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A baby brings so much love and light into a parent’s life. Their smooth and soft skin, flaky toes and fingers, and every inch of them appeal to you. They are perfect, and parents know that. That is why parents choose to click on their newborns. They get professional photographers to click beautiful pictures of their newborns. A professional photographer captures all such fleeting moments, and parents have many photos to cherish of their infants as they grow up fast.

But, of course, newborns are as fragile as they are cute. Therefore, while photographing them, you have to be extremely careful. A little mistake can impact the baby’s security and comfort. If you are having a professional shoot done for your infant, here are a few things to remember.

Photoshoot of a Newborn? Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Their Babies Comfortable.

Safety Tips to Keep in Mind While Photographing Newborn Babies

Hire the Best Professional Photographer

The first tip to ensure the photography session goes smoothly is to hire the best professional newborn photographer. It means considering a few things, like:

  • Experience of the photographer
  • Reviewing their portfolio
  • How calm and patient they are with the kid, and more.

If you work with a seasoned photographer, you will not have to worry about your kid getting injured or uncomfortable. They ensure the safety of the baby while taking breathtaking photos. Littleone photography is perfect for photographing your newborn for people native to Canada.

Constant Communication

There should be constant communication between the photographer and parents. Ensure you discuss the poses the photographer is planning for your baby. Also, ensure you know how they will change the pose, what tools they are using, and, most importantly, what you, as a parent, must do while the pictures are being taken. Do not hesitate to tell the photographer if you are unsure about a pose or find the baby uncomfortable. The safety of the kid is paramount.

Determine the Best Time for Shooting.

Timing the photograph of the newborn baby perfectly is crucial. If you want the best photos and a cooperative baby, schedule a professional shoot when the newborn is between 5 and 14 days old. Why this time? Because during this period, the baby sleeps a lot and is flexible. Thus, moving the baby around is easy and hassle-free. Moreover, ensure you keep the photo session short. It should last no more than three hours.

DIYing a Photoshoot Is Not an Option.

Parents often see a newborn photoshoot and think, ‘Oh, we can DIY it.’ Unless you are an editor or pro at Photoshop, it is challenging. There are many tricks a photographer uses, and the final product often differs from what happens in the shoot. Trying a pose like a child sleeping on their parent’s stomach or lying on their tummy can go wrong. These poses can be uncomfortable for a child, and without using a composite, doing any such poses can sprain the baby’s joints. A photographer is trained to use a composite and knows what can strain a baby’s neck or back during a photoshoot. They use proper safety and tools to click beautiful pictures. So, unless you are a professional in photography, Photoshop, and more, do not DIY newborn photography.

Create a Safe Environment.

For a splendid photoshoot, you should create a warm and soothing environment for your baby. There should be no distractions, and creating a warm environment for the baby is important. Moreover, the parents should be nearby to feed or change the baby. And even photographers should have access to things in their immediate surroundings.

General Tips

  • Parents should stay close to their newborns throughout the session.
  • Do not allow the photographer to stand on anything near the baby that can fall on them.
  • Never allow the photographer to force the baby into an uncomfortable pose. Reputed and experienced photographers will never attempt this.

Conclusion

To conclude, the photographer you choose to capture your newborn should be the best at his job. If they consider photographing babies an honor, they will ensure their safety and comfort. As a parent, you have to ensure the photographer is perfect. Next, ensure you and the photographer keep these things in mind to get stunning results without compromising the safety and comfort of your child. Ensuring the kid has a warm and comfortable environment is best to get beautiful pictures without any trouble.

Do you want a creative way to put up photos within your home? If so then you have come to the right place. This guide will tell you all the different ways that you can proudly display your snaps, so you can add to your home’s decor with ease.

Frame your Prints

One thing you can do is frame your prints and then place them alongside a shelf or a ledge. You can use different frame sizes here or you can overlap some of them so that you can create a bit more visual interest. It’s also possible for you to swap your pictures out at any time so you can keep your display nice and fresh.

Huge Canvas Prints

Another thing you can do is choose a large painting or even a canvas print. You can then make this the heart of your space. One thing to take note of is that canvases tend to have their structure, so you do not need to worry about a frame. It’s best for you to adopt the giclee printing process if you can as this is the best way for you to maintain the sharp quality of your image without having to worry about the size.

Gallery Wall

If you have an empty wall that you want to transform then you can use a collection of prints to do this. You can mix and match, and you can even take the time to arrange the gallery however it looks best. By doing this, and by being selective with your prints, you can be sure to get the overall result you are going for.

Photo Books

If you have a ton of prints then another thing you can do is explore photo books. The great thing about photo books is that they can be used to display everything you want with ease and they are super easy to buy online. If you want to buy a photo book then one thing you should do is look into mysocialbook.com.

Frame Something Different

When it comes to artwork, it’s important to know that it can be just about anything. Try and frame something a little different, such as a map, or even a tapestry. You can also frame book covers or even advertisements. This will help you to create something a little unexpected for your walls. If you are having a hard time knowing what is going to work and what isn’t then make sure that you focus on the theme of our home first. You can then accent them with other things with ease.

Create a Grid

The next thing you can do is create a grid. Print out a lot of photos and make sure that they all align very well. If you can do this then you will soon find that it becomes easier to create a much more impactful display. If you want some inspiration then make sure that you look online, because when you do, you will soon find that it is easier to get the result you’re looking for.

If you follow travel content creators on social media, there is a very high chance you would have seen the unique town of Guatapé in Colombia. The Rock of Guatapé with the iconic zig-zagging staircase features prominently on the likes of Instagram and TikTok. Surprisingly, the monolithic rock is a natural formation. It takes a short 15-20 minutes to ascend the rock, and climbing the 740 steps to reach the summit will offer a great cardiovascular workout. The panoramic 360º views of Guatape Lake and the El Peñón region as you reach the pinnacle are worth the endeavour.

