Fiona Bielby

Dec 204 min read

Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Growth, Adventure, and Gratitude

As 2024 comes to a close, I’ve been looking back at what an incredible, challenging, and rewarding year it’s been as a photographer. This year has been a whirlwind of unforgettable moments, lessons learned, and personal milestones—all of which have shaped me as both a professional and a person.

Oh, and there was the small matter of accidentally setting myself on fire this year… Thankfully, I lived to tell the tale, phew, sorry about the scent of singed hair in your ceremony room, Betsie and Adam, but it’s definitely a story for the books- hopefully, this one does gather dust...

A bride and groom share a joyful moment by the fireplace as the bride playfully blows dust from a book, creating a magical atmosphere.

Weddings: A Year of Uniqueness and Variety

This year, I had the absolute honour of capturing 32 fun-loving, free-spirits tie-the-knot and get married over the course of 16 stunning weddings, and every single one of them was uniquely placed.

7 ceremonies in churches – And no falling out with the vicars! After the news scandal at the beginning of the year, I was kind of dreading working alongside vicars, even though I've never had any issues. Jokes aside, there’s something timeless and beautiful about a church wedding, with its sense of tradition and grandeur.

5 marquee celebrations – The freedom and creativity that comes with marquee weddings never fail to excite me, when couples get in touch telling me their plans, there's something you can generally be sure of when it comes to a marquee wedding...There's going to be one heck of a party! If you're planning a marquee celebration be sure to check out this blog

0 repeat venues – Not a single wedding took place in the same venue, making each day a completely new adventure for me as a photographer. Working in different places is exciting and turning up in a fresh new location on the morning of a wedding is such an adrenaline high.

A joyful couple strolls hand-in-hand through a serene, tree-lined pathway, radiating happiness on their special day.

Bride and groom embrace, facing a serene lake and mountain landscape, under a cloudy sky. Bride in white dress with veil.

Bride and groom happily exit a stone church with their party. Overcast sky, green grass, and old gravestones in the background.

Couple joyfully dances at their wedding in a decorated tent, surrounded by smiling guests. White draped ceiling with hanging greenery.

Bride in white gown and groom in floral vest hold hands, walking on grass. Smiling, they approach a Thoresby Riding Hall, trees in background.

Bridal party in sunglasses poses cheerfully before a brick building. Bride in white, others in black suits and sage dresses, holding flowers.

Couple kissing in a field with daisies, in front of their marquee under a blue sky. Romantic and tranquil setting.

A joyful bride raises her bouquet triumphantly from the back of a convertible as she and her partner drive away, celebrating their special day amidst a scenic countryside backdrop.

Bride and groom walk joyfully down a tree-lined path at Howsham Hall. The bride holds a bouquet of colorful flowers. Sunny day, lush greenery surrounds them.

Bride in white gown kissing groom in gray suit on vintage cream bus. Holding colorful bouquet. Sign reads "Congratulations to the happy couple."

Bride and groom holding hands, smiling outdoors. Bridesmaid and pageboy follow. Stone wall and woven fence in background. Bright, happy mood.

Bride and groom dance on a sunlit grassy field, trees in the background. Her lace dress flares dramatically, creating a romantic scene.

Bride and groom in a field petting a small dog. Bride in white dress, groom in navy suit with pink boutonniere. Sunny, joyful scene.

Wedding party poses outdoors under a tree. Bridesmaids in light green; groomsmen in grey suits. Everyone smiles, holding bouquets.

Bride and groom sit on grass in a field, gazing at sunset. Bride's lace gown spreads around. Warm, serene ambiance.

A couple embraces, smiling at each other in a forest setting. The woman wears a white dress, the man a dark suit. Leaves are scattered on the ground.

Family Sessions: Documenting Love Across Generations

In addition to weddings, I captured 30+ family photo sessions this year. Documenting families has been an absolute joy, and I’ve seen a huge rise in families visiting the UK wanting their special moments captured. This included:

2 families from the US
1 family from New Zealand
1 family from India

Family sitting on a blanket in a green field with sheep in the background. They're smiling under a cloudy sky, wearing casual outdoor clothes.

Girl in striped dress runs towards a colorful ball on grass. Adults and a dog in the sunny background, creating a playful mood.

