A Morning in the City — Coffee, Jellycats, and a Few Lessons Behind the Lens

A little story about photographing Edinburgh with my daughter and how sharing photography can start in the simplest way.

We spent the morning together, just me and Julia.

Sometimes we plan, sometimes we just go — this time we wanted to see something new or simply take a walk.

Julia wanted to visit her favourite shop, so we decided to make a little day of it. We left early, before Calton Hill became busy, so we could enjoy the quiet and the view. There was coffee, of course, and lots of walking — just the two of us, talking, exploring, and enjoying being together.

I try to take one daughter at a time for a city day or coffee date. They need that one-to-one time — no rush, no plans, just space to talk and laugh.

Julia loves her Jellycats. She photographs them everywhere — in cafés, in the city, on holidays. Watching her reminds me that photography is not about gear or rules. It is about seeing something you love and wanting to remember it.

I always say photography is best learned by doing. You can read every manual and watch every video, but it is only when you are out there, camera in hand, that things begin to make sense. Light, movement, moments. You learn by seeing.

We walked up Calton Hill while the city was still quiet, then stopped for coffee and a few photos of Julia’s Jellycat enjoying the view. Our last stop was her favourite Jellycat store — her little heaven. She looked through all the shelves, trying to choose just one. It is never an easy choice.

I always take my camera when we go out. I love capturing little moments of my girls, and it makes me happy that they love it too. Julia often takes photos of me now — it is the only way I end up in pictures.

Photography is not just my job. It is part of who I am. And sharing that with my daughter feels like a gift.

Maybe this is where teaching begins — not in a class or workshop, but in moments like these.

Walking together. Taking photos. Learning by seeing, and loving what you see.

Photography Tip:

Silhouette Shapes — Try placing your subject (Julia, her Jellycat) in front of a bright part of the sky (early morning or late afternoon). Let the background light create a dark outline of your subject. It’s simple, but effective. Tip: Expose for the sky, not the subject, so the subject turns into a shape.