meet our Contributors

DAVID VENNI

has been photographing celebrities for over 20 years. His diverse work has taken him all over the world, shooting everyone from Lady Gaga to Terence Stamp. He lives in North London with his wife and two children. He photographs Jo Whiley on p56. tell us about a wonderful time you’ve had in the summer. It was last summer – from bombing down to the South Coast to catch some last-minute sea breezes, cool water and sunsets, to an impromptu glamping trip with friends in Oxford, where we swam in the river.

FANNY BLAKE

is a freelance journalist and writer. She was a publisher for many years, editing both fiction and non-fiction. Since then she has written non-fiction titles and is a former w&h books editor. She has also written eight novels, including An Italian Summer and A Summer Reunion. She writes about a solo holiday to Mexico on p136. tell us about a wonderful time you’ve had in the summer. Last year the whole family rented a house in Umbria. Long lazy days, taking it in turns to look after the one-year-old granddaughter, exploring, reading, eating, drinking and relaxing.

CHRISTABEL SMITH’S

first job in journalism was on The House magazine for MPs 30 years ago. After working for the BBC and becoming a woman’s magazine editor, she went freelance when her two boys were small. Her desk, at her home in Ramsgate, has enviable sea views. She writes about the power of saying thank you on p16. tell us about a wonderful time you’ve had in the summer. My best friend borrowed an open-top sports car and we drove from Calais to the South of France.