HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING?
I started this blog between Christmas and New Year's Eve 2011. I've had several blogs before that but I got bored of them and gave up. Here is a post all about my first, unsuccessful blogs. I have written a continuous diary since I was 10, though. (I say a diary. There are actually dozens of notebooks filled with my teenage emo worries). You can read extracts of them here, if you feel nosy!
That was my dad's nickname for me. That and Snorkel, but Snorkel doesn't make such a cute blog name.
WHAT CAMERA DO YOU USE?
Since October 2016, I've been using a Canon 700D with both the kit lens and a f/1.4 50mm lens. It's a huge step up from the cameras I was using before and has made a massive difference to my photography. I really recommend it!
Between September 2013 and October 2016, all photos were taken with a Nikon D3100 and either the kit lens or, from June 2015 onwards, a f/1.8 50mm lens. Although the 50mm lens was a big improvement, the camera itself wasn't great. Alright as a starter camera but very difficult to get clear, sharp images. It's also a right pain to focus!
My very early photos, from my first post up to September 2013, were taken with a Nikon D40x and kit lens. At the time, I loved it and found it really easy to use. However, I bought that camera second-hand five years ago so it's very outdated now and doesn't have basic features such as video recording.
When taking photos inside, I use these lights. They're lightweight and easy to operate, although I find they can cast a bit of a grey light and they smash into a million pieces if you knock them over (not that I'm speaking from experience, of course...)
DO YOU HAVE TIPS FOR NEW BLOGGERS?
My biggest advice is to network, network, network! Twitter, for me, has the best way to meet other bloggers and promote your blog. Remember to be patient. Blogging can sometimes be a very slow process so don't lose heart!
DO YOU HAVE A DISCLAIMER?
Yes, I do and you can read it here.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOUR MASTERS IN?
... Death. Seriously. Officially it's called Death, Religion and Culture and I'm studying at the University of Winchester. After completing my MA, I plan to start a PhD and eventually I'm considering either child bereavement counselling or fostering.
HOW DID YOU BECOME A TEACHER?
Although I've left the profession now, I used to get a lot of questions about my career when I was a primary school teacher. I took a four year primary education degree, specialising in art, and passed with a first class honours degree. There are loads of different ways if you want to be a teacher. Most people these days take a PGCE after a standard three year degree but there are also ways to train on the job if you don't want to go back to uni.
WHY DID YOU STOP TEACHING?
There's not time enough to go into this and I'm still a little bitter about it. In a nutshell, teaching in the current political climate is a horrible, soul-destroying profession that is all about pleasing the Government and absolutely nothing about the children's needs. My school was great- I loved my colleagues, the wider community and my children were my babies! Unfortunately, the Government seems to be doing everything in its power to destroy our education system. I might one day write a post/ create a video to go into more detail about this but for now, that explanation will suffice.
HOW MANY PIERCINGS DO YOU HAVE?
I currently have 14: 6 ear lobe, 1 forward helix, 1 rook, 2 scaffold, 2 lip and 2 nose.
I've had 26 in total. Retired piercings are: 4 ear lobe, 1 conch, 1 nose, 1 lip, 2 collar bone, 2 stomach, 1 nape.
You can read more about my piercings here.
Got a question that hasn't been answered? Head on over to Twitter and ask me. I'll answer right away!
