The sound of the loft ladder being brought down is where it all began…

While lying in bed as a young child the sound of the loft ladder being dropped down would fill my room – Mum was going to perform magic and tomorrow morning we’d be able to see some new photos! As a child the process of developing your own photos in a dark room was not the most exciting, it was like waiting for Christmas, but the results always filled me with joy. A moment captured in time; to cherish forever. How awesome is that? 

I was a still a child when I received my first camera, oh how my family loved me that year! I remember going to Whitacre Garden Centre for lunch with my Nan and taking my camera with me…36 exposure film in hand and 36 photos taken. I think only a handful of those images were of anything interesting and mainly of my younger brother sitting on the lion statues at the entrance! Every now and again those photos appear, usually for a special birthday, you know how family like to get out the embarrassing photos!

Those photos were the start of this journey, a few twists and turns along the way but the love of photography never changed. All through school I was always the kid with the camera. Always capturing memories. University, trips out, family gatherings, gigs, weddings, new babies, the camera was always there. Over the years the cameras and technology changed often and developed. No more waiting a couple of weeks to find out that only five photos came out or they were all really dark, the process was now instant. Straight onto the computer. My passion for photography continued to grow. 

I went into teaching, a career decision I made at 7 years old and never really thought about doing anything different until one day I was asked why I never went into photography… hmmmm… I’d never really challenged my thinking on my chosen career path. The seed had now been planted. Photography as a career? Eventually, I began to offer photography shoots to family and friends. My photos were being enjoyed and I was being asked to do more and more. During this time, I met my husband Steve, my rock and my encourager. He did everything he could to support me in my photography “hobby” and at this point it really was ‘just for fun’. 

It was a few years later, while I was pregnant with my eldest daughter, that things began to change. I’d been teaching for 10 years, and the job had changed massively during those 10 years. I was asked again why I didn’t pursue my passion in photography…was this something that I should be thinking seriously about? On the way to work one day I had some complications with my pregnancy and had to go to the hospital, it scared the life out of both me and Steve and some big conversations followed.  I handed in my notice as a teacher and my life path changed. My priority become my growing family and my career would wait, but when the time came Candi’s Lens Photography was the path forward…and here we are several years down the line. I have a growing family and a growing photography business, both of which bring me so much joy.

                                                                      Candi x

Candi's Lens Photography is a West Midlands based photography business ran by Candi, a Coventry Photographer. Candi's Lens offers Wedding and Lifestyle photography to Coventry and the surrounding areas. This blog is written by Candi. 

Just before Christmas 2018 a friend asked me to take photos of the Christmas Star on top of the spire at Hearsall Baptist Church in Coventry as a memorial for his Dad. Paul Eaves had unexpectedly passed away earlier in the year. I have many memories of my friend Andy talking to me about putting up the Star with his Dad at the church ready for Christmas each year.

Paul was an amazingly kind and special person, he always had a lovely smile for us young musicians as we entered the hall on a Friday evening ready to attend Coventry Youth Orchestras weekly rehearsal. Paul was always supportive and would often give a nod of encouragement during concerts whenever needed.

Andy has refurbished the Star this year in honour of his Dad. This year things were no doubt very different for Andy and his family at Christmas and I was blown away by my friends trust in me as a photographer to carry out such an important shoot. I haven’t had much experience with night photography but I was determined to do my very best to get a photo that could really do justice to the Star and what it represents for Andy.

For this shoot I ventured out in the early hours of a very cold December morning, heading out to capture the Star in its newly refurbished glory. My car showed a temperature of -5C and the roads where empty. The world was peaceful and the sky was perfectly clear. Gradually the world began to wake as the early commuters filled the roads. I started using a long exposure to capture some trails from the car lights when the biggest and most beautiful shooting Star shot across the sky above the Church. It was such a special moment. I didn’t believe I could possibly have caught it on camera however… 

This is for you Paul x

A Star over Hearsall Can you spot the shooting star?

Maternity Photographer, Coventry

On a beautiful sunny evening, whilst the UK basked in a rare heatwave, I met Michelle and Tony at Abbey Fields in Kenilworth.

It wasn’t the first time I’d met Michelle as I have had the pleasure of working alongside her. I remember the look of excitement in her eyes when she announced Tony had asked her to move in with him and how happy it had made her.

So, I was honoured when Michelle contacted me enquiring about a photoshoot when their first baby is born. After massive CONGRATULATIONS and discussing options we decided on a bump to baby package.

Wow! What a beautiful bump!

I didn’t need to work hard to Capture the Magic during my time with this couple as Mummy to be was glowing           and the love and pride in Daddy’s eyes was magical.

Michelle and Tony were natural and loving in front of the camera creating a relaxed atmosphere.

I hope you enjoy your photos and cherish them for years to come.

I wish you both every blessing and happiness as you enter the next chapter of your

life together as Mummy and Daddy.

I wait now with excitement and anticipation for the announcement of the birth of their baby boy.