I guess it doesn’t come across from my online presence, mostly because you can’t type with an accent !  But I am originally from Ireland, the north bit, near Belfast.  So, when I had the opportunity to shoot with a couple of other photographers last year in my home country, I jumped at the chance.  The first one was with Chanelle just south of Dublin (I’ll get around to blogging these soon, I promise) and the second was over in the west of Ireland, with Dina from LA (ditto on the blogging !).

Both trips were amazing, truly girlie road trips, sharing rooms and talking til the wee hours, working in between times, with lots of Irish coffees and guinness to boot !

I took this image when I was with Dina, I’ve shown on the map where I was sitting when I took it (the big arrow is the giveaway LOL) … enjoy !

Ireland Wedding Photographer

I got together with Sara and Toby in the summer for their pre wedding shoot (which I have just realised I haven’t blogged … whoops !) … we met up at their venue, Hadley Park House in Telford, and the sun was literally cracking the flags !  The wedding day dawned and the weather could not have been more different, with a thick layer of snow and more falling throughout the day.  It made for an absolutely stunning landscape, with the church looking more stunning than usual and the grounds around Hadley looking so Christmassy, all white and gorgeous.  As with all my winter brides, Sara was brave enough to venture out into the gardens in order to get some snowy couples portraits, but heading off in the Suzanne Neville shoes was not the greatest idea ever … a quick dash back to get some wellies by the best man and we were good to go.

So, a few from the day … including an abundance of Suzanne Neville, some Paul Smith dancing shoes, a cake made out of pure chocolate indulgence, a romantic first dance  and a daddy-daughter dance to finish the day … enjoy !

Telford Wedding Photographer

Now, before you read on, please remember that I did warn you I was a little bit behind on blogging !

On the day the Royal wedding was announced, I spotted a post on twitter about a reporter from The Times who was looking for brides and grooms who are getting married on the same day.  I am booked to shoot Vicki and Darrel’s beautiful Peckforton Castle wedding that day … so I got on the phone to the reporter, then gathered my clients and we got together for a little mini portrait session.  Vicki even had time to get all glammed up and we had a lot of fun in a very short space of time … newspaper deadlines are notoriously tight … they were literally running the article the next morning !!!

Here is the shot that was chosen for the article …

And the resulting article (copyright The Times Newspapers)

Don’t forget, the date is 29th April !  I’ll be working … how about you? 🙂

Faye and Richard had their engagement shoot with me last summer in London, which was actually a long time before their wedding … so much so that Richard didn’t recognise me on the day haha … in between times, Faye had booked a bridal boudoir session with me and the resulting album was a surprise gift for Richard on the morning of the wedding … he absolutely loved it !

The morning of the wedding dawned to frost and some snow, with temperatures dipping to around minus 10 … but it was dry and pretty in and around Somerford Hall, all crisp and fresh.  We had a little time in between the ceremony and meal, so we jumped in my car and headed off for a sunset shoot in the grounds.  4×4’s are VERY useful at times !

And so, a few from the day, including some from the rockin’ first dance and the night shot (taken outdoors at minus 10 … braaaaaave bride !)  Enjoy …

Big congratulations to Faye and Richard … please leave lots of lovely comments for them 🙂

Somerford Hall Wedding Photographer

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, you may be considering a nice little gift for your loved one … or, maybe you’re a romantic all year round … whatever the reason, I have the perfect solution for you !  Why not purchase a gift of a photo shoot, by me of course, to celebrate your love for each other.

To help you celebrate, I am offering a 1 hour session with the 2 of you (if you want to include your pet, no problem !) with a 10×8 frame (7×5 print size) for just £125* !

So, get in touch if you want to get involved … the shoot can happen before or after Valentines (offer available up to the end of March 2011).

