July will soon be upon us, bringing with it beautiful light and the perfect opportunity to capture some stunning portraits! As your dedicated portrait photographer, Stella Scordellis, I wanted to take a moment to share a little about my passion for what I do and give you a peek into how I work to create images you'll truly cherish.
The days are long, the light is golden, and opportunities for stunning portraits are everywhere. Here at 'Stella Lifestyle Photography' I'm embracing the vibrant energy of summer and can't wait to help you capture your most cherished moments.
This month, I'm focusing on making the most of natural light, celebrating special occasions, and exploring creative ways to tell your story through beautiful imagery.
June offers some of the most beautiful light for outdoor portraits. The "golden hour" – that magical time just after sunrise and before sunset – bathes everything in a soft, warm glow, perfect for flattering skin tones and creating a dreamy atmosphere.
Tips for Your June Photoshoot:
Chase the Light: I'll be scheduling more photoshoots during the golden hour to harness that incredible natural light. Think about lush green spaces, open fields, or even urban backdrops as the sun dips low.
Open Shade is Your Friend: When the sun is higher, I'll look for open shade (like under a large tree or on the side of a building) to provide soft, even illumination and avoid harsh shadows or squinting.
Embrace the Outdoors: From family picnics to playful pet portraits, June is ideal for capturing authentic, candid moments in natural settings. Let's find a location that tells your story!
Father's Day on Sunday June 15th: A portrait session with Dad and his children makes an unforgettable gift. I can capture those special bonds and create heirlooms he'll treasure forever. Not forgetting the father figures who contribute so much too.
Graduation Season: Whether it's primary school, secondary school, or university, celebrate academic achievements with professional portraits that mark this significant milestone.
Summer Solstice on June 21st: A perfect day to embrace nature and capture portraits that reflect growth, joy, and the abundance of summer.
National Camera Day on June 29th: A great opportunity to celebrate the visual arts and the power of photography to capture and share moments within a masterclass to understand your camera better.
I can't wait to capture timeless and meaningful portraits and a masterclass in photography this June.
Get in touch to discuss your vision and to book your experience by replying to this email or message/call me on 0777 181 0105.
My website tells you more:
Portraits
Masterclass
Thank you, I'll be back next month with more updates!
A wonderful collection of vintage jewellery and clothing.
I had the pleasure of working with Chrissie Masters from The Design Gallery in Edenbridge, Kent last week to showcase the amazing vintage jewellery and fashion for sale as part of her ‘Desirable Designs UK’ label. We were graced with a glorious day amongst rapeseed fields, Ferraris and open countryside to work with Chrissie’s friend Lucille Howe – model, actress and screen writer –doesn’t she look fabulous!
The theme is ‘Dress like a Duchess’ and is open on Sunday 27th April at The Design Gallery, Starborough Farm, Lingfield TN8 5RB 10am-5pm and continues Wednesday to Sunday next week. Visit the Design Gallery showroom for vintage Chanel, Givenchy, Burberry, Versace and so, so much more.
A selection of photos from the shoot. you’ll have to hurry because these are one of pieces I don’t think will be in the showroom for very long!
A behind the scenes peek…
Find out more about Lucille and Desirable Designs Vintage – a pleasure to work with you!
Thanks for reading
July will soon be upon us, bringing with it beautiful light and the perfect opportunity to capture some stunning portraits! As your dedicated portrait photographer, Stella Scordellis, I wanted to take a moment to share a little about my passion for what I do and give you a peek into how I work to create images you'll truly cherish.
Watch us grow up in the woodlands year after year. We love it there, and it’s just across the road from where we live. Mummy says it’s an ancient woodland…
Bronze Sculptures by artist Nicolas Lavarenne - photographs by Stella Scordellis
On display at La Verde Italian restaurant in Warlingham, Surrey CR6 9LA are a carefully curated selection of Limited Editions, Artist’s Proofs and Open Edition photographs for sale.
You may recognise some from my previous automotive exhibitions . True to the Italian way of life are a few Ferraris (red ones of course) sold as Artist’s Proofs.
I have also introduced a collection of photographs taken in Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat, South of France in July 2023 of an urban art exhibition entitled “Between Heaven and Earth” by Nicolas Lavarenne a French sculptor.
