A Traditional + Forward-Looking Christmas Fair

Last Friday our small southwest London village of Kew held its annual Christmas fair.  It's one of my favourite village events, besides the dog competition at the summer fair!.  What's particularly unique about this event is that the sponsors are our unique and wonderful local independent small shops and businesses, like Westbrook Hair Salon, Oliver's Wholefoods, the Kew Gardener, Tap on the Line, Kew Bookshop and many others.  Our local chain shops don't contribute. 

The atmosphere is always fantastic at Kew Sparkle; entertainment is provided by local primary school children who sing carols as well some rotating rides for the littlies and a pair of panto characters walking around on stilts.  Kew Sparkle brings family & friends together to buy Christmas presents, sing songs, eat street food and drink mulled wine. This is my third year of taking photos at this Christmas fair and I hope to be able to do so for years to come.  

An Exceptional Fireworks Display

On the 7th of November my partner invited me, his son and his son's partner to the Guy Fawkes celebration at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham.  Not only was there a procession of the Guy with torches and an effigy wearing an anonymous mask, but there were a brilliant laser show and just about the most spectacular fireworks display I've ever seen.   I have to say that the most was the 1990 show held on Highbury Fields.  This occurred just after the beginning of the first war in Iraq, the deposing of Margaret Thatcher and the spluttering of the economy. Nevertheless, the wisdom of Islington Council was to put on a spectacle like no other.  I can't really prove that it had been on this blogpost, as I didn't have a camera back then.  But I did capture the extraordinary evening the Hurlingham Club organised a few weeks ago.  Not only were the lights and explosions fantastic, but the accompaniment of the music was perfect.  I'm so glad I brought my Canon as this night will now be remembered forever.

Best Ensuite I've Ever Photographed!

I can't believe the developer I work with, Roy at Cube Lofts, didn't give me a heads-up on my latest interiors shoot.  He and his crew built a new loft as well as renovated an open plan kitchen with extension.  With photography, it's possible to enhance the appearance of any space, but in this home, with the design and decor so cool and contemporary, I really didn't have to do very much in terms of styling.  It's an extraordinary treat to photograph such spaces and gorgeous decor makes editing a breeze.  Check out this fabulous interior: