Animals > Humans.

Consider this an introduction to my newest family member; little miss Mousen Eskdale. :)

I have been an animal lover as long as I can remember and have up until now had 3 rabbits, 1 Guinea Pig and 8 hamsters (alongside numerous fish, even though they freak me the hell out).

They are defiantly considered a friend and family member by me. I talk more to pets than I do to people most of the time, as there is no worry of any sort of let down with a cute tiny fluff ball. 

Most of my babys have had, what I consider to be, cool names! :P And my new Syrian, Mousen, is no exception. Dubbed 'Moo' for short the name first came from her having markings similar to that of a cow, hence 'Moo', then it evolved to 'Mousen' and inside joke about a small place I drive past on the road up to my parents. 

I agree with the 'never work with children' quote but I think working with animals is brilliant! I've always tried to get some interesting photos of my hammies and even though they hardly stop moving when you get a great shot its so worth it! Ive also been explored on flickr for one of Scamp. :)  

Here are a couple of my hamster army past and present - 

                                   Minnie (Disney girl)                               Dusty (My rescue girl)

                                    Travis (Blink 182 boy) R.I.P           Scamp (Cheeky boy) R.I.P

                             Pepsi (Cola girl)  R.I.P                              Halo (Gamer girl) R.I.P

I also had a gorgeous tan and white smooth haired Syrian called baby bear who unfortunately passed away after only a fortnight of living with me due to breathing complications :(
This group of beauties are better friends than any person could ever be! Just wait until I win the lottery and buy my farm! :D

Cliche 'New Year' Post.

New years resolutions and all that jazz.
First of which is to take more bloody photos haha. So saying that I've started two new projects...Eyes and Feet. Doesn't sound too exciting but my Mam of all people will defiantly agree I've always had a fascination with feet and the different shoes people wear.
It started out that I was planning to do trio photos of each person, their Eyes, Hands and Feet but found when doing my self portraits that hands are awkward to photograph.
Here's my eye and foot self portraits anyways...

More to come!

Oh and if anyone would be so kind as to act as Guinea pig for me feel free to drop round the flat, preferably between the hours of 5pm and 7am as I'm currently nocturnal.

:D

Better Late Than Never.

I keep putting this off and putting it off but I guess I'll just quickly post up a few photos and have it over and done with. The Holidays post!

Jake and I went to spend the holidays at my parents. It was gonna be my first Christmas in my own house but with feeling down lately and it being the first year without my Granda, I wanted to be at their house to help make things more normal for my Nana...and for the food I guess 'cause I'd of never managed to cook anything :/
Anyways, its practically tradition that we spend every Christmas Eve at our good friends, The Boyds, house to track 'Santa' with the bairns with the online tracker, Norad and sprinkle out the Reindeer food up the road :) I'd left it a surprise to them that I was still coming this year and wish I could of taken a photo of the expression on Hazels face when she answered the door! I was so happy that everyone was excited to see me.

Here are my three (not so) little 'siblings' Katie, Holly and Matt while we were out doing the Reindeer's food trail!
And the Christmassy cupcakes I baked everyone...

We spent thee day at my parents obviously, had a lie in as always haha and picked up my Nana and Molly the dog. It was very weird without my Granda. I cant imagine how hard it must of been for my Mam and my Nana but I think everyone did very well to keep it as normal as possible.

Of course the many animals are never left out and Molly, Bunny, Scamp, Dusty and Minnie all opened their presents too. Bunny seemed to take a shine to Jake even though hes not an animal fan, while she was in the house getting cuddles and carrots and even tried on his hat! :)

This year just didn't feel the same for some reason. It made me think why I actually celebrate the 'Birth of Christ' when I'm an Atheist, like a vast amount of others around the world, its rather hypocritical. 

Hoping to post some better, more interesting and less depressing blogs in the weeks to come - Super hyped for UFC 141 at the weekend! Expect a post around about then I guess...

Oh! And I best not forget. A huge congratulations to my clients, Kim and Scott, mentioned in the previous post who safely delivered a baby girl yesterday morning! Cannot wait to photograph, what will be, the smallest I've worked with yet! 

Hope everyone had a safe and happy winter break. Keep an eye out for my UFC 141 post. 

Baby Fever!

I know soo many people right now that I went to school with and stuff who are expecting or have just become new parents. 

Lucky for me I get to photograph the little cuties and hand them back after a few smiles, no poop or crying for me!! :P

Anyways, last week we took the hike up to Berwick (thankfully clear of snow) to attend two photo shoots and kill two birds with one stone by getting some visits in.

The first shoot of the trip was for a lad I used to work with and his partner doing portraits of their two month old little girl Laila. Here she is. Before and after!

The next day I had a pre-birth shoot for Kim and Scott who are expecting on Christmas Eve! Hopefully mini miss holds on over the festive season haha. They were both perfectly lovely and I really enjoyed this shoot. I can't wait to work with them again once baby arrives, so on for the little ones '1st Year' package and finally their wedding next October! 

They requested the photos stay private so here is just a small teaser of the Bump photo set.

Please feel free to check out my website for lots more examples of my work and price lists: The Photo Dojo!

I will defiantly update again over the holiday period with lots of photos!

Until then, take care and Merry Christmas to everyone :)