Now.. When's the last time that you actually went to the beach, for an actual walk? But saying that, a jog, run or family time would count!

Now I know some may say ahh, yes last weekend! Others may say, a few weeks or a month.. Then there's.. well last holiday maybe? Or I don't do cold British beaches!!

Any answer is fine, it just gives a quick insight or glimpse into your lifestyle. Now this convo really isn't about the Beach per se, it's more to do with how well your looking after yourself. I know.. I've been there. Lit no time to do anything (or at least that's what you say to yourself) but I ask you this, when did you last make time to do a simple thing like go to the beach, just because?

We all look forward to the holiday yes, but are you doing your best to live a lifestyle which emulates being on a permanent holiday!! (Yes we wish) I think if we're not careful life can get so busy, we get caught up in the daily routine and we can forget to just, nip to the beach!

Just because we CAN! This fabulous island the UK is surrounded by coastline, it's only a short drive away really so just think about that fresh sea air.. Doesn't that just chill you out completely? If you're saying.. Nooo I'm a city girl/guy I'm not into getting sand places it just shouldn't or getting covered in a layer of fine salt from the sea spray, all power to you! I'd like to live that lifestyle but in truth I need rejuvenation, and so for me that's our friend the beach. It's is my sanctuary. (Esp at sunset)

You owe it to yourself to take a trip to the beach, Or wherever your sanctuary is for that matter and just soak up the sunset. (Epsom salts work wonders too if you're just toooo busy but need a cheeky cheat.) Do it for real tho, your soul will thank you for it. Beach vibes & love, Yvette X :)

Hi, wow where do I start?.. I'm YJ, Yvette Jones and I'm a natural light, outdoor portrait photographer & I LOVE what I do! I'm happily married to my husband Sion and we have a little Sprollie called Suki and two little cats, Silver & Sydney. I'm based in Holywell, North Wales UK.

I was always a little envious of those people.. You know the ones that had it all figured out! Straight A’s types. All my life I've met people who are excelling in subjects that they have a connection with & feel passionately about and I can honestly say that I never had that. I tried subjects in college, I qualified as a masseuse in 1999 after studying body massage, then I went onto Indian head massage, I'm also a Reiki healer, touched on jewellery design, basic counselling, beauty therapy, studied as a TA. What I essentially did was get a college prospectus run my finger down each column circling subjects of interest and essentially I studied! I never actually fully gravitated to or had a particular niche. So I have qualifications in subjects that I find “interesting” but I never really took any further to make my career with.

Although I can still dabble. What can I say? I'm a dabbler.. I did dabble, I dabbled more-so with jewellery design and my massage therapy as I tried selling a few pieces on the side and also taking on a few clients, but it went no further than that because my heart wasn't fully in it. Although it was an experience.

Yes! I'm that flowery person who does everything with my heart. I FEEL things out, so If it “feels” right I’ll do it, and if not, (you guessed it) I don't! I can get it wrong from time to time tho, and it turns out that the reason usually is that my head/ego has taken over. The older I get, the more I feel it's important to follow that inner feeling and not do things for any other reason than, really they “feel” right.

So back to it. Photography always “felt” right. Like it was something I knew I was going to do, somewhere deep down, it's just when the timing or more so, the “feeling” came to light.


Really though.. Who wants to go through life and not in some form or another, love what they do? We all have such a short time in this life, that that should be of priority. We don't necessarily get taught that in school.. School is about specific grades in specified subjects. Which is Great! They give you the foundation.. But what drives the rest? Passion. Passion for what you do. I think Kids should have classes on how to pinpoint that inner flame, identify what resonates early on in life. I got to 32 before I figured out what I wanted in life! I came across a famous photographer who flat out inspired me to pick up where I left off from all of those years ago, and to essentially follow my dreams. Even though there were people who told me that “it's not going to work” there's “no money in photography”.. I should just “train to become a nurse” and get a “real” career. It got to the point that I was so.. Borderline desperate! to find my passion, that money was essentially no object and not important. The object was “what is going to ignite that spark” what do I enjoy? what do I want to learn? Everything pointed to photography.

Years ago I bought a “film” twin lens camera but I never actually got to grips with the camera itself, the settings etc. I had no clue! At the time I was working full time in my Dad’s family business working a 6xday week. With long days and I just (cliche) “didn't have the time” yes that old chestnut. I always thought.. “When I get time, I'll pursue it. I'll do what's in my heart. When I get time”

Time? You MAKE it. You aren't guaranteed anything! So get busy doing what you love and surround yourself with those you love. I'm trusting my heart because I have something to share. I'm not sure about how that serves the bigger picture just yet! but I BELIEVE what I'm doing is right. I pray that I can keep sharing what I do & develop as an artist and as an individual. Art is subjective. I'm never going to be the most technical photographer out there but I know how my camera works for me, and as long as I can keep shooting, expanding my skills & experiences and more so delivering images that resonate with my heart, then that's all that matters to me.
I actually like to call it “sharing dreams” YJ