Isle of Wight lady laughing in Appley Park

Portraits with the Summery Weather on the Isle of Wight

Why I photograph women

“Gone fishing,” said the note.

A stolen moment of silence. Quiet calmness. Time to tidy the flat and catch up on life. A much-needed haircut.

Or a sneaky photo shoot, arranged in just 3 hours.

Everything was perfect. Summery, buttery Isle of Wight weather. Elegant styling using my favourite jewel-toned colours. And a new friend to laugh with.

Misha’s that kind of girl that laughs happily and giggles often and makes a habit of talking about her horse as often as she can. Misha has a delicate sort of grace that I strive to capture in each of my portraits taken in Appley Park, her Sophia Loren-esque ability to be at once charmingly modern and undoubtedly feminine without losing a sense of who she is.

I had no idea that Misha had been wanting to work with me for some time … waiting for ‘the right moment’. It’s a refrain I hear frequently – when I lose a bit of weight, when I get my hair coloured, when work calms down when the summer arrives when I know what I want, when I feel more confident.

It’s these lies that hold us back.

Life isn’t perfect.

There’ll never be a right time.

Meeting Misha with no planning was perfect – there was no time to worry or fret. Even I get nervous before a shoot, planning every little detail.

Magic happens when you trust each other to play, explore and have fun. I can see Misha smiling, laughing and twirling on the pathway. The summer’s first caress shines through her hair. I know no other way – but to guide, support, nudge and even sing to massage those nerves and turn them into giggles and smiles.

There will always be a small voice in my head which encourages me to tell a joke, sing a little ditty and ask frank questions to find out makes you tick. To create the seemingly-unobtainable-magazine-inspired beauty that we admire in the modern woman who has been raised to be true to themselves.

Review of Amanda Herbert Photography photos taken in Appley Park Isle of Wight

Why I photograph women

Beauty with strength.

I hope these photographs show Misha all that I see – you’re beautiful, yes. But your story is about being free of the shackles of life’s experiences. You are strong. You work hard. You focus on the things you love: your horse, mucking out the stables twice a day, working through the night and rushing to get ready to meet a stranger.

Believe your boyfriend when he tells you how proud he is of you – he’s right.

I was very nervous about my photo shoot but Mandy made me feel so relaxed from the start ,talked me through every step of the shoot and give me tips which made fantastic natural photos that all my family and friends love, very professional and will definitely recommend…Thanks again for my beautiful photos and would love to do another photo shoot with you again soon! X