Wiltshire Photography in the Spring - pets, bluebells and more! April/May 2025

For a 30 day month, I seemed to cram a lot into April – and May is going to be equally busy with Pet Portrait Sessions and markets galore (go to the bottom of this newsletter to see where I’m going to be and when in May)

The whole of April seems to have been a Good Weather month; my very first event away from the Shambles took place under a beautiful blue sky at Ramsbury Brewery - their artisan makers market was bustling and fun, especially for me in my ‘teepee’ by the music stage - followed by another gorgeous day at the historic Shaw House in Newbury, Berkshire. It was my second event there and I loved it - friendly volunteers, great organisation and a stunning location all make a great day out for me and the many visitors.

April was also the month of blossom and bluebells - I remember clearly being told about West Woods when I was still quite new to the area. I asked for directions, and then for more precise directions because I was worried I wouldn’t find the bluebells. They gave me a smile tinged with something bordering on pity, I felt, and wondered about their reaction…the first time you go to West Woods, nothing can prepare you. I now understand their reaction - in fact, earlier this week I was asked, in the West Woods carpark, which way a couple should walk to find the bluebells…I smiled broadly, gave a general wave all around me. It’s marvellous, it’s amazing, the smell’s extraordinary and the flowers go on forever and ever. If you can, visit. In late April, early May. I’ve had the most wonderful Pet Portrait Sessions there this year and in my next newsletter I can’t wait to share some of the photos. In the meantime, here are a few of the Woods to whet the appetite.

Apart from West Woods, I’ve been out and about with my Pet Photography - Erlestoke for more bluebells in a gorgeous woodland setting; a lovely stroll by the river in Calne, a new location that I really enjoyed; a few of my fabulous circular walks around Drew’s Pond Woods and a great late afternoon shoot on the edge of Salisbury Plain. This month I photographed 15 dogs in total, all gorgeous, all different and all making me so very happy to do my job.

I gave myself an hour to explore the area around the Salisbury Plain location - I always get to a new location early to have a look-around, see what angles and interesting shots there are, get a general feel for a place. On this day, I lost 55 minutes of that precious hour going up a clearly impassable chalk track (is it just me who loses all power of independent thought when that google maps voice tells me where to go?) getting stuck, abandoning my car, going back to my car, slip-sliding backwards in the car to a place I could turn around….it was mildly terrifying…but look at this amazing field I paused to enjoy when I was safe. Without that terror, I’d never have seen this. I’m a positive kind of person, you know. (photos from that shoot next month, also)

I didn’t roll the car and I did see an amazing field of yellow

My brother and his family visited us in Devizes for the first time - I took a day out from the Shambles and did the tourist thing with them. We had a ride on a narrowboat (cleverly moving our home from the countryside into the centre of town for a few days); they stayed at the the Bear hotel and weren’t disturbed by a ghost (that was very good news for Catherine, my sister-in-law) and on Thursday we visited the Church, the museum (definitely worth a visit), the market (gin tasting at 10h30 is a great thing to try) and I strolled through the Shambles thinking, isn’t this a fabulous market in a fabulous town, I should come here more often! And then we went to the Fun Fair - where my youngest nephew found, to his absolute delight, that he’s finally tall enough to go on fairground rides. We took him on the Waltzers - surely everybody’s favourite, nostalgia-driven ride - and he couldn’t get enough. Though to me it seemed to go on longer, and faster, and whizzier than when I was 15…anyway, onwards and upwards for my little nephew - right up to the Wall of Death where the safety cord over his face (he’s little, after all!) did finally make him feel slightly afraid! And then, they were gone, and so were all those paddlers heading from Devizes to Westminster - I got a snap of one as I walked to the Shambles on Good Friday - where a lovely Easter Bunny was handing out chocolates…

I had a new card order arrive - over 300 this time, and the ‘kingfisher among the berries’ have almost sold out already - I’m putting in a new order very soon. Get in touch if you’ve any card requests and I’ll see what I can do.

Kingfisher among the berries - popular as a card as well as a framed and unframed print (and mug, bag, keyring)

And here is one photo from one fun Pet Portrait Session at Drew’s Pond Woods - this is one drenched spaniel!

