Last week, on 22nd March 2017, my blog turned one year old!

I can’t believe I launched Picture Taker Memory Maker a whole year ago – the time seems to have flown by so quickly and simultaneously it feels like it’s been a part of my life forever.  I honestly can’t imagine venturing out without my camera or not blogging about our experiences any more.

I know it probably seems a bit daft to be celebrating a blog’s birthday but I don’t care.  I’m proud of this little space I’ve created, the images I’ve captured and the thoughts and feelings I’ve shared.

I’ve not earned a single penny through the blog or even had any offers of paid work (yet).  I’m ok with that – my original intention for setting it up was, still is, and always will be, to document our days, capture our adventures and tell our story so the girls have a tangible record of their childhood (and teenager-hood I guess, when we get to that stage) to look back on when they’re older.  In a way I wish I’d started sooner and captured it all from the very beginning – pregnancy through to now.  That’s my ‘why’ for blogging and I absolutely love doing it.  I’d even go so far as to say I’m at my happiest and feeling most like ‘me’ when I’m doing it.

My ‘why’ for photography is the same, with a little bit extra on top.  I don’t just love telling our story – I love telling other people’s stories too.  Capturing a moment of raw emotion or a fleeting expression feels like seeing right into the heart and soul of whoever it is I’m photographing.  I find it so hard to describe that feeling – I just know that it lights me up inside.

I’ll not deny that the potential for turning photography and blogging into a career is becoming more of a focus for me now that I feel I’ve found my feet a bit more. I know I still have a huge amount to learn and it’s more than a little bit daunting but also super exciting.  I feel energised and ready to go.

I’m going to be spending the next twelve months focusing on creating connections, cultivating relationships, building my reach and trying out some new ideas – I’m intrigued with the idea of playing around with vlogging and I know that Ella is keen to get more involved as well.  I want to start working with brands that I love, particularly with regards to the family travel side of things.

I’m also determined to grow the photography side of things – I’m currently quietly summoning the bravery to offer ‘Adventure Sessions’ and ‘At Home’ Sessions for families (to begin with) and I’ll see how it develops from there.  So watch this space for more information, coming soon.  And if you’re keen to be one of the first to know what ideas I have and what I’m intending to offer, feel free to ping me an email at hello@picturetakermemorymaker and let’s talk!

Finally, (without wanting to sound like I’m giving an acceptance speech at the Oscars!), I want to say a huge thank you to my husband and our four girls for putting up with my endless obsession of pointing a camera in their faces and for supporting me unwaveringly, even on the days where I have a wobble about what I’m doing.  Another thank you needs to go out to those of you who support me by reading my blog, clicking the ‘like’ button, leaving comments and sharing the things that have resonated with you – it means more to me than you will ever know 🙂

Here’s to whatever the next twelve months brings – I’m excited to find out!