Helping Each Other | A list
I’m sure I don’t have to go into what a terribly worrying time this is. The tragic human element of it all, the uncertainty, the unknown, the decision fatigue (we decided to stop seeing our parents a few weeks ago and in the last few days, aside from going to school we are keeping the children home).
Unfortunately the financial element of this can’t be ignored, if you are a small business owner or freelance (that’s me!) you will understand. If you don’t work you don’t earn and if you don’t earn, well the unthinkable is going to happen…
I wondered what I could do that would help others like me who I know must be feeling the same way and I hoped that we could all try and talk about each others projects, courses, workshops, books, podcasts, etc things that you can do if you have to self isolate or a quarantine is enforced. Things that are positive, things that will entertain or teach or help you grow. Things that might be bought for future birthdays, gifts to cheer friends or family up or just for yourself. If you have some spare cash maybe spend it with a small business or freelancer and you will be really helping them keep afloat during this tough time.
I made a list of some great people who I have bought from, have worked with or met or just think they make a really positive contribution. Some are friends, some I’ve only met via the internet, some are just things I like, some are from people who got in touch after seeing my Instagram post. Who I don’t know but if they are asking for my help I’m not going to say no and that’s how we discover new ideas or great new people.
Even if you can’t help financially now, I guess even bookmarking this for when we are out the other side would be great too. I’m sure any support at any time would be so greatly appreciated.
Online Courses
Grow Your Creative Creative Business with Pinterest
from Curly Carrot
If you want to know how Pinterest can help you grow an online audience, push traffic to your blog, shop or service then I can highly recommend this course. I photographed one of their workshops and I learnt so much from eavesdropping on the conversation that I had to do their online course. By following their advice, I increased my monthly viewers from 17K to 114K (at one point when I was really on top of following all the advice, it was as high as 250K). They also have free resources if you are new to using Pinterest in this way.
Creative Gratitude - A free short course
Emily Quinton from All Sorts of Lovely, is a very dear friend and currently on a 14 day quarantine, she has a new free course about gratitude and is one of the most positive, cheerful and lovely people you could hope to meet. You can sign up here
Videos to Create at Home - Xanthe Berkeley
This is one I’m definitely going to do! I love the idea of getting the children to shoot some of the footage too. I’ve taken one of Xanthe’s courses in the past and love her approach and her gentle teaching manner and this is free but Xanthe runs a various online courses too!
Photography & Styling eCourses
Julia, my friend, from Humphrey & Grace has two courses at the moment; Styling Photographs and On Photography are both on discount on the moment.
Little Stories - Find Your Voice and Tell Your Story
Laura from Circle of Pines has created a self paced ecourse that will nurture your creativity and confidence. She teaches you her secrets for storytelling with words and pictures, revealing how to find the magic in the everyday.
Food Photography & Styling eCourse
This one is mine, I run a 4 week food photography and styling eCourse 1-2 per year. There are 4 projects set weekly, if you can do it in real time, we meet virtually in a private group to discuss any questions, problems or for me to critique your results. If you can’t do it in real time, no problem it’s open for 3 months and you can send me images to critique as and when you can.
It begins very soon! Monday March 23rd 2020
9 images of one subject in one day
My second eCourse is a fun one that can be done in your own time at any time. It’s about creating as much quality content in a short space of time. About thinking about how you can push your subject to extract as many different results as possible, think batching think getting 9 different quality images in one day.
Free mini e-recipe book - I also offer a free 4 recipe book when you sign up to my newsletter, each month I send out a free seasonal recipe, you can sign up here for free here
Catherine Frawley
Catherine Frawley
Gatherings & Workshops
Nomadic Dinners - Immersive Woodland Dining in Buckinghamshire
I’ve worked with Noah and the Nomadic team for about a year, I have probably photographed 6 or so of their events last year. This year, those I was booked to shoot, the first cancelled by the storm and now those for March/April cancelled because of the virus. The events are in private woodland, wonderful chefs from ex-masterchef to michelin star come and cook your meal outdoors, the food is always incredible, the hosts and staff are always friendly and fun. I keep coming back to shoot because each event is truly unique and always great food in a beautiful nature.
