Seriously, this boy has attitude! 

The makings of a rockstar. 

Thank you so much Luke and your lovely Mum for making my morning so much fun – I loved hanging out with you.  Kirsty xx

It’s been a year where I’ve been able to spread my creative wings and take on more editorial and commercial work – and more charity work to help causes important to me.  I’ve worked with truly incredible vendors who have trusted me to showcase their beautiful work.

It was a year where I’ve marvelled at the incredible importance of what I’m blessed enough to do, with photographs, in holding memories for families who have lost loved ones, seeing babies I photographed go off to school and I’ve felt humbled watching the strength of one of my families who are battling cancer with amazing grace.

I get to capture connections, I get to capture emotion, I get to capture precious moments in time, I get to capture realness…. I’ve shed tears, lost hair, lost sleep, not to mention lost my marbles a few times – but I’ve had so many smiles and so much laughter too – I pour my heart and soul into what I do and I can’t thank you all enough for your incredible support, and for opening up your homes and lives to me…

Enjoy some of my favourite moments….

Thank you for an incredible year – I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings….

with love, thanks and blessings and peace for 2012, Kirsty xxxx

Big brother used to be on my site from when he was teeny – but look at him all grown up and handsome…

but little brother had never sat in front of my camera before

they rocked it!

it blows me away when I get so many adorable shots in just 20 minutes!!!!!!! Kirsty x

If you’ve followed this blog you’ll have seen something of the UAE and the celebrations of National Day before here and here.

This week has been filled with parties, fly pasts, concerts, singing, dancing, competitions, fireworks and the whole city has taken on an air of celebration.

If you’re on my Facebook page you’ll have seen my girls all dressed up for their school party and getting into the fun of the celebrations.

For us it’s more than a 1 day party – this is the country where one of my children was born and she’s incredibly proud of it – and just as we celebrate Chinese New Year for Saffy who was born in China, we are thrilled to be part of the celebrations for National Day here in the UAE for Indy.

She may not be Emirati, but UAE will always be part of her identity. 

The girls indulged me a little photo shoot for 5 minutes after school while they were still dressed up in their kandora’s and with some of the gifts they’d been given by their Emirati class mates.

These are just outside our flat – we live slap bang in the middle of the most congested area of town – it’s not the prettiest part but we love it here

So, to all my fabulous friends – Happy National Day – hope you’re getting into the spirit of the celebrations (yes, we even have flags on our car!) and enjoying the long weekend… until next time, Kirsty x

Once Tobi was all modelled out the rest of us headed down to the beach for a play on the sunbeds….

and a totally gorgeous hazy sunset…

Love the families I get to meet – yet again I can’t believe I haven’t blogged these sooner…. but I’m on a roll now so maybe you’ll see more… till then, Kirsty xx

when I was looking back through this years clients I could hardly believe I’d not shared them..

are they just adorable or what??

I hope you’ve all settled back into life in England and have happy memories of Abu Dhabi hanging on your walls

I could have shared all the pictures from their shoot I loved them so much but I’ll be back to share some more client gorgeousness soon, Kirsty x

Biggest sister was born just a month after Saffy, middle sister a few months after Indy  and they are such giggly gorgeous girls 

and littlest sister came along just 3 weeks before we arrived in China this summer – perfect timing!!! 

I love how relaxed they all are – they are just one of those families who take the chaos of living in China in their stride….You guys are gorgeous… thank you so much for sharing this precious time with your beautiful new bundle with us, Kirsty xx

My kids actually wear uniform to school but in the interests of creativity I decided to ask them what they’d wear if they had their own choice!!

I totally, wholeheartedly approve of their choices – they seem somewhat Kate Middleton inspired, a mix of high street and designer – a bit of GAP, Mothercare, Monsoon and Next with a bit of Stella McCartney and Polo thrown in!!

I’d have loved to have done these outside but man, it’s still so hot here in Abu Dhabi…. so we had to make do with our living room and our Ikea table and stools and chalkboard!! But I am so not complaining!

Saffy LOVES her school and I’m so thrilled about that – I’m hoping this rubs off on her feisty little sister!!

It’s a big year for Saffy too because she enters Year 1 – in the big school, where they get to play in the big playground and do “proper” lessons – not sure what she’s been doing the last 2 years if not proper lessons

If you see me in the supermarket these few days and I’m looking a little down it’s cos I’ve lost my trusty sidekick , my fellow Starbucks girl, my trip to the park playmate, my arts and crafts advisor and my all day long hand holder…. and she’s growing up far. too. fast….

If you’ve had little ones head off to school for the first time and celebrated with pictures come back and share a link with me – or if your big ones have headed back for a new term – I’d love to see how you all captured it.

Happy back to school week, Kirsty xxx

and the funny thing about this session was that Miss Alessia is quite a firecracker and didn’t sit still, at all…. or at least we thought she didn’t…

Proved us wrong huh?

I loved spending time with you guys on our trip, this last pic is totally one of my faves – it was Mum’s birthday and she looks so relaxed and happy and beautiful to be hanging out with her gorgeous babies

Your whole gallery will be with you soon… much love, Kirsty x

She was a perfect little model down at the beach

Until she’d had enough and said NO MORE! And even then she’s still cute as a button!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Amira – I’ve loved documenting your first year, and can’t wait to see more of you as you grow, Kirsty xx