No car meant a slow rise this morning and lots of cuddles waiting for the rain to pass. Hot buttery toast for breakfast and some Sunday housework before collecting the car later this afternoon after its ‘bodge’ fix which should hopefully see us through for a few more months (We hope!)

A truly autumnal day. With the car out of action, we suited up and got out and about locally with our ‘walk checklist’ that myself and Marlow made; this included acorns, a pumpkin, a worm and a big rock! He loved it, and safe to say sometimes the cosiest, foggiest walks are the best.

Today’s photo journal consisted of a chaotic day of a shingles diagnosis, slow-cooker oats, playing with tiny cars, a broken down (real) car and getting towed into the sunset.

Ok, so here is the first post of my new personal photo project Fáilte. For the next 30-days, and potentially beyond, I am going to be capturing the essence of the day and sharing 4-6 images that reflect it. I often find that day-to-day life can feel slow, and sometimes uninspiring, but I am committed to finding something beautiful and utterly different in every photo story I share over the next 30-days.

I can't remember how I first heard about slow business, or where I first heard the term, but it completely resonated with me. It's something that I've always felt strongly about but most of all it's a way of living and working that wants nothing more but to be in harmony with all the other elements and factors of life.

My greatest muse in life is the everyday - capturing moments big and small but moments that together make up the fabric of life. All moments are ideal. All moments are worthy of capture; we often overlook the beauty in the normal, in our ever-changing daily lives that make up a colossal percentage of our time here. We can’t be going on crazy adventures all the time, right? Over the past five years, I have documented my growing and changing family, starting with myself and Matt and now with our two sons the visuals that surround us have been ever-changing, and I have taken the sweetest pleasure in exploring it all. Here I want to share with you some things to consider when capturing perfectly imperfect family imagery that appeals to the slower sentiments in life, capturing the here and now. 

Finding that your days are passing by in a blur and you can’t seem to slow down? It sounds like it is time to make some changes. Spring is the perfect time to start fresh and improve your everyday. Here are some of my best Spring-based slow-living tips that you can start implementing today.

Slow living is a growing trend, it has gained traction in the past few years and many individuals have grasped at the tailcoats of this lifestyle to help us through an unsettling few years globally. The goal is always ultimately the same; to move at a slower pace, not moving physically, but to move conceptually. It is a lifestyle switch and requires us to hang up the rushing around and instead take things up in a considered and meaningful order, preserving energy with a focus on self-care. The final outcome will hopefully give us more time to appreciate what we have, reduce stress levels, and mold us into more mindful, calm people overall.

Are you feeling run down and stressed out? Do you feel like you can't keep up with the demands of everyday life? You are not alone. Many people, especially creative people suffer from burnout, me included. Sometimes it feels like there is so much to juggle, with a business, children, trying to keep up with hobbies and a sprinkle of self-care, but don't worry, I wanted to share with you some affirmations that I use to help me to stay sane and productive during times of stress and when the overwhelm starts to creep in.

Authenticity and Originality are important words to any creative. Together, they are two of our biggest aims when we strive to create art that is unique, thought-provoking, and evokes emotion. For me this means shooting images using the environment around me as my backdrop, to ensure they are telling the narrative I desire, capturing the essence of my every day. I want to share with you how considering your environment when taking photos can help create more authentic imagery for your viewers and a more satisfactory product for you.

A business's ethos is the backbone of its success. Creating a memorable, artistic, and timeless image can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. Creating a Slow-Living Brand is all about consistency, which means that every time someone encounters your brand they will know who you are and what you do, they will feel the Slow-Living ethos that your brand oozes and will feel a sense of calm from your brand's presence.

I have been telling stories and crafting narratives with my camera in this space for a while now and have fully embraced visual storytelling and how to effortlessly tell stories of slow-living that curate a sense of knowing and familiarity that are emotive, putting across core messages and themes to my audience.