Photography + content creation

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A new way to connect –
seasonal letters arriving March 2025

Hi there! I am Maria. A nature-loving photographer and creative living in Oxfordshire, England.

Come in for stories and captures inspired by the changing seasons.

Everything you'll find here is a celebration of nature, as well as an invitation to slow down, find more calm, and reconnect with the natural world.

In addition to my personal projects and creative work, I help soul-led, sustainable, and creative businesses advertise their offerings with high quality visual content.

creative services

SEEKING BEAUTY & SOFTNESS IN EVERY SEASON

A cosy scene with flowers, a book and a candle

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Beautifully crafted newsletters filled with seasonal inspiration, lessons from nature, insights into my work, and personal updates

First foraged finds of 2025 and a moment to pause with @botanical_anthology 🌸🌱

This is the third spring volume of the publication, brimming with wisdom, inspiration, and seasonal insights to deepen your connection with nature. Turning these pages is my favourite ritual at the start of each season. 🤍

A plant lover’s dream, Botanical Anthology is a seasonal, plant-centred digital and print magazine featuring over 40 articles from more than 40 contributors. It explores ways to incorporate herbs into your apothecary, kitchen, self-care, foraging, gardening, crafts, rituals, and celebrations.

You can get your copy for £11.60 ($15) until the end of March! I have linked the digital edition in my bio, and the print version is available on Amazon.

The most beautiful first day of spring at @evenleywoodgarden 🌞🦋🪶

We made it 🫶

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Spring nature | seasonal living | first signs of spring

Join me for a little evening stroll up to the woodland and a lighthearted ‘get to know me’ with the first few things that came to mind 🤍🌞

Three days in Oslo, and I’ve stored up a month’s worth of warmth… 🤍🌞

A new way to connect – seasonal letters arriving in March 2025! 💌 I’ve written a blog post explaining it all, head to mariailves.com if you’d like to know more 🤍

The snowdrops arrived, and all of a sudden, the bleak midwinter wasn’t quite so bleak… 🤍

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#natureandnourish | winter nature | snowdrop season | english countryside

The quietest of winter days. :)

@ilfordphoto | @takeiteasylab

A few photos from our recent walks around @blenheimpalace and along the Oxfordshire Way 🤍

It’s so tempting to stay warm and cosy indoors during winter, but there’s so much magic waiting outside in nature - if only we give it a chance and step out.

Recently, we’ve been exploring the stunning grounds of Blenheim Palace, marvelling at its ancient oaks and the grandeur of the palace itself. With the Oxfordshire Way nearby, long and beautiful walks are guaranteed… 🌝

Some late-night summer dreaming 🤍

{Not wishing winter away, simply indulging in its best offerings: time and space to think, be, dream…}

Looking forward to more calming nature moments in 2025 🤍

Another year of admiring, appreciating and loving nature 🤍

2024 🌞🌻🌛🌾

One of the best things about capturing life as it unfolds is how it transforms your perspective in hindsight. Looking back, you see the quiet beauty woven through your days - the butterflies, the sunsets, the moon, yourself through the seasons…

Those fleeting, seemingly insignificant moments become threads in the fabric of your story, revealing the beauty that was always there.

And just like that, everything that was feels a little lighter and brighter. :)

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Seasonal living | in tune with nature | English countryside | nature photography

Cosy moments & simple things made with love… 🫶 are what make this season so sweet. No need for ‘perfect’ anything. :)

Memories from winters past 🤍🌙

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#visitestonia #natureandnourish
winter nature | nature photography | seasonal living

Last few memories of late autumn before winter fully takes over 🤍🎞️

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Film photography | English countryside | seasonal living
#kodakgold200 #canonae1program

At the start of each season, I eagerly await the arrival of this beautiful publication, brimming with wisdom and inspiration for working with plants 🤍

This is the 11th edition and the 3rd winter volume of Botanical Anthology. Since 2022, I’ve contributed seasonal imagery to the magazine, and I’m always so excited to explore each new issue. This volume features over 50 articles by more than 45 contributors, and the sales are directly supporting the talented community behind its creation.

Inside, you’ll find guidance on incorporating herbs into your apothecary, kitchen, self-care, foraging, gardening, crafts, rituals, and celebrations. Swipe for a sneak peek of articles I’ve loved, though there are so many more.

The magazine is available as a digital download or in print via Amazon. It’s currently discounted to £12.60 (or $16) until 10th December. Purchases made by this date also include bonus booklets for even more inspiration. More info in my bio!

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Herbalism | seasonal living | winter plants | living in tune with nature | #winterbotanicalanthology2024

Just remember to be gentle with yourself. 💛

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Seasonal living | in tune with nature | winter blues | winter solstice

Happy 1st December 🤍✨ oh how I’ve been waiting for this day! I found so much joy from making this wreath and hanging it up on our front door this morning.

Just like the garland I made earlier this week, this too is made of everything I already had at home (a reusable wreath base, dried flowers, pink velvet ribbon & little decorative bells). All I needed to get was the evergreen branches and some green twine.

This is the first house for us with a street facing front door and I’ve been dreaming of this exact moment for so long! 🤍

Stay tuned for more inspiration for a wholesome, homemade Christmas.

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Handmade Christmas decor | sustainable Christmas | natural Christmas wreath | simple joys of Christmas | hello December

Thought it’s a good day to share some calming, snowy scenes… :)

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Winter magic | English countryside | snow days | simple things

Let’s make a foraged & dried flower garland to prepare for a wholesome, homemade Christmas 🤍

This was made entirely by fallen branches I collected today & things I already had at home. :)

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Conscious Christmas | slow living | handmade Christmas decor | bring the outside in | sustainable Christmas decor

Beautiful Broadway 🤍 looking particularly magical at this time of the year.

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Cotswolds villages | English countryside | Christmas getaway | pretty village | slow travel

Snow days made my heart happy

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Nature photography | seasonal living | winter nature | english countryside

Just a gentle reminder that a quiet life can be a beautiful life 🪶

Some of my favourite images taken with the Canon AE-1 Program 🎞️ I’m still new to film photography (& it’s definitely a journey), but I couldn’t possibly enjoy it more 🤍

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#filmphotography #capturequiet #canonae1program #stills #dreaminginpictures

A nature lover’s dream getaway 🤍

Location: The Walkers cabin at @mirrorhouses.kirtlington in Oxfordshire, England

*gifted stay

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#natureandnourish #staycationuk #naturegetaway #cabininthewoods #natureretreats #cabinstay

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Join me on Instagram

@mariailves_

A new way to connect – seasonal letters arriving March 2025

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A new way to connect –
seasonal letters arriving March 2025