Exploring the Algarve. Part 1: The beaches

Me and my partner, Chris, just came back from a lovely week in the Algarve of Portugal. Being a photographer, I was constantly clicking and there was certainly a lot to capture! I wanted to split this blog post into a few sections as it would be long as one! 

The beaches in Algarve are definitely one of my main reasons people come to visit the area. They are filled with golden sand, clear blue sea and stunning rock formations. There are many beaches to visit along the algarve coast and unfortunately we didn't have time to go to them all, but here are the ones we did visit. 

Praia de Dona Ana

We decided that Dona Ana was our favourite beach! It's located a short walk up from Lagos town centre and is easy to get to. The gorgeous rock formations that surrounded the area were one of the reasons we loved this beach so much. 

There's a small hut cafe where you can get a much needed refreshing beer or ice cream! 

The water was a lot colder than I expected!

The rocks make a great place to put the camera on a self timer!

Another reason why Dona Ana is my favourite beach, was because of all the shells! I spent a lot of time searching through them to find some beauties! 

Camilo

A little further up from Praia Dona Ana is Praia Camilo. The best thing about this beach is its rock formations and caves, the worst is its size. It's an incredibly small beach with almost 300 step to get down to it, which is fine going down, but not back up! Although if you do make it back up, there's a restaurant close by that has great reviews. 

Praia da figueria 

This beach is located in Sagres and I think this is the only photo I got of it. We didn't stay too long here as it was a really windy day and we kept getting sand in our eyes! But I can imagine it being lovely on a calm day! 

Praia do Castelejo

Castelejo beach reminds me a lot of a the beaches in Cornwall, with similar rocks and high waves. This is definitely where all the surfers hang out! The drive down to this beach can be quite scary as you drive through the hills on a very thin road. 

Burgau Beach 

We stayed in a lovely villa in the small fishing village of Burgau. Its a gorgeous little village and we were only a 2 min walk from the beach! I can't believe this is the only photograph I took of this beach! This is a long exposure I took at night after many sangrias in the beach hut restaurant.  

So those were the beaches we visited but there are so many more to explore! 

Please keep an eye out for other my other Algarve exploring blog posts which will be posted soon. They include our photos from exploring:

- the activities available (including landmarks and view points)

- Abandoned places (super excited about writing this post and sharing the photos!)  

Becky x

Photographing the Brighton Marathon.

I've always envied and praised anyone who can run 26 miles, I know I certainly couldn't do it. So this year I wanted to help a charity without actually having to run and the best way I know how is to use my camera! I volunteered to take photographs for a charity called Smile train off their runners.

Smile train is a wonderful charity that provides free surgery for children born with cleft lip and palate. A cleft palate can cause speech and breathing issues as well as often causing the  individual to suffer emotional pain and low self esteem due to being bullied. For more information on smile train please see their website here: https://smiletrain.org.uk/

Proudly wearing my Smile train tee and ready to snap the runners! 

The fastest runners of the marathon! 

The smile train team!

Nick from Smile train, still smiling even though hes on mile 16! What a legend. 

Lucy from smile train looking super photogenic! 

A marathon is not complete without batman.

I loved cheering on the runners, and I heard that mile 15/16 is the hardest and where they can hit the 'wall'. So being there to spread some support felt great. I think next year I will definitely go support the runners and get some more snaps.

Weldone again to the superstars who ran! 

Prop making - fairy boat

Lately I've been wanting to promote my surreal wedding photography, but I thought to do that I'd need some more examples! I turn to fairy tale type art for inspiration and found this lovely painting (unfortunately I don't know who the artist is) 

Here are some steps I took to making my boat:

I drew out the outline of the bottom of the boat on thin cardboard. I then cut a long stripe for the side the boat and used to masking tape to keep it together

After securing the shape with masking tape, I then covered it in brown parcel tape. I did this to make the boat stronger but to also make the base brown.

Then, using a hot glue gun I stuck on sticks that I had collected on a dog walk. I used fairly straight and thin sticks to I could easily break them to the length I needed.

I made the sail using a thicker stick and glue gun glue to make the spider web net in the middle. I added a few small paper flowers for decoration and my boat was complete!

Here is the final photo!

If you're interested in a shoot with the fairy boat for your wedding, Please don't hesitate to get in contact, at becky.netley@live.co.uk 

Thanks! 

Smash the cake parties / photoshoots - All you need to know..

Smashing the cake has become a huge idea for parties and photoshoots. So what is it? Well it literally consists of a child, usually a baby between 10-18 months old, smashing a birthday cake. I tried to do some research on where it started but I couldn't find very much. In the last few years it's grown in popularity, and I can see why, it's utterly adorable!

Im working in partnership with a great children's party company called 'Little Peeps entertainment' (please check them out here). When booking a smash the cake party with them, they provide a beautifully decorated cake, cute outfits and accessories, a vintage tub for bath pics (with loads of rubber ducks!) and of course me as the photographer.

Baby in cute little outfit before getting messy with the cake!

Getting stuck in!

Tips and tricks for a smash the cake:

• Get a cake with icing that is creamy, not fondant icing! Creamy icing is definitely more messy! Little Peeps provide these gorgeous cakes that are also gluten free! 
• Try to introduce your baby to similar textures of the cake before the shoot. This helps them get used to how it feels on their hands so they don't freak out on the day. 
• Decide what props you want to be included. 
• Wear clothes you don't mind getting messy. Picking up your baby after the shoot will ensure you get covered as well! 
• Use a cleanable /wipeable surface to smash the cake on.
• Keep loads of baby wipes close by!

Little Peeps entertainment are offering £25 off their smash the cake parties when you book for the 16th April. To book please contact them via their website here

Have a happy easter everyone!

Fen & co's Cabin studio shoot!

Last week I took some photographs of my friend Ria, who is the jewellery maker behind Fen and co, working away in her lovely cabin studio. I wanted to share the photos with you guys and also promote her gorgeous selection of jewellery which has a lovely nature and vintage vibe. 

To check out more of her work or to buy, please go to her Etsy store: www.fenandco.com

These gorgeous robin earrings are available to buy here

These gorgeous mini terrariums are available here

This is Fen! (he inspired the company name)