Magical Mournes

‘And you can find me where the sea pours into the stars’ - Eden

One of my main goals this past year has been to capture sundown at the famous Mourne Mountains. To walk along the beachfront and watch them bask in that magical golden hour glow, and last Sunday that Mourne Mountains sunset dream finally came true!

Although there was no sunshine in the forecast I decided to make the trip to Newcastle anyway for a first time visit to Murlough Beach, somewhere that I had been looking forward to exploring and photographing after many recommendations. After a long stretch of beautiful beach walk and stopping every so often to watch those waves rolling in, it seemed that luck was on my side as clouds soon gave way and that magical golden hour was about to begin!

I have visited many famous locations over the past few years to capture golden hour and the Mourne Mountains did not disappoint! To watch the sun shine proudly above Slieve Donard before making her beautiful descent was truly mesmerising! The changing of colours from pinky red to lavender blue, the whispering waves with their pastel reflections…. a truly unforgettable sunset and one that I highly recommend everyone experience!

And so golden hour begins!

Dancing under red skies

Mourne Mountain Magic : A sunset to remember

Now to achieve my Mourne Mountains dream of climbing to the top to capture those stunning costal views from above!

New Year, New Beginnings

‘And suddenly you know: it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings’ - Meister Eckhart

Proudly introducing Lavender Line Photography HQ

A new year, a new decade and an exciting new chapter has just begun for Lavender Line Photography! I am excited to announce that as of January 9th 2020 I signed the contract to my dream studio space! It still feels very surreal that I am now a studio owner, and although I am a little scared and nervous about this new chapter, I am really excited to see where it takes me and my small business!

It was back in November 2018 at a Shared Threads wreath making workshop run by the lovely Janice (@gatheredthreads) and Kirsty (@shared__threads) in the stunning Portview Trade Centre that I first fell in love with the building and its beautiful studio spaces. A building with artistic character that instantly draws you in, inspires you and makes you want to work there! Never in my wildest dreams did I think that a little more than a year later that big photography dream of mine would come true!

A firm believer in what is meant for you will find you, it finally feels that fate is on my side in allowing me to follow my dream, that 4 years of working extremely hard to establish and maintain Lavender Line Photography has finally paid off! Here is to chasing those dreams and making them a reality no matter how big or scary they may seem! A new chapter has just begun and I for one am ready for it!

The Autumn Leaves of Red and Gold...

‘If a year was tucked inside a clock, then Autumn would be magic hour’ - Victoria Erickson

I couldn’t agree more with Victoria Erickson’s description of Autumn, it really is our magic hour! The falling leaves, the crisp air and the beautiful tones that bring new life to sceneries before us. There is something magical about those early morning Autumn starts, the way in which the sunlight casts her spell through ever-changing trees and the rustling of fallen leaves breaking that morning silence. It is a time to reflect and inspire, a time to set new goals, a time to dream!

I always find myself more inspired this time of year, challenging myself to find new Autumn scenes, new twists on perspective and a new play on colours. There is something exciting about adding my own touch to the beautiful scenes that Mother Nature gives us. Like Autumn, I feel that it is important as an artist to embrace the ever-changing!

Below are just some of the beautiful scenes that I have come across this October and that are available for purchase on Etsy!

‘Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn’ - Elizabeth Lawrence

Summertime Sadness

‘And all at once, Summer collapsed into Fall…’ - Oscar Wilde

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn! A summer that has gone by in a blur and one that I was happy to see come to an end. Summer 2019 was a Summer of heartbreak and sadness due to the loss of my beautiful cat Chloe who was just short of 17 years old. It has been a real struggle adapting to this new chapter of life without her and as a result I found myself not wanting to do much this Summer other than a day trip here and there.

Now that we are into a new season and one that is all about the black cat, I want to try and move forward. I want to think of my her with happy tears instead of sad tears. They say that time is a healer and I for one am ready to begin the healing process surrounded by Autumn and the comfort of knowing that it was Little Miss Chloe’s season!

They Call It Mellow Yellow

'She was a wildflower in love with the sun' - Melanie Koulouris

Nothing says Hello August more than the beautiful Sunflowers of Portglenone! A sea of yellow that can be seen for miles and one that should be visited for that ultimate sunflower experience! I have always been drawn to sunflowers and their elegance, the way in which they stand to attention, tall and proud and soaking up every inch of sunshine, but I never imagined that one day I would get to walk among them up-close and personal to truly appreciate their beauty!

If you haven’t been to Portglenone’s Sunflower field then I highly recommend adding it to your August must-visit list as an afternoon among the sunflowers should be experienced by all! You will also be helping to support a great cause as all proceeds made go towards Macmillan in Northern Ireland. An August day out you will not forget!

Follow That Dream

‘If you can dream it, you can do it’ - Walt Disney

It’s hard to believe that yesterday my small business turned 4! I don’t know where the time has gone, it feels like it was just last week I was putting together my business plan and taking on-board my business advisor’s main piece of advice; keep looking forward and focus on getting to that year 3 mark!

