Oh thank goodness - it’s Friday. Gin at the ready folks, we’ve smashed another week!

This does also mean I’m back with another instalment of my ‘Working from Home - The Journals’ and I couldn’t be more pleased to introduce you to Natalie Stevenson Photography! You can instantly pick up on her energy and warm personality - attributes that lend themselves perfectly to a photographer! Natalie offers a variety of photography services, including weddings + engagements, family + maternity and branding + headshots. Her work is timeless and elegant - you’re almost guaranteed to get lost in an IG hole once you start scrolling!

Natalie is here to tell us all about her life during lockdown and she’s got some fab book / audiobook recommendations ready and waiting for you. Get stuck in and enjoy!

1 So, let’s talk about life in lockdown. What time do you get up? What’s your morning routine? Has this changed since working from home / being in lockdown?

I never actually had a morning routine pre-lockdown; my life was always on the go, with never a moment to stop. I really enjoyed that element of lockdown at first - having a little more time to spend my own way. I used to get up around 7ish, either go for an early morning walk (I’m very lucky to live in the countryside and have plenty of beautiful fields to explore just across the road) or do my morning workout which started with Joe Wicks then ended up being any workout that caught my eye on YouTube and eating a healthy breakfast before starting the day at 8:30. I would love to carry this on past lockdown.

2 How do you remain motivated while working from home?

With great difficulty at first! Although many parts of my job are spent working from the office, the most part is out shooting and meeting new people (my favourite part) so it was difficult to stay focussed on the tasks that I didn’t enjoy so much. I was also used to working under pressure having lots on at any one time, which is what got me through ticking off these tasks in the past, so I had to find ways to stay motivated without the pressure of a busy schedule. I found creating realistic to do lists, allowing time for everyday life to get in the way (as it tends to do!), really helped. I also found that having the radio on with some feel good music or a motivational video or audiobook would inspire me to keep motivated too.

3 Do you listen to any podcasts while working from home?

Not so much podcasts but I do listen to audiobooks. I’m interested in anything to do with entrepreneurship, manifestation, lifestyle and organisation to name a few. I’m currently listening to ‘Get Remarkably Organised’ by Lorraine Murphy, which I love! My favourite tip being - ‘look after your future self’, which refers to rather allowing something to be ‘future me’s problem’ or wishing ‘past you’ had been more considerate or organised, but instead to take care of your ‘future self’ by making their life a bit easier. This really unlocked something for me in being more organised and productive in my every day work.

4 Lockdown has impacted businesses all over the world. How can people support you? E.g. #ShopSmallBusiness, sharing a post on FB, commenting on an Instagram post etc.

Following, engaging, liking and commenting on social media content is free and very helpful to getting businesses seen, thank you in advance if you do follow along with my journey and adventures!

5 Tell me one local business that you’ve decided to support during lockdown. It could be your local coffee shop, someone who hand-makes masks etc.

This isn’t one business but I have been supporting my fellow local wedding industry suppliers. Many have pivoted their businesses and I have shopped locally wherever possible for thank you gifts, mother’s day cards and flowers, birthday cakes etc. and they have, in return, supported me with mini branding shoots or family shoots (when these could happen). I am always grateful to this amazingly talented industry and support network.

6 Tell me your favourite isolation cocktail / snack / treat?

Chocolate. Allllllll the chocolate, especially chocolate orange!

7 What’s your go-to ‘pick me up’ during lockdown life / working from home?

Having a random little dance to some feel-good music! I often forget the power of music and how quickly it can turn your emotions around. So when a good song comes on, sometimes just having a little dance really can make the day a lot better!

“I often forget the power of music and how quickly it can turn your emotions around.”

8 How are you keeping in touch with friends and family?

We started with weekly quizzes, but after about 12 weeks of those, we resorted to face times and one-to-one walks to stay in touch.

9 Name one lockdown pet peeve

When I see people not following the guidance. Either in supermarkets when people aren’t being considerate of others’ space, posting gatherings on social media or wearing the mask under their nose…

10 Name one lockdown love

Besides the catastrophic downsides, I have actually found a few lockdown loves, I suppose my favourite being having the time to work on the business. Allowing the chance to look over everything in detail and reset my goals and plans for the future to push the business in the right direction.

11 What do you have in store for your business? What’s got you feeling inspired?

I have been renovating my photography studio during the latest lockdown which has kept me inspired and very busy researching, planning and executing and I’m super excited to open up again and welcome more branding shoots, families and engaged couples to talk all about their wedding plans, into the new and improved studio.

12 What’s one thing you want to do after lockdown restrictions are lifted?

Cuddle my niece and nephew!!

13 What has been your favourite Netflix series to binge on during lockdown?

Oooh the toughest question, there are so many I have enjoyed! Sorry, I can’t name one! Friends (for the millionth time but always comforting!), The Office US (same reasons), Parks & Recreation, Schitts Creek, to name a few favourites!

14 Are there any books on your shelf you’d recommend reading during lockdown?

Self-love and spiritual alchemy! This was recommended by a friend and a great read all about true self-love and the law of attraction.

15 What will you take from lockdown? Is there anything you’re grateful for or that you’ll do differently going forward?

I am extremely grateful for the incredible network of my partner, Joe, family, friends and industry buddies who have continuously been there for me throughout each lockdown. I’m grateful for where I live and having beautiful places to walk every day. I hope that I continue with my morning routine when the schedule starts filling up again. And remembering that you can get a lot of enjoyment out of the simple things in life, there’s no need to spend lots of money or do anything particularly special, because good company of friends and family is more than enough.

16 Describe lockdown for you in three words. (E.g. life-changing, emotional, challenging).

Eye-opening, challenging, grateful.