The town itself is filled with ‘zocalos’, which are vibrant, colourful murals that surround the cobbled streets of Guatapé. The paintings often depict local life or concealed messages about local beliefs and products. This is one town where you want to ensure you have enough storage on your camera phones to ensure you capture countless photo opportunities.

If you want to know where to stay in Guatapé, I would highly recommend booking a glamping experience with Bosko. This is glamping with a capital G. Their ‘tents’, the Mush.Rooms are geodesic structures that resemble globe lanterns in the nighttime.Their concierge service is on par with any 5-star hotel in the country. They can arrange a private transfer for you from José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín. It’s an approximate 2-hour drive through some of the most scenic parts of the country.

On arrival, you are offered a detoxifying welcome drink immediately and this is followed by a coffee exfoliation ritual to cleanse your hands. Unsurprisingly, Colombians are fervent coffee connoisseurs and don’t just use it for drinking but in all aspects of their lives. Next, you are led to your Mush.Rooms, which are scattered throughout the property and provide maximum privacy. The pathways are relatively narrow but thankfully their staff team will assist with luggage transfer. There are three types of accommodation: deluxe, golden and presidential.

If you want a bucket-list experience, I would strongly suggest booking for the presidential Mush.Room. It is surprisingly affordable if you are comparing it to other presidential suites at 5-star hotels. The pièce de résistance is getting your private thermal pool with jaw-dropping views of the surrounding forest and lake. If you enjoy taking selfies, you will be in seventh heaven. Even if you are camera-shy, this is sheer paradise.

The Mush.Room also offers high-speed WiFi, internal heating including an electric blanket on your bed and a fully-stocked minibar including exquisite wines. The dark wood interior is smartly designed and resembles a showroom in a high-end interior design store rather than a camping site in a rainforest. They offer an open-sky shower with luxury amenities from L’Occitane.

For those staying in the other Mush.Rooms, they do have a general sky pool for you to relax and enjoy the surrounding scenery. They helpfully have signs posted throughout the grounds which highlight the animals you might encounter such as the great trush or the sparkling violet ear. There is also a QR code for you to hear what the birds sound like.

Dining at Bosko is a hidden gem, which you won’t read much about even on their website. Breakfast is cooked to order and delivered to your tent at no extra charge. It is delivered in one of those luxurious hampers which you suspect might be floatable in your thermal pool. You can opt for traditional options like sunny-side-up eggs on toast or Colombian specialties like freshly baked arepas with Colombian-style red beans. Naturally, Colombian coffee is served along with an exotic fruit platter selection.

If you don’t feel like heading into town, their restaurant is a superb option for lunch and dinner. They have an eclectic selection that caters for all tastes. Typically, they offer western dishes with a hint of Colombian flavour such as pork tenderloin served with mashed potatoes and a sweet and sour coffee sauce. The dishes are all exquisitely presented and wouldn’t look out of place in a 5-star hotel. For vegetarians, they have stronger options in the starters and finger food section such as empanadas with homemade aji sauce. and creamy sweet corn with cheese and tajin. In your travels in Colombia, you are more than likely to come across their love of cheese. They even enjoy hot chocolate with cheese.

If you want to offset some calories post-meal, they have kayaks and paddle boards for hire free of charge by the lakeside. The vast Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir is a man-made phenomenon rather than a natural lake. It was built in the 1980s as part of a hydroelectric project that powers up to 30% of the electricity supply of Colombia. You can paddle to your heart’s content as long as you return by 17:00, which is when the lake closes for water-sporting activities.

If you prefer the luxury James Bond-style experience instead, you can book a private speedboat tour instead and see more of the lake area. Your guide will show you the famous houses owned by the likes of footballers from the Colombian national team and Pablo Escobar’s former mansion. If you are lucky, you might be allowed to drive the boat at some point during your trip.

Whether you are a nature lover, a thrill-seeker or just want a tranquil wellness break, there is something to offer for everyone in the magical town of Guatapé.

For more information on the hotel, please visit –

https://bosko.com.co/en/home

The work of a professional photographer involves not only the high quality of the images, but also perfectly executed post-processing. A lot of desktop programs and online services are used for this purpose. But even if you use ready-made filters and presets, the lion’s share of time should be spent on their fitting to specific frames and more profound artistic retouching of selected photos.

RetouchMe Pro, a service that you can use at https://retouchme.com/pro, can dramatically change the situation. Here you can upload “raw” material and describe your wishes for editing, which will be made by graphic design specialists.

Full cycle of photo processing from RetouchMe Pro

The service specialists provide high-quality image processing that meets the requirements of professional photographers. The process is very simple and takes the user a minimum of time.

  1. Order creation. Upload the required number of photos from your computer in a special field. Their number is not limited: it can be one photo or several projects at once. Then you can select the processing methods and confirm the order. The cost of each photo and the total order will be calculated automatically, so the user will know the exact sum.
  2. Editing. Depending on your preferences, RetouchMe Pro designers will perform either light processing (color correction, horizon correction, contrast and brightness correction, cropping) or deep retouching (frequency decomposition, body contour correction, background correction). A full list of options can be viewed on the service’s website and the optimal set of services can be selected.
  3. Receiving ready photos. Within 24 hours of ordering, the result is sent to the user. After that, the sources and ready work are removed by retouchers from their computers. This ensures confidentiality. RetouchMe Pro guarantees high-quality processing, so after you receive your photos, you do not have to do any “fine-tuning” before sending the photos to the customer.

The online service that saves time

Immediately after its launch, RetouchMe Pro caught the attention of photographers because it saves a lot of time. By sending photos to graphic designers for processing, you can forget about hours of monotonous and painstaking work on your computer. While for beginners RetouchMe Pro helps free up time to develop professional skills, experienced photographers appreciate the service for the opportunity to deal with business issues, organize their studio, and fulfill more orders.

