My Favourite Photos of 2016

I didn't do all that many photoshoots in 2016, something I absolutely plan to work on this year, but I do feel like I produced some work I'm really proud of! I always like to take the new year to reflect on my old work to see what I can improve on, and also share the work I'm still happy with. I tend to end up picking at my old work and thinking about what else I could have done, or how differently I could have done it, so if I still like it at the end of the year, I figure it must be OK!

2016 had a recurring theme of flowers and baths. I can't resist the way the water looks on camera, and I love real flowers so much. This set with Twig was a favourite for sure.

I met Paigey Christie and she is a total babe, I love her vulnerability in this shot of her wearing a tutu.

I was more experimental this year, and focused on head shots, and this photo of Roswell Ivory was from a session lasting about 10 minutes with my ring flash.

I never used to take many head shots, so Alivya was a great challenge to only shoot head shots, and getting the focus just right on her eyes was a mission!

Possibly my favourite set of photos from the entire year, 'The Wild Queen'.

More flowers, another bath! Felis is such a beauty.

I also took my camera along to the Curve Fashion Festival to photograph random babes throughout the day, including Steph of Nerd About Town in Navabi. This location was just made for that outfit!

Naomi of Diamonds & Pearls just filled my heart with glee when I took her photo, what a smile!

I plan to fill 2017 with more plus size babes, and more concepts, and hopefully a few more photo shoots than last year!

Much love,

Kitty xxx

Colourpop Haul : Size 10 Shoe Haul

Alivya V Free Photoshoot

It's always a privilege to photograph Alivya V Free, so she was perfect for my last photoshoot of 2016. We've been working together for 10 years this year! Liv is a wonderful human being and we hadn't had chance to really hang out since the wedding (she was one of my bridesmaids) so I was super glad to get to squish her and photograph her too.

We don't tend to do much planning in the way of photoshoots, all we decided this time was that we'd shoot head shots and beauty portraits exclusively, and wing it!

It wouldn't be a shoot with Liv if we didn't involve one of her amazing headpieces. She makes the coolest accessories! I can't even begin to imagine how long it would have taken to cover this in crystals. Side note - I don't photoshop skin, Liv's skin is just this flawless.

One of the fun things about improvising with Liv is how creative she is. We used a cut up Christmas decoration for this look!

When Liv and I first started working together she was super goth, and I was a terrible walking alternative photographer cliche. Deep down inside we are both still secret goths, so we always like to shoot something spooky together. We actually used the leftover tulle from my wedding veil that Liv made me for this look!

For my personal favourite set of the shoot 'The Wild Queen' the makeup got smeared and Liv really went for it with the expressions. I love this set so much! She got the crown from Ebay, such a good bargain.

I just adore Liv, and I can't wait to work with her again. In 2017 I plan on much more of this sort of work, so get in touch!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

2016 Favourites : Christmas Day Dress

A Morris-Wood Wedding : Alivya V Free

When one of your best friends is as ridiculously talented as Alivya V Free is, you have to make full use of her talents. She is an incredibly talented makeup artists, you can find her website here http://www.livfreemakeup.co.uk/ and she also makes the most incredible hair accessories under the name Liv Free Creations. I had several requests of Liv, I wanted her to do my hair and makeup for the wedding, to make me an incredible flower crown and veil... and to also be my bridesmaid! She had a huge amount to do on the day, and could not have been more help!

My flower crown was a mixture of purple flowers, along with some fake succulents to tie them in with the real flowers in the wedding. It was everything I could have dreamed of! I gave Liv free reign because I trust her implicitly, and I was so in love with the results. I wore it all day long, and as someone with chronic headaches and migraines, that says it all about how comfy it was.

We opted for purple tones in the makeup to tie in with the colours of the wedding. I'm also really partial as to how purples make my green eyes look. I wore my hair in a half up sort of style with long tendril curls, and extensions I dyed myself to thicken my hair out and add a bit more length. I wanted to be a mermaid!

Liv also did hair and makeup for herself, and Roswell Ivory, and my Mum's, so she had a really busy morning! She was a total pro and was so relaxed the whole time. Everyone was ready and perfect well in time for the ceremony.

My veil was made of soft tulle, that was also in my underskirt. Liv put silver glitter throughout so it sparkled gently, and it sat in my hair on a comb. Save for my standing on it, it did not budge! It looked so amazing draped down the back of my dress.

I didn't want a traditional veil that covered my face, whereas my Mum really wanted me to have one, but Liv made it so that I had the option of either so I could change my mind on the day even! 

My makeup did not budge throughout the day, and it was so warm. A touch up on lipstick was all that was needed. Liv made sure I had a little pot of the same colour in my handbag so I could touch it up whenever I needed it. My skin was absolutely flawless, which is really, really isn't!

Alivya was a total dream. To be able to book one of my best friends to be such a big part of my day, as well as be my bridesmaid, was such a pleasure. She made the whole day run smoothly, from doing all the things I'd booked her to do, to also lacing my corset, helping tie my shoe ribbons, and generally being a total star! Whenever someone needed help, Liv was there, going above and beyond. I cannot recommend her enough to be part of your wedding day. Liv is prepared to travel, so book her!

When we got our photos back, every pair of helping hands in every photo was Liv's. She did so much for us that we never even realised, I can't tell you how much I adore her.

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

WedFest : Flowers by Fleurations

A Morris-Wood Wedding : Wedding Photos Galore!

So, we did it! We got married 4th June and it was the most perfect and wonderful and emotional day we could have dreamed of. It all went so smoothly and we had so much fun. Our guests all seemed to enjoy themselves, everyone looked gorgeous, and we ended the night to a massive Rage Against the Machine mosh pit! I plan to blog a fair bit about the details of the day but for now I can't resist spamming you with some of my favourite photos!

Photography - ClickClickBang Photography

Dress - Designed by me, made by Katmaren Designs

Flower crown and veil - Creations by Liv Free

Hair and makeup - Alivya V Free

Additional hair and makeup - Samantha Lyann

Groom and groomsmen's suits - Brides and Grooms

Flower - Fleurations Florist

Wedding rings - Celia Rose Jewellery

Balloons - Peacocks Partyware

Dressing gowns - Silk and More

Paper flowers - Made by my Mum and me

DIY help - My Auntie and Nanna

Expert ribbon cutter - Chief bridesmaid Fal

Other bridesmaids - Roswell Ivory, Alivya V Free and Jessica Abidde (all amazing models you should go look up!)

Cake topper -Sugar & Vice

Cheesecake - Lincolnshire Poacher

Cake cake - Beckie-Anne Burnett (family friend)

Signage and invites - WedFest

Postbox - Uncle Rob

Music by Carl Poelstra and Decoy

Location - The Barn, Healing Manor

 

It was absolutely perfect. I spent the whole day happy crying (as did Stu!) and it was just incredible. We spent the whole day feeling so loved, and so lucky. There aren't words for it.

Best. Day. Ever.

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Honeymoon Edition : Groomsmen and Usher Gift Ideas