Continuing my series celebrating Summer 2015, here is something a little different to illustrate the fabric of this house – my English childhood home…
I can’t express how fantastic it is to have the indulgence of time to explore other sides of my photography personality. I’ve mentioned before that I am so blessed that I am able to spend the Summer with my children cocooned back at my Mum’s house in England – the family home I’ve known as long as I can remember. When I was just two years old, we moved into this beautiful home – a Victorian town house built in 1889. I’ve grown up loving it… and truly a piece of my heart will forever reside here in the fabric of this house. I do believe that it’s not only people that can greatly influence you growing up… But significant places too.
In the spirit of documenting the details of our lives, I started to cook up the idea of taking my camera on a journey around the house & garden to document some of the many small details that are intrinsic to my memories. I managed one session, but I do aim to add to this for as long as I have the privilege. But for now, it’s a start…
I am thrilled with what I captured on this walk through and loved this little personal project. I started with interior details such as original cornices and decoration, the gorgeous chandelier and convex mirror, and the ‘Tower of London’ poppy I purchased for Mum (a newer addition, but somehow feels part of the place already).
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
A random treasure of a small silhouette portrait of my father as a child, and the brass door knocker of Dionysos (also called Bacchus), apparently the Greek god of wine and mystical ecstasy, which has always adorned the front door. If only he could talk and spill the secrets of all who have entered this house over the last 126 years!
I have always loved & appreciated the original front door stained glass panels (including the cracks) and wondered who painted them, and the Grandfather clock – which hasn’t chimed in far too many years – but also feels like an essential element of the fabric of this house.
There’s the original – rather weary – brickwork & cobwebs (Northamptonshire sandstone) and a handmade sign made by my Mum in a pottery class during our South Africa years c. 1980.
Moving on through the garden and I couldn’t resist details of the ancient garden apple trees – as old as the house and some still bearing fruit – who have starred in more than a few shots of mine… I love exploring the macro ‘landscapes’ of the gnarled bark.
Onward into the overgrown back lane through the back door of the original stable-block of the house; navigating tall grass, clover, nettles & dock leaves. Here I captured brickwork, rusty ironwork, intricate cobwebs, a detail of some 1960’s graffiti, ripening blackberries and some late Summer butterflies… It was the nearest I got to enjoy (almost) Autumnal colours before we headed back home to Abu Dhabi.
RaFa loved exploring with me, picking blackberries and playing in the lane that whiled away many a childhood scene of my own…
I hope this isn’t too self-indulgent and the images are as interesting for others – albeit not evoking the emotions and memories that I felt taking and processing the photographs… Do let me know what you think!
Childhood is so fleeting, and truly “the days are long, but the years are short”…! Let’s get talking to capture your family memories and freeze your own special moments in time…
Thank you for taking the time to visit my Blog. If you enjoy my work, your Likes, Comments and Shares are ALWAYS welcome and very much appreciated! Don’t forget to check out more of my work on Instagram, my Facebook Page and my Pinterest Boards… And you can even follow me on Twitter!
Hello, my name is Victoria and I am a lifestyle family photographer based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. For me, photography is an essential way to preserve priceless memories and freeze moments in life. Time is all too fleeting and before we know it, the years pass by and we look back and wonder where the time went. We can’t stop time, but maybe – if I had a super power – that is what I’d wish for. Our best chance is to document our lives so we have a window into our past that we can visit whenever we like. I find so much joy in using my skills to create priceless memories for others. It challenges my mind and breathes energy into my soul. I celebrate freezing those moments to capture not only the big picture, but also the beautiful details and time-capsule minutiae, to celebrate the love and connections within family and kinship.
