1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
Bought property in the UK.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My resolution for 2010 was to ‘have the strength push towards taking the final steps into a more emancipated way of living, and once you get there, remember to enjoy what you’ve achieved, but never stop working towards being better/happier/closer to where you want to be‘. I definitely achieved the emancipation, no doubt about that. I haven’t really had time to enjoy it all yet though, it’s been such a whirlwind of a year. Very very satisfying, but hard work none the less. For 2011 my resolution is to build on what ever success I achieved in 2010, but also work on getting the balance in my life right. To have more time for family and friends. To take better care of myself. And to properly ENJOY the ride.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Seems like everyone is on their 4th round already. 2010 was the year where I completely lost the plot on what’s happening in ‘normal life’.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.

5. What countries did you visit?
France, Finland and ALL over the UK.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
Some downtime with friends.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
12th of August when we finally completed on our new flat. It was a long road, but it was such a relief to finally be able to step through our own front door.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finally resigning from the ‘day job’ and becoming a  full-time photographer.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being able to balance work and life.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had an accident in May where I pulled the ligaments in my ankle. This having happened right at the beginning of the busiest wedding season meant that I had to work through some horrid pain over the summer.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A home.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Susanna continued to be a rock. I also am very appreciative of all the support I’ve gotten from Stu this year, it never goes unnoticed even if I don’t always remember to express my gratitude.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I think I’ve grown a pretty thick skin this year as a result of having to deal with customer service. Not many things affect me negatively any more, but sometimes lack of respect can sting.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Home, home, home. Can you say ‘money pit’.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Jesh de Rox Life {as an artform} workshop. My new floor. Seeing Imogen Heap live – twice.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2010?
Citizen Cope – Fame.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier x 1000.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sleeping, socialising, relaxing, loving life, exercising. (No change from last year there!)

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Over-delivering.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve at home with Stu. Boxing Day with Stu’s family.

21. How did you spend New Years?
At home surrounded by boxes of office stuff while S stripped wallpaper.

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Possibly fell more in love with witnessing love.

23. How many one night stands?
0.

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
Good Wife, True Blood, Vampire *cough* Diaries.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I’ve been disillusioned with a lot of people.

26. What was the best book you read?
Emma Donoghue – Room. So so good.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Really should make more of an effort with new music… Sebastien Schuller, Rebekka Karijord, Florence + the Machine.

28. What did you want and get?
Work for myself successfully. Grey walls and wooden floor in my own home.

29. What did you want and not get?
iPad.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Inception.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Woke up in a little room in a Chateau in rural France after having photographed Alix & Manu’s wedding the previous day. Spent the rest of the day on a scary trip home. Turned 34 (which looks completely insane in black and white).

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Lack of pain.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Pyjamas vs. black.

34. What kept you sane?
Succeeding. Which proved I wasn’t insane to attempt it.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Colin.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Burn a Koran Day man. Although ‘stirred’ is a bit strong. Wikileaks.

37. Who did you miss?
Everyone. Especially Miikka.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Maz and the girls from WWJD camp. Rosie. Lots of lovely people I’ve got to know through Twitter. And so many awesome clients.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.
Be authentic and it will resonate with the right people.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Your love is better than ice cream
Better than anything else that I’ve tried
And your love is better than ice cream
Everyone here know how to fight

And it’s a long way down
It’s a long way down
It’s a long way down to the place
Where we started from

Your love is better than chocolate
Better than anything else that I’ve tried
Oh love is better than chocolate
Everyone here knows how to cry

It’s a long way down
It’s a long way down
It’s a long way down to the place
Where we started from...
Sarah McLachlan – Ice Cream

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Cruised on the Thames twice (even if it was for work, still cool).

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My resolution for 2009 was to ‘remember to see the big picture and keep working towards goals that might not be clearly in view just yet’. I think I did do that. It has been damn hard, feeling almost impossible at times, but I think I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. For 2010 my resolution could be to have the strength push towards taking the final steps into a more emancipated way of living, and once you get there, remember to enjoy what you’ve achieved, but never stop working towards being better/happier/closer to where you want to be.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Well, he probably didn’t give birth per say, but Ride became a father in December.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. For which I’m grateful for. I don’t think I could have handled that sort of things this year.

