We were lucky enough to have some smashing models, all of whom were great to work with. The salon support team were hugely helpful, keeping us in coffee, pizza and pastries (healthy, I know) and of course the boys, Riccardo and Lorenzo were just amazing to work with. It was a very good day, if a little tiring and I am really pleased with the shots we got.

Here are my absolute favourites from the day.

The guys themselves, drinking .. something strong!

The creative team!

It’s a cheesy grin I know, but hey, try being in amongst those gorgeous models and not smiling !!!

So a few weeks later I went off to meet Ryan, Alex and Tom for breakfast, followed by an afternoon in the studio for some promo shots. Three really great guys and we had a heap of fun.

Here are my faves from the session:

If you like your progressive rock music, go check them out !

We made a whole host of scrummy delights, none of which were good for the waistline – but, hey, who cares?! I also took my trusty new camera to record the morning’s fun, so here is the story of the morning, from my point of view …

This is just very Fiona – cookery books, style and colours galore.

We made marshmallow, from scratch!

And chocolate bark thingy …

Nana’s crunchie oatcakes…

And, yes Fi, heavenly Chocolate Brownies !

A fantastic morning with friends, all for a good cause – more details of the appeal can be found at the Raleigh School Falcon Wing Appeal website.

But, for me, it’s not just the travelling around. I used to run my business from home, which has its advantages, but there are quite a few negatives to that, too. These days, however, working up at Dunley Hill Court is just splendid. A collection of converted farm buildings, nestled in the Surrey Hills, make for a fantastic working environment.

The farmland is still worked, and right now we have a full compliment of gorgeously adorable baby lambs – some just a few days old. It’s been a goal of mine for several years to photograph lambs, and so I was very grateful to have been granted access to the fields where the lambs are running around.

My first attempt was a complete failure, as the entire mob of sheep shot to the far end of the field as soon as they spotted me. So yesterday afternoon, I headed for the smaller field and after just 20 minutes the small flock realised I was not a threat and so got on with their grass munching. Unfortunately not a lot of pronking going on, so I will be trying that again soon – however what I did manage to get was just too cute. See for yourself :

He honestly has to be one of THE most happy and smiley little boys I ever met and they are all an absolute pleasure to shoot.

Here are my favourites from our session:

It’s amazing what reaction a little bit of dancing can get!

Best friends …

And I absolutely love this next shot, and the cheeky look from Thomas..

One very happy little boy!

The first is of the scrumptious Aemilia with her very warm and welcoming mummy and daddy. This was a recent shoot for Baby Surrey magazine.

Thank you, guys, for a lovely morning.

Here, then, is a selection of my best bits from the end of the evening.

A huge Thank You to you both, and to your friends and family for making us feel so welcome!

Being an outdoor couple, the chill didn’t affect them at all for this set of shots, and it’s great to know that you don’t have to worry (too much) and feel under pressure to get it over with as quickly as possible!

This was another cake that smelt so good I was tempted to pick a bit off the back whist nobody was looking – but I didn’t ! And, here’s the on-theme home-made table plan, too – such a good idea.

The final post comes tomorrow, with my favourites from one of the best wedding booths we’ve had to date !

Gayle and James had deliberately chosen New Year’s Eve because they wanted not only to celebrate with their friends and family, but because they wanted to give them a great New Year’s Eve party too – and I am pretty sure they did just that.

They are both fitness fanatics, and love hiking, skiing and cycling and the sporty theme ran throughout their day – including a home made table plan, constructed of a bike wheel, planted in a swiss tree log, imported with them as they drove back from Switzerland.

Here, in Part 1, are my favourites from the morning of the wedding day ..

Some super moments from the ceremony … apparently it was my fault that James shed a tear as Gayle came up the aisle!

Being still so close to Christmas, the decorations were still out, giving a warm and festive feel.

Tomorrow will bring Part 2, and then some of the Photobooth images on Wednesday !