Jay + Sam


Earlier this month, I got to attend Thrive by Photography Farm. A bi annual conference ran by the inimitable Lisa Devlin, last year I was invited to be one of the speakers, so it was such a lovely opportunity to come back for a second time as an attendee. It was also amazing to get to visit Edinburgh, and squeeze in a visit with my sister and her girlfriend before Thrive properly kicked off. Edinburgh is just magical - so gorgeous and historic, I loved wandering around and being a tourist in the streets where everything felt moody and picturesque. For the second day of Thrive, it's a day of portfolio building shoots, with your choice of mentors. I got to shoot with Becy from Belle Art Photography, who I've loved the work of for such a long time that she's even my own wedding photographer.


Together with the Photography Farm team, Becy put together a shoot based around Jay and Sam, a couple who I'm lucky enough to have photographed multiple times and also call my friends. Their love and creativity in front of the camera knows no bounds, and they're always so open with expressing themselves and their relationship, and just a joy to photograph. Becy started with the boys in a beautiful apartment in Edinburgh, with huge windows letting in lots of light, and stylishly finished. The vision was a romantic and intimate couples shoot, with a vintage and dark academia feel. We started with the boys together on the bed, imagine a slow, quiet sunday morning, together with your lover in historic Edinburgh. The smell of coffee as you wake up together, cosied into bed cuddling as the light starts to pour in. You start to get ready together, building the layers of your outfit and style, and document the morning in your journal by the window. As you leave the apartment the sun is up, and you walk together down the street, ready for the day ahead.


It was so lovely to shoot something outside of the wedding norm, a romantic couples shoot in Edinburgh with some beautiful styling and a strong vision, and of course a gorgeous couple.

A black and white photograph shows two people relaxing together on a bed in a softly lit bedroom.
A person relaxes by a window in black and white, lying down in bed with natural light streaming in.
Two people in white dress shirts recline on a bed together in a moody, vintage-style photo.
Moody black and white portrait of two figures in white shirts lounging together on a couch.
A couple lounging together on white bedding in casual attire with natural lighting creating an intimate mood.
Two people wearing white shirts recline together on a soft gray surface in a moody, intimate scene.
Two people lounging in white clothing on a bed with crisp white linens in dimly lit room.
A close-up artistic portrait shows long dark hair and a white garment in warm moody lighting.
Person with long dark hair wearing white shirt sits at table writing in notebook with contemplative expression.
A silhouetted figure stands at a vintage French window, gazing out at a misty garden view in sepia tones.
Black and white portrait of someone in white shirt with long hair writing at desk in moody lighting.
A person with long brown hair sits on a bed wearing an olive green jacket while leaning forward.
Black and white portrait of a person in a grey blazer sitting on a bed.
Three people stand in front of a tall window in a warmly lit interior room with vintage decor.
A dimly lit period room shows two figures in dramatic poses by a window as light filters through.

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