Marianne Taylor Photography | Portrait & Family Photographer in Cornwall
On-location portrait and family photography in North Cornwall. Siren of the Sea sessions, couples, families. Soft, romantic, coastal.
Lydia got in touch to arrange a Family Session, as she had managed to gather her whole family, who are spread over great distances, together in order to spend Christmas in Cornwall. On a slightly damp and grey day, we made full use of the beautiful garden outside their rented cottage and captured this special moment in time. The weather might have a been a bit on the chilly side, but all the jokes and laughter made for a warm couple of hours spent together!
Salty waves, sandy toes, and wide smiles. While the days are getting chillier and chillier in the UK, going through pictures from last month’s sunset family session on Venice Beach in California certainly helped fill me with a warm glow! There’s something pretty magical about an ocean bathing in golden light, and it’s hard to find a more perfect setting for family photography than a beach with plenty of room for everyone to run around. Pour a cuppa and join me in a little bit of California dreaming below!
The original concept for this shoot might have started as something completely different and the circumstances, the weather, and the tide might have been against us, but in the end, I think this is where we were meant to end up. These were the images that we were supposed to create. The wind, the rugged Cornish coast, the modern bridal vibe, it all came together perfectly. I guess sometimes you just have to let go, enjoy the journey, and trust that it all works out!
It was such a pleasure to work with such an amazing team, and I fell head over heels in love with this separates gown by Ailsa Munro and the wildly perfect flowers by This Rugged Coast. I hope you enjoy looking at these windswept images as much as I enjoyed shooting them!
Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Model: Lucie Rose Donlan
Hair: Joanne Einnis of Gold Bird Hair Design
Make-up: Chloe Drew
Flowers: This Rugged Coast
Gown: Ailsa Munro
Jewellery: Zeaglass
Now that autumn is most definitely in the air, I feel it’s appropriate to share this gorgeous charcuterie setup from our inspiration shoot with Hannah Berry Flowers and Kalm Kitchen at Millbridge Court. Autumn is generally not my favourite time of time of year, so I love anything that makes you feel like the crisp air and rustic colours are exactly what the doctor ordered, and I think this shoot delivers on that front! So, wrap up warm, scroll down and feast your eyes on all the yumminess!
Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Flowers: Hannah Berry Flowers
Food: Kalm Kitchen
Venue: Millbridge Court
I’m pretty sure you’re beginning to recognise this girl. Since moving to Cornwall, Lucie has become a muse to me, and she really helped me rekindle my love for photography. I’m so happy to get to work with her, both on commercial projects, but also on personal projects and inspiration shoots like this one.
I’ll never forget what a lovely evening we spent capturing these leisurely images under the candy sky. These kind of evenings and shoots make me feel like my heart is bursting with love for Cornwall, and for being able to make a living with the camera in my hand.
How about a surprise birthday party on a working farm in Cornwall, where you get flown in by a helicopter and where the ingredients of your birthday meal come from within a few miles? That’s exactly how Jo’s birthday party played out, and it certainly was an affair to remember!
Held in the cutest tepee at Padstow Kitchen Garden, planned to perfection by The Cornish Concierge, it was just the most amazing setting for a family gathering in Jo’s honour. There were wildly gorgeous flower arrangements by This Rugged Coast, beautiful stationery by Ariadne Creative and a spectacular cake made into the spitting image of Jo’s dog by Peboryon, all accompanied by acoustic music by Toby Lobb aka Loveridgemusic.
Farmer Ross Geach (who also writes a column for the Telegraph) took the birthday party for a tour of the farm, where the hors d’oeuvres were prepared fresh right in front of them. After working up an appetite doing archery and other activities, it was time to sit down for a three-course meal prepared in the outdoor kitchen by Jackson Bristow.
It was such a pleasure to get to photograph this intimate party and get to spend a day in such a beautiful setting, I really hope the pictures convey the relaxed and joyous atmosphere!
I’ve been meaning to blog this rather magical Siren of the Sea session for ages! But in the whirlwind that was this summer, I didn’t get around to it until now!
Rose wanted the photo shoot to showcase her physicality and strength as a dancer, so she really gave a LOT during the session. At times I was simply mesmerised by her movement and had to remind myself to take pictures, and on a few occasions, I had to force myself to keep my eyes open and not whimper (too much) when Rose was jumping on the edge of a cliff!
While we weren’t blessed with good weather (it was drizzling throughout!) I still think these are some of the most magical portraits I’ve ever taken. The backdrop of Cornwall is so majestic and rugged, matching Rose’s wild abandon twirl for twirl.
I really hope some of the magic is transported to you via these images! Rose’s goldilocks hair was styled by Severin Hepburn of Hepburn Collection.
In my opinion, London is at it’s best on a gentle late summer’s evening. There’s a sweetness in the air that smooths the rougher edges of the always bustling city. I thoroughly enjoyed walking through their beautiful neighbourhood for Anne & Archie’s engagement session, and I can’t wait for their big day next year!
Lucie is a new ‘Flavour Enthusiast’ and brand ambassador for Little’s Coffee, and recently we shot some editorial portraits of her for the flavoured coffee brand. You can see Lucie’s introduction interview over on their blog.
Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Model: Lucie Rose Donlan
Coffee: We are Little’s
Surfboard: Adam’s surfboards
After the whirlwind of 2015, during which I relocated all the way to the shores of the Atlantic in Cornwall, and when there was no time for a workshop, I’m so happy to let you know that Live What You Love workshop 2016 is happening in October!
If you want to wake up every day feeling as excited about your business, as you do about your photography, this workshop is for you. We’ll talk about how to build a business that feels authentic and meaningful, for both you and your clients. We’ll also have a shoot during which I’ll demonstrate how to direct your couple using the Moment Design (aka Beloved) technique, which enables even the shyest photographers to capture authentic moments and emotions with their clients.
The workshop takes place in an intimate setting in Basingstoke, on Sunday the 2nd of October. You can find all the details through the Her Lovely Heart website.
I keep my workshops small so that everyone has a chance to get their questions answered, which means places are strictly limited. If your heart is pulling you towards it, act fast to avoid disappointment and book your seat now!
Generally, I’m very much a parks and nature, cliff tops and the ocean kind of girl, but I have to say that from time to time a super colourful and urban London engagement session can really refresh your senses and eyes.
Chiujung & Poyu wanted to find as much colour as possible for their engagement shoot, so on a hot summer’s day, we headed to Brick Lane in search of interesting street art, before finishing the session off at the most colourful (and busy!) spot of the city, Piccadilly Circus.
On a lazy summer’s day, on a field above the sea in Cornwall. These are the days you’ll remember.
Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Dress: Sailaway Dress Company
Model: Lucie Rose Donlan
I’ve been shooting a LOT lately. I feel like an old flame has been rekindled and I want to be doing so much more with photography again. One of the ways of shaking things up is by combining client work with projects that are inspirational to me. These ballerina lifestyle portraits of dancer Rose Hartigan are an example of such a collaboration. I had such a clear idea in my head of how I wanted to portray her and her strong dancer’s physique, and I’m so happy with the way these images came together .
I really hope you’ll like these portraits, and feel inspired to celebrate whatever your particular strength may be with a photo shoot. Also, keep an eye out for a pretty special Siren of the Sea session we also shot with Rose, coming up later on!
Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Hair: Severin Hepburn of Hepburn Collection
Make-up: Tamsyn Siddiqui
Seeing that there’s a heatwave sweeping across the UK, I thought it appropriate to share these sunny Cornish lifestyle portraits!
Lucie is a surfer and surfing instructor based down here in Newquay, North Cornwall. These portraits were taken as a part of a shoot inspired by the laid-back surfer lifestyle of the Cornish coast. The Atlantic Ocean calls surfers to its embrace no matter what time of year it is, and Lucie is an example of someone who lives for the sea, and of it. Her passion is truly infectious! I hope you enjoy this shoot, and perhaps get inspired to come down to Cornwall for a lifestyle shoot (or a surf!) of your own!
Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Model: Lucie Rose Donlan
Hair: Severin Hepburn of Hepburn Collection
Jewellery: Jane’s Handmade Jewellery
Surfboard: Adam’s surfboards
Accessories: Roo’s Beach
BTS video (coming soon!): The Storycatchers
It’s crazy to think it’s four years since Rose & Robin’s wedding day! To celebrate, these lovely souls travelled to Cornwall for an anniversary photography session by the sea. It was just the loveliest to get to share some giggles and beautiful moments with Rose & Robin again, and to see that four years on, they are as madly in love as ever!
I really wouldn’t mind if I got to spend the rest of my life standing on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, taking pictures of people in love. That would be just fine with me.
(Also, hydrangea game in Cornwall = strong)
Time is a funny thing. It seemed like I had been waiting for Victoria & Charles’ wedding day for ages, and yet it felt like it was only yesterday when we got together for their engagement session in Somerset. Taking on such a limited number of weddings means I’m looking forward to each one with even more enthusiasm, and I couldn’t have been more excited when Victoria & Charles’ big day finally rolled around!