A group of people stand with vintage tractors on a sunny, grassy field, surrounded by trees. Smiles and bright clothing create a cheerful mood.

Woman hugging child in cozy jackets, smiling warmly in a forest setting at sunset. Soft lighting creates a joyful, intimate mood.

Woman and young girl in white dresses sit on green grass, smiling warmly. Background features blurred trees, evoking a peaceful mood.

Boy chasing bubbles with a woman nearby in a lush garden with inflatable pigs on the grass; joyful mood.

Black and white photo of a woman holding a laughing child outdoors. She wears plaid, and the child is in a jacket, joyful expressions visible.

Six smiling kids in denim sit on hay bales, next to a utility vehicle, in a grassy field under a cloudy sky. Text on vehicle reads “Kubota.”

Family of four smiling, seated on a stone ledge in front of an ivy-covered mansion. Overcast sky, lush greenery, and pink flowers around.

Two smiling boys embrace in a colorful garden with various flowers. Both wear light shirts, radiating joy and warmth.

Child in a wet blue shirt sits on a rock at the beach, smiling as waves splash around. Overcast sky and sea in the background.

Whether it was Christenings, birthdays, pregnancies, graduations, or vacations, every session reminded me how much I love preserving the bonds and milestones that make life so precious. I even managed to sneak in three sunrise engagement sessions that were simply magical.

A couple and a dog play joyfully on a sandy beach by the sea. The sky is overcast, creating a relaxed, playful mood.

A couple close together, smiling by the sea. The woman in a striped sweater touches the man's face. Coastal town blurred in the background.

A couple spins joyfully on a beach. Overcast sky, waves in the background. Man in light shirt, woman in white dress; both smiling brightly.

A couple walks hand in hand on a rocky, mossy shore with waves splashing in the background and a cloudy sky. The mood is serene and intimate.

Couple sitting closely, smiling warmly. Woman's hand on her knee shows a diamond ring. Both wear casual clothing. Cozy, joyful mood.

Silhouette of a couple holding hands walking on a beach with their dog at sunset. Dramatic cloudy sky, houses on the hillside in the distance.

A dog joyfully runs through shallow water, with splashes around. A person in a white dress walks ahead on the sandy beach. Ocean in background.

Finding Balance and Embracing Challenges

This year, I can hand on heart say I’ve loved every single minute of my job and I've caught myself driving along thinking how lucky I am to be able to do what I do. It's so nice to be excited about everything again after the overwhelm of 2021/23. The balance between work and life has felt just right, allowing me to spend so much more time with my family and friends—one of my big goals for 2024. Looking back, I told Richard at the start of the year that I had a good feeling about 2024. It was a year of optimism and looking forward, and while it wasn’t always smooth sailing, it’s been a year of invaluable lessons.

Financially, 2024 has been my toughest year yet. At times, I’ve had barely enough to keep things going, but it’s taught me so much about resilience and the importance of improving my business skills. I’ve immersed myself in podcasts on business strategies and self-development, including favourites like Mel Robbins, Passion with Purpose, and Shoot Your Shot. These have been my lifeline during the quiet hours at my laptop, helping me feel motivated, organized, and stronger as I head into 2025.

A Milestone Year: New Beginnings

One of the biggest personal highlights of 2024 was selling our family home in June and buying a set of barns with land. At the start of the year, my "about me" page said:

"One day Richard and I will build or renovate another house, which will become our forever home. Eek! We're on the lookout for somewhere with land, my goal is to have some holiday accommodation where people can bring their horses along too. That's the dream anyway!"

Well, the dream is now in motion! I guess it’s time to rewrite that page because our next adventure has officially begun.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we move into 2025, I’m thrilled to say I already have 9 weddings booked but still have plenty of availability for more. So, if you’re planning your wedding or a special event, I’d love to hear from you.

Woman with curly hair, wearing a white sweater, smiles while holding a glass of coffee. She sits on a green couch against a pale background.

Being a photographer is always an adventure. It’s a privilege to see people at their best, capturing the happiest days of their lives. 2024 has shown me that even in challenging times, there’s always something to learn, celebrate, and cherish.

Thank you to everyone who’s trusted me to document your moments this year. Here’s to an even brighter and more exciting 2025! 🎉