My Photoshoot Amongst the Bluebells aged 19 Months

It was a sunny morning!

I had the pleasure of photographing my granddaughter Bella at the weekend, she liked it so much she wanted to tell you all about it.

Hello everyone, my name is Bella, I’m 19 months old. This is my second photoshoot amongst the bluebells. I’ve been photographed many times because my grandmother is a photographer. (I call her yia-yia because her mummy and daddy are from Cyprus).

Me when I was just 7 months old. I was just a baby.

Look at me now I’m a big girl because I can walk, run, sing and dance and say lots of words too.

With my mummy. Look at my pretty dress. I haven’t got very much hair.

With my mummy again, she still looks the same but look at me, I’ve got lots more hair – mummy says she can’t wait for my hair to get longer so she can put a ribbon in it.

Did you know my yia-yia has been a photographer for over 35 years? She has been photographing families in the woodlands for a long time, especially when the bluebells are in flower. She said now is the time to book your photoshoot because they are only at their best for a little while before they die.

If you would like to have a photoshoot with yia-yia she is called Stella. She said to contact her before Saturday 20th April to book your photoshoot as there are a limited number of photoshoots available until 28th April.

She is very friendly and the photoshoot was great fun her phone number is 0777 181 0105 or email her.

I’m happy I have all these photos to look back on when I’m older to enjoy with mummy, daddy and all the family.

Yia-yia said to me “Be very careful Bella not to tread on the bluebells, they are very delicate and are to be treated with respect so they can keep on flowering every year”

With my daddy, he is lots of fun and very strong! It makes me laugh a lot when he does this.

We sat on a pathway so we didn’t squash the bluebells.

We spotted an animal running up a tree, mummy said it’s called a skirril I mean squirrel.

The flowers tickled my nose when I smelt them. I tried to eat one but mummy quickly stopped me and said they are not food and not for picking. They are wildflowers. Yia-yia says I’m wild too…because I love being outdoors and running around, she calls me a little monkey.

I can walk and stretch too. I was pointing at a big bird in the sky called an aeroplane. Do you like my jeans and roll neck jumper?

We went for a wander down the lane afterwards…it was a bit chilly.

Then back to yia-yia’s to download, whatever that means!

I’m having lessons to learn how a camera works. I press this button called a shutter to take a photograph. Did you know the word photograph comes from the Greek word φωτογραφία? Meaning drawing (γραφία) with light (φωτο). I’m learning Greek too – yia-yia (pronounced yah yah) is the first word I have learnt so far.

This is my yia-yia taking a photograph of me and my mummy. Daddy took the picture on his iPhone.

This link tells you more about having a photoshoot.

Thank you for reading my story

Bella

A Snapshot Of My Family Time

We have come to the end of July 2023 and the schools have broken up for the summer having completed another academic year. It gives us time to rest and recuperate and reflect on time gone by and plan what’s to come.

I’m taking the time to stop and focus on the importance of the photograph. Where would we be without photographs to tell us the stories of our and others' lives? Think about how one-dimensional our world would be without the printed photograph.

I just love looking back at old photographs of anything and the stories they have to tell us. It’s the generations and throwbacks of family likeness that fascinate me. Have you ever seen a family photo taken decades ago that reminds you of a sibling or living relative?

It fills me with fascination and curiosity when I look back at my family photographs and inspires me to continue to capture and craft new photos too. This is why I’m choosing to share some of my own family photos taken of my daughter, granddaughter, and future son-in-law. The photoshoot was done whilst we were holidaying in Cyprus in May visiting our amazing relatives.

I took the opportunity to photograph my granddaughter with her mummy and daddy in the village where my parents were born to continue the story of our lives.
The moral of this story is the reason why I love my ‘work’ so much – because it's connecting with people, documenting fleeting moments to reflect on for many, many years to come – after all this is all we have with the passing of time.

Feel free to get in touch to create your visual memories. It doesn’t have to be of your family and friends. It could be of a prized collection, home, or garden, or where ever your imagination takes you.

These photographs are a small snapshot of my life…to be continued!

The cemetery where my parents and both sets of grandparents are laid to rest. They were all born in this village or nearby in Cyprus. My paternal grandparents are shown in this photo.

The cemetery where my parents and both sets of grandparents are laid to rest. They were all born in this village or nearby in Cyprus. My maternal grandparents are shown in this photo.

My granddaughter and me

A new family beginning!

Thanks

Stella