It’s true what they say..

A break from work does us all the power of good. This Kerry photographer recently took a break from my mad schedule – reluctantly I must admit, as I put myself under tremendous pressure to turn around my wedding work as quickly as possible. But as a creative human I feel the need for play a bit more than the average human I think.

After the stressful year I’ve had, – the busiest business year to date and life changing family events to face, I needed it.  Some of us have to wait for a busy wedding season schedule to recede first, and for me it had to be October before I could get away. Good complaint I know, but well needed. It’s been a while since I blogged, but now I’m back at it…and vowing to continue into 2017.

This was my first break in over a year and the first time I totally switched off from work and home life. (Having said that, I was on the phone a bit and took 4 wedding bookings while away) But family was the name of the game and our plan worked a treat I think. We are all still talking about it so that’s good sign.

I am nothing without my ability to plough all my energy into my work. Creatively, I feel the need to be inject my soul as often as I can to replenish this energy. Travel is my number one source of this.

Bringing my boys to a major European city and 2 new countries and watching their reactions to new sights, languages  and experiences was just revelatory. 3 weeks home and we have already planned the next trip – actually 3! So there’ll be no stopping us.

Portugal brought sun, sea and swimming in abundance. I just could hardly believe the confidence the boys gained from spending 8 hours a day in water.

They only learned to swim 3 weeks before we left! They thrived on the independence of being allowed to swim alone and jump and slide without holding our hands.

After the initial couple of nervy days I began to relax. What came next was sleep…lots of it.

After I resurfaced from my hibernation I was delighted to take the camera out for walk and capture some sights and colours.

Everyone always asks me if I take my camera everywhere, being a pro photog. But no, I leave it at home more often than not.

I don’t bring it when I’m out with my family so I can give all my attention to the kids, they notice, trust me!

Gear

On holiday I usually bring my lightest camera body and a smallest lens, extra card & extra battery.

This keeps the luggage light and the chance of loss or damage to a minimum.

Times have changed for me on holiday, nowadays I make sure to get a few hours to myself wherever we go, so I can walk around in silence with my camera and absorb the place I’m visiting.

The camera reflects my response to it, like it does when I’m shooting a wedding or a portrait. It’s a very responsive process, photography.

Without overstating it for the sake of it, this brings me so much joy.

Back home now and planning a very exciting trip in March which will bring me close to the Artic circle, which I will be blogging about for year I suspect! I just can’t wait.

Grab a cup of coffee and have a gander at some of my shots form my recent trip below. Enjoy!