New Beginnings….Again
Hello, hopefully everyone is well and enjoyed a lovely festive period.
I just wanted to jump on and write a quick post to mark the end of the year and to share some news with you. I realise I have been spectacularly poor at keeping up with writing this year and will aim to do better into next year. Time just seems to have run away with itself this year, a combination of being busy working and enjoying time with family and friends visiting the Island and us in turn heading over to the mainland. to celebrate my sisters wedding.
I’m not sure the post will make much sense to be honest as things just now are exciting and terrifying but hopefully my thoughts and expressions will come across in some logical sense. I also don’t want the post to be a run down of the year but wanted to share some stand out moments and a little bit more about life as a photographer on the Isle of Lewis.
In terms of working, photography feels like it has been at the forefront of everything that we do and rightly so, it has been fantastic to spend time teaching and have the opportunity to show our work at events, craft markets and festivals this year which has been rewarding and exciting. We’ve also had some pretty big events this year too, being invited by NiSi Filters to speak at the photography show in London was an immense opportunity and a huge honor. We also supported with Margaret Soraya’s Creative Light Festival in Harris, a three day event leading groups of people onto the magnificent beaches in Harris to enjoy a variety of creativity. I had the privilege of printing the submissions for the creative light festival exhibition and delivered a talk about the print process which PermaJet very kindly supported by providing the paper used to print to exhibition images.
It has been a great year, but at the risk of sounding cliche, I live and breathe photography and the most important thing is heading out with my camera, the experience and fulfillment this provides me with is enormous. Launching our business on the Island has been the priority, meaning there have periods this year where opportunities to head out have felt scarce. I’m sure every photographer goes through the same pain barrier? Looking out of the window seeing a glow on the horizon, the clouds lighting up, dark moody light with rainbows and knowing you have other commitments that take priority just now.
Being more than likely overly honest, it’s in these moments that I question if we are doing the right thing in setting up a business. The love and enjoyment of photography has literally been life changing and freeing in so many ways, the excitement, anticipation and adventure of it has been overwhelmingly special to us both. It took us on a path neither of us expected and one that we could only dream about whilst having full time jobs on the mainland. It’s why we relocated and why we do what we do.
Living on the Island brings a totally different way of life for us in so many ways, one of them being able to make a living from a creative skill. This is hugely important to many people here and something I didn’t really realise about small communities in Scotland until relocating. The time, effort and skill that goes into making arts and crafts by talented people on the island is unbelievable and for many is the main source of income. There are many ways you can see & support some of this talent by visiting pages like the Lewis & Harris Trail, Visit Outer Hebrides, Handmade Scotland, The Hebridean Hub and Scottish Island Gifts.
The point I’m getting to is that whilst i may grumble that we didn’t get out for sunset for the last few weeks, I am also at the same time enormously grateful for the opportunities that we have been fortunate enough to have come our way. It is a huge step to take from just being out with the camera enjoying photography to actually making it into a business. It’s maybe something i didn’t feel ready for and wanted to hang onto the freeing moments of being spontaneous for as long as possible.
Balancing time to be free to enjoy the beauty of the island is now even more prevalent as we move into a new period of our lives. We’re in a transitional period just now, our good friends Mo & Colin decided to take a step away from running their business in Stornoway due to health reasons. Over the past year at their shop, we had the opportunity to hold an exhibition and set up our own shop for over a week whilst they were away on holiday. When the opportunity then came to take the shop on a permanent basis we knew it was something that we had to try.
From the 7th January 2026 we will be full time retailers of our own business in town…..both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Again i have to admit that i was reluctant to entertain the idea initially, being filled with dread at the prospect of having even less time to head out with the camera was something that definitely held me back. Finding a balance of spending time building the business and still finding time for photography will be key and I'm sure one that we’ll will settle into.
The overriding feeling is one of excitement as we start a new beginning…so here’s to me now putting aside those natural apprehensions and bringing out the business speak, something i definitely need to get used to.
Introducing Our New Photography Shop in Stornoway
Nestled on the beautiful Isle of Lewis, in the heart of Stornoway, we are delighted to announce the grand opening of our new photography shop. Inspired by the rugged landscapes, dramatic skies, and unique culture of the Outer Hebrides, our shop is much more than a place to purchase our prints—it’s a celebration of the island & creativity.
What We Offer
Whether you’re a visitor enchanted by the Hebridean scenery or a local looking for a special gift, our shop promises something for everyone. We specialise in mounted and framed photographic prints, each carefully selected to showcase the diverse beauty of the Outer Hebrides. From windswept beaches and ancient standing stones to lively stormy seascape scenes, our images are designed to bring a little piece of the islands into your home.
Alongside our prints, we offer our photography book, a selection of small gifts using our images and greeting cards perfect for sending a touch of Hebridean charm to loved ones near and far. We are pleased to confirm that our photography tuition services are still available. Whether you are a beginner eager to learn the basics or an enthusiast looking to refine your skills, we are happy to tailor make sessions to suit.
Stornoway is a vibrant community, serving as the hub of the Outer Hebrides. Its lively streets, historic harbour, and welcoming spirit make it the perfect location for our photography shop. We believe Stornoway offers the ideal setting to share our passion for the islands and to connect with people who appreciate the unique character of this special place.
A Place for Inspiration and Connection
At the heart of our vision is a desire to create a space where locals and visitors alike can feel inspired by the beauty that surrounds us. Whether you’re looking for a stunning framed print to adorn your wall, a thoughtful gift, or a greeting card to brighten someone’s day, we hope our shop will become a favourite stop in Stornoway. We’re also happy to chat about local photography spots, share tips for capturing the perfect shot, or simply swap stories about life in the Outer Hebrides.
Looking Ahead
We can’t wait to welcome you in and share our love for photography and the magic of the Outer Hebrides. Whether you’re popping in for a look around or searching for the perfect memento, our doors are open—and we look forward to meeting you soon!
Photography will always remain the priority, were looking forward to a short break over New Year when we’ll be out enjoying the cold wintery weather we have forecast. Nothing beats being stood looking out into the Atlantic Ocean with huge dramatic skies above and roaring seas below.
I’d like to close the blog with two quotes that we have displayed into the shop….
“ Held by the Atlantic, between tide & sky, shaped by wind & water, the Outer Hebrides lie”
“Sometimes in the wave of change, we find our true direction”
A Huge thank you to everyone who supports us, interacts and shares our work, it means the world to us.
Wishing everyone a very happy & healthy New Year.
Adele & Max