Pokemon Go Snapshot

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, I was a photographer. Sort of. I loved it, I was OK at it. I mostly did fashion photography and it was my favourite hobby. I loved creating art and I made amazing friends doing it. I liked feeling like I had created something tangible I could be proud of. And then carpal tunnel hit. And despite surgeries, I can still only handle holding my camera for short lengths of time. Being unable to hold my camera for longer periods means unfortunately no more photoshoots, no more creative outlet.

It's been gutting to say the least. I really miss it. Now my only real hobby is Pokemon Go. I play every day and I love it. So when they released the 'Go Snapshot' mode, incorporating AR photography into Pokemon Go. I was hooked.

 

Because it involves using my phone, I can take photos for a lot longer with Pokemon Go without my hands hurting. It also combines my two great loves, photography and Pokemon! Anytime I go somewhere pretty I think about the Pokemon that I could photograph there, what colours work together, what types of Pokemon work in that setting, and I inevitably end up slinking off to take photos when I get the chance. 

There's actually a whole amazing community of Pokemon Go AR photographers, and I follow a whole bunch of them on twitter. I have my own dedicated Pokemon instagram @kittypokemonsalot

www.instagram.com/kittypokemonsalot

When I see interesting graffiti, I immediately think of a Pokemon that might match well with it. I find that I'm forever photographing bug type Pokemon and trying to learn new tricks and techniques to manipulate the Go Snapshot mode.

I see a sunset, I put a Pokemon in front of it. I appreciate Pokemon I previously thought were kinda 'eh' because now I see the different environments that they can be photographed in and how they can fit into the 'real' world via AR.

Do I get some funny looks taking photos of invisible creatures using my phone in public? Sure. But I already got those looks because I'm also a tall fat 31 year old woman who is obviously playing Pokemon Go, probably wearing a dress covered in zombies or Pokemon pins or something else equally garish, so why would I care? I love it, and that's what matters. It's so nice to be able to create some form of photography again, I thought I wouldn't be able to do it again in any way.

If you play Pokemon Go, drop your friend code below so I can add you!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

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

I got my photo mojo back!

After over a 6 month hiatus, I am back in the photography game! The wedding took a lot of planning, and it seems like we've had a year of big birthdays and adventures, so I've had no time for photoshoots. But I'm finally back.

I photographed the gorgeous Twig to get my mojo back. We've worked together 3 times and I just adore her. She's wonderful and creative and inspiring.

The beautiful lingerie Twig wears here is by Karolina Laskowska who is an actual lingerie genius.

This effect is entirely in camera thanks to a rather awesome plastic (really!) Holga lens.

I must have looked rather... interesting taking this photo. I was outside the house, Twig was inside, and I was throwing glasses of water at the window to get the look I wanted. The choker is another Karolina creation.

You can never go wrong with a black dress and a mega thigh split!

And our favourite set of the day, the one we planned out and bought so many flowers for. We dyed the bathwater with food colouring, which thankfully did not stain the bath.

I am so glad I kicked off my photoshoots again with someone who is artistic and wanted to make beauty portraits. I have a very set idea of what I want to do now, and how I want to do it. And I can't wait for the shoots I have coming up!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Mermaid Leggings : It's OK to be Taller Thank Your Boyfriend

Stu is shaving his beard for charity! Read more and sponsor him here

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stushavesthebeard

Photoshoot with Felis

I've photographed the lovely Felis twice before, and was happy for a chance for a third shoot. She's a Suicide Girl and also models for Zivity which is what I photograph her for.

First up, we just had to shoot something cute. These adorable fox ears from Crown & Glory were just perfect with Felis' orange hair! Add a crop top and shorts and you have adorable.

Second we moved to a bed set up I like to use, but stripped back to a raw mattress. Lacy lingerie and a relaxed look was the way to go for this set.

How sweet is that bralet? I wish there was more stuff like that in plus sizes.

Next up, floortraits! I can't resist them lately. I love a good hardwood floor and it's good fun to shoot something from a totally different perspective.

Felis is the cutest!

