I'm just back from an amazing few days in Barcelona with nine other sweet-as wedding photographers. We had an amazing time, walked miles, ate endless tapas, drunk a lot of beer and wine and a few flaming shots, shared thoughts and ideas and didn't even have to part with that many Euros along the way. I love Spain more and more every time I visit.

On the photography side of things, street is a lot harder than it looks. It's a really odd mixture of off the cuff lucky shots mixed with patiently framing and waiting (often in vain) for something to happen. Do you submit to a total lack of control, or do you interrupt a random person and ask permission, only to risk momentarily breaking the bubble in favour of getting that bit closer? It's an interesting challenge, especially for a wedding photographer who bases their art on building up relationships and understanding their clients so that they can gain the intimacy they need. 

I hardly knew any of the 9 other people on this trip, but we shared some great times, and along with the micro-moments I had with people on the streets there's some memories to keep forever, that's for sure. I loved the little boy in the ice cream shop who laughed at me pulling faces that no one else in the world saw, I loved the lady with the beautiful blue eye shadow and coral lips that matched her scarf, who brushed away her pie crumbs and happily let me take her photo. Most of all, I loved the guy in the brown jacket and the cap, who said "no" when I asked if I could take his photo, but who then changed his mind and came running after me shouting "si, si" then stared into my lens for all he was worth.

I missed my husband and kids. I had an amazing time. I learnt a lot.