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Celebrating The Love 2023: The Year That Was

by Gem Wright | Last updated Mar 25, 2026 | Published on Dec 20, 2023

Gem and her boys cuddle in front of rainbow wings

Here it is Kids – My reflection on the year that was… 2023!

Well that was definitely a year. I was unsure of whether to do a yearly round-up this year as there have been some incredible personal lows. However, I had a little read through my 2022 year in review and it was so interesting to see how far I have come since then; I’m thinking of it more as a diary entry. A little snapshot of the year that was. And it just so happens that, along with some great moments this year, there was some darkness which I hope will continue to lighten in 2024.

Getting personal

Trigger Warning for the next two paragraphs: Loss of a parent

There have been a LOT of ups and downs for me and my family. We spent the first six months in hospital with my lovely mum who passed away in June. Mum was the most amazing, purest soul I ever knew. She was a fighter. She was my best friend who I could be totally myself with and talk to about anything and everything, always counting on her honest words and advice. She was our everything and it’s hard to put into words the pain her passing has caused.

I’ve spent the last six months attempting to piece myself back together. This included a trip to Thailand with my brother and our mum’s ashes. The whole experience was a step towards our healing, and our mum is now resting with the elephants at Elephant Nature Park, which is a place that was so very close to mum’s heart. She was always telling us stories about the elephants and the founder of the Park, Lek Chailert and the amazing work she does on a daily basis. They helped us to choose a baby tree to plant and we were able to put mum’s ashes under it as we planted it in the middle of the park, surrounded by the beautiful elephants. If there is something after death, I think we set her up with the gold star treatment.

The Biz

alternative photographer Northamptonshire East Midlands

Of course, with everything going on in my personal life, I didn’t have an awful lot of time left for marketing and posting to socials, meaning I took on less weddings this year as a result. This is something I am actually relieved about as I’m not sure I would have had it in me to take on any more than I did this year. I am so grateful to my amazing couples this year who were so understanding and lovely, and for being the most wonderful distraction and helping me to see the light and joy again. I am so very lucky that I was able to take my passion and turn it into my career. Check out my wedding portfolio here.

Weddings

This year, weddings have taken me as far south as Kent and as far north as York, and wedding fairs have taken me from Leeds with Un-Wedding to Birmingham with the Eclectic Wedding Extravaganza… I’m getting rather well acquainted with the Purple Palace now! I’ve loved travelling further afield to shoot the types of weddings that I’m totally in love with.

The weddings this year have been incredible as I feel like people are really letting their hair down and have almost fully got back to normal after the upheaval of 2020. My wedding season kicked off in May with a beautiful wedding for a couple whose engagement shoot turned into a pregnancy announcement! I then went on to do their newborn shoot before the wedding and I have absolutely LOVED being part of their family’s journey!

classic black and white wedding photography

Back in June I got to shoot an old school friend’s wedding, complete with an epic dance off which was just so much fun – I thoroughly recommend getting up to some serious shenanigans on your wedding day! July saw the rainiest wedding of the year in which I got some AMAZING puddle jumping shots with the bride – she was a total legend.

August took me up north to York for such a gorgeous wedding with a fantastic celebrant. Their guests BROUGHT the party and we had the best night of celebrations! I also witnessed the best live rendition of ‘Tribute’ by Tenacious D by one of their guests, honestly, epic!! That month I hopped over to Kent to shoot an old uni friend’s wedding. It was so good to see her – we studied film together at Kingston Uni back in the day, and we created some masterpieces together! I loved creating a little wedding film for her on the day. Check out my wedding films here.

Engagements

I found myself in Digbeth a few times this year, for headshot sessions and engagement shoots! I just LOVE how colourful and electric it all is. You can’t help but fall in love with the soul of the place. I ended the year with the most stunning photoshoot for a couple who will be announcing their secret wedding in January and using my photos as part of their announcement (not the couple below – I’m shooting their wedding next year!). I’m absolutely buzzing for them and I’m so damn excited to share the photos from their session because HOLY MOLY they both looked utterly incredible!

Not Just Weddings…

This year saw me really throw myself into my boudoir photoshoots. I discovered a fantastic studio over in Weedon Bec which is just perfect for the style and vibe I’m going for. I’ve done a few of these shoots this year and already have a few lined up for next year. They are one of my most favourite types of photoshoot as I love making women feel empowered and beautiful and to see themselves in a way they might not usually. It’s amazing to be able to show women how stunning they are. I always get on my soap box about this so I’ll keep it short and sweet this time: we have spent our lives being told by the media and other influences about the importance of looking a certain way or acting a certain way to be accepted by society (often for the ‘male gaze’). Well I’ve had enough and I’m bringing beauty back for women and helping them to embrace their natural, beautiful selves without fear and judgement. Check out my portfolio here.

Other noteworthy things that brought me joy in 2023

Both of my children were amazing in their Christmas shows, with both of them saying their lines confidently and singing so beautifully. They have been amazing this year with everything that has been going on and I don’t know where I’d be without them.
We continued our camping crusade! We are definitely a camping family now. We went away three times this year (with all sorts of weather). I just love being out in the middle of nowhere, having freedom, and getting a bit closer to nature.
I’ve been part of some incredible styled shoots this year, working with the most talented wedding professionals and creating some seriously cool shots. I love having the chance to network with other alternative suppliers and make new friends along the way too!
The support of my friends has been unwavering this year. I have been so supported through the hardest year of my life and I love them more than I can ever say.
Going to Thailand was just incredible. Everyone we met greeted us with kindness, getting away from everything for a while was just what we needed. My highlights were: doing some proper Thai boxing, getting a cute little tattoo, taking part in a cooking class to learn the proper way of making delicious Thai food, and of course, seeing the beautiful elephants. I took the shot below with my trusty Fujifilm x100 travel camera.