It hasn’t been an easy journey, there have been many highs and lows, moments of self doubt and worry, and sometimes a little loneliness working for myself, but I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. Waking up every day to a job that I love which allows me to follow my photography dream makes those struggles of self-employment worth it! To know that my work is displayed in homes around the world is something that I could never have imagined when first starting out. Being sought out and chosen as the photographer to capture those special life moments is one of the greatest compliments I could receive. It’s this that keeps me motivated to push myself and my work as a photographer, to capture those all important moments whether it be a photoshoot or chosen location. Creating memories that last a lifetime!

With each year comes new goals, new inspirations and new opportunities, and I for one am excited to see where year 4 takes Lavender Line Photography!

Summer Solstice

‘Summertime is always the best of what might be’ - Charles Bowden

Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer! Today officially marks the beginning of Summer and a favourite season of mine. I love nothing more than those long Summer days spent on the coast, those dreamy Summer sunsets to end a perfect day and of course that warm Summer sunshine which will hopefully arrive sometime soon! Although I have no trips planned this year, I am looking forward to getting out and about with my camera and seeing where this new season takes me. Whether it be here in Northern Ireland or abroad to one of my bucket list locations, I sure am ready for some Summer sun and adventures!

World Oceans Day

‘The ocean is full of untamed magic’

There is no place I feel more at home than on a beautiful beach, looking out to sea and watching those waves come rolling in. If ever an escape is needed from everyday life then a dose of Vitamin Sea is your answer!

Yesterday saw the return of World Oceans Day, a day in which to celebrate the beauty of our seas and to encourage us to look after our planet by making small changes to our daily routines. It is well known that the ocean provides us with many valuable resources and so it is important that we do our best to preserve it. Something as small as purchasing a re-usable water bottle to reduce your plastic intake can have a major impact in helping to protect our planet and something that I have made a conscious effort in doing this year. Also taking part in community beach cleans or solo cleans during beach outings is another great way to maintain our oceans. Little by little we can help to keep our seas clean!

#TogetherWeCan

Into The Bluebells

‘You belong among the wildflowers’ - Tom Petty

One of my favourite things about May is the beautiful bluebells that spring up in woodlands across the country, creating an enchanting sea of indigo! Last year I visited the stunning Portglenone Forest, famous for its bluebells and was blown away by its beauty! This year I decided to kick off bluebell season with a trip to Crawfordsburn Country Park to combine a beach walk with forest walk and it did not disappoint! To find myself among the wildflowers with only the ocean waves and songbirds singing for background noise was dreamlike, as though I had stepped into a fairytale! Something that I look forward to doing again with some of our other famous bluebell locations!

If you haven’t already made a trip to your local bluebell woods, then I highly recommend taking an afternoon to play among the wildflowers! A trip within nature that you won’t forget!

Fairhead Heights

‘To the shores of freedom, where no one lives’ - Joesph Arthur

It might be that the North Coast is known more today because of the HBO mega-hit Game Of Thrones, but it is a coastline that I have grown up with and spent many years exploring. From The Dark Hedges to Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, Ballintoy Harbour to Larrybann and Murlough Bay to White Park Bay, all beautiful locations within their own right and places that I have been lucky enough to visit many times before they made their famous onscreen debuts! One location missing off my North Coast list though… Fairhead!

Fairhead is situated near the stunning seaside town of Ballycastle, a town that my family resides in and a landscape that I have seen in all seasons, but one that I had never seen from the top….until a few weeks ago that is!

Fairhead heights: The stunning views of Fairhead from Ballycastle’s Pebble Beach

Taking full advantage of the good Easter weekend weather I decided to hit up the North Coast to finally tick Fairhead off that bucket list! So, with the sun shining, my camera packed and walking shoes at the ready, it was time to explore Fairhead once and for all!

The stunning sights of Fairhead, a location that I highly recommend and one that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime for those beautiful coastal views! It is also an important location for Game Of Thrones fans, one that you might just recognise from Season 7!

Standing 600ft above sea, Fairhead can be seen from many coastal hotspots along the North Coast, but getting to see those coastal hotspots from the very top is something else! To take a moment to stand along the famous cliff edge and truly appreciate the beauty of our coastline is a time that I will treasure. Looking out and seeing some of my favourite North Coast locations from such a height and distance is something that should be experienced by all!

Fairhead Blues: Who can resist a look down when rewarded with such blues!

Fairhead rising an impressive 600ft above sea level and said to be one of Ireland and Britain’s toughest climbs!

Not only are you rewarded with stunning coastal views, but beautiful lakes and farm life too. A little something for everyone!

The cliff walk along Fairhead to Murlough Bay is breathtaking and one I highly recommend continuing on with. It’s along this path that you will see the famous Fairhead lakes, Grey Man’s Path and the stunning views of Murlough Bay and Torr Head coming into view. What makes it even better is how secluded the area is, a perfect spot to take full advantage of the peace and quiet that mother nature has to offer! If you are looking for that moment of mindfulness then this is the for you! What better than the great outdoors, fresh sea air and coastal views to spend an afternoon!

The famous Grey Man’s Path, an unusual walkway created by mother nature herself! One to keep a lookout for when walking Fairhead as it can be easily missed!

Well hello Murlough Bay! Just when you think the views can’t get any better, along comes the stunning headland of Murlough Bay!

The stunning sights of Murlough Bay and another beautiful location used for Game Of Thrones!

A visit to the top of Fairhead…. tick!