In this case, using RetouchMe Pro is more profitable than hiring a full-time retoucher. Since the service team works around the clock, and the processed images are delivered to the user within 24 hours, there is no need to worry that clients will be unhappy with the time it takes to receive the images.

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event filled with unforgettable moments; capturing those memories through beautiful wedding photos is essential. As the bride, you are at the center of attention, and it’s crucial to know how to pose to create stunning and creative images. This guide will explore tips and ideas for posing as the bride to ensure that your wedding photos are both timeless and unique.

1. Practice Makes Perfect

Before your big day, practice different poses in front of a mirror or with your photographer during engagement or pre-wedding photo sessions. Familiarizing yourself with how you look in various positions will help you feel more confident and natural in front of the camera.

2. Communicate with Your Photographer

Effective communication with your Mexico wedding photographers is key. Discuss your vision and preferences for poses and styles well in advance. Share any specific ideas or inspirations you have in mind, and ask for their professional advice. A collaborative approach ensures that you both clearly understand the desired results.

3. Relax and Be Yourself

Authenticity is key to great wedding photos. Try to relax, be yourself, and enjoy the moment. Genuine smiles and emotions will shine through in your photos. Don’t worry about looking perfect; focus on expressing your love and happiness.

4. Classic Bridal Poses

Classic bridal poses are timeless for a reason. These include:

  1. The Over-the-Shoulder Look: Stand with your back slightly turned towards the camera, looking over your shoulder. This pose highlights your profile and the details of your wedding dress.
  2. The Full-Length Portrait: Stand tall and confident, showcasing your entire wedding gown. This pose works particularly well for capturing the intricate design of your dress.
  3. The Bouquet Shot: Hold your bouquet gracefully, with your hands positioned just below your chest. This pose draws attention to your face and bouquet.

5. Movement and Action Shots

Consider adding movement to your wedding photos. Walking, twirling, or dancing can create dynamic and romantic images. Ask your photographer to capture candid moments of you in motion to add a sense of liveliness to your wedding album.

6. Group Poses

Group photos are a significant part of wedding photography. When posing with your bridal party or family, ensure that everyone looks relaxed and connected. Focus on natural interactions and genuine smiles, and don’t be afraid to add a touch of creativity to group shots.

7. Embrace Your Venue

Make the most of your wedding venue’s unique features. Whether you’re in a garden, by the beach, or in an elegant ballroom, use the surroundings to your advantage. Incorporate architectural elements, landscapes, or backdrops into your poses for a personalized touch.

8. Expressive Facial Expressions

Your facial expressions convey your emotions and personality in photos. Practice different expressions to find the ones that suit you best. Your expressions can tell a beautiful story, from joyful laughter to romantic gazes.

9. Props and Accessories

Incorporate props or accessories that hold special meaning to you and your partner. Whether it’s a vintage heirloom, a meaningful book, or a cherished item, these props can add depth and sentimentality to your photos.

Conclusion

Posing for wedding photos as the bride is an art that combines authenticity, creativity, and collaboration with your photographer. By practicing, communicating your vision, and staying true to yourself, you can create a stunning collection of images that capture the essence of your wedding day. Remember that your wedding photos are not just about capturing your appearance but also your emotions, love, and the unique story of your special day. Embrace the moment, be creative, and enjoy the process of creating timeless memories through photography.

Are you thinking about turning your favorite photos into hand-painted portraits? You can turn an ordinary photo into a masterpiece. Chances are, you’re not a skilled portrait painter—but don’t worry, you’re not the only one lacking artistic talent.

Since your artistic skills are pretty much non-existent, it can be tempting to turn to an app to get the job done. Creating hand-painted portraits of your photos using an app is quick, easy, and affordable, the only downside is the finished product. You’re not getting a painting, only a print of one, which kind of defeats the purpose of turning a photograph into a painted portrait.

Your best option is to work with a professional artist—yes, it can be a little pricey, but the end result is well worth the cost. You get a professionally painted portrait you’ll be proud to hang on your walls. The only question is how to find the right artist.

Tips on Finding the Right Artist for Your Photographs

Finding an artist is easy: a simple online search will bring up an extensive list of names. Some of the listed artists may be in your area, while others may be across the country or even overseas.

The hard part is narrowing down the list to the perfect artist. You want one that can realize your dream of turning a cherished photo into a stunning portrait painting. Whether it’s your first time hiring an artist or you’re an old pro, here are some things to consider before handing over your photograph.

Decide on a Budget

Something to keep in mind is while you’re hiring a professional artist, you’re also not paying for a master painter. Prices will vary based on the artist’s skill and level of experience. If the artist works for a company specializing in turning photos into painted portraits, this can also affect the price.

Sometimes, artists working for companies are less expensive. Other times, the opposite is true. You also want to think about whether you want a copy of the artist’s sketch along with the finished painting. This can also affect the final cost.

Other factors to consider include shipping and handling fees. Are these charges included in the price, or are they extra? Once you have a set budget in mind, it’s easier to find an artist in your price range.

Experience Makes a Difference

There’s nothing wrong with giving someone a chance, like an artist just starting out. However, you’re probably planning on displaying the portrait, which means you only want the best art to display in your home, or at least the best that your budget allows.

You may even want to pass the portrait down to future generations, as oil paintings can last for years with the right care. Some paintings in museums are hundreds of years old. For example, the Virgin and Child by Tuscan artist Margarito d’Arezzo dates back to around 1263.

Even if your painting doesn’t last 600 years, you still want it to look professional, so make sure to ask if the artist has previous experience with portrait painting. This type of art is vastly different from painting nature or landscape scenes, so try to find out if the artist has a portfolio of similar work. Doing so will give you an idea of their level of skill and if their style matches your tastes.

