Melody Adams 09/05/2019 Melody Adams 09/05/2019

Jono Smart & Emily Stephen | Glasgow Pottery & Woodturner

Jono Smart | Scotland Pottery | Scotland Photographer

I am just in awe of these two,
individually and as a couple.

Lately, I have really enjoyed highlighting creatives that inspire me with their work. Needless to say, Jono Smart and Emily Stephen are true inspirations. Between their color palette, chemistry, passion for unique handmade pottery and wood sculpting skills along with their love for each other … I could easily spend time with these two refreshing souls daily.

Here are a few words from them below, in their own words, to truly understand the essence of what they do as a pair and individually (and also because I am not a writer, ha). //

“We are Jono Smart and Emily Stephen, a Scottish based couple who live and work together. Jono is trained as a garden designer and works as a potter. Emily is trained as an architect and works as a woodturner and in the pottery studio. We also combine efforts to make sculptural works and installations. Our studio is a showcase of the things we make and design, our home, our neighbourhood and the landscape we live in.

We decided to combine our two practices, everything you see coming out of the studio is the result of our collaboration. We are constantly talking about and designing new work together and we believe our work is improved through our collaboration. There is a natural harmony between clay and wood, between the tree and the ground it grew from.

Both of us have worked closely with nature. Emily, while working as an architect, designed simple timber buildings, that sat quietly in their landscape. Jono worked with trees, hedges, water, stone and flowers when designing gardens. In our current work as a potter and a woodturner we rely on nature for our material. We try to impose as little as possible upon our pieces. Allowing the natural surfaces of wood and clay to be at the forefront of all we do.” - Jono + Emily

I hope everyone enjoys these lovely moments of Emily Stephen, Jono Smart and their handmade pieces below. I’m so grateful to have been able to document this stage of their journey, as they have already grown into a larger studio space a few weeks after this session was captured. I’m so honored to have been able to capture all of the growth and forward motion that has taken place this last year in this beautiful space in Glasgow.

You can also keep up with their latest work on their website and Jono + Emily’s Instagram pages.

Melody Adams 24/04/2019 Melody Adams 24/04/2019

Porteous Studio | Edinburgh, Scotland

Porteous Studio | Scotland Rental Holiday Home | Edinburgh Photographer

Watch carefully the magic that occurs
when you give a person enough comfort
to just be themselves. - Atticus

Eilidh and Jack, of Izat Irundell, are the beautiful humans who created this serene and cozy space, quietly located in the center of Edinburgh. Its name is Porteous Studio. It encompasses who they both are and Porteous Studio was their first project working together as a couple. I truly appreciate the thoughtful details they included, from the local coffee beans in the cupboard to the custom furniture that was commissioned for the space. The textured design, the clean lines and the calming color palette all contribute to the experience of a stay at Porteous Studio. I’m so grateful to have spent a few days here and can’t wait for my next retreat in this beautifully designed getaway, nestled in the heart of my second home.

Melody Adams 17/10/2017 Melody Adams 17/10/2017

Lowdown Coffee | Edinburgh, Scotland

Lowdown Coffee | Edinburgh Coffee Shop | Scotland Photographer

A good word for Lowdown Coffee is 'consistent'.

Lowdown Coffee has been one of my favorite shops on my last few trips to Edinburgh. I always make a point of working the majority of my editing-session days out of their lovely shop. Their coffee is not only carefully selected, it is consistently well-made and served by knowledgeable baristas. They also have tremendous customer service and people skills, which is important to me as an American. And they aren't just nice to me because I know them. I witness them being genuinely warm and welcoming to everyone that comes into their shop (yes, I love to people-watch, but who doesn't when you're sitting somewhere for hours at a time?).

Overall, I would say the clean interior, the excellent cup of coffee (or delicious cake, sandwich or bagel that they also do very well) and their friendly faces are more than enough reason to keep me coming back for more. If they were at a different location, I would just as easily make my way to their storefront. But thank God they are located directly in the center of downtown Edinburgh, off of George Street! The perfect location for me to take walking breaks to stroll through all of the beautiful shops around town when I want a screen break.

Thank you, Lowdown Coffee, for being a consistently calming (and delicious) part of my day.

If you would like for me to document your small business, please reach out to me! There is nothing more enjoyable than photographing a small business that is passionate about their craft for their website or social media use! Shopping local is something I will always fully support. Let's work together!

Melody Adams 17/03/2017 Melody Adams 17/03/2017

Josh + Verity Wed | Yorkshire, England Wedding

Ever since meeting these two and roaming around Leeds for coffee last summer, I just fell in love with their sweet personalities. They are adorably silly, quirky, joyful and just so full of laughter and love. I'm incredibly grateful I was able to shoot their wedding in Yorkshire, which is one of my favorite areas of the United Kingdom. The day was moody and rainy (which made for excellent outdoor images, there was a stunning vintage red VW beetle, there was a pinata that was demolished to fill the dance floor with confetti before the party commenced, and there was a three-tiered Jello wedding cake. And that was all just icing on the cake (that wasn't there) compared to the love that was shared between Verity and Josh and their family and friends. Also, a huge thanks to Colin Ross, who was a boss at second-shooting this day with me!

Josh and Verity, Love you both dearly and wish the best for the season of life that lies before you!

Location: Downtown Bradford, England / Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Melody Adams 05/01/2017 Melody Adams 05/01/2017

Culzean Castle | Dreamy Scotland Wedding | Scotland Wedding Photographer

Castle Weddings on the shore of Scotland are what dreams are made of.

Historic Celtic Castles in Scotland are everywhere. If you are looking for a castle as the romantic backdrop of your elopement or wedding day in Scotland, there are plenty of castles to choose from. But Culzean Castle is one of the most beautiful castles that I have ever seen.

I’ve been to quite a few castles in Scotland, as they have always intrigued me with their architecture and endless history. I love researching castles, big and small, whenever Ross and I go to the Highlands to explore more of the countryside on weekend trips. My favorite castles have always been the abandoned ones. So much mystery, I always like to sit and dream of what used to take place there.

But out of all of the castles I’ve been to, I am so impressed with the gardens and environment of Culzean Castle, it truly stands out to me the most. They have completely kept the grounds alive and preserved for visitors to take tours and to even stay the night there (they have a gorgeous bridal suite). There are a mix of tropical plants like Palm Trees, a secluded romantic green house, a courtyard with cannons, a grand stone archway and an epic walk up to the castle from the parking lot, really sets the mood for the grandness and allure that this castle holds. Culzean Castle sits right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Eastern shoreline of Scotland. It’s just a beautiful ambience of the endless waves you will here from the castle with the windows open. There is even a beautiful long staircase down the beach where you and your partner can go down to the ocean and just be closer to the rushing waves. I have always loved the mysteriousness of the ocean and to have both a historic castle and a beautiful and private beach front all in one venue… I really could not recommend Culzean Castle enough for your wedding day.

I second shot this wedding day with the talented James Frost.