Victoria got ready with her sister and friends at her childhood home, which added something really special to the proceedings. It was lovely to be surrounded by all the photographs and mementoes that told such vivid stories and formed a map of memories. Pat Mascolo, the mother of one of Victoria’s oldest friends was on hand for make-up, and Lauren from Tony and Guy perfected Victoria’s stunningly glamorous wavy hair-do.
Before Victoria stepped into her Valentino shoes and the most beautiful (I, mean really!) Monique Lhuillier gown from Browns Bride, her and Charles’ dog Albert came in for a quick cuddle and a pose. You could literally hear all the hearts in the room melting! After popping on her great-great grandmother’s pearl and diamond earrings, and Charlie’s family onyx and diamond bracelet, and picking up her simply stunning Hayford and Rhodes bouquet, Victoria was ready.
It was a short walk to the church of St Mary Abbots and after the ceremony, all the guests continued on foot to the Orangery at Kensington Palace for the party. There, Rhubarb was in charge of the catering and Pearl and Groove had created the most amazing gluten free cake. As well as stationery from Wren Press, Victoria’s own illustrations also played a part in the look of the day. She had illustrated all the escort cards to look like ‘Royal Ascot Enclosure’ badges, and each guest got a small cut-out caricature of themselves instead of a place card. It was definitely fun talking point (and a selfie opportunity!) and the guests took their portraits home.
Another talking point was a wonderful Photo Booth with a bespoke Reynolds oil painting backdrop, operated by the Photo Booth Guys. When the night fell, everyone got on the dance floor, and with a little help from the DJ’s Prelude Entertainment, boogied the night away.
It was such a pleasure to be a part of this joyful and beautiful day, and also to get to work with the amazing Gorgeous Film again. Victoria & Charles (and Albert!), I wish you all the best in your life together, I’m pretty sure it will be full of laughter and adventure! xo
Happy Doughnut Day!
This might have been my favourite part of our inspiration shoot with Hannah Berry Flowers and Kalm Kitchen at Millbridge Court. I think you’ll agree that there are few things more delicious than an actual wall of doughnuts, and a pink one at that, too! I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing the scent was while shooting, such sweet torture (quite literally)!
I hope these cheerful doughnuts bring a bit of joy to your day, enjoy!
Photographer: Marianne Taylor
Flowers: Hannah Berry Flowers
Food: Kalm Kitchen
Venue: Millbridge Court
Jeannie & Billy, who are getting married in Hong Kong later this year, knew they wanted to have engagement photos taken in the UK. But since they were open to other locations than London I, of course, jumped at the chance to get to do their pre-wedding session in Cornwall!
Pre-wedding sessions are a common thing in certain countries where the wedding day locations (and huge sizes of the weddings themselves) don’t necessarily allow for a proper portrait session on the day itself. So, many couples opt for having a longer engagement session during which they’ll change into a few different looks, including a wedding gown, and often these images will be then displayed on the wedding day. I’ve been shooting pre-wedding sessions in London for many years, but now that I’m down in Cornwall I really hope my clients will see the potential of the amazing landscape here and travel down for some truly magical backdrops for their images!
Before getting started, Sally Orchard worked her make-up magic on Jeannie and Alice Jane Hair Design was in charge of the two different hairstyles of the day. During our three-part session, we managed to visit cute little villages, as well as some of my favourite beaches and majestic cliff tops. We also experienced a wide variety of weather from sunny and summery to full on fog during the same day!
P. S. I know there are a lot of images, but I’m finding hard to narrow them down further, I just loved every minute of this shoot, and I love all the photos!
This London family session was a little bit different! With three generations attending, this was by far the largest group I’ve ever done a Together Session with. The shoot itself was a birthday present to Lida, the matriarch of the family, from her children. It was a rare occasion having all her family on the same continent, which made it that much more special to capture this moment of time for her.
Because Lida simply loved blossoms and wanted to capture all the members of her family individually, we made many pretty portraits inside the blossoming trees, ignoring the funny looks we might have gotten from passers-by! While it was a little bit hectic trying to get everyone organised, I loved the exuberant energy and all the laughter and teasing between siblings – old and young.
Happy Birthday, Lida, you really are a gorgeous lady, inside and out! x
I met Elli for the first time when she was just 3 months old. A few years later, she was the subject of one of my favourite portraits I’ve ever taken. Now, at thirteen, she is turning into such a beautiful and gentle young woman, and I couldn’t be happier that I had the chance to photograph her here in my beloved Cornwall! I don’t know what it is, but my soul is at its happiest doing these shoots, feeling the wind and hearing the roar of the ocean.
If you want to have your own Siren of the Sea portrait shoot down here in North Cornwall, do get in touch! (Likewise, if you have a woman or a girl in your life you’d like to treat to a beautiful experience & some pretty magical images!)
