I love my job. It’s official. Anyone who knows me knows that photography and I are ‘at one’ and that I live, eat, breathe and sleep it. In many ways it’s a great thing, as it’s what gives me the drive (and the energy!) to give my couples such outstanding service, but recently I’ve started to realise that I can still provide that amazing level of service, but get a little ‘balance’ back in my life.

Since I’ve become self-employed, Bank Holidays have not held much significance for me. I only realise they’re happening when someone excitedly mentions the ‘three day weekend’ and I’ve always tend to relish it as a quiet day (without phone calls) to catch up.

However, this weekend, after 7 years of choosing to work Bank Holidays, the tables turned and off I set to The Lizard in Cornwall, with a fabulous group of friends, for my first Bank Holiday weekend off!

It took a little bit of pushing and pulling to get me there and right up until the day before I was trying to call off; feigning that I could use the time so much more wisely in the office to catch up with one vital task or another. However, I was kindly informed that “if you don’t leave voluntarily, you will be dragged!“….you know a good friend as they know what’s best for you and aren’t afraid to tell you so!

It was a fabulous weekend and of course, as they predicted, refreshed me and gave me a burst of energy for the next few months ahead. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world – maybe I’ll look up when the next ones are?!

Venetia xx

P.S. Some of these are taken with my point-and-shoot – and I can sooo tell the difference!
P.P.S. I’ve even loaded some personal pictures of me, in a ‘not so glamorous state’….this takes a lot of courage so please be nice!!

 

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous….

 

The campsite we stayed in was beautiful….this was within 2 minutes walk

 

 

I went with my good friend, Philippa, her husband, my god-daughter, her baby brother and another two friends, Katherine and James. Philippa has been a rock to me the last few years and to say I love her is an under-statement. My two favourite girls….

 

 

William is Georgia’s baby brother and is ADORABLE! I love children and the way they can go from sleepy / sad to laughing in a nano-second….isn’t he gorgeous?!?!

 

 

Picking shells, exploring rocky ledges, paddling in the sea and bird-watching….all in a days fun

 

 

I don’t have children of my own (yet!) but I do ADORE the children that are part of my life. Georgia is my god-daughter and, as many people know, the ‘apple of my eye’. I am sooo lucky that her Mommy (she’s American!) encourages the two of us to spend lots of time together and as a result we have a fantastic, and very grounded, relationship. Here we are having just ’scoured’ a cave in search of mermaids….

 

 

Many of you may remember Katherine, who worked for me last year. I’m delighted to say, she has now become a close friend of mine and, although she left, our relationship has taken on a different, and equally as wonderful tilt. Her and James are expecting their first baby so I couldn’t resist a little ‘moment in time’ portrait.

 

 

Katherine and William have a very special bond too but looking after him can be exhausting for a pregnant lady!

 

 

The obligatory ‘arty’ photographer shots of crab nets!

 

I’m almost as fond of ramshackle houses as I of old, rustic wooden doors. I had great fun planning my ‘artistic’ getaway retreat! Think the middle ones my favourite….

 

We had fantastic weather the majority of the time we were there, but there were a rainy morning when I discovered my true vocation as a nail artist!! Oh…and teaching photography classes too (bottom right!).

 

 

It was even gorgeous enough weather to BBQ….mmmmmm…..

 

 

As you can imagine, Georgia is one photographed little girl and as a result loves being in front of the camera! Since she was a baby she has never called me ‘Venetia’, ‘Auntie Venetia’ or anything, knowing me only as ‘Click-Click’….the sound a camera makes when you press the shutter!

 

 

Although, I’m not overly keen on being the other side of the camera, there are times when I’d kind of like to document I was there. As you can see…..I’ve been training Georgia well! I didn’t even need to crop either of these (apart from the bottom one to get rid of the top space!)

 

 

Georgia knows she has me wrapped round her little finger and that she only has to bat her eyelashes to get me to do ANYTHING she wants me to do…including dancing with ‘Sid & Lizzie’ at the Entertainment Club! Please don’t let this damage my business in anyway??!?

 

 

I found this lovely lady painting in her little studio at The Lizard and had ‘office’ envy again as her view was incredible.

 

 

Bank Holiday breakfast….on the beach. Love that William is whispering to James!

 

 

 

The boys and I took Georgia ‘rock-pooling’ again. I haven’t done that for years and I nearly cried (yep….again!) at how wonderful it was. To be able to pass information down to the next generation really is incredible. We caught a hermit crab, a sea snail and some mussels and nearly lost them all out of the bucket when I toppled over!

 

 

I love the rock formations down there….

 

 

Despite the weather (check out the coats!) lots of beach fun was had and the majority of the children went in the sea. Why is it they don’t feel the cold like we do?!

 

 

I want this for a photoshoot….sooo stunning!

 

 

Daddy and his little boy off exploring….

 

 

It might not have been Costa but it was a take-away coffee and a gorgeous one at that!

 

 

William discovering the ‘pleasures’ of sand….and the best bit….he kept going back for more!!

 

 

Although this image is over-exposed and blurry (see….I’m not always perfect!) I love the ‘feel’ of it.

 

 

If you are ever down that way Kynance Cove is WELL worth a visit….it is so breath-takingly beautiful.

 

 

 

 

It reminds me of that movie ‘The Beach’

 

It’s fabulous as each year, Georgia and Williams old child-minder organises a weekend away. All the children who have ever been looked after by Teresa are invited and there are children ranging from 14 to 4 months, current and past children. It’s fabulous as although Georgia is in school now, she can ‘catch-up’ with all the old friends she grew up with. Around 30 of them joined us for the weekend…

 

 

Georgia wanted to go rock-pooling but the path way very high and quite steep……

 

 

….so we ‘recruited’ more hands to help as my knees were knocking with the responsibility now!

 

 

 

 

We ended up ‘playing’ for so long the tide came in and we only just managed to wade back!!

 

 

Getting 30 odd people back through the tide coming in was entertaining – it was incredible as everyone was helping everyone else and looking out for everyones children. (But there was an ice-cream at the top of the hill so it wasn’t too hard to motivate everyone!).

 

 

When I say the tide came in, I mean the tide came in…..this is remarkably the same beach!

 

 

We stopped in Mevagissy on the way….for fish and chips. The perfect way to end the perfect break!

 

 

The C-D family…..I love the fact William is more interested in throwing himself over the wall!