You may also want to browse through the artist’s online reviews. If you’re using a painting service, find out if you can request a specific artist.

Find Out About Delivery Times and Costs

If the artist or service is close by, you can probably skip delivery; however, it’s a different story when the artist is located hundreds of miles or more away. This is when you want to ask about delivery rates and any other additional charges. Sometimes, there are costs associated with packing the portrait painting.

Don’t forget to ask about delivery times: this can be especially important if you’re planning on giving the portrait as a gift or want it hanging in your home by a specific date. A good tip is to start working with the artist early to ensure the painting arrives on time.

Tips on Caring For Your Portrait Painting

You don’t want to wrap the painting up and store it in a safe location. You want it displayed in your home. Go ahead and hang the painting on the wall, however, pay attention to placement. Try to avoid hanging the painting in direct sunlight. This can cause the paint color to fade prematurely.

Here are a few other tips to help keep your portrait painting looking like new for years.

Avoid Placing the Painting Under the Glass

Your painting needs to breathe, so try to avoid using the glass cover that’s a part of most frames. Glass can damage painted surfaces, which is the last thing you want, especially if you’re shelling out for a proper piece. If you’re worried about the paint cracking and chipping, you can cover the artwork in a protective varnish.

Don’t grab just any can of varnish off of the store shelves. Instead, take the time to talk to an art professional to get recommendations. Oil portrait paintings will use a different type of varnish than other mediums, and using the wrong type of varnish can ultimately ruin the artwork instead of protecting it.

Dust Your Painting Carefully

Put away the furniture polish and damp cloths, as these items should never be used on your painting. Instead, grab a soft, clean cloth or even a feather duster, then lightly wipe away any dust and cobwebs from the painting’s surface.

You also want to refrain from using cleaning liquids on the frame. They can easily run into the painting. If possible, remove the artwork from the wall. This way, you can dust behind the painting.

Don’t Make Any Fixes a DIY Project

If the unthinkable happens and your painting is damaged, it’s not a DIY project! Always call the professionals to repair any damage, ideally, the original artist. The professionals can repair the painting without leaving any noticeable marks.

Enjoy Your Favorite Portrait Photos In a New Way

Transforming your favorite photographs into hand-painted portraits is a unique and rewarding experience that creates a custom, lasting, and deeply personal piece of art. While using an app for convenience and cost may be tempting, the result is a mere print and not an authentic painting.

When you opt for the services of a professional artist, though potentially more costly, it ensures a genuinely handcrafted portrait that can become a cherished heirloom that lasts for generations. So make sure you take your time when choosing an artist, and remember never to make repairs alone.

We think we all know the Beatles, but the new exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery ‘Eyes of the Storm’ perfectly encapsulates what life was like as a Beatle during that pivotal time as Beatlemania took hold in the early sixties.

It’s fair to say that as well as being the biggest music act in the world, the fab four changed both pop culture and the world in its entirety when the Beatles’ fame catapulted from local lads ‘done good’ to stratospheric levels that no one could have ever imagined.

Least of all Paul McCartney, whose artistic efforts and vision has resulted in a fascinating insight into life as one quarter of the world’s most talked about band as they hit the big time.

There are so many photos of The Beatles that are etched into my memory, largely down to having them on my bedroom wall as a teenager in the nineties, but Paul’s very special collection of photos provides a truly compelling and intimate take on not only his life, but of John, George and Ringo as well as other loved ones from Paul’s life.

This uniquely personal perspective on what it was like to be in the Beatle at the start of ‘Beatlemania’ and takes the viewer on a real journey as you join the Beatles on a magical mystery tour from the streets of London and Liverpool onwards to Paris, New York, Washington DC and the sun-dappled beaches of Miami.

Career highlights are immaculately captured such as the Beatles appearance on the biggest TV show in the world at the time – The Ed Sullivan show which was watched by over 73 million viewers.

Inspired by his parents ‘Kodak Brownie’ camera, the young Paul clearly had a knack for photos from an early age. His younger brother Michael was a keen photographer too and subsequently made a career out of his passion and has even had books published of his work.

He used a 35mm Pentax camera as favoured by professional photographers like David Bailey to take on tour with him to capture those special moments behind the scenes with both his bandmates and the extended Beatles family.

It only came to light recently that this beguiling collection of almost 1000 photos were not lost, but were in the musician’s archives.

Paul said “Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always knew I had taken some photos in the 1960s..it was a crazy whirlwind that we were living through, touring and working pretty much every day and seeing loads of people who wanted to photograph us. There were loads of eyes and cameras, at the centre of this storm”.

He insists his intention is not to be ‘seen as a master photographer’ but an ‘occasional photographer who happened to be in the right place at the right time’.

His vision of turning the camera on to the photographers themselves is a mirror into the world that he was inhabiting.

As well as his brother Mike, Paul was also influenced by the creative photographers around him which included the great Dezo Hoffman and German photographer Astrid Kirchherr who they met in Hamburg in 1960 with Astrid falling in love with Stuart Sutcliffe (a former member of the Beatles)

The exhibition starts with a striking trio of photos – a self portrait of Paul himself which shows he has always been ahead of the curve and doing selfies before a selfie was an actual thing!

It also perfectly illustrates the intensity of the band’s work schedule with rehearsals, relentless press junkets, tours, TV appearances and more.

From their UK November tour in 1963 which is captured in black and white with the instantly recognisable mop top hair, slick suits and that omnipresent cheeky glint in their eyes, you can see there were two sides to the Beatles.

The professional musicians putting on the razzle dazzle to the world and behind the scenes, four ordinary lads who wanted down time, to be a tourist in Washington and see the White House and relax and have a well-earned rest.