It’s hard to book for a specific date right now they have events planned for later in the year but they do offer Gift Vouchers - if you can support the team by buying for future birthdays/events/treats I know they’d be very grateful.
Nomadic Dining
This beautiful space is usually fully booked with creative workshops or hired for shoots. Unfortunately all that has paused. But they do offer Gift Vouchers for future workshops. The Pinterest workshop I mentioned above was held at here.
The Forge in Bristol
Listening
Coffee & Wisdom - YouTube Channel
My friend Anis, through her keynote speaking, books and coaching, is on a mission helping the world sell with compassion & grace instead of fear and greed, by helping you quiet the toxic voice in your head so you can grow your impact. She has a great weekly inspiring episode over on You Tube
Come for Supper - Host Alexandra Dudley
Cookbook author, recipe writer and presenter Alexandra, interviews artists, actors, authors and chefs to discuss how they like to serve supper.
Miranda is someone I follow for I wish I was a well read as her. Her podcast champions female story telling and creativity.
Recipes & Blogs
I’ve followed Edd (first Bake Off winner) forever I think, I’ve made more of his cookie recipes than anyone elses. He’s blog is full of free recipes and video tutorials. He also started a Patreon, £5 a month to access exclusive content.
Speaking of Cookies, as we may have more time on our hands, this infamous Salted Butter, Chocolate Chunk Shortbread recipe from is one to try. It’s a bit time consuming but it’s really worth it.
Their food team are offering to help with recipe suggestions, working with what you might have in your cupboards or suggesting substitutions for recipes on their site. Message them for ideas.
Reading
My friend and writer/illustrator, Alexia, is releasing her first children’s book 16th April. There will be an opportunity to pre-order beginning of April. I had a sneak peek of the book when we did some images of Alexia in her work space, with her family and in nature, which inspires her work. It’s a lovely book for helping children overcome their nightmares. Alexia also has a lovely, joyful newsletter which is free to sign up for.
I love this magazine, I’ve worked for them for years but not only that it’s one of my favourite magazines to read. It’s calming, gentle, full of wise words, ideas for cooking, baking and making. You can of course subscribe and have it delivered to your door but they also have a thoughtful website and fortnightly newsletter with recipes and articles. Worth signing up to.
The Weekend Journals - Cornwall (3rd Edition)
I received a copy of this Cornwall journal just before things started to get serious and at the time we were seriously considering an Easter break there. Unfortunately we will have to vacation through the images but as a source of inspiration, with ideas of interesting off grid places to visit, it’s a beautifully curated worthy of any coffee table. There are also London and Provence journals too.
image credit: weekend journals
A lovely independent magazine I’ve worked for in the past, again you can subscribe but the magazine is supported by a well planned blog and quarterly ezine that’s free to receive if you subscribe to their newsletter.
EDIT 91 have an online photography workshop tonight (18th March 2020) 8pm!
Who doesn’t need this right now? It’s a real newspaper sharing positive news. Published quarterly just going through the website is a happy experience.
Online Shops
James has just uploaded a small collection of vintage finds that he is offering free UK delivery. Contact free too if he personally delivers it for you!
Eliza has an array of lovely products but she pointed me to the one in particular A Calming Candle with a blend including eucalyptus, cinnamon, geranium and peppermint. Hand poured in the UK
Hand made, creative cakes by the wonderful Reshmi and team. If you can’t commit now maybe pre-order for birthdays, events etc I’m sure any future orders for later in the year would be greatly appreciated.
Anges de Sucre
Biscuits with quotes, from song lyrics, to notes for Mothers Day and other notable dates. As long as Becky is fit and well she’s baking. Biscuits are delivered.
Lady Bakewell Park
Issy makes the most beautiful ceramics. I’m in love with her work and I’m sure you will be too.
Dante Ceramics
Grace makes patchwork gift items like cushions and tote bags
If you need bespoke work in your kitchen, custom fronts are available to help.
If I have missed someone, I’m SORRY, please nudge me and let me know and I will keep adding to this list. If you want to recommend Yourself or Someone add them to the comments, I have no idea if this will help but I just wanted to do something that made me feel like I wasn’t alone and that even if we can’t buy some of the bigger things maybe we just start following and commenting and sharing each others work and that virtual support is always appreciated. If you got to the end of this THANK YOU! xx