5. What countries did you visit?
France, Switzerland and Finland.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A HOLIDAY. One that lasted more than 2 days.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don’t know the exact date, the whole year is pretty blurry on dates. But there was one specific moment when it really hit me that hey, I’m a professional photographer – people pay me to take their picture. I know it sounds simple, but it’s a pretty profound shift inside.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Taking my business to the level it is at now in such a short space of time. There’s nothing big headed about that statement, I have worked fricking hard for it and I am proud of myself for it.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Sometimes losing sight of the goals and sinking into a funk. Not having time for anyone, least of all my loved ones or myself.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Funnily enough, I’ve been pretty ok this year. I’ve only gotten ill on the few days that I’ve had off. I guess the body sort of ‘gets with the program’ when it realises there are no other options but to push through and live on pure adrenalin. Probably can’t go on forever though.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My tilt shift lens, hands down. Plus quite a lot of other photography-related things.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Susanna has proven to be an absolute star this year. Both on professional and personal front.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
There are some people that have disappointed me… by getting annoyed that I haven’t been in touch (through lack of time), or by dropping all communication whatsoever. Phone lines for example work in both directions.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Camera gear.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Booking a shedload of exciting weddings.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2009?
Kings of Leon - Closer.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Both.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Sleeping, socialising, relaxing, loving life, exercising.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve at home with Stu. Christmas Day and Boxing Day with Stu’s family.

21. How did you spend New Years?
Sitting in a sauna in very snowy Finland.

22. Did you fall in love in 2009?
In some ways.

23. How many one night stands?
0.

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
True Blood, err… nothing else comes to mind.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word, but certainly dislike.

26. What was the best book you read?
Hmm, maybe Audrey Niffenegger – The Time Traveler’s Wife.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Crikey… haven’t had much time for that. Damien Jurado, Citizen Cope, Tiny Vipers… oh and Kings of Leon, as I’m always late to the party. :P

28. What did you want and get?
To make a success of my business.

29. What did you want and not get?
To find and buy a flat.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Burn After Reading (although this was probably released in 2008).

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Shot Eleni & David’s wedding. I turned 33. Jaysus.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having two full time jobs…

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
A complete meltdown.

34. What kept you sane?
Self belief.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Colin. (And also Robert Pattinson… just a little bit. Sorry Colin)

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Stirred? None.

37. Who did you miss?
Everyone.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
So many lovely clients, some of whom have become friends.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
You can do things you never thought capable of when you put your mind to it.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Not now but soon,
The most beautiful light
Will wake us to pillow fighting excitement

Not now but soon,
Bright into
Every corner,
Satellites manoeuvre in beams of change,

Standing by the best days of our lives,
Magnificent, the best days of our lives,
Big bang boom, the best days of our lives
They’re coming right up
If we can just get through this one.

Who said it was over?
It’s as good as it gets
Well we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves yet

If we swallow “it’s all over” and open wide on these make-to-believe
Sullen, chewed up, sodden soliloquies,
Oh, we’re sweet nothings anymore

Terrifying best, days of our lives
We’re hanging on the best days of our lives
No two ways about it, best days of our lives
They’re coming right up, if we can just get through this one.

I’ll hang on grab onto your feet
Someone else holds tied to my shoelaces
When their trouser leg tears, runs and stops at the seam to keep us
dangled together
Until help finds us here

I’ll hang on grab onto your feet
Someone else holds tied to my shoelaces
When their trouser leg tears, runs and stops at the seam to keep us
dangled together
Until help finds us here

Best days of our lives
Better be the best days of our lives
Bring on the best days of our lives
Coming right up, woah
Coming right up
If we can just get through this one.
Imogen Heap – Not Now But Soon

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Hmm. I can’t think of anything! Ack.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
My resolution for 08 was ‘try to be happy’. I think I failed dismally for most of the year, but there were some happy bits I suppose. For this year my resolution is to remember to see the big picture and keep working towards goals that might not be clearly in view just yet.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, there seems to be a baby boom around me again! Elisa gave birth to the gorgeous Hilla, Annis to Jules and, just before Christmas, Mirka had a little xmas princess. There’s also more to come very soon.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No. But I did miss people who have passed more than usual last year.

5. What countries did you visit?
What a washout. Just Finland and Sweden.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A plan.

7. What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
25th August. Standing on a cliff top in Cornwall with my two favourite boys in the world.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finally taking the plunge and starting to charge for my photography. Also, setting up DLB.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not having enough time for friends, family or myself.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, another bad year for illnesses. Seems like I’m down with something constantly. Also had a neck injury which was possibly the most pain I’ve ever been in.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Camera gear, especially my cute straps from PhatStraps. My darling Wind. Also, concert tickets.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Stu’s! (as always :P) Also, couldn’t have done half the things I’ve done without Paul.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I don’t know if there’s been a specific person this year. Well maybe, but I’m not mentioning any names.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Camera gear, concert tickets.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Seeing Cat Power, Turin Brakes, Reverend and the Makers, David Gray, Sia, Matchbox Twenty, Joshua Radin, Alanis Morissette (!), Rufus Wainwright, R.E.M., Heather Nova (!), Antony & The Johnsons, Lisa Hannigan and Tracy Chapman play live in concerts. Also saw Simon Amstell and Bill Bailey live, both of whom were very very funny.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2008?
Weirdly, Apulanta – Koneeseen Kadonnut. Sign of an angsty year? :P
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEB5Ypqg34A]

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Sadder.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer.