Known for his nude monumental bronze figures. Balanced on ropes & poles up to 20 feet tall – his sculptures showcase nude muscular figures frozen in a moment of movement. Towering above its audience, Lavarenne’s striking art elicits an ambiguous tension – are the figures rising toward the sky or falling back to Earth? Printed on a thin aluminium panel sized at 18” x 12”.
The collection of four are priced at £325 each
Grande Panthère – lady resting on a tightrope
Grand Serein – man resting on tightrope
Grand Defi – leaping man
Grand Serein – man resting on tightrope
Artist’s Proofs
1991 Ferrari F40 - Artist’s Proof
I love the woodlands and the sound of the birds singing!
Hello my name is Bella.
Every year since I was born my yia yia (grandmother in Greek) photographs me here in the woodlands when the bluebells are in flower in April time. She says it’s a magical backdrop.
It’s been exactly one year since my last bluebell photoshoot on 13 April 2024 – you can read my first blog here.
Yia-yia said to me “Be very careful Bella not to tread on the bluebells, they are very delicate and are to be treated with respect so they can keep on flowering every year.”
They are wild flowers. Yia yia says I am wild too because I love playing outside – running, jumping and exploring!
Left: I was just 7 months old – photographed on 19 April 2023
Middle: I was a big girl at 19 months old – photographed on 13 April 2024
Right: I’m even bigger now at 2 years 8 months – photographed on 13 April 2025
With my mummy, we were giggling.
Daddy was working so he couldn’t join us for this photoshoot. Hopefully next year he will join us when my mummy has our new baby.
If you would like to have a photoshoot with yia-yia, she is called Stella. She said to contact her to book your photoshoot as there are a limited number of photoshoots available until 27th April.
She is very friendly and the photoshoot was great fun. Her phone number is 0777 181 0105 or email her.
I’m happy I have all these photographs to look back on when I’m older to enjoy with mummy, daddy and all my family.
I was pointing at a big bird in the sky called an aeroplane. Do you like my jeans and roll neck jumper?
Look how I’ve changed from last year. I’m pointing to the birds in the trees they are singing to me. Do you like my yellow dress?
This is my yia-yia taking a photograph of me. Mummy took the picture on her iPhone.
This link tells you more about having a photoshoot.
Thank you for reading my story. I’ll be back next year for an update!
Mummy’s baby is due in September the same time as when I was born…can’t wait to be a big sister and mummy’s helper.
July will soon be upon us, bringing with it beautiful light and the perfect opportunity to capture some stunning portraits! As your dedicated portrait photographer, Stella Scordellis, I wanted to take a moment to share a little about my passion for what I do and give you a peek into how I work to create images you'll truly cherish.
Watch us grow up in the woodlands year after year. We love it there, and it’s just across the road from where we live. Mummy says it’s an ancient woodland…
In this ever changing fast-paced world we live in, time and family are the most precious things we have. Cherishing these combined forces are important for our wellbeing — nourishing our souls and uniting us emotionally, physically and so much more.
It only seems right we hold onto these feelings forevermore, especially on Mothering Sunday.
Here are a few of those special moments I’ve captured over the years to reflect on.
If this tugs at your heart strings it makes sense to commission me to capture your mum or a mother figure in your life to have a photoshoot with loved ones for her to cherish for many years to come. Or gather the troops to present Mum with a photo to make her heart sing forever more.
The bluebells will be in flower in April time creating the ideal photographic environment – there is nothing like nature to enrich the love a mother feels for her family.
Find out more about booking a photoshoot amongst the bluebells here …
or call/message to enquire availability 0777 181 0105
Thanks
July will soon be upon us, bringing with it beautiful light and the perfect opportunity to capture some stunning portraits! As your dedicated portrait photographer, Stella Scordellis, I wanted to take a moment to share a little about my passion for what I do and give you a peek into how I work to create images you'll truly cherish.
Watch us grow up in the woodlands year after year. We love it there, and it’s just across the road from where we live. Mummy says it’s an ancient woodland…
Babylostoren in Franschhoek, South Africa - February 2024
I have recently had the pleasure of discovering the wonderful gardens at Babylonstoren in Franschhoek, South Africa.
If you have visited their British version at the Newt in Somerset you won’t be disappointed as both are beautifully designed to take you on a journey of wonderment and tranquility.