Sorry for the censorship, but my blog isn't adult rated!The gorgeous golden flower crown is from Liv Free Creations and was a birthday gift for me from Alivya. With Felis's pale skin and hair the gold was the perfect compliment for her.

Our final set was something totally different! My Mum had some lilies that she let me sacrifice in the name of art, and I am so glad she did! We went for art nudes in the bath, so here are just a couple of the shots I can share.

Did you know that lily pollen stains something terrible? Even your skin. Poor Felis had yellow stains all over her by the time we'd finished this set. Oops. Sorry!

We shot a behind the scenes vlog during the shoot which you can check out on my YouTube channel!

Much love,

Kitty xxxxx

Photoshoot with Paigey Christie : Roswell Ivory Adventures

PS. Don't forget to check out my latest YouTube video!

Photoshoot with Paigey Christie

I've had the gorgeous Paigey Christie on my facebook for a little while, and when she posted some lush new selfies I told her to come and get in front of my camera instead. And as luck would have it, she happened to be only an hour away from me at that particular moment so a few messages later, and the next day she was on a train to come and work with me! I love it when a surprise shoot happens!

As it was a rather last minute shoot and Paigey wasn't expecting a photoshoot, I provided the outfits from my own wardrobe, which I think worked out rather well. Depending on where you work, this may well be considered NSFW due to lingerie and implied nudity.

Pastel rainbow tutu - Tutu Factory*

Rainbow flower crown - Tutu Factory*

Bra - model's own

We went for a very un-Paige like look to start with, a cute pastel rainbow look! Isn't that tutu just gorgeous?

She's like a beautiful candy Princess.

As we shot such a cutesy look, something totally the other end of the spectrum was needed....

Black tutu - Tutu Factory*

Gothica flower crown - Tutu Factory*

Pentagram - Malice

Isn't Paige the perfect vampy gothic goddess?

And last up, we went for a bright lip and a bra with jeans. Very reminiscent of the old 90's jeans adverts.

I loved shooting with Paige. Photographing other plus size babes is so important to me, and as a photographer I feel it is my responsibility to ensure my work is diverse and celebrates all kinds of beauty.

And if you want to work with me, get in touch! kittyramblesalot@yahoo.co.uk for booking.

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Roswell Ivory Adventures : My Favourite Photos of 2015

*these items were gifted to me in my role as plus size brand ambassador for Tutu Factory.

A Morris-Wood Wedding : The Importance of Your Wedding Photographer

Like a lot of people, I only plan to get married the once. It's going to be one of, if not the biggest day of my life, and I want it preserved perfectly in photos to keep forever. Your photos are such a big part of the day, and picking the right photographer is so so important. I've seen a trend recently in magazines and various media outlets suggesting that actually, rather than spend money on an incredible professional photographer, you should just get a mate to do it!

There are a whole bunch of things wrong with that suggestion, and I'm going to talk about why you should book a real, actual, wedding photographer, and the reasons people usually give for not doing it.

Photography by Dave Fallon Photography

There was an ugly sign on the lawns in this photo, not anymore with a pro!

1. Wedding photography is expensive.

Damn right it is! So first off, when you book a wedding photographer, you aren't just paying for that one day. You are paying for years of skill, training, practice, editing and love for their job. Photographing a wedding is bloody terrifying. And I know that, because I've done it! It is the most important day of most people's lives, and they are trusting you to give them because photos back, so wouldn't you want to give that job to an experience professional? Editing your wedding photos takes hours and hours. Every single photo needs assessing and checking, and processing and perfecting. A raw iPhone or camera photo is not the same thing a wedding photographer gives you. Do you have any idea how long it takes to put together an album? To make sure it flows perfectly and tells a story?You are paying for skills, time, experience and love. Your wedding photos are forever. Saving a couple of quid in the long run isn't worth it.

Photography by Naomi Jane Photography
That rainbow! It takes serious skill to capture that and the rest of the scene so well.