Oh dear.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Socialising, relaxing, loving life, exercising.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Wasting time feeling angsty.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve at home with Stu. Christmas Day and Boxing Day with Stu’s family.

21. How did you spend New Years?
Unfortunately, after our lofty Southbank plans with Sooz, I was feeling kind of rough during the day and ended up spending the evening at home with Stu.

22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Not really. Well, there were those fleeting moments when I was in love with music.

23. How many one night stands?
0.

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
Heroes, Brothers and Sisters, QI.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t think so.

26. What was the best book you read?
This is going to be embarrassing. Sophie Kinsella – Remember Me? Ooh I read it in one go, was such lovely fluff! :D

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
It’s been a very bad year for discovering new artists… just haven’t had the time to listen and find as much music as I’d normally do. Lisa Hannigan, CALLmeKAT, Brand New, Santogold, Sophie Zelmani, Tanya Donelly…

28. What did you want and get?
A new job.

29. What did you want and not get?
A new job that would have felt a step forward…

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
The Savages.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Flew to Finland on the actual day and had a lovely BBQ with friends a few days later. I turned 32.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
The economy not going into a complete meltdown.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I think with DLB my focus moved a bit away from myself and more towards fashion in general. Personally I still tried to make an effort most of the time, not always so successfully.

34. What kept you sane?
Susanna. Miikka. Music.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Colin.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The end of the world as we know it. Also, Obama, couldn’t really avoid that one if you wanted to.

37. Who did you miss?
My nan. Certain people from my previous life.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Layla! What an inspiring ray of light you are.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
If you want to change the direction of your life you have to work hard, things don’t just ‘happen’.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Tiredness fuels empty thoughts
I find myself disposed
Brightness
fills empty space
In search of inspiration
Harder now with higher speed
Washing in on top of me
So I look to my eskimo friend
I look to my eskimo friend
I look to my eskimo friend
When I’m down, down, down.

When I’m down, down, down.
When I’m down, down, down.
Damien Rice – Eskimo

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Hmm. I can’t think of anything… how boring. I’d never seen Sally Mann live in front of me before. :D

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don’t think I made any… if I did I probably didn’t keep them. Didn’t make any other than ‘try to be happy’ for this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
I don’t think anyone did last year, how unusual. Lots of people got pregnant though!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, but people close to me had someone close to them die.

5. What countries did you visit?
UK, Finland, Italy. Oulu – might as well be a country. :P

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Peace of mind.

7. What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
20.07.2007. Wedding day.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Is getting married an achievement? Organising a move to another country can certainly be called an achievement, still wondering how I got through it all in the end.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not having enough time for friends and family.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I can’t remember a year when I’ve had a cold as often! The end of the year was just a flu nightmare.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Hmm. I think I’ve sold more stuff than bought last year. Perhaps some cute fabric off eBay. And tickets for concerts.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Stu’s!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
John’s.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Wedding, travelling and moving.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My hen night. :P Seeing Damien Rice, Regina Spektor, Jacob Golden, Catherine Feeny, Tori Amos, Joshua Radin, Johnossi, Antony & The Johnsons, Maija Vilkkumaa and Goo Goo Dolls play live in concerts.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2007?
Damien Rice – Rootless Tree

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter.
iii. richer or poorer? Poorer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Socialising, exercising.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve at home with Stu. Christmas Day and Boxing Day with Stu’s family.

21. How did you spend New Years?
At home with Stu and Sooz, getting over a nasty flu.

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I guess back into love a couple of times. There were definite highlighted moments.

23. How many one night stands?
0.

24. What were your favourite TV programmes?
Heroes.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is a bit strong word. I think you have to love in order to be able to hate. I certainly despise certain people more now than I did this time last year.

26. What was the best book you read?
The Bride Stripped Bare.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Tiger Lou, Basia Bulat, Catherine Feeny…

28. What did you want and get?
Honeymoon in Rome (even if it was 2nd choice :P).

29. What did you want and not get?
A new fancy job by the end of the year.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
Babel.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Went bowling and for a meal out with Stu, Nikki, Ian, Johanna, Pasi and Sooz. I turned 31, yikes.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Having that million-dollar business idea. Or a new job at least.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
I think I made more of an effort last year. Still quite casual.

34. What kept you sane?
Susanna. Well, good friends in general.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Colin.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Climate change and the over-hyping of it.

37. Who did you miss?
I especially missed my nan on several occasions last year. This was the second wedding of mine that she didn’t see. :(

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Crikey, did I meet any new people?? Oh, Markku! :D

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
You can’t fight change.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“I’m sick and tired of staring into the wall
I wanna do something fucking special and extraordinary
Put your thoughts in a fucking car…..
hit full speed and open your eyes
don’t close your eyes
there’s a lot of things to do before you die”
Johnossi – A lot of things to do before you die