29 January 2010

I opened my post the other day and found to my delight a gorgeous invitation to the meal of an upcoming wedding. The invitations are obviously handmade and very vintage … gorgeous enough to share with you. This is for Claire and Jon’s wedding coming up in April at Shugborough Hall.

Really looking forward to seeing you guys soon … hope all your last minute planning goes well !

22 January 2010

Last October I had the pleasure of shooting K in an Intimates session … I could not blog until now as the session was a gift for her husband-to-be (they got married this month).

I made sure the session was a great experience, starting with professional hair and makeup, complete with champagne, followed by a relaxed portrait session and on to the boudoir session. K brought her girlfriend along for moral support, but actually felt so relaxed during the session … her friend is going to have her own session done soon !

And so, without further ado … Intimately K …

If you could like your own Intimate Experience, please don’t hesitate to contact me soon !

21 January 2010

I guess this particular post is mostly aimed at the many professional photographers who read my blog, but maybe clients will be interested too.

I recently read a very interesting article on the Internation Society of Professional Photographer’s blog … they had carried out a survey of what professional photographers actually do all day / week … the assumption being that we party like rockstars, travel loads and shoot photos ! Of course, we do all of this (LOL) but the reality, especially for someone like myself (self employed with no staff), could not be further from the truth.

In my business I am the following (please excuse the titles, I’m trying to big myself up a little haha):

Business Manager, Sales Executive, Cashflow Consultant, Design Executive, Photographer, IT Geek, Purchasing Guru, Spendaholic, Marketing Manager, Cleaner, Chief Tea Maker, Dog Walker, Cat Cuddler, Chef, and on and on …

I realise this is a little flippant, but the fact is I am everything, from initial marketing right through to finished product and everything in between.

I sat and thought about this at the back end of last year and decided I needed some help. After my usual meticulous research on various products, I decided that Light Blue: Software was just what I needed.

My friend and fellow photographer, Tom Catchesides, designed the software around the needs of his girlfriend Helen Bartlett. Helen has reviewed the latest version on her blog (here). To say that this is going to revolutionise how I run my business is an understatement. At the push of a button I will have reports, will be able to link shoots (eg, pre wedding shoots, weddings, babies …), schedule meetings and shoots, create branded invoices, contracts at the push of a button, do my tax returns … man, this is going to make life sooo much easier !

A huge thanks to the team at Light Blue: Software … massive congrats on such a great product !

20 January 2010

Well, what a week we had in London !  It was so cool to get to hang out with some great photographers, to meet up with old friends and to make new ones, too.  Thanks to all who came by to see me, including facebook friends, twitter pals and blog stalkers LOL

I got to hang out with my great friends Jerry Ghionis and Melissa Tirado for much of the week. The icing on the cake was when Jerry won quite a few awards on Sunday night … Photographer of the Year as well as Fashion Photographer, Wedding Contemporary Print, Wedding Traditional Print, Overall 16×20 Print of the Year, Wedding Photojournalist Print, Wedding Album and Wedding Photojournalist ! Phew !!! I felt like a very proud big sister, let me tell you.

So, without further ado … Jerry, Melissa, Tamera and me with all those awards … really looking forward to next year everyone (I know, already LOL)

13 January 2010

I am so excited ! I attend the SWPP Convention every year and it is a great way to network and meet other photographers … this year is extra special as Jerry Ghionis is a convention speaker ! My friend Melissa Tirado is also coming across from the US and hanging with me for a few days after the convention too, so a double whammy of excitement !!  For the first time ever I am attending the awards dinner on Sunday night, so the new killer heels will be getting an airing … watch out, dance floor, here I come LOL

So, a heads up to clients … I am out of the office from 14th to 19th and will only be available via email (iPhone). Photographers … if you are heading to London for the convention please say hi ! If you’re not attending, I’ll be posting some photos no doubt on twitter and facebook so watch out for the fun.

See you all on the other side … let’s hope this snow doesn’t hamper my travel plans !

11 January 2010

You may remember Lynn & William from our fun but very stormy pre wedding shoot in Wales last October.  It seemed no time at all until the wedding day on the 29th December.  A freezing cold, rainy day could not spoil the mood for everyone, although I think the bridesmaids were really thankful for their furry stoles !

The wedding was held in the stunning St Mary’s in the heart of Stafford town, with the reception at one of my favourite venues, The Moat House in Acton Trussell.  The weather was so crazy we had to shoot everything indoors, but I think everyone was very grateful for that LOL.  I was assisted by Paul Glavin on the day and we were also treated to a sit down meal with the guests, which was good fun !

And so, a few from my last wedding on 2009 …

The guys …

Lynne & Will had a piper all day … he really struggled warming up his pipes LOL

Can you guess what the theme was?

My little candy cane …

Speeches …

It all proved too much for one little girl …

Guys … thanks for having us and for being so great on the day, regardless of the weather … we had a blast ! Wishing you every happiness in your journey together !

10 January 2010

My last wedding before Christmas was again shot with Chris Meyer, right before he headed to Heathrow to catch his flight back to the States.  It as touch and go whether or not he would make the getaway as that is really when the snow started causing havoc !

Before I launch into the wedding day, I’d like to share a story about Paul, my groom.  Those readers in the UK (and perhaps some overseas readers) will remember the tragic events that unfolded in London on 7th July 2005, when bombings killed 52 people and injured 750.  Paul was in London that day and had been moved out of the underground along with all the other passengers because of an “incident” on the line.  He was walking towards Paddington Station when he came across the aftermath of the Edgeware bombing.  Paul has previously trained as a firefighter and all his instincts kicked in.  He set up a “safe zone” for the injured and started helping people out of the melee.  At one point, he was snapped by a few paps and this one shot would later appear in hundreds of newspapers around the globe.  Probably one of the most famous of these is the cover of Time magazine.  So, my groom, the reluctant hero !

There was a little incident in the week leading up to the wedding … Alex called to let me know she had a massive allergic reaction to her Christmas tree !!!  She was given super-strength pills and the swelling had started to go down, but we knew we would have to work carefully with angles through the day … when I arrived, she looked great, having had her makeup professionally done.

Thankfully that was the end of all the drama … the day was filled with fun and frivolity and a LOT of snow.  Moxhull Hall is a gorgeous venue with stunning countryside views and a gorgeous contemporary interior.

A few favourites from the day …

Paul lost it when Alex started walking up the aisle …

It’s not often I make the blog, but this bridesmaid was coooooold …

Random … some ex-neighbours of mine were guests !

Additional thanks need to go out to Matt Wagster who came along to look after Tess … this was a weekday wedding and we don’t “do” kennels

Guys … thanks for having us along, for so much fun and for being so patient while we all posed you this way and that ! Here’s to many happy years together.