May is here and I’m still busy with exciting Photoshoots, and Craft Fairs and Markets in new places and old…here’s where you can find me:

The Shambles, Devizes, bay 20 - Thursday 8 May, Thursday 15 May

Folk and Bespoke Craft Fair, Phoenix Centre, Exeter - Saturday 17 May, 10 til 3, Gandy Street

The Bath Independent Spring Market - Sunday 18 May, 10 til 3, Green Park Station

The Shambles, Devizes bay 20 - Thursday 22, Friday 23, Saturday 24 May

Avebury Garden Celebration Weekend Sunday 25, Monday 26 May, Manor House Garden - I’ll be there with my gazebo, can’t wait!

The Shambles, Devizes bay 20 - Thursday 29 May, Friday 30 May

The Old Potato Yard, Lydeway - Saturday 30 May - I’ll be outdoors with my gazebo on the last Saturday of the month

And in between all of the above, I’ll be photographing lots of pets, and showing lots of pet owners beautiful, unique photos of their amazing animals - it’s going to be a great month.

Right, it’s time for me to share this, look through some great photos from tonight’s photoshoot at Foxley Paddock there was running, jumping, splashing, backlit beauty…it’s such a great place for a safe Pet Portrait Session…then I’ll wander back along the towpath to my lovely floating home and relax before a busy day in the Shambles tomorrow.

Happy May folks, may it be full and busy and fun for us all

Phil x



 



Looking back at March and forward to April

Well that was another month that flew by, keeping me happily busy and also enjoying those longer days that - hurray, at last - got even longer when the clocks changed.

So, a quick look back at March…Pet Portrait Sessions, talks, prints for cafes, a bit of travel, a craft fair here and there - it was excellent!

I had 2 shoots at the start of the month and the weather was stunning - sometimes the sun can be too much but we managed beautifully with the amazing conditions. The first shoot was at Foxley Paddock a secure dog field near Devizes. I’ve done a few Pet Portrait Sessions there, and there’s a great mix of open spaces for running, tunnels and hillocks for surprise encounters, and a pond that this time made for great reflection shots - and the Wiltshire countryside provides a great backdrop too.

Then, I was off to the Photography Show that was held at ExCel, London for the first time. I had a night in Canary Wharf (and ate next to ExCel) and a night next to ExCel (and ate in Canary Wharf - really!!) The Show was fabulous, as it always is - a great mix of talks, gear (not that I was on the lookout for anything really) and lots of friends to meet or make alongside finally putting faces to names of some lovely people in the Industry.

And one evening, I took my bright yellow jacket out, in case it was chilly after dinner…and then a whole load of increasingly silly photos happened. I do love my SheClicks friends! (thank you Tina, Angela, Rebecca, Linda, Carmen, Liz and everyone)

Canary Yellow in Canary Wharf

Giggles and architecture aside, I was so proud to be on the Fundamentals stage, taking part in the ‘Turning Pro’ discussion - a few years ago I spent a weekend at the Photography Show going to lots of talks, sessions, workshops on just this subject, not really sure where they would take me, and it was very fulfilling to share my experience with people who are possibly feeling just like I did then.

I also presented Nikon with the SheClicks award for best Enthusiast Camera of the Year for their amazing Z6iii, as voted for by the SheClicks judging panel - I’m part of the panel and it’s the 3rd year I’ve presented Nikon with an award; long may it continue is all I, as a total Nikon fan, can say!

(when I get some photos of both these events, I’ll update this post)

Back in Devizes and barely recovered from the Photography Show, I was very warmly welcomed at Devizes U3A photography group when I gave a talk loosely based around the theme of ‘Composition’. I was basically given free reign to show a selection of my work that I had grouped into sections, such as ‘the rule of thirds’, ‘leading lines’ and so on. It was great fun; the members were interested and engaged, and flatteringly complimentary about the photos I had chosen to present!

Below are a few of the images, if you click on them, you’ll see them as they were on the screen (ie larger!)

I’ve had more fabulous Pet Portrait Sessions since the start of the month; not all the owners have had their ‘Reveal’ and until they do, I don’t share their photos elsewhere, but here are some captured at Drew’s Pond Woods on the edge of Devizes - an old girl and a youngster, the best of friends having the time of their lives!

I had a quick trip to the West Sussex sea-side, lovely as ever and I got onto the beach and onto Pagham nature reserve for a great walk - if you ever can, go and visit!

