Sarah Aires Photography

17/11/2023

Time for a Screen Sabbatical! 🌳📵

What a week! After a huge and bustling Conference and Awards Ceremony in Birmingham and a very full weekend’s worth of editing that tested the old ‘burning the midnight oil’ adage, I'm now properly ready for a spot of rest. It's probably too rare you’ll hear me say this, but my tech and I are about to have a bit of time apart.

In just a few hours I am going to be switching off for a much needed screen break. My eyes are telling me they need to be focussing on the blues at the beach and the greens of the valley.

This week has been even more chokka than usual with detailed admin, focussed and thinking tasks— house sales, business plans, checking forms - all needing close attention and reading glasses! My eyes are hurting today!

Work-wise, it’s been exciting—I've had some cracking firsts. Photographing the Directors of a new client amidst their executive shake-up, and capturing the smiles of Award winners for another new client from as far afield as Pennsylvania, Johannesburg, and Kuwait, all from the cosy confines of my Devon farmhouse. I still find it wonderful how technology allows us to connect across miles, and it's always, always a treat to see the surprise on faces when I show people the results of our remote photo sessions! Everyone's happy! It gives me joy!

Do join me and take some time to properly unplug this weekend. I’ll be embracing the simple joys: long walks by the sea, hearty laughs with some recently neglected friends, and time with my girls over home-cooked meals and games in front of the fire. I'll be ready for more action on Monday but now I am counting down for the weekend.....

What are you up to?

22/10/2023

🥓 Vegetarians, kindly look away. 🐖 Let's talk about Pigs and Bacon 🥓

🪵 After enjoying some physical exertion with my daughter yesterday morning, moving our winter's supply of logs, I decided a proper brunch was in order. I go mad over the smell of sizzling bacon!

🌳 We'd had a great chat with our friendly log supplier's Nick and Caroline, who shared their commitment to sustainability, explaining that for every tree they cut down, they’re now planting two more. My 16 year old Bronwyn, was all in on this eco-friendliness - and the conversation continued over our food talking about the source our beloved bacon.

🤔 We challenged ourselves about how we can be more conscious about what we consume and shop more responsibly- how we can ask ourselves before purchases: Do I really need it? Where does it come from? What steps were taken to get it to me? Could I make a better choice?

(Also was it delivered to me in a way that makes me feel good - that's another post. Customer experience is such a biggie for me!)

🙏🏼 Today, I want to express my gratitude for the humble pig. These incredible animals provide us with such delicious food! I'm also very glad of our 'logs and bacon morning' giving us an opportunity to have such a great discussion and to reflect on the importance of being intentional, mindful and responsible in our everyday choices. 🐷🌎

20/10/2023

I love my job.
I take photos of people
I love people
I love smiles, emotional moments
And I am a total sucker for a good old laugh, a snort, a fit of the giggles.
Why? Because it’s real. It’s the moment we start being ourselves. And that's what I aim to capture in my photographs - emotions, surprise, pride, joy, connection - those moments!

Especially laughter -because it's oh so contagious. It shakes us out of our work-mode stiffness, home-life stresses, it knocks down walls, and lights up rooms - and the photos - they're always the winners!
I capture presenters going off script or a networking event that's ditched the formalities.

And in my remote headshot sessions where there's often miles between me and you - it's that time when the guard goes down, the nervousness lifts and I see some lighting up of eyes and a little smile breaking through the 'I flippin' hate having my photo taken' grimace! I love seeing this!

Feel like injecting some real smiles into your professional images? Let’s make it happen. Let's have some fun.

(These were taken at a meet-up of local ladies last evening at the lovely new Hotel Indigo with wonderful hostess Katie Arscott)

😄📸

27/09/2022

'APPRECIATION. Voluntary - Printed by permission'

Don't we all love to receive praise for what we do!

This little simple printed sheet, slipped inside a beautiful box of handkerchiefs, made me smile. Linen and silk, monogrammed with an 'M' - of a quality clearly appreciated by some distinguished customers including Her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire, Lady Mary Montagu and The Right Rev. The Lord Bishop of Worcester! Probably nice to know that you're in such good company with your choice of handkerchiefs!

(They were among some other surprising things in my Mum's roofspace found while clearing her house for sale. There is a note inked on the back of the box that says "Meg, from mother with love. BIG for colds' My grandmother, Marguerite was born in 1890 - so this practical yet luxurious gift from my great grandmother could have been given over 100 years ago!)

Reviews, testimonials, endorsements, social proof - I like the emphasis here - appreciation.

It's also so helpful to check out reviews before we make our own decisions about buying things isn't it? Customer ratings almost always contribute to my choices while shopping on amazon, selecting our Friday night films (IMDB anyone?), investing in books (Goodreads), hotels, VRBO and even who to buy from here on Facebook! I am a big review reader.

It made me think about fresh, or even old fashioned ways we can show our gratitude to companies that serve us well or whose products we value. It'll help others make more informed choices and encourage our suppliers to keep up the good work.

It is nice to discover Hanna and Co still sell fine Irish Linen to discerning customers. A quality brand.

I might give start giving some praise about more freely. I might even write a letter!

My appreciation - voluntary

21/03/2021

How’s your weekend gone? What’s been the best bit?

