Well, that’s another month flown by - here’s my February recap!
I’ve enjoyed being back in the Shambles, seeing faces old and new and catching up on the local news…I was supposed to be slimming down my table and wall display but somehow I’ve got over-excited again about printing and have more small squares out there than ever before (they’re really cute, don’t take up a lot of space and can be displayed in different ways, that’s my reasoning anyway!) not forgetting my mugs, bags and keyrings that I print myself…
Spontaneous decisions tend to be the best, and M and I decided to go to Wales - it was extremely spur of the moment, we found a great little place just on the edge of the Brecon Beacons and, happily oblivious to weather warnings raging through the region, we set off for 3 nights.
Isn’t it wonderful how just a couple of days away can feel like so much longer? Exploring the woodland paths was fabulous and made me remember that I want to do more tree/woodland photography this year - with my favourite Wiltshire tree knolls so close, as well as the ancient forests, I just need to get planning for some shoots there.
Don’t forget that you can click on all the photos here to see them bigger and better (recommended!)
The 4 Waterfalls walk had a couple of non-waterfall surprises - the first robin was singing its little heart out (I am SO happy to be hearing all the birdsong again); the frogs were guarding their frogspawn and also seemed to be enjoying the sunlight reaching through the trees; and that final robin seemed to be telling me to get a move on, it was not my patch!
and the waterfalls themselves, well, they were in full flow after the previous day’s storm, and I felt slightly nervous approaching the edge of the paths or river bank. And then some canoeists appeared and were happy riding the waves off the top of the fall…I mean, what???
The next day, we went off looking at reservoirs, gasping at the landscape and amazing views, and then got back to ‘our place’. M went off to the pub (oh what a choice there was!) while I got set up for PermaJet’s online panel discussion to Celebrate Women in Print - it was a really lovely free-flowing chat about photography, about print (I was particularly eloquent on this subject!) and about opportunities and support (or not) for women within the industry. I recommend it, and not just because I’m in it!
So that’s kind of brought me up to the present, and here’s what I’m doing in the near future:
The Photography Show starts this weekend and hopefully next month’s blog will be full of photos from the 3 days I’ll be there.
Excitingly, I’m going to be on the Fundamentals Stage on Saturday at 12h00, part of the Turning Pro panel. I’m so pleased to be able to share my knowledge and experiences of the past few years - what’s worked well, what less so:
Turning pro: What you need to know - The Photography Show 2025
If you’re going to be at the Show, do get in touch, or come and say hello at the SheClicks stand where I’ll also be, listening to inspiring photographers share their insights and journeys. I’m also going to be hanging out at PermaJet’s stand with lots of questions about printing, and I’m going to be playing in the Creator Playground (last year it was amazing fun, I’m hoping for more of the same).
You may be wondering what I’m doing for the rtest of the month…well, here’s the plan:
I’m getting really busy again with my Pet Portraits; I had a brilliant shoot at Foxleys Paddock last weekend (sorry, no photos to share until those who were there have seen them) - the sun was shining, the dogs were running, the humans were smiling…it really was excellent and I recommend it as a location close to Devizes for those of you unsure about having a photoshoot in a public space or with a nervous dog.
So, more Pet Portrait Sessions next week in some of my favourite places…I will be packing my wellies!
Next Thursday (13th) I’m doing a talk for the Photography for Fun group, part of Devizes U3A - I’m really enjoying putting some of my favourite photos together and forming a hopefully interesting and cohesive talk!
The Craft Fair season doesn’t start early and I’m excited to be at Lacock (in the village hall) for the first event of the year there, on February 22 & 23, nicely planned for the weekend before Mother’s Day - if you can make it, I and many other quality, talented makers would love to see you there.
Other new and exciting news is that I’m going to be a regular at Plank's Farm Shop - I’m going to be setting up there on the final Saturday of each month, starting on March 29. I would really love people to come over and say hello (please thankyou!)
And looking further ahead, I’m going to be at The Bath Independent (@thebathindependent) • that’s very exciting even if it isn’t until May!
I think you’re all up to date, and now I need to get ready for tomorrow in the Shambles, Devizes - do come and say hello if you’re local and if you’re not and would like to comment on anything from this month’s blog, please do!
Thanks for reading, wishing everyone a happy and productive March,
Phil x