And then, via the New Forest and revisiting some old haunts in Poole (a blast to my Sunseeker superyacht past), I’ve been mostly in the Shambles, Devizes as well as a great little craft fair in Lacock Village Hall and the first of what will be a regular, last Saturday of every month, presence at the Old Potato Yard- I’ve invested in a Teepee (to me, a gazebo to almost everyone else) and some mega weights to keep it land-based!

Right, April is here and I’m about to go up a gear in business - Craft and Artisan Fairs begin in earnest; those bluebells and spring flowers are going to be here in no time and with them come some gorgeous Pets for gorgeous Pet Portrait Sessions. I really am looking forward to them.

First up, I’m at Ramsbury's Spring Market on April 5 (Saturday), in the garden (in my teepee) and the weather is looking perfect for it; me and around 60 other creatives, food-sellers, easter egg-hunters…it’s going to be great.

Then, I’m back at the beautiful Shaw House, Newbury on April 13 (Sunday) for their Love Local event - I’m super-excited to have been invited again and am expecting a busy day.

I’m back in the Old Potato Yard on April 26 (Saturday) - the cafe is great, there’s lots of outdoor seating if the weather’s good and a really interesting selection of independent shops worth coming over for - as well as to visit me, of course!

And apart from all that, and all my lovely Pet Portrait Sessions I’m gearing up for, you can see me in the Shambles every Thursday and Saturday (my work is still there on a Friday, but I’m finding it extremely productive to spend Fridays either in my workshop or out with my camera).

And that, for now, is it - if you’d like to get these monthly newsletters, please subscribe below. I’ll be back at the end of April - in the meantime, happy Spring to you all!

Latest News from Philippa Huber Photography

Well, that’s another month flown by - here’s my February recap!

I’ve enjoyed being back in the Shambles, seeing faces old and new and catching up on the local news…I was supposed to be slimming down my table and wall display but somehow I’ve got over-excited again about printing and have more small squares out there than ever before (they’re really cute, don’t take up a lot of space and can be displayed in different ways, that’s my reasoning anyway!) not forgetting my mugs, bags and keyrings that I print myself…

Spontaneous decisions tend to be the best, and M and I decided to go to Wales - it was extremely spur of the moment, we found a great little place just on the edge of the Brecon Beacons and, happily oblivious to weather warnings raging through the region, we set off for 3 nights.

Isn’t it wonderful how just a couple of days away can feel like so much longer? Exploring the woodland paths was fabulous and made me remember that I want to do more tree/woodland photography this year - with my favourite Wiltshire tree knolls so close, as well as the ancient forests, I just need to get planning for some shoots there.

Don’t forget that you can click on all the photos here to see them bigger and better (recommended!)

The 4 Waterfalls walk had a couple of non-waterfall surprises - the first robin was singing its little heart out (I am SO happy to be hearing all the birdsong again); the frogs were guarding their frogspawn and also seemed to be enjoying the sunlight reaching through the trees; and that final robin seemed to be telling me to get a move on, it was not my patch!

and the waterfalls themselves, well, they were in full flow after the previous day’s storm, and I felt slightly nervous approaching the edge of the paths or river bank. And then some canoeists appeared and were happy riding the waves off the top of the fall…I mean, what???

The next day, we went off looking at reservoirs, gasping at the landscape and amazing views, and then got back to ‘our place’. M went off to the pub (oh what a choice there was!) while I got set up for PermaJet’s online panel discussion to Celebrate Women in Print - it was a really lovely free-flowing chat about photography, about print (I was particularly eloquent on this subject!) and about opportunities and support (or not) for women within the industry. I recommend it, and not just because I’m in it!

 

So that’s kind of brought me up to the present, and here’s what I’m doing in the near future:

The Photography Show starts this weekend and hopefully next month’s blog will be full of photos from the 3 days I’ll be there.

Excitingly, I’m going to be on the Fundamentals Stage on Saturday at 12h00, part of the Turning Pro panel. I’m so pleased to be able to share my knowledge and experiences of the past few years - what’s worked well, what less so:

Turning pro: What you need to know - The Photography Show 2025

If you’re going to be at the Show, do get in touch, or come and say hello at the SheClicks stand where I’ll also be, listening to inspiring photographers share their insights and journeys. I’m also going to be hanging out at PermaJet’s stand with lots of questions about printing, and I’m going to be playing in the Creator Playground (last year it was amazing fun, I’m hoping for more of the same).

