NEW YORK!! (and a bit of an insight to my crazy month so far)

Wow wow wow and wow. I literally cannot believe that I have been to New York City! It still feels pretty surreal, and I've been back over two weeks now.

So much has changed, I finished work in retail after 5 years and 9 months, had an interview for a new position the same day I landed back in the UK from NYC, the morning after I was offered the job.

Those that know me well, will really know how much has changed in my life in a short space of time, those that don't know me - I handed in my notice at the end of August, before securing another job (some say reckless, I say taking a risk.....)

I then went to New York with my best friends from the 8th September - 16th. On the way home we landed at 6am ish in Heathrow, had about an hour to quickly get ready for my interview once back in Bristol (I was well prepared, I researched for the job before NYC, during & on the way home)...had my interview 2pm-4pm the same day....the next morning I GOT OFFERED THE JOB! To which I accepted, so far so good...we're in our second week of training and the other guys on the training course are absolute gems!

Anyway...boring part over for you guys, now..in no particular order...PHOTO TIME

Top Of The Rock view, Central Park is an absolutely beautiful place. This view was probably my favourite. I could spend all day up here.

View from the Staten Island Ferry

Our first NYC coffee in our first NYC diner...on our FIRST morning in NYC. 

Roxy's Diner.

If you're in NYC, it'd be rude not to order the biggest thing on the menu right? I was pretty full after just the pancakes, but I powered through.
"The Grand Slam $13"

Tourist taxi shot.

I'm on Brooklyn Bridge!

Rockefeller view

Go Yankees!

Grand Central

TOO EXCITED! Run forest run.

<3 New York. New York.

RIP

Brooklyn Bridge selfie.

NYPD "How you guys going?"

A little sit down to take it all in.

102nd Floor Empire State 1am

That's no where near enough photos to express how awesome this place is. It is now my favourite city ever, before NYC it was Barcelona. I have never felt the way in which NYC makes me feel, it sounds stupid but I really haven't experienced anywhere like it. I love it, it felt like home and I cannot wait to go back. I think it's sinking in that I have actually been, it has taken a while..but as I say - a LOT has changed and happened so quickly. I am happy, enjoy life and keep smiling lovelies.

See you soon NYC

L xx

Little Readers' Day Out

On the 28th of June I was very lucky to be able to document this event for the lovely team at Routes To Reading/Education Umbrella. Here are a few images up on their site http://www.educationumbrella.com/r2r/reading-with-children/display-post/little-readers-day-out-postevent/

and below, a few of my favourites..

Really fun & exciting day to see what this company can achieve. I'm off to New York in a few months, so my next big post will probably be a few images from the visit there! Enjoy,

L x

Long Time No Write

Wow, has it really been since June 2013 that I last posted!?

Well since then...I had my 'ft.' exhibition, which marked the end of my foundation degree. I am happy to say that I passed and I am very happy with the work I produced. I set it in myself that I will continue this body of work that was very personal, based around my journey of living life at 18 with Leukaemia and suffering from a stroke.

Showing this through imagery was a very challenging but rewarding process. I am stuck on ideas as of yet on how I can continue this work, however I feel it isn't something I can rush. Hopefully it will come along soon and I can produce a bigger body of work.

With my work at the Centrespace gallery, Bristol

I shot my first wedding in June, it was a very long day but definitely a great experience! A beautiful Indian wedding which started in Bristol, moved on to Portsmouth, then Southampton, back to Portsmouth and then home to Bristol. 19 hours of shooting and a 22 hour day, very exhausting but the clients were happy which made it a success.

One of many photographs from the day, this was one of my favourites.

After finishing college in June 2013, I realised I didn't have my camera out as much as I usually would. It was hard to motivate myself and to make myself shoot more (or to actually want to be out with my camera.) I think everyone goes through these moments, musicians, writers etc etc - I guess my body just needed to relax after studying photography for two years and I needed that break.

I needed a challenge so I sent a message to a Mountain Bike rider and asked if I could spend a few hours at his local spot, he was more than happy for me to come along with my camera  -

Chris Smith at his local spot

It was so nice to snap Mountain Bikes again and be lost in the woods for a couple of hours, great guys and even better to be holding my camera again!!


I worked with CLIC Sargent for a week, documenting young adults during a music workshop at a place called Grittleton House in Wiltshire, they worked alongside musicians and then at the end of the week they performed at a concert, it was a great success and an emotional roller-coaster for all involved, in a good way.

Grittleton House

In March 2014 I was very grateful to get hold of a photo pass to the Newton Faulkner show at Bristol's Colston Hall, with Sam Brookes supporting. Having not shot a gig in a while, initially I found it tricky and forgot how annoying the lights are at indoor gigs, however, I like a challenge.

Newton Faulker, Bristol

I've done a few collaborations in the last few months and hope to have some more coming up in the next month or two. Recent work can be seen on my Facebook page-  Leena Takooree Facebook


On Sunday I got back from a weeks work at the Halsway Manor in Taunton. I spent 5 days documenting young musicians, they spent these 5 days living and working with each other musically, at the end of the week they performed all the work that they had created in the 5 days. It was great to do another week long job similar to the CLIC Sargent week and I was so glad to be a part of it.

A lot to fit it on this blog, but its my own fault for leaving it so long.
Enjoy

L x

ft. Exhibition

ft. exhibition. 15th - 19th June at the CentreSpace gallery here in Bristol. Opening hours are 10am - 6pm except for Sunday 16th where the opening hours are 11am - 5pm.

I'm back!

Oops! I have spent too much time finishing all my assignments that I have forgotten my blog, sorry to those that read it!

Today was my LAST day of my course and I had 2 assignments marked...I PASSED :) the other assignment will get marked after our exhibition as that is part of the assignment too.

Speaking of the exhibition... it is called 'ft.' it will be a group show, which I am part of; running from 15th - 19th June, Centrespace gallery, Bristol. Please come if you can, and if you do come and say hello to me :)

Cancer

 Independent Practice - Assignment 1 of 3

Currently doing research for one of my assignments. I have decided to create a series of images based around cancer, looking at my experience whilst touching upon those around me and also people I have never met.

I'm still planning stuff out at the moment, but I know I definitely want to create a book for this assignment, using text from my diary that I kept whilst undergoing treatment to go alongside the images.

I'll keep you posted as it progresses!

Inspired

I feel a lot more motivated after listening to a visiting lecturer in college earlier today. I have loads of little ideas floating about my head all I need to do now is to start capturing them and start working on the ideas a little bit more.

I have also passed my most recent assignment work (which was completed early January). I worked my little socks off and unfortunately this didn't do me any favours as the marks weren't as expected. I passed, so that I am satisfied with; I for one just hope my hard work will pay off this last and final time before I finish college for good in June.

A lot of my inspiration has been coming from people I don't know, watching videos or simply just reading a good book. I look forward to these final months on the course!