Five Fun Facts About Me…
(and a generous side helping of footnotes for good measure!)
I.
Since I was five, I wrote uplifting children’s stories of creatures great and small, sketched jacket covers, colourful and compelling…
I sewed the spine, added a blurb and barcode to each and opened my own bookshop with high hopes they’d be bestselling!
Side-line fact: I even designed a bookmark to give away for every purchase (imaginary money, of course!) My Mum kindly kept all my beloved books in a box in the loft, to open again years later (and no doubt to have a good chuckle at myself!). My favourite place to write these stories was at the great old oak desk of my Navy “Sailor Grandad,” where I had to be lifted up to reach the seat! I’d pour out page after page transforming every word and drawing into a kaleidoscope of creativity, capturing detail with a sharp eye, as if through a sparkling camera lens.
II.
Turning over the next page, saw me graduating with an English Literature degree at UEA in Norwich, the ‘City of Stories,’ a top-rated university for Creative Writing.
Alongside my studies, I wrote many articles as Fashion Editor for the fortnightly student newspaper, (both exhausting and exciting!)
Side-line fact: My summer holiday was also completely ‘booked’ as I spent it work-shadowing in London at publishing house, Penguin!
III.
I was a published finalist in an International Photography Competition that was exhibited at the Gardens of Kew.
A twist of fate saw me get my first job in Editorial on a rival Photography Magazine, that was exciting and new!
Side-line fact: This was a dream job that almost didn’t happen after my CV first ended up on the rejected pile! (Thankfully, though, I politely rang to enquire about my application and must have made a good impression, as I was promptly asked to interview, and ended up being offered the job!)
IV.
I’ve worked for Thomas Cook photographing and featuring worldwide shoots for over ten years, to places ranging from freezing Lapland to sizzling Mexico!
Friendly, fearless and focused, I flourish whilst capturing local folk, five-star hotels, fine food, fun tours (and perhaps a stray wild flamingo!)
Side-line fact: When I am in, I am ALL in… 100% dedicated to perfecting my craft and smiling whatever the weather, situation or location… I could be at my countryside home in Cambridgeshire or across the globe in Cuba (both reasons why I love to shoot the most beautiful stories… Weddings!) My Great Grandad was a photographer which back in the 1800’s was a very rare skill, getting his hands on one of history’s very early cameras, even BEFORE the groundbreaking Kodak Brownie camera was introduced to the public in 1900, the first mass-marketed camera in the world! I only discovered this AFTER pursuing photography as a career… Capturing pictures runs strongly through my genes!
V.
Today, you’ll find me as Creative Manager, Expert Travel Writer, Retoucher and Photographer for Sunny Heart Travel, but right now in my sunny garden studio…
Here, I perfect my creative projects at the same great old oak desk that once belonged to Commander Arthur Charles Simmonds, my “Sailor Grandad,” a place where inspiration, ink and images forever flow…
Side-line fact: Painting in his garden cottage and writing his own biography, the pen, paintbrush and pencil were powerful tools of my Grandad’s, (and he taught me how to draw, too!) No matter how far I spin around the globe to capture new pictures through the lens or write a creative feature, blog or web article, one thing that remains the same as when I was little is: I’m always excited to turn the page of thrilling adventure to new places, meet new smiling faces and to start my next creative project… I hope to meet you on my next page-turn!
Thanks for reading so far and here’s to a future full of fun chapters ahead!