Alpaca trekking in Mosstowie, Scotland

I love alpacas (doesn't everyone?) so I decided that all I wanted to do for my birthday was hang out with some alpacas. It was a dream come true.

I found out (through an Instagram ad) that there was an Alpaca Farm near where I lived. The company offered 2 types of visits; an hour-long visit to see the alpacas in the field and learn about them, or a three-hour trek, with the opportunity to feed and get close to the animals. Naturally, I wanted to go on a trek, but the weather wasn't right (-4 degrees) but I still so desperately wanted to see them I decided to go anyway and just observe them in the field.

The couple that run the farm are so lovely and welcoming, even though the weather was freezing, they couldn’t have been nicer. They took us to meet the animals, and spend time with them in the field. I couldn’t stop laughing at how cute and funny the little expressions on their faces are (the alpacas I mean, not the couple, obviously). We stayed back and observed them for a while, but some were braver than others and came quite close to us. It was obviously amazing to experience but it’s always important to remember that they are wild animals, some mothers with babies, so you never quite know how they’re going to behave.

After hanging out with the alpacas the couple invited us in for a hot drink, which we were more than thankful to take seeing as our noses, fingers and toes were frozen to the bone by this point. They told us all about the farm and the animals and the history of their business and fed us some of the most delicious lemon drizzle cake I’ve had in my life. We visited the gift shop on the way out (as you do) and I got a stuffed fluffy alpaca toy to take home. We called it Al Pacino. (He’s currently in the care of my 3-year-old niece)

I swear this not an ad or endorsement but, but just my genuine experience at Auld Mill Farms, a place that I thoroughly recommend visiting if you’re in the north of Scotland (although, maybe pick a better time of year, haha). Check out the website here if you want to have your own Alpaca adventure.

 

All information accurate as of January 2018

Feeling french and fancy free - modelling in a cafe

I always avoided the colour yellow (although I love it) because I thought it didn’t suit my skin tone. This shoot proved me wrong.

Following on from my last post, I’ve been doing some modelling recently with Mexico City photographer Iker Cruz and stylist Melina Guerrero.

This is the second look and location that we worked with, a beautiful little cafe in La Condesa. Melina has been amazing and finding trifted and vintage clothing to ensure that we’re supporting and promoting sustainable fashion. I always thought yellow wasn’t for me, but here I was in yellow clothes in a yellow cafe and loving it.

I hadn’t been brave enough to rock the beret trend on my own in real life so when Melina presented me with this hat I was ecstatic to live out my Parisian fantasy and I’m really pleased with how the photos came out.

Behind the Scenes

Highland Cows in Applecross, Scotland

I felt so privileged to be able to get so close to these amazing, powerful (dangerous) animals, to look them in the eye, and for them to pose for a photo.

Highland cows (or “heilan coo” in local dialect) are such beautiful creatures. Growing up in Scotland they were obviously considered a really important animal, and one that I always felt close to even though I’d never really met one in real life. Occasionally you’d drive past one in a field and stop to look out the window but in general they’re not that easy to find or get up close to.

So I was over the moon when my friend suggested a trip to Applecross, Wester Ross in the Highlands. It’s only a few hours drive from my hometown but you have to pass through some pretty windy mountain roads and narrow country lanes. I’m not a brave driver (or a particularly confident one either) so I’d never dream of trying to drive those roads, which is why I’m lucky to have a friend who will.

We stopped for lunch and to view some scenic areas along the way but we were both eager to get to the area we know is famous for highland cow sightings, we’d heard that the cows are pretty unphased by humans and will even come close to cars and pedestrians.

When we actually reached the spot it was even better than we imagined. A whole herd of cows right by the side of the road, roaming free. We pulled up nearby as to not startle any of them (I mean, look at those horns). It was calfing season so we didn’t want to take any chances.

We waited, and surely one by one the herd came over to the car to investigate our presence. Once they were comfortable with us being there we were even able to get out and look at them from a safe distance. It was amazing. I’d go back every day if I could. A couple young cows started butting horns with eachother and it really gave us a chance to see how powerful and strong (and a little scary) they can be when they need to.

Not only is the landscape and scenery really beautiful, but having the opportunity to get close to a real life heilan coo is something I’ll never forget.

 

Paint It Black - modelling in a studio photoshoot

I’m not used to being the one in front of the camera, but when Iker contacted me and asked me if I was interested, I knew it was something I wanted to try

I recently had the opportunity to become a model for a portrait photographer here in Mexico City, Iker Cruz. When he first approached me I was unsure but I was also excited to give it a go, to face my fear and challenge myself. So, over the next wee while I’ll be releasing photos from the shoot, starting today.

We worked with stylist Melina Guerrero for the looks, and she was able to prove a wardrobe of all vintage clothes which I loved because I’m passionate about sustainable fashion and I love thrifted clothes. This was look number one. All black. In the studio.

The studio set up was probably where I was most nervous, although it was private I think the lack of distractions made me be too much in my own head. I was actually surprised at how not nervous I was overall though. I thought I’d be in a panic but once we got started I really was able to relax into it and enjoy myself. I loved this look because of the hat - I’m a big hat fan, and the dress was so lovely and soft.

Iker is such a great photographer and put me at ease, I’m absolutely in love with how the photos came out. I can’t wait to share more.
Let me know what you think.

Behind the Scenes