As well as the brilliant pictures, there’s some endearing anecdotes from Paul who reminisces about the time the band were in Paris and they heard they had reached number 1 in America where they ‘screamed and jumped on each other and ran around the hotel room and danced’.

One particular photo really shows the camaraderie that the four young men had with the band having a pillow fight at a hotel in Paris in 1964. This is not one taken by McCartney, but it effortlessly sums up life with The Beatles.

As Beatlemania increased, the Beatles world got bigger and at the same time smaller. Their journey into superstardom is further demonstrated by Paul switching from shooting in black and white into colour.

This is further magnified when they spent some time in Miami with those pinks and blues really popping out at you.

This transition is symbolic of how far they had come from the leafy streets of Liverpool to a millionaire’s lifestyle in Miami.

The Miami collection is largely behind the scenes shots of the boys relaxing, sunbathing and even attempting to water ski. These dreamy images inspired Paul to create a film exclusively for the exhibition which is unmissable.

With over 250 pictures included in this rare and electrifying exhibition, this is an absolute must to go and see, not just for fans of Paul and The Beatles, but for anyone interested in music, photography, fashion and more.

You’ll love it – Yeah Yeah Yeah!

Paul McCartney Photographs 1963-64: Eyes of the Storm is at the National Portrait Gallery, from 28 June to 1 October.

Villa La Massa…

Nestled in the Italian countryside just 15 minutes outside of Florence ‘s city center lies Villa La Massa; built in the 13th century, this once private country house has since evolved into a luxury hotel.

Sitting on the banks of the picturesque Arno River, this stunning hotel has undergone a complete renovation, encapulating pure luxury, whilst still presenting it’s grandour and history. Set in a 25-acre park and surrounded by the Tuscan countryside, Villa La Massa is the perfect secluded spot to embrace peace and serentity away from the city center of Florence.

Arrival and check in:

I spent two wonderful days at Villa La Massa with my lovely Mum, we checked into one of the hotels 51 rooms and were greeted with a welcome card, fresh fruit and sparkling water – it was a lovely warm welcome!

We soon settled into our beautiful room, after spending several nights in the center of Florence; we were excited to unwind and absorb some peace in the tranquil surroundings of Villa La Massa.

Dining at Villa La Massa:

All of your dining needs will be met at the hotels on site restaurants so you won’t even need to think about leaving the properties secluded oasis.

From poolside lunching and casual dining at L’Oliveto, to breakfast served either in the rooms or at the hotels restaurant “Il Verrocchio”, you’ll find every need catered for.

Enjoy an early evening Aperitif at the hotels Medicean Bar, then follow up with a meal at Villa La Massa’s refined restuarant, Il Verrocchio; with it’s romantic terrace overlooking the Arno River.

We enjoyed our first meal at Il Verrocchio, home made pasta with fresh ingredients from the garden followed by a lamb and fish dish. The food was diving and the wine pairing was sublime. On our second day we enjoyed a poolside lunch at the hotels more informal restaurant; L’Oliveto for some more delicious food (and pasta!).

The Hotel:

Soak up the views of the Tuscan countryside whilst lounging by the pool, enjoy yoga lessons, the hotels Arno spa and on site gym – whether you’re looking to workout, relax or unwind – there is something for everyone at Villa La Massa.

Explore the hotels 25-acre plot and emmerse yourself in the gardens, play a game of tennis or take a bike and enjoy one of the cycling paths. Villa La Massa is the perfect spot to recharge.

Soak up some Italian sunshine and find a spot overlooking the Arno River for an aperitif!

Book your stay at Villa La Massa here.

What’s it like to go on tour with one of the world’s most famous musicians? Celebrated photographer Sharon Latham knows exactly what it’s like. Her new exhibition ‘A New World Blazing’ which presents an exclusive glimpse at life on the road with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds launched online last night at the prestigious Red House Originals gallery.

Music Editor Emma Harrison spoke to Sharon to learn how she started out in photography, what does it take to create an amazing shot, having a chin wag with Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper and what it’s really like to work with Noel Gallagher.

House of Coco

How was last night’s launch of your new exhibition ‘A New World Blazing’ in London?

Sharon Latham

It was far better than I ever anticipated, but it’s always difficult hearing other people praising you. I find that quite tough going when they say ‘Oh, this is great!’ and you’re like, is it? Really? Oh!

House of Coco

Please don’t be so critical. You work is amazing and I am a huge fan of Noel Gallagher. I’ve seen the prints showcased in the exhibition and they are absolutely amazing. You’ve worked with Noel for several years now, how did this exhibition come about? And why was now the best time to do it?

Sharon Latham

Well, we organised to do it in 2020, but then the pandemic hit. So, we thought, ‘Oh, we’ll hold off and we’ll wait and see what happens’. We waited a year, then we waited a bit longer. And we thought well, rather than waiting even longer. We’ll put it all online. So, it’s all available online and it was wonderful to have Gibson involved who did the press launch with us, which was so much fun.

The original idea for the exhibition came from the fact that I’d done a book ‘Any Road Will Get Us There (If We Don’t Know Where We Are Going)’ with Noel in 2018. Noel said to me back in 2019, ‘Oh, we should do another book’ and I said to him ‘No, it’s too soon’. He asked me, ‘What do you want to do?’ I said, ‘let’s do an exhibition’. So that was that!

Then, very fortuitously, when I did put the book out in 2018, the wonderful Richard at Red House Gallery got in touch with me and said ‘If ever you decide to do an exhibition, I’d love to be involved’ and I’d saved his number and he stayed in touch. So, I thought, ‘You know what, let’s see what he’s all about’. Then I went up to Harrogate to meet him and he’s just a spectacularly clever, talented guy and that’s where it went from there. It’s taking three years to get to where it is now. It’s good. I’m happy with that!

