At Get Blogged, we know that blogging is about so much more than stats and sponsored posts. It’s about real stories, honest connections, and those little moments that stick with you. That’s why, for our 12 Bloggers of Christmas series, we’re shining a light on the people who make our community what it is. The bloggers whose journeys inspire us all. Whether you’re just starting out, a seasoned creator, or a brand looking to build meaningful partnerships.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Laura Dove, the voice and heart behind Five Little Doves. Laura’s story is proof that sharing your real life, late-night thoughts, family adventures, and everything in between can grow into something extraordinary. Laura’s journey from tired mum of five to running a platform that reaches millions is nothing short of inspiring. So whether you’re here for a dose of motivation, a peek behind the scenes, or a better sense of what authentic collaboration really looks like, Laura’s got something for you.

A Chat with Laura Dove

Get Blogged: Laura, welcome! For readers who might not know you yet, can you tell us a bit about your blog and what you love to share?

Laura: My blog niche is a real mix of family/lifestyle and travel. When I started my blog 10 years ago, I shared everyday moments as a Mum of five, which has naturally evolved over time into a real focus on travel due to our passion to show our kids the world. In between travels, I love to share everyday life and the more ordinary moments and family/lifestyle covers a huge area!

Get Blogged: That sounds like an amazing journey. Out of all your collaborations, which has been your favourite so far?

Laura: My favourite was collaborating with various travel brands to visit Vancouver, Canada. We worked alongside some amazing hotels and experiences to create an incredible 10-day Vancouver itinerary and UGC video and photograph content for their own marketing purposes. The blog post is here. You can see some of the social coverage here.

Get Blogged: What an incredible experience! On the flip side, has there been a challenging campaign that taught you something new?

Laura: We worked with a very well-known brand this year on a campaign to share back-to-school content and spent a huge amount of time on our coverage – planning, shooting, editing, voice-overs, etc. On submission, we were told that the brand had had a change of heart and the campaign was now not to mention anything at all about back to school, and we must re-shoot the whole thing. I was so surprised, as this had been planned in detail for months, and also really upset that I had been put in that situation. As it stood, the contract stated there was to be a minimum of one reshoot and 3 rounds of amends, and so I had no option but to reshoot.

The main lesson I took away from it was to create my own contracts, whereby I stated that there would be a fee for any re-shoots due to a change of brief. That added specification will definitely prevent the same thing from happening going forward, but even ten years on, it’s still a learning curve in this job!

Get Blogged: That must have been tough to navigate, but it’s great to hear how you turned it into a learning experience. Have you ever had a brand go the extra mile in a way that really surprised you?

Laura: I recently worked with a healthcare brand on a campaign, and a few months later, I shared some health issues on social media, and they posted out a little package of products suited to that particular health need with a note to say they hoped it would help. I thought that was a really lovely touch that brands continue to take an interest in their clients long after the campaign has ended, and it was a really thoughtful touch. It makes such a big difference when brands genuinely care about the people they collaborate with!

Get Blogged: That’s so thoughtful! Small gestures really do make a big impact. When you’re considering new campaigns, how do you decide what’s the right fit for you and your audience?

Laura: I always ask myself, firstly, is this a product/service we would genuinely use and secondly, is this something my audience would love to hear about. Sometimes the product is perfect for our family, but the campaign itself just doesn’t suit our style of content. It’s disappointing when a brand doesn’t allow us creative freedom, but I work so hard on both my blog and social channels, and I won’t compromise on the standard of my work, even when it can feel hard to turn down!

Get Blogged: We love that commitment to authenticity. What’s your top tip for bloggers hoping to land their dream brand collaborations?

Laura: My biggest tip is always to create the kind of content which suits the brands you want to work with. So if your dream is to work with food brands, create food content to a high standard and get yourself noticed. If you want to work with travel brands, create engaging, unique travel content and again, share it far and wide. To work with brands, you need to be able to show them a portfolio of work you can create, and there is no better way than your own blog and social channels!

Get Blogged: Such practical advice. We are sure that’s really helpful to other bloggers. Looking ahead, how do you see the blogging world evolving next year?

Laura: I think with the rising use of AI, authenticity will become key in 2026. Already, people are becoming sceptical of AI-written blog posts or images and craving authentic, genuine, real people living normal lives. I think in order to create genuine collaborations, there has got to be a fundamental level of trust, and that can only come from authentic blogs and social channels.

Get Blogged: Finally, is there anything you’d like to share with our readers who might be thinking of starting their own blog?

Laura: I would like to add that I am incredibly proud of my blog and where it has led our family. What started as the late-night ramblings of a tired mum of five has led to a successful business spanning across five different platforms and a combined monthly reach of well over 5 million. I would never have dreamt that our very ordinary life would lead us to so many extraordinary moments, and to anyone thinking about starting out in this line of work, my best advice would be to just do it!!

Key Takeaways for Bloggers

• Stay true to your voice and values, even when it means turning down work.
• Build a portfolio that reflects the brands you want to attract. Your blog and social channels are your best showcase.
• Learn from every campaign, both the wins and the challenges.
• Authenticity and genuine connection are your strongest assets, especially in a world where AI is on the rise.

Key Takeaways for Brands

• Thoughtful, personal gestures can leave a lasting impression on creators.
• Trusting bloggers with creative freedom leads to more authentic, effective campaigns.
• Long-term relationships and genuine care go beyond a single campaign. They build loyalty and advocacy.

Follow Laura Here

• Blog: fivelittledoves.com
• Instagram: @fivelittledoves
• Facebook: @fivelittledove5
• Twitter: @fivelittledoves

As we celebrate the season and the stories that bring us together, Laura’s journey is a reminder that extraordinary things can grow from ordinary moments, and that the most meaningful collaborations are built on trust, creativity, and care.

Whether you’re a blogger or a brand reading this, we hope Laura’s story inspires you to embrace your own unique path and to keep building connections that matter.

Stay tuned for more inspiring features from our 12 Bloggers of Christmas celebration!