I am excited to announce that Lavender Line Product & Lifestyle photography shoots are launching Monday 26th February! This is an exciting new addition to Lavender Line Photography, bringing small business product storytelling to life through the art of beautiful photography.
Winter Postcards
‘Take time to chase the snowflakes’
This week finally marked the first proper cold spell to hit Northern Ireland and the first snowfall of Winter 2024!
As I am someone who loves the four seasons and the weather that each season brings us here on the Emerald Isle, I have been patiently waiting for that first dusting of snow to hit and thankfully it happened on a week that I could work from home and enjoy every second of it during my walks.
Don’t get me wrong, it does not compare in the slightest to the stunning Scandinavian snow scenes that I have been seeing on Instagram with total snow envy (something that I have put on my bucket list to experience next winter), but it is a start to our Winter 2024 and it can only get better!
Below are some of my favourite moments captured from the week; from snow on the beach to walking in a winter wonderland. Now if only this Storm Isha that we are currently being hit with could do one and return the white stuff to us! ❄
Say Yes To New Adventures!
‘There’s magic in these moments’
Each year I try and bring a new aspect to my business, something that not only excites me, but that takes me out of my comfort zone to further my business goals. 2022 was the year I brought my work into another creative outlet, 2023 was taking part in my first ever Pop Up shop and this year it will be bringing forward a new photography package to Lavender Line Photography.
I am excited to announce that this year I will be offering Product Photography shoots, helping other small business owners showcase their beautiful work and products with images that fit perfectly with their brand. I have always enjoyed taking photographs of everyday objects in interesting room set-ups, incorporating objects into certain dreamy landscapes / beachscapes and putting together beautiful flat-lays that not only catch the eye but help promote an element of my work while keeping to my own branding. It seems only right that 2024 be the year I bring Product Photography into the Lavender Line mix!
Photographing a beautiful autumn bouquet range by the very talented Innocent Chaos, a perfect lifetime addition to your home decor!
Like all small business owners I too worry about outgoing costs when it comes to promotional material, but that quote ‘you have to spend money in order to make money’ is so true when it comes to the promotion of your business and products. Without those clear professional shots you are not giving your business or your products their full selling potential!
My aim with Lavender Line Product Photography is to tell your future clients your business story, to bring them along on your small business journey and to create images that are saved to those pinterest boards for every day inspirations time and time again, and all at an affordable cost.
Photographing some of my favourite Lavender Line Photography phone wallpapers with a chosen theme that fits around the image and quote. Be sure to check out the Digital Download range to find the wallpaper perfect for you!
So if you are a small business owner and feel like our visions would be a perfect fit then please get in touch! Let’s capture those small business moments together and bring your business to the top!
Hello 2024!
‘That was the year she forgot about time and remembered what it was to fill her days with everything she loved best’
Well hello 2024! We may be 17 days into 2024 already, but it’s never too late to say Happy New Year and send good wishes for the year ahead. 2023 was a year of up and downs, highs and lows, beautiful cities, dreamy sunsets and lots of special memories made along the way with my favourite people.
Some of my favourite 2023 moments include : A return trip to my beloved Stockholm to capture those famous Stockholm sunsets. The ABBA Voyage Anniversary and seeing 3 ABBA members in real life (still can’t believe it!). A first time visit to the beautiful city of Copenhagen (which Scandi city will be next on my wanderlust list?). Meeting three of my friends beautiful kids for the first time. The rainiest festival weekend I have experienced, and last but not certainly not least, an unforgettable Pop Up shop adventure which helped bring back some confidence as a small business owner in a tricky time.
And with that the 2023 season comes to an end!
For 2024 I decided not to make any new year resolutions, yes there are certain dreams and goals that I have that I would love to see happen throughout the year, but setting them as set resolutions puts far too much pressure on things. Instead, this new year had me think of things in a different way and although I try not to get caught up on Instagram trends (there are only so many times you can watch a copied reel constantly repeated), I did see one that I couldn’t resist, one that fit perfectly into my 2024 mindset : my ins and outs for the year ahead! A way of jotting down my intensions for the year without adding any unnecessary pressures.
I N S :
Getting back outside with my camera
More coastal sunrises and sunsets
Believing in myself and my work more
Celebrating small wins
Reading before bed
Keeping to my daily walks
Learning a new skill
O U T S :
Imposter Sydrome
Negative self-talk
Putting off certain goals because of timing and self-doubt
Following accounts that make me question my progress
Hitting that snooze button
Mindless scrolling
Those all important 2024 intentions!
So here is to 2024, to stepping out of those comfort zones, to following those dreams and to chasing those adventures without putting too much pressure on ourselves and enjoying the year ahead!
Let’s do this 2024!
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 :
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
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
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
Now to make a start into that July to-do list!
A Touch Of Spring
This time choose to blossom & see what you find out - k.hpoetry
In honour of this last week’s good weather and what finally feels like the arrival of Spring, I felt it was time to create some new wallpapers to bring a touch of Spring to your phone decor
There are now 4 blossom themed wallpapers ready and waiting for new phone homes ; A Touch Of Pink, Blossom and Blue, Hello Blossom and Just Bloom. If like me you find it too hard to pick an overall favourite or like to change up your phone wallpaper, then there is a perfect Blossom wallpaper set option just for you!
So, why not treat yourself to your Blossom wallpaper favourite today, and if a touch of Spring isn’t your thing right now then don’t worry, a touch of vitamin sea is ready and waiting! You know how I love those ocean waves!
That Emerald Isle Magic!
Happy St Patrick’s Day Weekend! ☘️
It’s that time of year when all focus is back on the beautiful Emerald Isle and the stunning sites and locations it has to offer!
I may be a little biased, but it makes me so happy and proud to hear just how many people have fallen in love with our wee country, the special memories made with loved ones and how they can’t wait to come back and explore more of the island, recreating the magic!
It’s one of the most rewarding parts of my job, to see my photography prints make their way to new homes around the world and knowing that they are that special keepsake gift to mark an unforgettable trip. It’s a feeling that will never grow old!
Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge : have you crossed it yet?
From Belfast to Dublin, the Giant’s Causeway to the Cliffs of Moher, Five Finger Strand to Whitepark Bay and the Cavehill to the Mourne Mountains…just to name a few! There is a little something for everyone to celebrate their love for the Emerald Isle!
So, why not treat yourself or a loved one to a favourite Lavender Line Photography print this St Patrick’s Day Weekend with some Northern Ireland and Ireland best sellers!
IWD 2023
Happy International Women’s Day!
I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by the best group of women who not only inspire me on a daily basis, but who also encourage me to be the best version of myself. So here is to always believing in yourself, to pushing those boundaries and to achieving those goals!
We got this ladies!