News of Sarah Everard's disappearance and death hit me hard. Not just because  it happened on my doorstep, she was last seen walking home by Clapham Common, a route I have walked countless times, but because that fear we all have became a reality. Seemed even more alarming (to me at least) for it to occur during a pandemic. My daily walks to the common have kept me sane but sudden this tranquil space had a threatening undercurrent.

Research states 97% of women have been sexually harassed and I don't know anyone who hasn't had some unwanted attention. I think you will find we all have numerous stories to share, and this is unacceptable. It has been a 'heavy week' as my friend correctly named it. I am sure I am not the only one who has been thinking about all those close calls. Running into my local 24 hour shop on my way home because I was being followed home and shaking with fear. Like many I went to pay my respect yesterday in Clapham Common. It was a pretty overwhelming experience and I left shortly after this beautiful moment. Enough is enough, I hope we can make our street safe.  





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I think it might be the Australian in me, but when we have that early tease of warm weather I am elevated but the thought of Spring. After all these years I should know better but I still get excited when we have those warm sunny days. I love seeing the changes in nature on my daily walks. Ever so hopeful the warm weather will remain. Of course I get caught out as suddenly I am not sure just how to dress, lockdown has not help either. Constantly getting caught out, being the optimist and end up freezing. I am grateful the days are longer and when the sun does shine that feeling on your skin is absolute gold. Here are some images from a shoot with Tess taken recently. It was a beautiful sunny day and the light was just perfect even if it was chilly.

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And just like that another week disappears. I have thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine and mild weather. Taken myself on long walks to be surround by nature. It was great to see so many people enjoying the sunshine with picnics, must admit I was annoyed I didn't think of it. Anyway, short and sweet post for you today as I have an early start tomorrow and am exhausted. Anyone else like to have a early night on Sunday to start the week rested? 

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 This week has been busy and I have really enjoyed working on a variety of projects. Sometimes I feel like freelancing is balancing 45 different tasks at once. Anyway, as we went into lockdown 1.0 I made a list of areas I wanted to improve in. Post production was top on the list. After years of focusing on capturing a moment it was time to understand how powerful an edit can be to complete an image/video. I wanted to add more flare to my video edits as well as experimenting more in grading my photography.

Now I have spent far too many hours attached to my laptop this week so will keep this brief. During the last year I finally updated my editing software so have enjoyed learning a new program as well as trying to push myself creatively. Normally I wouldn't share an unedited image but thought i would this week so you can see how important this process can be. For me, I will  shoot a certain way, knowing that this will work in the edit. I shoot in RAW, for the extra information, so I have more scope in grading.  So the first image below is the original 'flat' RAW image. The second is partially edited, lifting the exposure slightly as well as shadows. I have kept this image clean as clients often have their own filter which they use for social media. Lastly, I have graded the image and added grain as it come as no surprise that I love a filmic look. 

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