So I was asked to join a special blogging circle! A circle of amazing women around the world, amazing photographers actually. Anyway, it got me thinking about the circles I already belong to and I realised how rich my life is because of them all – well, because of the people in them. So much has happened to me over the last few years which wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t met them all – and all that has happened have been some of the most wonderful things I could have asked for.
(to continue the blogging circle, please click the link Colleen’s blog at the end of this post)!

It all began about 6 years ago when a friend mentioned a mutual friend of ours was on Flickr – and for those of you who’ve been there, you’ll all understand what I mean when I say Flickr was an eye opener. It gave me enthusiasm to return to taking photographs; the groups on there inspired me, pushed me, challenged me. I made incredible friends there who are friends to this day and who have moved on to all my most recent circles with me – some in this Sisterhood Stories group too. I’ve also had the most incredible meetings with many of my ‘Circle’ friends. A cup of coffee whilst in transit in Schipol Airport, a wigwam in Northumberland, a tent in Nottinghamshire, a stately home in Sussex, a park in London, an idyllic balcony in the Lake District, a steam railway in North Norfolk!! These are but a few of the many meetings I’ve had. All different, all splendid but all with one common thread. Women I’ve met on the internet to share a passion for photography with. Even as I write this I’m being interrupted by gorgeous Siegrid in Germany, (interrupted in a lovely girly chat in the office way), as we’re trying to decide on our dream ‘handbag camera’! And lovely Julie in Denmark and Ana in Iceland, trying to find an economy flight to Venice to meet up with no less than 30 female photographers in just a couple of months time!

Although on the outside it appears all social and warm – there are serious undercurrents in all these circles. Secret business plans are shared for honest feedback before being launched publicly, photo shoots for new business clients are discussed, album designs are shared for critique before being sent to bridal couples. Some days I feel I have stepped into a charmed circle, which in turn overlaps with another one – I’m actually living in a Venn diagram of magical circles, each one influencing and being inspired by the next.

I’ve picked two photos for this blog post. The first, the wedding couple, are standing on the balcony of the stunning Cley Windmill – for the song, Windmills of My Mind, resonates for me with the power of my own circles of friends, to go round and round in my life in  the most spiritual and beautiful way. The 2nd is from a very recent shoot for a client, The Mercerie – and for me sums up the waving goodbyes that will happen every time a hello is shared.

So every Wednesday, this new blog circle will come together and share stories which are personal to us. I’m longing to read all the posts! And if you are here reading this, click on to my dear friend Colleen’s blog – so you too can take part in the magic of the Sisterhood Stories circle!