Their wedding might be tomorrow but it’s never too late for a blog post! Last May I headed out with Laura & Caleb for their engagement session on a beautiful Spring day, rare for Northern Ireland! We lucked out with the rows of trees covered in freshly bloomed cherry blossoms at Loughgall Country Park. Here’s hoping tomorrow’s weather will be just as good, but I think it’ll be an absolutely fantastic day either way.
For Turf & Grain Issue 4: Women I interviewed and photographed Irish environmentalist and surfer Easkey Britton at her Donegal hometown. I got the chance to chat to her about the importance of being ‘ocean literate’ here in Ireland, the role surfing plays in forming community, and the need to find rest amidst the busy cycles of life.
If you’d like to read the article, magazines are available to purchase at www.turfandgrain.com.
Sofia is the type of city that catches your attention; it imperceptibly draws you in and simultaneously poses questions and answers them. I’ve done a considerable amount of travel throughout the countries in the former Eastern Bloc, but no capital city wears its Soviet influence like Sofia. Brutalist buildings built on top of classical architecture sitting atop Roman ruins make up the landscape, the layers of history and evidence of humanity everywhere.
On my third day, I joined in on a free walking tour throughout the city and was made privy to the generations of history and millennia of stories that Sofia holds, a city that was established in the 4th century B.C. and has seen more than a few rulers pass through. For a city that spans so many centuries, I was expecting to feel a sense of detachment, of a traveler simply stopping by. But the friendliness and warmth of the Bulgarian people welcomed me into their story.
Recently, in my travels, I’ve made the decision to not plan every moment down to the last second as I am sometimes tempted to. Entering a city relatively unaware of its main draws, of the must-sees and unmissables, creates room for spontaneity and discovery. However, usually I’d make sure to take part in a city walking tour, which allows those who know it best to show me what they consider the city highlights, interwoven with anecdotes and historical facts. Although, In my opinion, there are several sights in Sofia that filled me with awe and inspiration. The towering and ornate Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, illuminated by a spectacular sunset, was one of those. The park around the Ivan Vazov National Theatre was another.
Life in Sofia, I found, is unhurried and meant to be savoured. Whether that is through enjoying traditional Bulgarian cuisine, soaking up the sun with the locals, or pausing for a conversation with a seller at a market about life under occupation, Bulgaria emphasises the everyday moments.
Article originally in Licorne Magazine
As an avid lover of craft beer, it was a pleasure to visit Boundary Brewing for Turf & Grain Issue 3: Makers and photograph a bit of their brewing process. Based out of Portview Mill in East Belfast, Boundary both crafts up delicious beers and holds monthly taprooms in their space.
Laura & Mark.
I had the pleasure of photographing the new menu for Five Percent, a cafe in Gilnahirk, Belfast. As a loyal patron of the cafe, I knew their new menu would be spectacular and make my job easy. I wasn’t wrong! It’s an excellent little spot for food and coffee lovers a like, well worth a trip for their pastries alone. Following the clean simplicity of their branding, I opted for paired back photos that put the cuisine at the forefront, utilising their carefully crafted interiors as a backdrop.
Therese & Steven wed at Markree Castle, Sligo, which takes the cake as one of the most beautiful venues I’ve been to!
Katrina & Steven’s September wedding at the Culloden Estate was filled with laughter and family and I’m so glad I got to share in their special day!