You may be wondering what I’m doing for the rtest of the month…well, here’s the plan:

I’m getting really busy again with my Pet Portraits; I had a brilliant shoot at Foxleys Paddock last weekend (sorry, no photos to share until those who were there have seen them) - the sun was shining, the dogs were running, the humans were smiling…it really was excellent and I recommend it as a location close to Devizes for those of you unsure about having a photoshoot in a public space or with a nervous dog.

So, more Pet Portrait Sessions next week in some of my favourite places…I will be packing my wellies!

Next Thursday (13th) I’m doing a talk for the Photography for Fun group, part of Devizes U3A - I’m really enjoying putting some of my favourite photos together and forming a hopefully interesting and cohesive talk!

The Craft Fair season doesn’t start early and I’m excited to be at Lacock (in the village hall) for the first event of the year there, on February 22 & 23, nicely planned for the weekend before Mother’s Day - if you can make it, I and many other quality, talented makers would love to see you there.

Other new and exciting news is that I’m going to be a regular at Plank's Farm Shop - I’m going to be setting up there on the final Saturday of each month, starting on March 29. I would really love people to come over and say hello (please thankyou!)

And looking further ahead, I’m going to be at The Bath Independent (@thebathindependent) • that’s very exciting even if it isn’t until May!

I think you’re all up to date, and now I need to get ready for tomorrow in the Shambles, Devizes - do come and say hello if you’re local and if you’re not and would like to comment on anything from this month’s blog, please do!

 

Thanks for reading, wishing everyone a happy and productive March,

Phil x

Pet Portraits in Devizes and around - what I've been up to!

Well, it’s been an incredibly busy year so far, and it's just getting busier...and it’s also been noted that my blog posts have been lacking to say the least...so I thought it would be good to put that right with a little update on what I’ve been doing and what I’m going to be doing... 

I’ve been photographing pets, lots of pets – mostly dogs, of all shapes, sizes, ages and characters, and I’ve loved every single shoot. I’m not going to lie, some are more challenging than others, but all have produced great memories and great photos. I’ve made new friends, both 2 and 4-legged, and am thoroughly enjoying my Pet Portrait Sessions.  

 

Yesterday morning I was in my element, in the heart of the ancient Savernake forest, photographing a made-for-an-autumn-photoshoot Vizsla – she and the golden russet colours of the forest floor and leaves still clinging on the almost bare trees were phenomenal...I am very excited about the photos...but I never share before the owners have seen the best of the best at the ‘Reveal’ so I’m afraid that for now, you’re just going to have to take my word for it. 

 

an early start in the amazing Savernake Forest

But here are a few of my favourite photos from recent shoots, to give you an idea of what fun I’m having! 

 

 

And the fun is set to continue, with my happy involvement with the inaugural Pewsey Pawfest on Saturday 23 November, 11am - 5pm! 

The name says it all, really – a day celebrating all things doggie, in the Bouverie Hall in Pewsey. There will be local experts on all things canine – behaviourists, groomers, trainers, artists, walkers and so on – and ME – I'm giving a talk at 1pm on how to get the best photos of your dog with your mobile phone. I’m going to have a table there with examples of my work and will be offering a few on-the-day special deals for my Pet Portrait Sessions, so do come along if you can (entries free, Honey’s Real Dog Food are generously sponsoring the event). I really hope this Dog Festival in the amazing vale of Pewsey will be the first of many more.

Before then, though, I’ll be in my usual spot in the Shambles, Devizes (that’s Bay 20 if you weren’t sure) - this week I’m there from Thursday to Sunday so there’s plenty of time for you to call in and say hello.

I change my display often - at some point it looked like this!

And next week, I’m going to be chatting on Swindon radio 105.5 Live - so if you’ve wondered who I am, how I’ve got to doing what I’m doing, and what I’m doing next, see if you can listen in. Wednesday 20 November from 10am…


Well that’s it for now folks- I’ve an early start setting up in the market and a heap of things to be getting on with - if you’ve any questions or comments, feel free to let me know and hopefully you’ll be hearing from me here again soon!

Take care of yourselves,

Phil x