2018 :: WHAT A YEAR!

01 Jan 2018 :: WHAT A YEAR!

Hey 2018! Thank you.

This year is up there as one of the best… everything I’ve building towards over the years continued to happen – to create work I love to do for clients I love, to teach and share my passion for creating films, all alongside my own projects, which are such an important part of me and my life.

It’s been incredible… even if my feet have barely touched the ground! It’s been a great ride and long may it continue.

These round up posts take time (actually all blog posts take time, which is why it’s often left on the back burner) plus, I’ve really tried to rest over the festive period… but the truth is, I like pulling them together, just like I have done in previous years (2017 :: 2016 :: 2015 :: 2014 :: 2013 :: 2012 :: 2011) because it’s important to reflect on all that’s happened and recognise the work I’ve created and adventures experienced. Especially as I don’t blog enough during the year… so I try and make up for it with my LOOKING BACK posts.

I don’t need to explain that life isn’t all sunshine and picnics… there have been times this year when I’ve been overworked and overwhelmed by life and world events, where I’ve worked really hard and gone beyond my comfort zone. There were moments where things have been hard financially and emotionally – it comes with running your own business and living with teenagers! But I can see it’s been a pretty amazing year! including quite a few pinch me moments… where I’ve been bowled over by the opportunities and experiences that come my way.

Let’s get cracking and go through the year month by month.

JANUARY

Happy New Year! Welcoming it in with this stop motion for Boden.

Eased into the year quietly…

Spent the first half of it creating the year long course Make Films :12, getting participants ready to start creating monthly films.

The pirates mini Boden shoot from September 2017 launched… and I went on another shoot for Summer 2018.

Got ready for #colorcolourlovers 2018, the colourful way to get through the winter with my friend Andrea.

FEBRUARY

Found this month quite hard… because having little work over Jan/Feb equals low bank account, so I sulked for a bit and then I got on with my personal project for #colorcolourlovers and collaborated with Lucy by shooting outfits in all the colours, it was just the tonic I needed! See all the colours HERE.

Another delightful collaboration happened for the “yellow” week – the amazing Elena made a paper mini me on my bike! What a total joy.

Shot the stop motions in this promo for Paintbox Yarns… what a colourful project!

And took a road trip with Luke to Cartmel to experience the tasting menu at @lenclume. It was eighteen courses of delight, deliciousness and surprise. Wow!

MARCH

Birthday month! Had a few celebrations and reflected on all the things I love… to pull me out of my funk.

Having attended a few WKND:IN events, it was lovely to teach stop motion at their Build A Brand workshop.

Things got fruity while shooting some stop motions for the Each Peach Pear Plum anniversary issue, for Puffin Books.

Photographed this family who lived just down the road from me…

It snowed which is always a novelty! and I started a fun challenge of 30 days on my bike…

APRIL

Went to York and Cardiff with these cute milk floats for Cath Kidston, to celebrate their 25th birthday…

and then watched the sunrise in London, while all four milk floats stopped traffic on Blackfriars Bridge.

Taught some stop motion fun at Creating For Good –

Was so happy that spring was in the air! and I got the chance to play peek-a-boo with daffodils for Boden.

Celebrated Pretty City London’s new book launch at Peggy Porschen’s cafe… and worked on a series of stop motions for Siobhan’s beautiful book –

Also, finished 30 Days on my bike! which was so up lifting… I decided to carry on for another 100 days!

MAY

It may well have been the busiest month of the year!! Let’s see…

Made teatime fit for a queen (for Boden) on #nationalteaday.

Hosted a series of video walks for lovely creatives here in London. I meant to do more, but never found another opportunity!

Travelled to Rye to shoot some mini Boden footage –

Worked with Whalar on a very hot day! to shoot this video with them.

And hosted an Instagram challenge encouraging people to share photos and stop motions around the theme of coffee.

Worked with The White Company on a series of summer inspired films…

There was the royal wedding… although I was mostly interested in seeing the cast of Suits!