2. Having a friend do it means a better rapport and feeling more comfortable.

So not true. This is why meeting your wedding photographer before hand is so important. A good wedding photographer will make you feel like a million bucks, seamlessly blend into the background for all those perfect moments, and also make you comfortable. Meet them before, skype with them, book an engagement shoot. There is a photographer to fit you. Our wedding photographer Donna of ClickClick Bang Photography is a tattooed zombie loving bad ass, so I knew she was perfect for us! It's not all stuffy men in suits now, you can find someone you click with easily.

Photography by Emma and Rich
Smoke bombs and off camera flash, amazing!

3. Having a friend do it means you can see the photos right away!

Yup. You can see their unedited, not properly composed, not correctly exposed photos right away! The reason you have to wait to get your photos back from a professional is because they have to edit every single photo to get that look you want. Wedding photography is mostly seasonal work, April-September is prime season and so so busy for photographers, so a little patience is worth it for those photos that you will treasure forever.

The photo below is a panorama made up of 45 images! So much time and work for a beautiful photograph full of depth. Well worth some patience.

Photography by ClickClick Bang

4. It's convenient! If the person taking the photos is already a guest they are already at the event.

I've been on the other end of this one, as a relative who was asked to take photos at a wedding, and let me just say, it bloody sucks. You don't get to enjoy the wedding or experience it, you miss out on all the moments you are supposed to be enjoying and being a part of. I actually think it's really unfair to ask a guest to do this. You invite someone to your wedding to be a part of your day, not to have to work all day. They should be dancing with you, not snapping away watching.

Photography by Colin Sanderson

The light in this is just at the perfect location, due to an off camera flash! Those hair lights.

5. You can always edit the photos with apps after.

.... I can't even begin to explain how wrong this one is. Sure Instagram is fun for your selfies, but the resolution of most photos put through apps is so small you could never print them at a decent size. You are not going to be able to do a professional photoshop edit on a photo through an app, especially when the photo wasn't of professional quality to begin with. You will end up with grainy, low resolution photos with a gimmicky edit, instead of a beautiful photo that will stand the test of time that you could show future generations.

Photography by Adam De-Ste-Croix http://www.saintecroix.co.uk/
This was taken as a surprise streak from a wedding guest into the sea! A perfect hilarious moment captured forever.

6. A non-professional gives you a different perspective!

Do you know why a photographer doesn't use a GoPro with it's fish eye lens? Or hold the camera at a jaunty angle? It's because it's a gimmick. It might be fun now, but in 10 years time you'll be cringing at that extreme wide angle, and that selective colouring. Your wedding photography should last forever, not follow all the fun social media trends.

Photography by http://samandlouise.co.uk/

No amateur is going to get you something so spectacular.

7. It's more special if someone you know takes the photos.

Sure, if someone you love takes the photos you can think of them fondly... but what if it all goes wrong and you fall out with them? What if they don't take the photos you expected and instead disappoint you? Your relationship will never be the same again, and it's just not worth losing someone you love over. Can you imagine having to look at photos your brother's ex wife took who cheated on him a bunch for example? I know I wouldn't be able to look at them the same. This won't happen if you hire a neutral professional.

Photography by Simon Dewey
Such a cute moment, a pro knows what to keep an eye out for.

When you hire a professional, you have back up. If your photographer is ill, they can and will get you a replacement for them at super short notice. If their memory cards corrupt they will be much more likely to be able to recover those photos for you. If it rains all day and is super gloomy, they'll have lights and ways to work around it. They have insurance to cover themselves and their equipment saving you any headaches. They have back up cameras and external lighting, so if your drunk Aunt spills their pint on their camera, they have another one! Can your mate with a camera say that?

Photography by Dom Clark

Wedding photography is about moments. Capturing all those sweet exchanges, those laughs and the joy. It's being daft and having an idea that works! Like in the shot above by Dom Clark, what an ace concept for a shot of the groomsmen!

Photography by http://samandlouise.co.uk/

True art in the form of wedding photography. The rain and the light make this, a non-pro couldn't have done this, especially not in those conditions.

Next week I'll talk about how to book a professional photographer and still save money!

Much love,

Kitty xxxx

Using Indy Supplies : DIY Coffee Filter Flower Lanterns