There’s a pretty imposing backdrop to my on location shoot in North Devon – the beautiful facade of Taperley Park sits majestically near the estuary between Bideford and Barnstaple, lapping up the suns rays on a fabulous Friday.

I’m here to capture the creative skills of the fabulously warm and bubbly Sophy Elena, from Sophy Elena Style who has embarked on a new career after a move to the area a few years previously.

The first time I spoke to Sophy on the phone there was an incredibly infectious  joie de vivre travelling down the superfibre and into my life.  A warmth that transcended into reality when we met, and hugged like old friends, under the shadows of Taperley Park.  Sophy is the head housekeeper for this magnificent place, but beyond this she has a wonderfully creative talent that she’s bursting to share with others and offers a ‘mindful but fun VIP approach to projects and people’.

How true this is too!

Sophy, who before moving from Hampshire to Devon, worked for Virgin Airlines, is learning to embrace a slower pace of life and she has a flair for all things beautiful and her cottage in the grounds is a clear indication of this.  I’ve always marvelled at those who can wisely pull together items and materials to create a room full of design and wonder.  I’m lucky that I’ve worked for, or alongside, a few who have this natural ability to do this.

You’d think I’d learn that different patterns and textures go well together and don’t create the chaos I often think they will!!!

At home Sophy and her husband share their world with their delightful doggy Missy.  The prettiest of doggies who loves life almost as much as Sophy does.  Naturally Missy appeared in many of the photos at home and then we had a fabulous piece of extra time down on the beach with them both.  That’s the lovely part about much of North Devon – dogs are welcomed on most of the beaches all year round.

Sophy’s brand shoot was to highlight two areas of her incredible styling skills that she is teaching others about, floral arrangements and working with moodboards to coach others in their life and business.  Working within the old stable yard of Taperley Park, where she’ll be offering many of her courses, we settled in with a group of local ladies on a wreath making course.  Sophy, the perfect host, delivered her course with the natural warmth that I was greeted with at the start of the day and as she worked amidst a wonderful array of dried flowers it was very clear to see how passionate she was about giving others the tools to create naturally beautiful things for their homes.

Thanks for reading.

Rachel x

PS… please check out Sophy’s Insta account, link below ⬇️

PPS… if you have a brand product or service that you would love to show the world about, then drop me a message here