The Great British Seaside with Mirlah

Oh I do want to be beside the seaside. I do like to be beside the sea! I do like to stroll along the Prom, Prom, Prom! You get what I'm saying - the seaside conjures up inspiration. It's a place that inspires songs and paintings, and dreams can become reality on that horizon line! Our designer, Mirlah spent a family holiday in a Filey at this phenomenal find and we were so inspired by her pictures, that a blog was born. Here's to the places that you find inspiring, that bring out your very best work...

Mirlah, you seemed massively inspired by your trip to the beach. You can see it in your pictures, especially being surrounded by your family. Was it a combo of surroundings and loved ones that made these images glow?

Absolutely. The combination of new surroundings, time off and fresh air really let the inspiration flow. That and also having 4 other 'babysitters' with us to keep the littles occupied. Life just goes at a different pace when you take purposeful down time, it helps you really acknowledge what's around you. New sounds, new sights giving you a whole new perspective on everything. 

What is it about going away that you love to capture?

I'm hugely inspired by street photography and so the first thing I'm usually drawn to whilst exploring a new place is the buildings, the signage and the people. Leading lines down little streets, the colours and shapes.

I also love to capture the details, the things people might be like... 'why is she taking a photo of that?' but I just adore looking for the ordinary sometimes. Like the pants on the beach and the half bitten apple. They're both really simple images but tell a much bigger story and take me right back to that moment. Ellis being so excited by the sea that he just ripped everything off and disappeared. And the fact the age they are now means that those few bites of apple is actually a big win.  

What techniques and equipment do you lean into when you're capturing the everyday like this?

I keep things simple kit wise. One body - a Fuji XT4 and one lens a 35mm (23mm 1.4 crop sensor) A good all rounder to capture the bigger wider scene but also get some nice close up shots too. Three things I love about my Fuji cameras - They're light and small enough for me to pop in my bag, they look a bit retro and film like and the colours that come out of them. I can comfortable swan around a new town without feeling like I've got a huge camera in peoples faces which is a huge plus. 

Technique wise, I just love reportage style photography, I almost prefer it when people aren't looking straight at the camera. I just capturing things as they happen. I love seeking out fu colour combinations and really making them pop in the edit.  When I remember I love experimenting with double exposures, different perspectives and a little bit of iPhone reflection. 

How do you keep motivated to capture your personal life when you're so busy with your creative work?

It's hard at times but capturing my own personal life is what really keeps the passion alive. If I've been busy and start to feel like I'm in a bit of a creative slump that's when I know it's time to bring the camera along with us and just snap what's right in front of me. 

How do you know a picture is going to be good? What's your process when you shoot? Are you drawn to anything in particular that shows up in most galleries?

Oh wow that's a tough one isn't it. I like to capture things on the fly and so I love that chase of a good image but most of the time I don't over think it. I think I tend to look at the wider scene, shoot it but then immediately I'm hunting for the little stories within it. 

When photographing people I love cuddles and connection, movement and laughter.

I love simple scenes that tell a story, all those toys on the floor for example, and Ellis just walking away from the bag he had just that minute turned upside down. 

And my big love is signage, retro colours and the garish nature of a seafront and arcades. I love the challenge of the low light and bright colours.

Shot on: Fuji XT4 + 23mm 1.4

Find Mirlah: @mirl.and.co www.mirland.co 

If you've been a particular place that inspires you and you'd love your imagery to be featured in a blog, come on down! Email submissions to [email protected]