-date with all things Lavender Line Photography!

Back in October the lovely Vicki from @2020Art contacted me about stocking some of my North Coast print favourites as greetings cards in GIFTED, the sister store of the fab 2020 Art. I’m not one who finds it easy to put myself out there (something that I am slowly overcoming), so to have a third stockist of my work is a very surreal feeling! I find it hard to push myself out of that comfort zone at times, that fear of comparison and rejection sometimes taking over and making it difficult to reach out to other businesses. That’s why I am incredibly grateful to have businesses such as @Storybox, @2020Gifted and @VisitCausewayCoastAndGlens who have gotten in touch with me and now stock Lavender Line Photography.

Those North Coast photography print favourites now available as Greetings Cards!

A touch of North Coast vitamin sea to send to that someone special to let them know that you are thinking of them!

It’s somewhat comforting to know that I am not the only small business owner to feel this way, that we all suffer from imposter syndrome from time to time, but know that in order to succeed we have to push those boundaries and step out of those comfort zones.

So, here is to stepping into the unknown, to believing in yourself and your work, and knowing that you bring something exciting to the world with your craft!

Share Your Magic!

Dream. Believe. Achieve

‘Because you believed, it happened’

Kicking off 2023 with another business goal of mine ticked off the list : 500 Etsy sales! I think it’s important as a small business owner to celebrate all wins no matter how big or how small they may seem! Although it took a little longer than ticking it off my 2021-2022 list, it makes me so happy to know that even in these difficult financial times we find ourselves in with a cost of living crisis, people are still connecting with my photography. It really is true what they say, whenever you buy from a small business, an actual person does a little happy dance!

So, here is to chasing dreams and ticking off that next business goal!

‘Success is a series of small wins’

Dream. Believe. Achieve