I’m so, so excited for Spring. We’ve had enough of grey skies havent we? Being outside seems to make things better!

Went to the beach today - chickened out of going in the water this time. The girls had a paddle but I was content with my coffee on the shore!

28/01/2021

Thursday throwback (to another throwback):

‘Life moves really fast if you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it’

Ferris Bueller

23/11/2020

It was such a pleasure to capture images for this lovely lady's business last week! She was the winner of the competition survey we ran last month.

No issue at all in getting super smiley pictures with Emma! We had such fun.

11/11/2020

An encouragement to prioritise 'being seen' and to make some real connections during this time..

06/11/2020

Thanks SO much to everyone who completed my business survey - I'm hugely grateful for the insights it's given me! I'm drawing the winner tonight. Super excited to see who has won the mini brand consultation and photoshoot!

Thanks SO much to everyone who completed my business survey - hugely grateful for the insights it's given me! I'm drawing the winner live tonight on Facebook. Super excited to see who has won the mini brand consultation and photoshoot!

21/10/2020

Huge thanks to everyone in business who has already completed my questionnaire! It's super helpful to see your responses - they really assist me to work out what peoples' current business needs and preferences are!

If you haven't already please do spend 4 minutes completing a few easy questions for me! I'm drawing a winner for the competition (free shoot!) next Friday!

https://forms.gle/rqcRj4CLp5kJ9Nuq5

FREE COMPETITION TO WIN A MINI BRANDING PHOTO SHOOT!

Hi there!

Friends who have businesses!! (whether online or local, entrepreneurs, fitness professionals, professional service providers) I'd really like your help with some research, please!

I am so excited about my latest business service:

Sarah Aires Brand Photography

(I'll let you know more details about this soon!)

I would really love your opinion and advice!

Complete this short questionnaire and as a thank you from me, you'll be entered into a free competition to win a mini branding photo-shoot worth £395.

https://forms.gle/rqcRj4CLp5kJ9Nuq5

Huge thanks, Sarah x

(prize is a 1-hour mini-branding photoshoot: this will include up to 40 images to use in your business. One winner will be drawn on 30th October 2020 and the prize must be claimed before the end of 2020)

Do share with any business friends too, please!

11/10/2020

Anyone who knows me is used to me 'capturing the moment' - I just can't help myself! I've been pretty much obsessed with taking photographs of people since I was 13 when I was given a little Halina 110 film camera for Christmas.

After leaving university I set out on a career in corporate business - working for various sized companies in strategy and business development. I decided though, soon after having our children that I wanted to run my own business - and just about everyone I asked about it suggested that photography would be the thing! How brilliant to make your hobby your trade! I grew a successful photography company in the Surrey area photographing family portraits, weddings and businesses.

Then we decided to up sticks and have a slice of country life in Devon. I decided to put down the camera and help Kevin with a business aimed at the corporate video market. I often was called on (sometimes at the last minute!) to use my 'Surrey accent' to voice videos for video pitch presentations for multi-million dollar bids!

But, I've heard the creative call again and I'm picking up my camera to focus (pun intended!) on business brand photography.
I've spoken with so many business owners that know that reaching their ideal customers in 2020 means they need images of their brand - showing their personality and staff in order to differentiate from their competition and get noticed. 2020 has changed so much for businesses and even those that were barely online are now having to rethink and connect with online audiences to stay afloat, so I think this is so needed.

Also, this very nicely combines my interest in business and my love of capturing people's passions, products and personality.

It'd be lovely to know how you got into what you do - and what you love about it?

07/10/2020

02/10/2020

https://forms.gle/rqcRj4CLp5kJ9Nuq5

Hi there!
Business friends (businesses -whether online or local, entrepreneurs and fitness professionals...) I'd really like your help, please!

I am so excited about my latest business service:
Sarah Aires Brand Photography
(I'll let you know more about this really soon!)

I would really love your opinion and advice!

Complete this short questionnaire and as a thank you from me, you'll be entered into a free competition to win a mini branding photo-shoot worth £395.
https://forms.gle/rqcRj4CLp5kJ9Nuq5
Huge thanks, Sarah x
(prize is a 1 hour mini-branding photoshoot: this will include up to 40 images to use in your business. One winner will be drawn on 30th October 2020 and the prize must be claimed before the end of 2020)

09/09/2015

Just doing the last few finishing touches to images from Georgie and Dave's fabulous wedding!
What a totally scrumptious day that was.

31/08/2015

It was such a privilege to photograph Oliie 'chilling out' in his garden with his Mum and Dad and best friend, Ziggy a couple of weeks ago. They're such a truly wonderful family. I am blessed to have met them.

Ollie is a very much loved only child. Mum and Dad described hitting the jackpot after 5 rounds of IVF, you can see just how treasured he is from these pictures. Thank you to Sarah Aires Photography for the beautiful images for Ollies family.

26/05/2015

I love confetti pictures!
This one from Saturday's smashing wedding is up there with my all time faves! Eleanor and Mark got totally drenched in rose petals and lavender as they left the church.
Mark's expression is priceless. Eleanor needed to get them hoovered out of her dress when she got to the reception (that's a first for me!)