Hip hip hooray it's Prop Shop day! 

Styling is an art. An art that takes an ordinary moment or photo to something extraordinary.  

Props are all around us and I find it impossible to leave something in the charity shop that might make an excellent accessory to a blog post in the future! 

I have been completely inspired this week visiting the Gladstone empire including the Gladstone Library, Hawarden Farm Shop, Pedlars vintage warehouse and Charlie's studio where they take all the styled product photos for Pedlars Friday Vintage. 

Every aspect of all their businesses are lovingly styled. I have hundreds of photos to share. But this week is all about cake.

As I mentioned in the last Sunday Prop Shop post, I have recently spent almost a week shooting thousands (yes really) of photos for Honeybuns, a gluten free bakery in Dorset.

Here are some behind the scenes shots! 

Product photos for a new website, styled recipe shoots for future blog posts and magazine features. Seasonal photos for marketing newsletters, flyers and campaigns and about 500 that don't fall into any category at all! 

It was wonderful to be part of the styling team as well as the photographer. And on some occasions left to my own devices. We brainstormed different ideas, layered up the shot and worked with different props and textures until we had the magic set up. 

The farm was bursting with potential props. Collections of things the family have built up over a lifetime and heirloom pieces that have been passed down through generations. Even a regular lunch was a photo shoot without even trying! I just had to get up high and take a photo! I love how the photos aren't harshly lit by studio lights. That the food has real shadows and the colours pop.

What do you think? I wanted to capture the natural warmth and movement of actually being at the bakery. I am so pleased with how they came out! 

I truly believe that to customers, the styled photographs will be more attractive than white background stock product photos. That the extra effort involved is worth it. 

Have you taken a little extra effort? Placed a napkin under your plate of food or thought about the composition of a family portrait? Grab the badge and link up your lovely photos! I am always so inspired by those who share their links on Sunday Prop Shop.

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I love my week in photos posts. A round up of colour and memories. 

But I realised there were things I have missed this month.  Recipes I haven't blogged yet, hundreds of photos that need to be edited down to 10 for a post next week.

So here is a snapshot. On iPhone and Canon.

Exhausting but exhilarating. 

October. I rather like you and we are not even at Halloween yet! 

Autumn and on the beach. This is what magic is made of. 

Happy weekend all! 

I have had an incredible week. I have hundreds of photos to share from my trip to Pedlars in North Wales, but for now, whilst I get them all looking lovely for you, here's a silly ditty I wrote.

 Mums on the Run

When the traffic is building up at half past eight

there is usually at least one mum running a little late.

That one Mum is usually me,

more likely to hit the school gates at eight forty three.

There are mums with immaculate make up and perfectly curled hair,

but some more like me, with a flick of lip gloss, a face practically bare.

It's an achievement to have my hair washed and blow dried

oh wait it's usually drip dried, sorry I lied.

Instead I spend time crafting a lunch - Bento style 

but it's worth the extra effort, even if it takes a while.

As I race past the Mums walking idly by,

whose children have already hung up their coats, I vow to try.

To not make the school run such a terrible rush,

not watch an episode of Peppa Pig before school, even though lush,

It's just not conducive to an organised morning.

So maybe we'll encourage a jigsaw or one little drawing,

that will give us more time and we must not lie snoring.

A lazy day can be saved for Sunday,

a day for pyjamas and maybe a local Funday.

So tomorrow I will attempt to be one of the Mums

having a chat in the playground as our littlies start their sums.

I am proud as punch of my boy starting school,

but I need to make sure I follow this rule.

To enjoy the walk from the car to class without watching the clock tick

and pulling his arm yelling "Quick, quick, quick! "

For those are the most precious times,

when we talk just the two of us (it's corny I know but I'm almost done with these rhymes)

Because one day my small boy will be taller than me

and not want to hold hands and yell "One, two, three, wee!"

I'm lucky I get to be on the school run at all,

that I can work around the boys and be on hand should the school call.

It's actually quite a privilege when the routine of drop off is done,

that I get to be one of the mums on the run.

ps. This photo is in the local press both available online and in print. So there is no breach of confidentiality!  

pps. This is not meant to offend any Dads on the Run - Richard is often the one dropping one of the boys off, it's just that Mums on the Run worked with the pun!