Samantha Brown Photography

21/07/2023

My beloved Mother passed peacefully on the 19th July at 4.30 in my arms.
The feelings I have are indescribable.
May she have eternal peace and be at rest now. ❤️

27/09/2022

Resilience, determination, stamina: These were the three words that spun round my head at midnight as I entered Southwark Park with my son to pay my respects to the Queen lying in state.

Since the announcement of the Queen’s passing, I felt strangely compelled to join the queue and take the long walk to Westminster Hall.

Why?

For my son, I think, it was the fact that he wanted to be part of a monumental historical moment. For me, it became much more than that. A personal journey, a way of using the walk as a vehicle to say goodbye to the elements of my life which have been unsettling me over the last few years.

I had grown up with the Queen she was part of the fixtures and fittings in my life, the matriarchal figurehead of the nation and suddenly she wasn’t there. I was losing the things that had been constant in my life and this was leaving me with a feeling of insecurity, a subtle reminder of my own mortality and that time was passing me by.

You could hear the sounds of footsteps everywhere on the rubber matting in the park. With every step, different thoughts would come into my mind, thoughts about my childhood.
For example, growing up in 70’s Britain was very difficult at times. With the rise of the National front and gangs who gathered on the streets at times, it could be tough. Maybe this was the beginning of my insecurity, this lack of acceptance.
I was the only child of colour in my school for the first few years making me a target for many things. For a number of years, I had stones thrown at me and I was spat at whilst walking to the bus stop from school. This was during the late 70’s and early 80’s.

Don’t get me wrong, I still have very fond memories of growing up in the 70’s! The sense of freedom riding my chopper bike for hours and hours, playing on my extra-large blue space hopper and playing role play games pretending we were members of Starsky & Hutch, Charlie’s Angels or escaping from the Daleks from Dr Who with the other children from the neighbourhood on the streets.

1977 saw the Queens Silver Jubilee and it was a time for celebration. I remember making bunting at my school and being so excited at the thought of a giant party on the street.

Being a British born child from Sri Lankan parents it gave me courage to know that the Queen was the head of the Commonwealth as somehow, I felt more accepted into British society. The Queen had a great love and respect for the countries of the Commonwealth, I am grateful for that and I don’t think we will ever see another monarch like her, it feels like the end of an era.

So, I decided to walk, I decided to pay my respects. I also wanted to make this cathartic pilgrimage to lay to rest some painful issues of my own life that had occurred over the past two years, and it was time to finally let go.
Walking throughout the night meant that I was left in peace to consider my thoughts and with every step I felt my own life would be taking on a new journey.

There were times on this walk that I found difficult, it was bitterly cold at one point just before the break of dawn, but I could see a hotel serving coffee and croissants which soon raised my moral. It’s funny how the little things in life can make you so happy.

Approaching Westminster Hall, I felt anxious and weary at the same time; I reached out for my son’s arm giving me security and strength on the final steps of this journey.
The atmosphere inside felt very solemn and heavy as it felt like you could cut it with a knife. As I stood in front of the Queens casket, I said a little prayer. I also asked for my own troubles to be metaphorically laid to rest. This was a very symbolic moment for me, leaving to rest the things that were once constant in my life but now allowing my life to take on a new direction and a new journey.

I felt a great sense of relief and calm walking out of Westminster Hall.
Resilience, determination and stamina got me through the last fifteen hours but also much needed for my new journey ahead.

Rest in Peace your Majesty.

18/09/2022

On the walk to see Her Majesty lying in State. I’m finally sitting down to have a rest, it’s very thought provoking walking quietly in line and I have a lot of thinking to do. We are four hours in, it’s not too cold and it’s a peaceful atmosphere.

02/11/2021

Ive been working with Acumen Financial Partnership as a photographer for a few years now doing a mix of, headshots, office interiors, events and image bank shots for marketing and social media purposes. Its always a pleasure to see Angela and her team and I've watched them grown over the years. Its a very supportive team in a happy environment and its been a real pleasure to see them grow and photograph them along their journey!

16/01/2020

https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/australia_wildfires_loc/?dty

Please help if you can, its heartbreaking

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30/04/2019

I turned 50 last August and my dear cousin Alistair took me back on a trip down memory lane back to New York where I once lived and worked briefly. It was a privilege to do some personal photography and recollect my thoughts. This is the start of the work I did while I was out there. Nearly 30 years on New York was a very different place but the vibe was still here. I felt inspired and full of life. Little did I know I was about to return to England and go through one of the biggest changes of my life, but thats another story.

25/02/2019

How to get the desired shot! a lovely day on Friday with a lovely couple, it feels like spring at the moment and the muted colours of the Georgian quarter gave me the perfect backdrop

24/02/2019

This is the lovely setting at The Shankly Hotel, also with the Eden roof garden, a stunning setting for your wedding.

24/02/2019

Knowsley Hall is one of my favourite wedding venues, its beautiful opulent and Romantic. Its the perfect setting for any wedding and for family formals as the setting lends itself beautifully.

So regal in everyone's finery ✨
📷 Samantha Brown Photography

11/02/2019

This post is in celebration for the life of Mike Jaega.
Heartbreaking news, Mike passed away on Wednesday 6th. He has touched so many lives with his amazing spirit and determination. He was a true inspiration to many in his fight for life and care of others.
Please read on for further information about DEBRA a charity that supports people that suffer with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)

http://samanthabrownphotography.co.uk/gemma-and-mike-malmaison-wedding/

23/11/2018

Last Friday The lovely Sam & Rich were celebrating their wedding at West Tower, Hope you had a fantastic party!

19/08/2018

Amidst all the weddings I had a wonderful portrait shoot with Junie and Darren who are leaving their beautiful apartment in Albany House Liverpool to seek a new life in New Zealand, thats my dream country to live in and I wish them a wonderful new adventure.

21/06/2018

Liverpool is maritime city in northwest England, known for its industrial architecture. When most of us think of Liverpool though, the first thing that comes to mind is Britain’s favourite band: The Beatles. Liverpool is peppered with Beatles history and …