House of Coco

Fantastic! You used to chat with Noel when you were the club photographer at Manchester City, and you and Noel had a chat about what you were intending to do next after leaving the club and you ended up going on tour with him. I love how you’re just making things happen. Can you tell me a bit more about that story?

Sharon Latham

Yeah! I’ve been blessed by the fact that I was employed as the first ever female Premier League club photographer and that was just the most epic 10 years of my life. I had so much fun! I’d already photographed Oasis back at Maine Road and the Etihad a long time before that. So, I’d met Noel and Liam before, but then when I started working at City, they were there every game.

As Noel was starting up the High Flying Birds, I’d see him at every game, so we were always bumping into each other. So, we became friends softly and quietly and then over the years, when we started winning trophies, I was sending him pictures of the trophies or pictures of him with players and things like that. Then when I said, ‘I’m leaving’, he replied, ‘But where will I get my pictures?!’ and I reassured him, ‘There will be a new photographer, it won’t be an issue’. Noel said, ‘Why are you leaving, you can’t leave!’ And I was like, ‘I’ve got other things to do. I don’t have to take pictures all the time!’ So, then he said, ‘What are you going to do though? To which I replied, ‘Well, it’s okay – I’ll come on tour with you! And he just went ‘Okay!’

So, that was it and in 2016, I covered a few of his festivals that he was doing when I first left City and that was that. I got called back to do most of the other tours, which has been great, immense, and hard work, but great fun!

House of Coco

How has it been working with Richard McTague at Red House Gallery and how did you enjoy working on your first major solo exhibition?

Sharon Latham

He’s the nicest man on the planet. I can’t sing his praises enough, he’s exceptional at what he does. None of this would have been made possible without him and his skills. He’s got a great team around him as well.

I did a couple of exhibitions at City, but they were all sort of in house and were mainly for community projects to raise money for community projects. This is my first major solo exhibition independently like this and it’s been scary, but amazingly great!

House of Coco

So, there’s 40 pieces in the exhibition including 12 of which are exclusive limited-edition prints that have been signed by yourself and Noel. Do you have a favourite piece from the exhibition? Or is it quite hard to kind of make that choice?

Sharon Latham

I do get asked that a lot, but I think I’ve got a couple of favourites. One of them being the ‘Home’ picture, which is the Manchester Arena picture, with Noel in the bottom left hand corner and then there’s the whole of the arena – it’s just an epic picture of the audience. That view isn’t seen all the time because people are always looking at the stage and looking at the artist.

It was the first time back there after the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert. So, it was quite emotional for me. I was sat on the stage and I remember panning around, taking the shot and actually getting quite upset. The atmosphere in there was incredible that night as well.

When I went look through the pictures, I spotted this one and it just emoted the situation. So, that’s one of my favourites and it’s also got my daughter in it as well!

There’s also a couple of really big acrylic ones that we’ve done that are like a metre high. They are silhouettes of Noel in orange and blue with his guitar up. You can’t see Noel, but you still know it’s him – it’s purely his silhouette and profile. They’re huge, but they’re so beautiful. I like those two as well. But, it’s difficult because there’s so many, but there are certain ones that do spark a little bit of emotion for me!

House of Coco

Was it quite hard to pick the 40 images for the exhibition as you must have hundreds and hundreds to choose from? What was that selection process like?

Sharon Latham

Yeah! Noel helped; he was involved in the process. I sent him a selection of images and he came back and said, ‘I liked these ones, but why don’t we put a few more of behind the scenes in there?’

He’s been involved with the selection process which is great. It makes it easier because sometimes you can sit there, and you just don’t know which one to pick. You get a bit blind to it.

House of Coco

That’s great. You have got a really lovely relationship with Noel and actually seem like similar characters. What’s he like to work with both on this particular project, the book, and as his photographer?

Sharon Latham

He’s a consummate professional. And I say this all the time, he really is a consummate professional. And you know, you can’t deceive him in any way, shape, or form. I’ve never had any issues with him. We just got on very, very well. I think the banter element works as well as I’m quite good at bantering, as is he. I find him one of the kindest and most interesting people I’ve ever met.

House of Coco

Yeah, he’s also incredibly smart. He’s sharp and totally on it!

Sharon Latham

He’s really very professional, very on the ball and doesn’t suffer fools gladly as well, which I’m one of those people. So yeah, you are right, there is a quite a few similarities! Plus, the Man City and the football element.

House of Coco

Going back to the football, when it comes to football and gig photography, it’s all live and it’s all about the action as well capturing those special moments. Does your approach to music and football photography differ?

Sharon Latham

Yeah, ultimately, if you think about capturing sports action itself, that’s fast moving, the light changes, even though you’re outside. With gigs, it’s better lighting, but a lot of the time, the light changes due to the movements.

The similarities are there, but then, by the same vein, it’s a different set of lenses completely when it comes to the technical side of it. When you look at the behind-the-scenes shots as well, I used to capture a lot of behind-the-scenes action at Man City, and that was purely for the fans.

I would think as a fan, what I would want to see and what would I want to know – what boots do they use and how do they put those boots on? I would do behind the scenes stuff with some of my favourite players. So, I really made sure that that was in my head before I went there and I also do the same with music.

I think as a fan I would want to know what Noel drank before he went on stage. And I’d want a picture of him warming up and all the rest of it. So, I always have that element of thought in the mind. And that’s where I’ll try and get unusual angles of the stage. I’ll be hidden behind the drum kit and Noel will turn around and forget sometimes that I am there and he will stick his tongue out!

House of Coco

Fantastic! I like all the candid shots when he’s a little bit unaware. You have been on several tours now. Has your approach to photography changed much and how do the earlier tours compare to the most recent NGHFB tours?

