Gwenda Jeffs AKA Vintage Floral Design.
This stunning woman, Mother, florist and occasional model embodies women of this generation. Sensitive, strong, able and full of a lust for life.
Creativity is what she is all about and life has given her work the edge.
Wonderful to photograph, she leaps down the lens and eats it up.
1. In one sentence, tell us who you are and what you do.
I’m Gwenda, a floral designer and owner of The Vintage Floral Design Company based in the Garden of England, Kent!
2. What’s the favourite thing about your job?
Working in a bespoke way means that no job is ever the same as another, which keeps the creativity flowing and the passion alive.
3. Who do you admire the most in your work? and why?
I make a point of not following or being influenced by anyone in my field (see question 8!). I simply admire anyone with follows their creative heart and carves a professional niche that is perfectly ‘them’.
4. How did it feel to be photographed?
I’ve done a bit of modelling for photographer friends, but this usually involves getting into a character or theme that allows me to step out of myself for a while. This was a very different experience as I was being ‘me’, albeit a more glamorous version than the usual! You have to confront your insecurities, but working with a pro like Carey means that it’s not nearly as scary as it seems it might be.
5. Did it improve your confidence?
There’s no Magic Bullet when it comes to re-building self confidence – but every positive step is a step in the right direction and should be embraced.
6. Would you recommend it to anybody else?
Of course! There is absolutely nothing to lose and potentially much to gain.
7. Name one thing you love about yourself.
Eeek – well, I don’t think it’d be anything you could actually see…maybe it’s simple that I feel the fear, but do it anyway!
8. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given and by whom?
I used to compare my body, my looks, my relationships, my home, my work etc, etc (in short, everything!) to those of other people. I eventually acknowledged that endless comparisons are nothing short of self-torture. I forced myself to try to accept and to appreciate, and to always look for that metaphorical silver lining. I’ve never been into self-help books or motivational quotes. Experience has taught me that the only person qualified to give me advice is myself (who else knows us better than we know ourselves?!). I had to learn (and am still learning) to listen to myself and my own instincts, and be true to them. xx
Thank you Gwenda..great responses!
Check out her work on her lovely website here: http://www.vintagefloraldesign.co.uk
Venue: Milbridge Court
Hair: TBC
Make-Up: Tania Stephenson – Oliver
