It means a huge amount to have my own workspace after years of working from the house. That has advantages – easy access to the fridge, the loo and the amazon delivery driver- but there’s nothing more conducive to efficient working and a work/ life balance than actually getting out of the house and commuting  through my lovely garden to the peaceful haven of my studio- affectionately known as ‘Ned’s Shed’. (originally built as a shed for the boys toys, drums and rowing machines and so on, but as business grew the geeky stuff was evicted and the shed found its true calling as a natural light photography studio)

I’ve always been affected by my surroundings- call it energy or ambience, and this little shed has grown around me and now embraces my working day like a supportive hug. It’s warm, light and the only sounds are the birds playing slidey-down-the-roof, and next doors lawn mower. Oh and whatever music I choose as my aural backdrop for the day. Usually some quirky indie singer songwritress who looks like she fell in the dressing up box, or rockier sounds from the Chilli Foo’s and suchlike.

Even the kids have taken to coming down here and doing their homework, such is the happy vibe in here.

This is where I shoot ( if I’m not out on location) edit, do all the officey stuff, see clients for viewings, and potter about happily with my cameras and props between the moments of focus and attention that happen sporadically. Because most of the shoots that we do in the studio are the elegant and natural ‘Boudoir Photography’ for real women that we have been developing (more on this coming soon- exciting stuff) it has developed a kind of ‘shabby chic’ feel which I feel fits me like a glove. Shabby chic, c’est moi! The studio is also home to Ruth who works with me on shoots and in the office- if she’s not out and about spreading the word of Light and Day ….

This is the shooting area, small but perfectly formed with amazing north facing light. I use huge polystyrene sheets to reflect the light, as I very rarely need to supplement the light coming though the window. I do have a fabulous 12×12 Lite Panel continuous LED light source, for those lighting buffs out there, so no need to worry….  We’re particularly proud of our paper mâché chair which we spent a happy weekend distressing and de-blinging. It was a rather nasty maroon velour when we liberated it from a junk shop for £30…..  The ottoman and the chaise were similarly liberated and are perfect for encouraging loucheness and ease amongst clients! The antique shutters really add ambience and define the style of the room. I absolutely love them!

We have a rail of utterly gorgeous bits and bobs which cause delight when clients arrive. Basques and boas and bras and belts, scarves and slips and satin gloves.

We have a make up corner too which is a cornucopia of colourful delights, and where the fun and magic really starts…

This is where I work. Looking out on my world. It’s lush. We’ll be holding an coffee/ morming/ open day soon, so do let me know if you’d like to come and visit and see what light and day photography is all about. We love to welcome visitors. The kettles on!

What makes you, you?

Has your greatest fear ever come true?

What one piece of advice would you have given yourself a year ago today?

Would you still do what you do, if you were the only person left on earth?

When did you last listen to the sound of your own breath?

What will you change about the world?

I love you xxx

Towards the end of last year we had the pleasure to meet, and take some publicity shots for, Neil Rayment, a very talented, creative and all round good guy! In fact, muti talented- Neil is an accomplished actor- full points if you recognised him as one of the albino twins in the 2003 film The Matrix Reloaded. Knowing that Neil was likely to become translucent and move through solid objects at the drop of a hat, I was looking forward to the challenge of the shoot…..

But for the last 20 years Neil has indulged his other passion, jewellery.  He is a renowned and award winning British jewellery designer, silversmith and goldsmith. As the owner of Advanced Jewel Craft he has exceptional eye for jewellery design- he showed Ruth and I some of the bespoke jewellery he produces, and my…. how it sparkled! As lovers of glittery things we were bowled over, to say the least….

As often happens in our line of work, we met as strangers and parted as friends, and the shoot led to even greater things… but more of that in due course!

Maz x

This gorgeous little man brought in his baby brother to the new studio and as soon as he was in the door asked… ‘Where are the toys?’  He obviously hasn’t heard that studio photography is boring, stiff, and an appalling prospect to a toddler. Fortunately I haven’t heard that either, and so we cracked out the toy box and got on with the serious matter of playing.  Eventually I remembered that I was supposed to be taking some photographs, and away we went.

Meanwhile little bro gurgled and cooed and wriggled delightfully, and gave me some super duper shots. The effort was so so great that he fell asleep only marginally before me…. kidding! It was such good fun and thanks to mum and Grandma for making the trip to Light and Day. I hope you love the results!

Maz x

Abraham Lincoln.

This was such a special shoot for me. It combined so many elements that are so important in my work, and I think (hope!) the results show that- a perfect storm of love and emotion!

