Sophie & Demi

I have been wondering when we will begin to see the end of this wintry weather. Don't get me wrong, snow and overcast skies are a delight sight for any photographer. But it has gotten to the point where I've simply just stopped taking photographs, unless it is needed for a university assignment. 

Talking of university, I roughly have less than 4 weeks to go before the completion of my first year! Yes, it's crazy how fast this year has gone. But i'm very thankful now the year is drawing to a close, because I can't wait to begin blogging past sessions. There's just so many you guys haven't seen!

These set of images were photographed at Western Park, during what probably was the lowest of temperatures we had this winter. By the end of the shoot I was unable to adjust the focus manually and yes I was wearing gloves. What you won't know is that these girls had under taken another shoot, out in the cold weather, the same day. But the both of them were not fazed at all and continued to pose for me and my camera. It was the most fun I have had on any shoot in a long while and also the coldest!

A place...

There is a place where I feel I can escape and envelope myself in. Other than in the presence of the people I love and dearly care for, other than the beats and throbbing sounds of music, other than the fictional universe I tend to get myself lost in.I try to find the time in which I can just explore the world and just be at one with myself, despite what maybe going on in my life. I believe no ones life is perfect and mine isn't exactly the best, but we all need our special places and mine is through the lens of my camera. 

My learning and love for photographing the world around me has vastly grown over the past two years and if it wasn't for my best friend Katie Ellis, my sister Claire Johnson, and my parents I don't know where I'd be. It's not because of their ongoing support or their strengthening words in times of need, it's because of who they are and what effect they have on me. They are my light at the end of the tunnel.

Anyway enough seriousness. These photos were taken yesterday whilst venturing out in the rain, with an umbrella in one hand and camera in the other. I braved the weather and captured the rain droplets on these radiant flowers and plants. 

 What's Your Special Place?

Storm Hits Leicester!

So Leicester was hit by a tremendous storm between 1:15pm and 1:45pm today. I don't think Leicester has ever witnessed a storm this big. I wasn't able to capture any of the lightening strikes mainly because they were quite close in my area, and I wasn't going to brave it as one hit just round the corner. 

When the storm started I was in the middle of processing some recent photos, when my brother left out I heard the thunder. I stood with my mum for a good 15 minutes watching the lightening strikes, I counted 23 before one hit just round the corner near where I live. Both me and my mum jumped right out of our skin, well not literally but I'm guessing it hit something as several car alarms went off. Then the rain came.

Closing all doors and windows we took ourselves up to my bedroom window. Many plants and objects blew around in our garden as the incredible wind blew. I could hear rain dripping from somewhere and it happened to be that my parents bedroom window had blown open. Rain was poring in and then the hail came. I watched the traffic build up as a huge puddle was causing a hold up at the end of the street. Looking down I noticed our dustbin had blown over and the road was beginning to look like a river.

When the storm passed I went out the front to take these shots, walking down the street and around the corner the puddle had extended onto the next street. The river-like-puddle had leaked into the first two houses. The owner was upstairs on the phone, my neighbour also at the scene asked the owner how ground floor was. He replied that the whole of the ground floor was flooded, he had rang the fire services but they couldn't come due to the weather. But since then the sun has come out and the water has drained away, not sure how the houses are round the corner but every thing else seems to be fine. 

I love a good storm, I've always said if we're going to have rain or a storm let it be a good one and let me be indoors whilst it happens. Enjoy!

Parents bedroom window view

My bedroom window view as the wind picked up

Hail stones bounce off my parents window

Traffic begins to build up

Cars try to turn around

Our dustbin blows over, lid unhinged

Road looks like a river as the water...

...runs high over the curb

Neighbour walks through puddle retrieving a young relative on the opposite side of the road

Whilst that's happening I find this little guy and...

 ...a rubbish bag floating down the road

Just round the corner neighbours garden and ground floor flooded

Passenger side walk disappeared under the water along with the road

Neighbours flooded garden

Hail stones the size of golf balls

British weather has truly struck this year.

Frosty Morning

During a walk around the New Parks area, I was lucky enough to capture the sun as it rose on a frosty January morning. I love the way the crystals of ice covered every slightest inch of Leicester, even more beautiful with the gleam of the morning sun.

Out in the snow.....

Last winter, On the way to school the beautiful morning sun creates a beautiful effect as it seeps through the misty fog. Katie Wade and Claire pose on the frosty field before going into the school/college. I also took Claire and Katie Ellis out for some sledge fun. I don't particularly like winter mainly because of the cold. But I can say It was the most fun I had in a long time.

Walk to school/college

Sledge trip