ON YOUR DOORSTEP.
Writing a blog is without doubt my favourite thing in the world. It’s a place to call my own, somewhere I can be completely, unapologetically myself.
I’ve been writing here for over 5 years, and in that time so much has changed.
Back in 2012, I’d stand in my back garden with my tripod and self timer; propping myself awkwardly against my parents fence, my side sweeping fringe blowing in the wind whilst taking hundreds of outfit photos.
I loved it.
Naturally, like with everything, blogging has changed over time. Our content is glossier, our disco pants slyly hidden away for cat woman halloween costumes and our garden fences used purely for the neighbours to nose over.
Now, I don’t want us to go back in time, that would be foolish and quite frankly, unfashionable.
No, what I want is for us all to realise that our lives, wherever we live, whatever we like to do: it’s enough.
Something I find so interesting, not just within blogging specifically, but the new digital age of the ‘influencer’ - is the notion that you have to apparently fit a certain mould to be successful.
I’ve said time and time again, you don’t need an instagram theme, nor a designer handbag if you don’t want one - and you absolutely do not need to live in London.
Blogging became successful because it came from a genuine place, and that’s exactly where we should keep it.
But what’s the point in saying that, if there’s no proof in the pudding?
Well my friends, I’m here to tell you there is.
Right here, right now. There's pudding, and there’s proof in it, too.
Yes, we will change and so will our content, that’s a given. But the personal challenge we face shouldn't be how we achieve a lifestyle that’s alien to the one we live in real life. The challenge should be to keep it as close to home as possible.
And so, I’ve teamed up with my favourites Olympus.
They asked if Jamie and I would be interested in a photography masterclass with their brand photographer, Jay. Of course we said yes, what with Jamie becoming a more predominant figure on my blog, it made sense to utilise the skills of another professional to help enhance what we already create together. And with that, they asked if they could combine it with a photoshoot…
Olympus would scout out some places to shoot in my local area and together, we’d prove my point.
These photos were taken in Peterborough town centre.
Yep.
At places that on face value, you'd probably not look twice at.
It was raining. Pouring, actually. My hair went instantly frizzy and the sun didn't shine even for a minute - but we made it work. From a random electricity box to eating donuts in the street and lunch at Wimpy to talking over coffee at the end of the day; it goes to show, you don't need a bog standard beautiful backdrop to create great imagery.
You can live anywhere.
You can be interested in any thing.
All you need is to stop looking so hard.
There’s beauty in every corner, not just South Kensington high street.
And sometimes? It’s right on your doorstop.
All of these photos were taken on the Olympus PEN EPL-8 with a mixture of lenses, all of which you can shop below.
Olympus have been my favourites since I bought my first Olympus PEN EPL-7 and I’m so excited to be working with them.
We’ve teamed up on this project to offer you guys 25% off the brand new PEN EPL-8 and various lenses. By clicking here you can find out exactly how to claim your discount.
It’ll be valid until September 1st, so be quick!
Photography by Jay Mclaughlin