I look forward to hearing from you soon xx

Stafford Portrait Photographer

* applies to a 25 mile radius of Stafford … travel charges will be incurred for any shoot outside this area*

I recently caught up with Vicky & Haydn at Shugborough Hall to have a good chat about their wedding day and to shoot their engagement session … it wasn’t long before I was trudging up to The Ashes in Endon, Staffordshire for their big day.  The venue looked absolutely stunning, nestled in the snowy countryside, so  quick stop-off at the top of the drive to capture the scene was in order.  All I can say is, thank heavens for 4WD cars !!!

Vicky looked absolutely stunning in her Sassi Holford gown and vintage accessories … Haydn scrubbed up well too haha … the ceremony was overseen by a massive Christmas tree and all of Vicky’s little details dotted around the room added to the atmosphere.  I just loved her choice of muted colours, really vintage and of course suited to my style of photography (I wonder why they chose me 🙂 ).

Vicky’s sister had made up a vintage photobooth complete with handmade signs and little moustaches … I could NOT resist using these little props for some of the portraits with the guys.  Fun !

So, a few from the day … remember, it was minus 12 out there, making this one very brave bride !!

Please feel free to leave a lovely comment for Vicky & Haydn 🙂  Congrats to you both !

Staffordshire Wedding Photography

I thought I’d share some of my hipstamatic photos with you … this is a really cool app on the iPhone that basically emulates old cameras, with a variety of lenses and effects (film styles) to choose from.  They’re fast, fun and uploadable to facebook or twitter, giving friends an immediate snapshot of what’s happening around you.  They’re not the best quality, they don’t need to be, they’re quirky and fun … a few recent shots …

Last year I treated myself to what can only be described as a vintage ornament !  It is expensive these days to shoot with medium format film but I love the styling of these twin lens reflex cameras, with their waist viewer and lovely leather cases.  This one was manufactured in the 1950’s and is a gorgeous example of the genre.  Whoever had this really looked after it.  You never know, I may venture out with a couple of rolls of film for a shoot in the summer months.

This was taken at my desk … I think it sums me up pretty well haha

My latest passion (reawakened from my youth) … my husband bought me a gorgeous Yamaha acoustic for Christmas and I have been playing til my fingers tingled every day since … I had completely forgotten how relaxing and satisfying it is to play (I use that term loosely, for now) an instrument.  I have so much to re-learn as I literally haven’t lifted one of these for going on 20 years now, but with determination and practice I’ll get there !

I got my pandora bracelet for my birthday (I have a very generous hubby) along with my little doggie charm, the cat charm and my birthstone … but honestly, these things look a little bit pants with only a couple of charms on … so Christmas was pretty easy for everyone this year, the brief being “buy me some charms!” … boy, did they step up to the plate with this one, everyone contributed and I now have a beautiful pandora with lots of shiny bling!

This rather random shot was taken out the front of my house, aimed at getting in the treetops and the blue of the sky … an hour later we had a fair old dump of snow and this view was completely different.

Just before Christmas we decided to head up to Liverpool to drop off a canvas to a client.  Basically, the couriers and delivery services before Christmas were a bit rubbish, so because the canvas was for a Christmas present, the only option was to hand deliver.  Hubs has family in Liverpool and we thought we might combine a visit, but the snow was too bad even for the 4×4 … still, the doggies enjoyed it !

Sometimes I will whip my iPhone out at a wedding and take some hipstamatics … like I say, it’s all fun, they would never make an album, but clients seem to enjoy the diversity and creativity, so why not !  The first was a best man at a wedding in October, the second two were wedding clients from December …

We finally made the trip to visit hubs’ family on Sunday, it was an absolutely beautiful day, cold but crisp and clear, so we first headed over to Blundellsands where hubs used to live and walked the dogs down by the sea … unfortunately the tide was in, so we couldn’t walk them on the beach (boo) but we watched fascinated as 2 experts flew kites in what was obviously prime conditions for it !  The first image is of a lovely new apartment block, I just love the styling, then the sea and finally those kites.

If you haven’t already got it, go to your app store and download the hipstamatic app today !  FUN with a capital F !