Sharon Latham

When you first start, you have to make sure that people learn to trust you and realise that you’re not there to take any bad pictures or anything. So, there’s a trust element early on, but once that trust is done, you’re settled in with the band and you’re settled in with people – you can just literally sit back and get on with what you’re doing. They don’t even question you being in certain situations and you are given Access All Areas which is great. I love how Noel’s music has changed.

I love the different development of the music as it’s gone on and I love the fact that Noel is expressing his music that way now as well. I enjoy all of it. I really do. I think you can see the progression of his music and it’s what he wants to do and the sheer fact that it’s what he wants to do and he’s enjoying it. I think that comes across clearly as well.

House of Coco

I agree. I have loved seeing Noel’s progression musically in the last 10 years or so. I have seen him live several times and it’s always such a great show! Do you have any standout memories from like either touring or other shoots?

Sharon Latham

There’s so many, so many! From rocking up to the Joshua Tree to shoot a video in the middle of LA, with trees growing underground upside down and not even knowing where we’re going to shoot to shooting stuff in a bizarre location in New Orleans that had like a spaceship-esque thing in the back garden, to shooting some gigs that were in the most beautiful venues and at the atmospheric gigs like the London Palladium was just an unreal gig!

And then you are walking into unexpected situations where you’ve got Bradley Cooper in the dressing room…

House of Coco

To be fair, it’s pretty unexpected to have Bradley Cooper in a dressing room!

Sharon Latham

You know, there was an after-show thing we did in LA and we were all in this big backstage dressing room area. Noel had invited a lot of people over and they have all come down, just chilled. I looked across the room and on this couch. And I just went ‘Oh, that guy’s the double of Bradley Cooper!’ and Noel went ‘That’s Bradders!’ And I was like, ‘Oh my God. I can’t stand and talk to Bradley Cooper!’

Bradley Cooper stood up and he was so lovely. And I turned around to Noel and I was like ‘What do I say?!’ And he (Bradley) was just a sweetie. And I spent 20 minutes talking to him!

I’ve worked with a lot of celebrities and you meet a lot of celebrities and go, ‘Oh, you’re not as tall as I thought!’ He is really tall, because I’m six foot one, but he was really tall!

House of Coco

It sounds like you’ve met some amazing people. Do you have anyone in particular that you would like to meet and work with?

Sharon Latham

Yeah! I’ve got a list. I’ve got a wish list that gets added to on a regular basis. I’ve got a lot of actors that I’d like to work with and shoot, I’ve got a project in mind that I’d like to take somewhere and get someone to help me get it funded which features a lot of actors in different situations, shall we say?

That’s something on the back burner I’m thinking about. But I’d love to shoot Mads Mikkelsen. I would absolutely, he’s just one of the most incredible characters, face wise. I think he’s got a beautiful face. I’d love to shoot him. Also, Elton John! Yeah! I was supposed to shoot him last year. I really missed out on that. I’d love to do some stuff with Paul McCartney as well. I could have done that at Glastonbury. There is there is a long list! Tom Hardy’s on there as well. I just think there’s a shoot I’ve got in mind for Tom Hardy that would blow people away if I can do it.

House of Coco
It’s so interesting how you can kind of look at a person and envisage a picture or set up in mind. How did you get into photography in the first place? What inspired you to pick up the camera?

Sharon Latham

My dad died when I was eight and he was an amateur photographer, and I inherited his camera. And that was that! I’ve never not taken pictures since. I’ve been taking photographs since I was eight years old. I had this old Russian camera, and it went everywhere with me. Then as I got older, and I’ve gone through life and had children, I have carried on with photography throughout my life.

My cameras have always been my source of comfort, my source of relaxation, my source of entertainment, my hobby! Never, ever in a million years would I believe I could ever make a living out of it or be sat here in a London Gibson’s studio with an exhibition of 40 photographs.

Being a professional photographer happened later in life, but I have been a photographer for all of my life.

House of Coco

That’s incredible. What do you think makes a great shot?

Sharon Latham

The thing is with a candid shot, I think it’s about capturing that moment, but with a set up shot it’s all about making sure that you have exactly in mind what you want from that image. A set up shot, and a candid shot are two completely different things. With a candid shot or a live shot, you’ve got to really be on your toes and make sure that you’re there at every point you can be.

I even have a set of images in my head before a gig and after a gig of what I want. Whether they happen and they don’t always, but I know how and what I want to get from them. That’s what I want them to be and so you have to sit down and wait and hope that it happens in front of you.

House of Coco

A lot of our readers are budding photographers, have you got any tips for them how they improve their skills please?

Sharon Latham

I get emails and messages about this on a daily basis. I absolutely love it when youngsters and the older generation get into photography and they ask, ‘What would you recommend?’ My biggest recommendation is to take photos! Learn how to take a photo with a camera that you’ve got, or even on your phones and then take lots of pictures of lots and lots of different things.

Over time, you’ll work out what you like to photograph because some people like photographing buildings, some people like photographing people. Some people like photographing landscapes, and landscapes are not for me. There’s such a massive realm of photography, you’ve got to hone in on what you like to do and the only way to do that is to literally go out and take shed loads of pictures.

For me, I think it’s 80% of your personality (and your own style) and then the other 20% is the technical knowledge. Don’t get me wrong, you need to know your camera, you need to know how to work a digital or a SLR camera, but there’s got to be you and your personality, and that will then come across any photographs.

House of Coco

What inspires you creatively?

Sharon Latham

For me, inspiration comes in different avenues. If you’ve been booked for a job to do something, you end up getting inspired by reading about that individual or finding out more about them. So, it depends on what I’m working on. I always love covering music stuff because it’s an eclectic mix of whatever you do. You could be doing the Arctic Monkeys on a Monday then doing Taylor Swift or Elton John. I like the eclectic-ness of it all, so inspiration comes from what I’m working on.

