Carla Watkins Photography

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Carla Watkins Photography

✨ Magical fine art photography, art prints and magical trinkets, and fairytale, main character and mermaid photoshoots. Also a professional mermaid!

Also a professional mermaid!✨
Studio 27 & 30, Wivenhoe Business Centre, Brook Street, Wivenhoe, Essex CO7 9DP (open by appointment) Based in Essex at Studio 27, Wivenhoe Business Centre, Brook Street, Wivenhoe CO7 9DP (open by appointment) ✨

21/01/2026

22 years after I started blogging, I appear to have come full circle. I realised late last year that all the things that make me happiest are offline.

So my Substack finally has a regular post as well as my intermittent thoughts: introducing the Offline Life Magic project!

It's primarily for me to document these little snippets of joy and how I'm weaving moments into and around the chaos of real life & necessary commitments (and work, which I love but is still work, right?!).

But I'm hopeful it might also spark recognition in anyone who, like me, has been yearning for a life that isn't dominated by different sized light up screens, algorithms and digital first everything.

If you'd like to read, you can find the project posts here:
https://colourfulmagicalweirdo.substack.com/t/offline-life-magic

Or my whole Substack, which includes these posts too, here:
https://colourfulmagicalweirdo.substack.com/

Here I am reading Bella de Paulo's Single at Heart in the spa, caught on camera by the excellent Emily!

25/12/2025

Everything is better in miniature and Christmas is no exception 💙 Merry Christmas from me, Luna, Clover and our miniature magical world 🎄🐾

08/12/2025

When I photograph someone, the magic usually appears in the moments they hardly notice. I look for tiny details because that is where the real story appears.

28/11/2025

Wivenhoe Art Trail starts today and my studio is all set!

If you love colour, magic and photography with a story you are very welcome to visit me in Studio 27 - open 10-5, today, Saturday & Sunday.

You can explore so many artists across Wivenhoe and it is completely free to wander round. The trail runs Friday 28th to Sunday 30th November and I would love to see you.

I’ve uploaded the map so you can plan your route, visit all your faves and maybe discover some new ones too!.

See you soon 🎠

26/11/2025

If you have ever wanted to see a real mermaid tail in Wivenhoe… this is your moment. My studio will be open Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 10-5 each day, for Wivenhoe Art Trail and bringing my magical, fantasy & mermaid world to life.

If magic, colour and fantasy portraits are your thing, come say hello.

Full map is in the post so you can plan your visit - I'm at number 6, upstairs at Wivenhoe Business Centre!

24/11/2025

Discover the magic behind the door.

Wivenhoe Art Trail begins very soon and I am opening Studio 27 and 30 to share my colourful, whimsical world with you. If you love fantasy portraits, mermaids, storytelling and a touch of sparkle, you will feel right at home here.

The trail is a free community celebration of artists who live and create in Wivenhoe. You can wander, explore and meet the makers who bring our town to life.

The map is on the image so you can find me easily - I'm number 6 on the map at Wivenhoe Business Centre (there are a few of us here!)

Come down and say hello, and step into the magic.

13/11/2025

Can I be honest? I don't think art needs to say everything at once, here's why!

13/10/2025

More Monster High cosplay goodness - here's the first of three posts about how I made Twyla!

https://carlawatkinsphotography.com/monster-high-twyla-cosplay-part-1-the-outfit/

03/10/2025

It's a drizzly day, so have a glorious mermaid in the sunshine by the sea to brighten up your week!

Amidst the summer chaos, I snuck out to the beach one evening with the lovely Tempest Starr to make the most of the golden hour light.

Want to be a mermaid too? I can make that happen: https://carlawatkinsphotography.com/mermaid-photoshoot-uk/

26/09/2025

First in a series about my Monster High Twyla cosplay is up on the blog - yay!

I loved making this one, even with the time pressure - and I'll be posting more details of how I made everything so stay tuned if that's your thing.

All my crafting adventures came in handy!

Photos are:
1) Doll Twyla waiting with some of my costume, ready to head out on Invasion day
2) My Intro to Talismans book bag
3) My bunny back pack & Twyla's bunny & bunny backpack
4) D&D dice jewellery with the tiny dice that came with one of the dolls
5) my DM boots with Twyla-appropriate net laces
6) the two Twylas I based my cosplay on (Creepover and Fearbook, both G3)

https://carlawatkinsphotography.com/cosplay-monster-high-twyla/

05/09/2025

🎵My name is Twyla... in the library, that's where you'll find me... a little bit shy and a little bit sweet, and I can read even when I'm asleep🎵

Has there ever been a more perfect character for me?!

2025's Invasion Colchester cosplay had to be a doll - Monster High this time, inspired by accidentally perfectly Twyla hair by Kitti at the Art House. And Twyla is my favourite monster!

I'm especially chuffed with the book bag, the D20 necklace and the bunny rucksack... blog to follow on making all the bits!

See you in town tomorrow 💜

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Wivenhoe

Website

https://carlawatkinsphotography.com/

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