The Newt in Somerset and Babylonstoren are both properties owned by Karen Roos and Koos Bekker. The Newt is a hotel and garden in Somerset, England, and Babylonstoren is a garden, vineyard and hotel in the Cape Winelands of South Africa. The Newt was inspired by Babylonstoren, and the two properties share a focus on gardens, food, and first class hospitality.
A view of the vines at Babylonstoren - September 2021
The Apiary at Babylonstoren
“Babylostoren is Set within 5 hectares (12 acres) of cultivated fruit and vegetables, the garden is at the heart of the farm. It was inspired by the historic Company’s Garden in Cape Town, which supplied sailing ships of the Dutch East India Company with fresh vegetables and fruit during the days when the Cape was a halfway station between Europe and Asia. But we also link back to the mythological hanging gardens of Babylon. Those were thought to have been created by Nebuchadnezzar in the sixth century BC, for his wife who longed for the mountains and valleys of her youth.”
Babylonstoren - February 2024
“The Newt–Influenced by thousands of years of horticultural history, take a stroll through acres of formal gardens and perhaps learn something along the way. We share the land with a host of wildlife; you may spot native deer promenading in the woods or Great Crested newts bathing in the ponds.”
A feature at The Newt - September 2021
The tree lined bridge at The Newt - September 2021
Harvest display at The Newt - September 2021
A glance at the start of the gardens at The Newt - September 2021
Find out more about the wonderful gardens at The Newt here.
A beautiful array of local produce - February 2024
Find out more about the wonderful gardens at Babylonstoren here.
A view of the cacti at Babylonstoren - February 2024
A display at Babylonstoren - February 2024
I can highly reccommend a visit to both Babylonstoren and The Newt. I hear they also have wonderful accommodation too. Now that’s something I must enjoy next time…
Thanks for reading
July will soon be upon us, bringing with it beautiful light and the perfect opportunity to capture some stunning portraits! As your dedicated portrait photographer, Stella Scordellis, I wanted to take a moment to share a little about my passion for what I do and give you a peek into how I work to create images you'll truly cherish.
Watch us grow up in the woodlands year after year. We love it there, and it’s just across the road from where we live. Mummy says it’s an ancient woodland…
Okatie, South Carolina - September 2024
Welcome to my first blog of 2025.
Let’s head into the new year with enjoyment, enthusiasm and above all creativity for an exciting 2025 and beyond.
The most important mindset to engage in January is a clear vision and focus for what you would like to achieve during the coming months, or even years.
I’d like to share with you my vision to achieve my goals.
Looking back at the past 28 years since I started my business in the wonderful world of photography – SMS Creative Photography, now called Stella – the one thing that has remained a firm constant is the connection to you, my customers. To craft everlasting photographs to reflect on for very many years to come.
Whether you are amongst the first families and businesses I photographed or we have met more recently. The message and intention remains the same – to demonstrate just how valuable time is. Unless these moments are captured and printed they fade rapidly from ones mind and become memories, sometimes forgotten ones.
Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA – September 2024
Running and growing a successful business
Communicating on different levels with a variety of people
Learning new technology – after all, it was a roll of film in the camera in 1997 when I opened the doors to my shiny new business
Creating an online presence via a website and social media
Marketing to the right demographic
Growing and maintaining your Brand
Cashflow
Understanding above all what your customer wants and how to deliver a first class product and service…
With all of this in mind it brings me onto what’s in store for 2025 and how I can share my knowledge and expertise with you so you can benefit.
A helping hand... photographed at Grande Provence Estate, Franschhoek, South Africa – February 2024
Headshot Portraits for your professional profile. When did you last update yours?
Family photoshoots a fun-filled experience to reflect on for years to come.
Classic & Supercar collections to create provenance and a lasting memory.
Mentorships to teach and support you to start and maintain your business in photography.
To book or enquire about any of the above feel free to call/message me on 0777 181 0105 or email me here.
Charleston USA – captured in September 2024
A before, during and after transformation of a home or garden project
The gathering of memorabilia and photographs to create a bespoke tailor made book to give to someone very special to celebrate a landmark in time
Curating photographs and artworks to display in your home or office selecting the mounts and frames and design for your wall space
Life is a continuous story of fleeting moments and I feel privileged to be able to photograph yours.
This link tells you a little bit more about my works as a professional photographer.
Thank you