House of Coco

With the ongoing pandemic putting live shows on hold once again, this is clearly impacting on your work.

Sharon Latham

It’s been a horrendous 18 months because I lost all my work. I tend to go to a lot of the film festivals as well, and the red-carpet events, so they’ve all gone! I have also got a travel app – so that’s screwed as you would expect!

Yeah, it’s been really hard work. I’ve got a couple of things on the back burner and I if can get somebody to fund it, it would be absolutely spectacular. I’ve just got to keep plugging and doing what I do. My skills still there and they’re not going anywhere.

I have a couple of projects that I want to do. There’s one project for an exhibition that I’ve got in mind, which is the one featuring celebrities and then there’s another one I’ve got in mind that is all about raising awareness of male suicide.

House of Coco

In terms of the current exhibition, how long is it online for and do you have any other plans for it?

Sharon Latham

It’s online indefinitely at the moment and then we’ve got plans to physically take it out on the road again, when we can do so!

Noel’s latest album ‘Back The Way We Came: Vol. 1 (2011-2021)’ is out now.

Miami is a paradise of interconnected oceanfront cities offering a rich tapestry of cultures living in harmony all in one place. I had the pleasure of living there a few years back and I refer to that time in my life with fondness, as ‘The Miami Years.’

If you’ve visited Miami over the last few years, you’ll know it as a city with many faces which has greatly changed over the last ten years. The huge influx of five-star hotels and branded luxury apartments and an abundance of art events – including the infamous Art Basel – fused with different cultures and a huge influx of Oligarchs, has helped transform the Magic City.

A Florida native – I was a beach babe born in beautiful Fort Lauderdale – it was during my time there that I reconnected with my childhood friend (and future roommate), Jenny Abrams. The Manchester-born and now internationally recognised lifestyle photographer, took me under her wing and showed me the ropes to beachside living. From the best restaurants and nightspots to the best art shows and gigs, to secluded beaches, it’s safe to say, we were never short of amazing experiences. At the time, she was moving up the ranks as one of Miami’s most well-known lifestyle photographers. She continues to work with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Google, Ted Baker, Soho House, Adidas, and Mercedes, to name a few. Her work has also been published in The Guardian, Vice, and Travel + Leisure and she has amassed an Insta following of over 149k.

As the city continues to change and evolve, I caught up with my longtime friend to find the inside scoop on her Miami highlights and where House of Coco readers should go for under-the-radar gems when we can travel there again. And as the evenings draw closer and the temperature continues to drop, there is no better time to reminisce and dream of my life in the city where the heat is always well and truly on.

Favourite breakfast spot: I could easily mention some of the newer and trendier of my favourite spots, like All Day Cafe, or the classic, Zak the Baker, but I am going to have to choose Enriquetas. At Enriquetas you can get a traditional (and massive) plate of Cuban food, complete with tostada (Cuban toast w/ butter) and the classic, cafe con leche (Cuban coffee with milk). This tiny hole-in-the-wall has survived decades of gentrification – including a fire! – and a whole bunch of crazy happenings on its street corner. They also have the best sweet cheese pastries (pastelito de queso) in Miami. Que rico!

Best bar: There are so many great places to grab a drink in Miami but since I moved away from the heart of the city to a cute little beach neighborhood in North Beach (15mins drive from South Beach), I’ve been digging the dive bars around my way. My favorite is a dingy old bar called On The Rocks. Not the typical Miami Beach crowd, it’s a mix of neighborhood locals and biker boys. But when I’m looking for something a little less gritty and a little more Miami, a solid-go-to is Broken Shaker at The Freehand.

Virtual escapism until we can be there in the flesh @JennyAbrams

Miami’s most photogenic spot: A view of the city and Biscayne Bay but from West Avenue on South Beach. Here you can get a sunset city view over the water.

What made me want to be a photographer: I’ve been obsessed with documenting my life since I was a young girl. Disposable cameras have always been my jam. But in 2007, a friend of mine had a DSLR camera that I couldn’t put down. It was then that I decided to learn the technicalities of the camera. From that point on, it became even more than an obsession. The camera became an extension of my right hand and still is!

Favourite club or place for live music: Wish I could say The Electric Pickle, which was the best place to find a good boogie but unfortunately Miami has lost some of its staple dance spots as rent has just skyrocketed in developing neighborhoods. RIP The Pickle and Purdy Lounge! However, we do have some great new places like Las Rosas – I love it there! Another consistent spot (for live bands) is Lagniappe – a wine and cheese venue with a cosy vibe.

Favourite art event: Art Basel Main Fair during Art Week. There are so many events that happen during this time, it’s always really hard to keep up with everything that’s going on. Most people think Art Basel is all over Miami, but the official fair is held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. I always tell people that if they are interested in seeing some proper art, invest in a ticket to the main fair. It’s a collection of the most prestigious galleries in the world, so you really can’t go wrong. I also love the Bill Brady Gallery which is on 92 NW Street.

Favourite place for dinner: Sabor de Peru. Best mom and pop Peruvian, it never fails! I also love Katana – kaiten style (conveyor belt) sushi – in North Beach.

How has Miami evolved since you moved there? Like CRAZY. I moved here a long time ago before Wynwood (Miami’s version of Shoreditch) was even a thing. Way before we had globally recognized chefs cooking in every restaurant; before Little Havana was a cool place to open a business. I remember riding my bike around the city and Art District for many years. Now when I go to Wynwood, I barely recognize anything! It’s been a rapid cultural evolution here and although I miss a more quiet and untouched Miami, I really love the evolution of our city. We are finally being taken seriously on all fronts: food, entertainment, art, architecture and even sport! Inter Miami FC just began their first season, and it’s huge! Miami is booming.

Follow Jenny’s vibrant works on @JennyAbrams or www.JennyAbrams.com

The good life @JennyAbrams