The session was bought for S by her sister, in the hope that it would enable her to celebrate her amazing bond with her son; a connection all the more special as it is just the two of them. This struck a real chord with me as T is the same age as my own son, and I know how incredibly meaningful and special that mother/son ‘thing’ can be! So a real treat for me to explore this relationship through my lens. S’s words to me at the beginning of the shoot; ‘Just show the connection we have. It is so special and I want to be able to look at these photographs and really remember that in years to come.’ Yep, that’s what I do!

T was somewhat wary to begin with, but that lasted, oh, maybe 2 minutes?! What a wonderful boy he is! I love teenagers anyway and am a huge advocate for their spirit, passion, and misunderstood-ness. But T is really a very, very special man in the making. S has done an amazing job of offering this gift of a child to the world.

You may have heard me talk about the ‘Beloved’ genre of photography before. A means to celebrate love and connection in a relationship. Revealing the real, not posing and pretending; creating something meaningful. Having a laugh, being serious, contemplating the future and remembering the past; having the time and space to just be together. And if this shoot does anything at all, it shows that Beloved is not just about man and woman in love; it’s about love of any sort; and as these images show, the love of a mother and son is so worth celebrating. I do find it hard to explain the magic of Beloved photography in words, but when you see these images, I hope you’ll understand:))

Some of you may know that I have a new partner in business, the marvellous Ruth Harrington. Beady eyes amongst you may remember I photographed Ruth a few months ago, shortly after I met her at a networking group. (And again, more recently.) It was clear after a while that we have a similar view of life and that we had to work together; great plans are afoot, wonderful ideas are evolving, and you’ll read much more of that on the blog in months to come. Ruth has had a baptism of fire into the world of portrait photography, and has assisted me on several shoots as she learns just how things tick in this business. I’ll let Ruth describe in her own words how she got on at our first shoot together, a couple of months ago.

“My first official shoot with Maz and I have no idea what to expect. When our client Louise arrives we have tea and biscuits, (all very civilised) chatting about Louise’s work and what she is looking for from her shots today. She tells us that she wishes to use them for her new business on the website and other promotional material. Very soon it’s like chatting to a friend. ‘Work?I’m missing something here because this is too easy‘ -but then I notice something as we begin to talk more of Louise’s business and her aspirations for it. As she shares her thoughts she becomes more animated; gone are any nerves that she may have had and here in front of us is an inspired and animated lady who wants to bring good to the world in her own special way. I smile to myself as I watch her face change, her eyes light up and her body relax.

Ah ha, so this isn’t just us chatting then, this is where the work begins! It was clear that if Maz had started clicking away within minutes of Louise arriving, she would not be this relaxed. As we all carried on talking Maz got her camera out of her bag in an autopilot manner -similar to mine when I apply my lipstick in the car while driving- (ed’s note, she’s joking, of course, for any traffic officers reading) She introduced that camera in such a quiet way that she had already taken several pictures while Louise and I were deep in conversation and before Louise noticed-and fluffed her hair!

 This is where the game stepped up and I began to feel that we had started the real work, although I was now aware that it had started the minute that we said hello. I got to play with such things as reflectors and difflectors (though for the life of me I could not work out how to fold them back into the tiny bags that they popped out of! ) I was chief bag carrier and followed Maz and Louise where ever Maz directed. It was amazing to watch as I got to see Maz as the true professional that she is; there was no indecision, she knew exactly what she wanted to capture and how and where we were going to go in this interesting building to find it. She had an eye for the light, the background, and every little detail of the shot.

Louise is an interesting lady with so much knowledge about her work that she talks openly and with such passion; as I watch I see every word of authenticity reflected in her eyes. I am beginning to see what it is that Maz wishes to capture in her photography, the true essence, character and spirit of each person that she works with.

Though with all this said, no-one prepared me for how much fun the experience would be, lots of laughter and smiles all which were natural and relaxed. I’m no photographer, and in the past I’ve always shied away from formal photography shoots as I thought that they were too manufactured and would feel uncomfortable. This experience has taught me otherwise. Still, you can’t know what to expect until you’ve tried it and you will certainly be pleasantly surprised on a shoot with Maz, as she uses beautiful natural light and conversation, and soon you will be open to her unique way of helping you express your magic.

So, how about that for teamwork! Awesome client, assistante extraordinaire, oh, and a photographer who LOVES her job:))

Incidentally, this is a fraction of the images  you will get if you book an extended portfolio shoot with Light and Day Photography. Many locations, moods, outfits, and many, many possibilities. Give me a ring to find out if we are a good fit for you.

Maz x

le·o/ˈlēō/

1. The name of 13 popes, notably.
2. A large constellation (the Lion), said to represent the lion slain by Hercules.
3.  Zest for life and a warm spirit.