Rock Island Café is not only the home of coffee, but has also played host to many art exhibits over the course of the year.

At the moment, Rock Island is showing the works of a couple who had their first date in the coffee house — Libby Cook-Toppan and her husband Loris.

The shots range from those taken on their Italian honeymoon to the Maine Coon cats, which Mrs. Cook-Toppan breeds.

"Many of the shots were taken on our honeymoon in Italy and locally on rare jaunts with camera in tow," she said.

"I'd like more time to spend shooting, but running a publishing company, a cattery and being a mother to one beautiful 11-year-old son left little time for such pleasure.

"I am inspired by the smaller details and tend to view my surroundings as if I were shooting, even when I'm not!"

Although she has been taking photographs behind the scenes for years, this essentially is her debut show.

"The show is really more about showcasing my hubby Loris' business, Colourlab," she said.

"It was a matter of practicality that we decided to use my works, as they were easily accessible. But I have to admit it actually took quite a long time for me to put any paperwork out at the show about myself, aside from the simple fact that I don't want to take away from Loris, I'm so self critical that even selecting the images was excruciating.

"But I recognised that in order to for me to continue to grow, I knew I needed to take this step even if it is a baby step holding someone else's hand and in this case I am lucky that it was my husband's talented hand!"

While the exhibit is a first for Mrs. Cook-Toppan, she has been taking photographs for commercial clients for over a decade and for her magazine, Bermuda Homes & Gardens, for the past five years.

Aside from the above she also shoots portraits of animals and people, weddings, special events and product photography.

"My favourite time to shoot is late afternoon," said the photographer.

"I'm entranced by the rose-tinted golden glow juxtaposed with moody shadows. I am especially enchanted with the sea... when the sun dances diamonds across it. I'm drawn to the architecture of my surroundings, seeking symmetry and balance in the structure of compositions.

"Photography gives each of us one of the greatest gifts: The ability to capture a fragment of time, causing a fraction of a second to stand still, it allows us the unique ability to study and appreciate the wonderful complexities in the smallest, often overlooked, details."

Mr. Toppan's work, alternatively, is not what one expects, but something that is seen on most gallery walls.

He specialises in the needs within the photographic, fine art and graphic arts community, as well as the general public, by providing accurate and predictable digital prints and files, in addition to corrective and image enhancement services, including colour correction, photo retouching and even extensive photo restoration.

Of the photos in the Rock Island exhibit, he said: "The photographs are printed on several of the stocks that are available at Colourlab

"These include canvas, photographic lustre, cotton rag velvet, cotton rag smooth and vinyl banner.

"All stocks have been carefully selected for quality and longevity. The prints are all coated with an environmentally friendly liquid sealant that effectively forms an invisible shield against the elements including humidity, sunlight and even mould in gloss, semi-gloss and matt finishes allowing the option to 'dare to go bare' — framing prints without glass!"

Mrs. Toppan-Cook's Maine Coons also have a starring role in the show.

"I've been breeding Maine Coon Cats (www.bermudacoons.com) for just over five years," she said.

"We are registered with the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and take the responsibility of breeding top quality cats from carefully selected grand champion lineage and finding superb homes for our babies.

"I've had cats since I was three years old and loved each and everyone of them dearly, but I must admit that Maine Coons are exceptional, they are truly the most beautiful cats I've ever known and, aside from the fact that there are frequently moments that beg to be photographed, I love getting them to ham it up for the camera.

"I love photographing animals and if there's a pet or two at a photo shoot I always spend a few minutes warming up the camera with them, animals are so rewarding to photograph, they always put me in a good mood and I'm ready to settle down to the business side of the shoot!"

With this in mind and a stock load of photos, she decided to put them to good use by supporting the SPCAs Spay and Neuter Programme.

"I decided I really wanted to do something to assist the SPCA with their spay and neuter programme because of the ignorance I'm frequently faced with, with regards to the necessity of it in our community," said Mrs. Cook-Toppan.

"Although I'm a responsible breeder there are many people who irresponsibly allow their cats to breed, many pet owners are misinformed about the positives of spaying and neutering, there is an age old misconception that many want to allow their cat to have 'one litter' before spaying — there is no medical evidence that this is beneficial to the mother in anyway, in fact there is more evidence in support of the positive results of spaying. One obvious major positive is in the reduction of the unwanted cat population.

"Another misconception is that by spaying or neutering you will 'change the spirit' or 'break the spirit' of the animal — again hogwash — any serious breeder will tell you a whole host of behavioural issues arise with 'whole' animals — pets that have been spayed and neutered are spared hormonal influences — think of PMS in women!"

On showing at Rock Island, she said: "It has such a warm welcoming atmosphere, it's truly a place we feel most at home

"Loris and I are both coffee connoisseurs and it's actually the site of our very first date, a week after we first met — we've been together for nearly a decade and married for three of those years."