It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

“Christmas, children, is not a date. It is a state of mind. ”
― Mary Ellen Chase

It’s now officially Christmas since work is over and I have a rather luxurious two weeks off. So expect more photography and more Christmas which of course means many more blog posts. And guess what?!! I’m seriously considering putting myself the 365 Photography challenge starting 1st January 2014…

I know. Crazy isn’t it. But my job has changed, I’m out on the road most of the day traveling between clients and rarely taking a lunch break so there’s all the more reason to grab a five minute snap here and there. No excuses! No more 8 hour office days for me and why not make the most of it too?

 

I have noticed a significant difference in my Photography compared to 2012. This year has brought with it more opportunities for Photographic work, but less self-inspired photography trips and conceptual creations. I sincerely miss that. I’ve looked back at my portfolio this year and I’m proud of it, but it’s not as diverse and varied as it could be.

Forcing myself (because let’s face it, some days I had to force myself) to take a photograph every day made me think outside the box, constantly. For example, some weeks I had to think very carefully about the strange poses I would put Buddy in or what I could put on his head this time. Jokes aside though, it was fun. And I took more than one Photograph a day as well, let’s be honest, I couldn’t resist. On the days when there was just one I must have been ill.

But I’ve also learned that Photography isn’t about being perfect every single time. I aim to become a little more journalistic and candid. I hope that big things will happen in 2014. Graduation amongst them… I want to capture those moments as well as things that you followers want to see!!!

So here today I have shared some photographs taken across the past week or so around the house once the decorating had been done. The little traditions and things that we do to make Christmas how it should be (for us) are nearly almost there. The presents are wrapped, the cards have been posted, things are tidy and organised and even my car has been washed. (No, I didn’t do it myself ><).

Buddy has been incredibly well behaved so far (touch wood.) No decorations have been chewed, no presents have been unwrapped. He’s a growed up dog now! Also it shows compared to previous photographs – he’s got the biggest paws! And he even has his own stocking hung up…

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Day 361: Christmas Day

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”
― Roy L. Smith

It seemed fitting that I should save the decorations and the general Christmas spirit in the house until today. I’ve given teasing sort of insights into the decor this Christmas in the background of many of my still life shots lately, but I haven’t actually taken the shots that I’ve been itching to take since they went up.

It’s Christmas Day – so here they are! We have Christmas decorations in every room, whether it’s subtle or quite a big statement. I love everything we put up at Christmas, it’s traditional, cosy and festive.

We also have a real tree, which spikes me when I try and check what my presents might be! But yes, I love the smell of Christmas Trees even though they make me sneeze, this one this year has dropped a lot of branches and needles already. I don’t think it’ll last much longer!

The fireplace is a huge focal point of the sitting room. The stockings hang there, the swag of lights sit nicely above the fireplace and the reindeer on the top are candle holders that glow perfectly in the evenings – it’s fantastic.

 

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