it is always an honor to document when individuals and their families are recognized for their hard work, sacrifices, commitment and achievements. promotions are in their own right very special, but what made this day exceptional was the location. a special day within the walls of the tower of london. it is a rare occurrence to be able to celebrate privately within this historic part of english history. here are a few faves from the recent promotion of gunny honeycutt to master sergeant. congratulations top and thank you to you, your family and the yeoman warders for allowing me to be a part of it all!
guildford. surrey, england.
I am in love with guildford! home to guildford castle, built by william the conqueror in 1173, the town has an abundance of history. its rustic quaint charm is reminiscent of fairy tales. the book, alice in wonderland, may not have been written about guildford, but many of lewis caroll’s later books, including “alice through the looking glass”, were inspired by his time there. caroll purchased a family home for his sisters back in 1868 after his father’s passing. he often visited from oxford and was later buried there after his death in 1898. you will find many tributes to caroll throughout the beautiful town of guildford, a place I am eager to return to.
putney + fulham. london, england
“but the beauty is in the walking - we are betrayed by destinations.” - gwyn thomas
regents canal. london, england
a stroll down regents canal and surrounding area depicts a menagerie of sights. from the pristine beauty of the natural world, its wildlife and flora to the grit and confines of city living that make regents canal a world all its own.
richmond. london, england
a couple of sundays past, we took a stroll along the thames in richmond and dined at a restaurant for the first time in over a year. a glorious glimpse into normalcy. it also happened to be mothers day in the u.s and germany. i could not have asked for a better day with my wolf pack. in richmond you will find, that it is all about the boats and kayaks. there isn’t a vantage point without one. on our way back, we happened upon two phenomenal musicians. you can’t ask for more than beautiful music to end a beautiful day.
shoreditch. london, england
an eclectic collection of color, grit and mesmerizing murals.
the lovely rebecca honeycutt photography in action. :)
a breath of fresh air. whitstable, england.
“smell the sea and feel the sky let your soul and spirit fly” - van morisson
borough market. london, england
I have been wanting to visit borough market and the surrounding area for some time now. it did not disappoint! with its eclectic ambience, array of smells and amazing food, I fell in love. tucked underneath the overpass and wedged in by surrounding buildings, cafes and shops, it thrives. it bustles with activity, moving to its own rhythm. the kindness and hospitality of local vendors only adds to its unique charm.
when I found out I would be living in london I was over the moon excited to finally have a chance to explore a city I had passed through so many times since childhood. despite my numerous short jaunts, I never had a real opportunity to see what london had to offer, to explore every nook, to photograph the diverse people that embody this thriving city, to slowly inhale all of it at my own pace. I was ready. I was eager.
fast forward six months, when we finally had settled in to our new home and routine, corona decides to take over the world and dismantle all my plans. into our quaint home we went and shut ourselves away from the rest of the world.
luckily this planet is inhabited by crazy smart and selfless people who have devoted their lives to helping fight the good fight and bring back normalcy. thank you scientists and medical professionals, I am in awe of you all.
going out and photographing for an afternoon was, I reluctantly admit, strange and uncomfortable at first. the fear is still strong, the guard is still up, the caution and reluctance to be near people still prevails. but even while sporting my mask, with my camera in hand, I forgot for one brief moment that corona even existed. what made this moment even better was the ability to share it with a new friend and fellow photographer, rebecca honeycutt photography. trying to make friends in a new country is hard enough let alone in a pandemic. I consider myself very lucky to have not only met someone funny and sweet, but incredibly talented.
trying to get your creative brain to function on a subconscious level is like riding a bike. the first few tries are shaky but eventually you are coasting. I am looking forward to a few more shaky rides and hopefully I will be coasting in no time.
at the end of our wandering we stumbled upon an old grave site turned into a garden of remembrance named cross bones. it was where deceased prostitutes were discarded back in the 1800s. residents of the area have created a shrine of remembrance for those forgotten ladies of the night.
excited for the next week when I can do this all again with my new cohort. where do you think we should go next?
my muses. london, england
furry hoods, a little snowfall and sweet faces are a perfect combination.
muddy wellies. london, england
mud and childhood are synonymous. within that world of youthful curiosity, life is filled with adventures to be had, one puddle at a time.