Went wisteria hunting with Jules… to see the new wing at Royal Academy and all the geraniums from Grace and Thorn… at the Town Hall Hotel.

And a wonderful sleep over with Puffin Books to celebrate the birthday of the Each Peach, Pear Plum book.

Also, I went to the Amalfi Coast in Italy! with Tui UK and it was amazing…

As I said… it was busy!

JUNE

Went to see a preview of the Frida Exhibition at the V&A and made a series of Day In The Life films in vertical for the new IGTV.

Shot photos at the Cath Kidston Press day for their stories… and gin for World Gin Day.

Played with Wimpy Kid Books for a Puffin Books summer special!

Shot behind the scenes on the shoot for the Cath Kidston’s collaboration, with Fearne –

Went for afternoon tea with Pretty City London and worked on these fun stop motions for Yumbox –

Photographed this family again.

There was a birthday and end of exams graduation and I made a 30 days of June film!

JULY

The Cath Kidston birthday celebrations continued by hosting the largest Cream Tea at Ally Pally…

Keeping things sweet… with this dessert for The White Company –

Summer Solstice fun…

And world cup Fever for Boden –

Spent time in Brighton and London shooting footage to create a series of films, for Philippa @5ftinf and her new book.

Photographed Anna for Boden on one of the hottest days of the year! and this family…

Finally completed my #100daysonmybike challenge… it was so amazing! I loved making this film!

Ended the month with a weekend in Pembrokeshire, for our annual trip.

AUGUST

August was a month of travel and rest, with work squeezed in here and there… kicked off the first week with another series of Day In The Life vertical films…

Went back to France With The Flo Show for a second time… it was a magical as before. (It’s happening in 2019 if you’re interested!)

Loved filming Flora, the model…

Then there was a trip to Turkey… had the best summer adventures.

And put my feet up!

Photographed this family at the end of the school holidays…

SEPTEMBER

Created this for Jo Malone to celebrate reaching 1 million followers on Instagram –

And photographed Alex Fullerton for Dune London…

There was another week of Day In The Life films, as I went off to Greece with the Flo Show and my dearest friend Kim Klassen – it was a dream come true!!

Christmas came early, as I shot lots of content in Scotland and in my studio for Cath Kidston…

Got back and spent the day at Panzers to make this film –

Went to Bruton for Luke’s exhibition… so proud of him!

OCTOBER

I launched Handmade Film Making – The course I’d been prepping for with all my Day In The Life films this year.

Worked with HP on a collection of photos and stop motions

Went for afternoon tea at Petersham Nurseries with Pretty City London and brunch at Farm Girl. Saw a preview of the Christmas windows at Selfridges.

Shot festive fun for The White Company –

Worked with Jo Malone London on a series of photos and video for their Instagram Stories.

Photographed this family again with their new arrival…

NOVEMBER

Puffin Books asked me to create a stop motion for Remembrance.

My friend Philippa launched her book –

Worked with Warner music to launch this Bowie collection –

There was a birthday… another week of DITL films as part of the Handmade Film Making course. Went to the Boden press day and worked with Dune London for their press day.

Took part in a sign making workshop and shot some video content for Eve mattresses, which is still to be released. Went to Etsy’s Thanksgiving dinner…

Shot photos and video for the Cath Kidston press day…

And photographed this family for their annual portrait session…

DECEMBER

Lots of wrapping naturally…

Worked on various projects launching in 2019 and more Christmas fun for Cath Kidston. Photographed a couple of families…

Joined in with the Handmade Film Making course to create one last a week in the life, for 2018 –

That’s most of it! Some families I’ve photographed this year, ask for their photos to remain private, so I’ve not included them…

It’s been AMAZING! So humbled and grateful for every project I’ve worked on, every person that’s taken my online courses or attended a workshop and all the trips and adventures I’ve had.

What an incredible year!

Roll on 2019… show me some more goodness.