This season brought a milestone I’m genuinely proud to share. My work has officially made its way into the local press, and the Nov/Dec 2025 issue of Kilkenny Life now features the beautiful new engagement and wedding ring space at Nolan’s Jewellers. To know that my images were chosen to represent such a special project still feels a little surreal. There’s something about seeing your photography in print that hits differently. It’s a reminder of how far I've come and how deeply I care about what I do.
Even though I can’t physically hold the magazine yet, as I’m currently away in France for work, it’s such a joy knowing that back home people can flick through the pages and read about Nolan’s milestone while I celebrate my own from afar.
I’ve held a camera in my hand for as long as I can remember, but there was one moment that really made me realise just how much I loved photography. I was seventeen, standing outside the Colosseum in Rome for the first time. My camera slipped from my hands and broke on the ground. There I was in one of the most iconic places in the world and I couldn’t capture it. Every photo taken of me that day reminded me of how devastated I felt. I knew then that photography was more than just a hobby. I wanted to capture the world the way I saw it, and losing the chance that day showed me how much it meant to me.
Flash forward to today. Being featured in print was never a specific goal for this year. I don’t think I even considered it a possibility. But after shooting my first wedding (which you can read about here), things started to shift. Bigger steps, braver choices, and new opportunities began appearing in front of me.
One of those steps was pitching myself to the local jeweller after seeing how beautifully the wedding rings were photographed. I wanted to challenge myself with more product photography, especially the delicate art of capturing jewellery. I also wanted to try photographing a space with intention and storytelling in mind. The timing worked out perfectly. Nolan’s were launching their new bespoke engagement room and needed photography for their Kilkenny Life Magazine feature.
If you know Nolan’s, you know how much history and care live within that business. They’re known for their craft, their artistry, and the understanding that engagement rings carry emotional weight far beyond the stones themselves. With nine staff members, including goldsmiths and advisers, they’ve grown into dedicated diamond specialists while still holding onto their family warmth. I wanted my work to honour that.
I was given a handful of rings to highlight, and inside the shop I created a small studio-style setup. Red fabric for a warm, festive tone. Velvet blue ring stands for a regal, timeless feel. Soft nude materials for delicacy and elegance. From about 200 shots, I finalised just under 50 images that I feel incredibly proud of.
I’m grateful for every door that has opened this year. I never expected things to unfold the way they have. Every shoot, every story, every client has brought me a step closer to where I want to be.
If you’d like to discuss a project or explore working together, you can send an enquiry through my website or email me at siobhanlouisephotography@gmail.com.
