Autumn Newsletter for Zoe Photography

Our Autumn Newsletter goes out on Monday - be sure to drop us a line if you want to receive your own copy with our Autumn special offers! Contact kathryn@zoephotography.co.uk to be added to our email list.

Frame your moment with Zoe Photography

At the beginning of this week I found myself thinking 'I love Autumn! It is definitely my favourite of the seasons!' This was of course because I was wearing boots and looking at the beautiful photographs Zoe had taken of the Barlow family and their autumnal shoot at Sefton Park. They were kicking leaves and running around in wellies and it reminded me of collecting conkers as a little girl with my dad! And I love that, I love the way that other peoples moments can conjure up your own memories!

Then today, I found myself thinking 'I love Summer!' (I still can't believe the weather we are having) and I love walking through the city with the sun on my face and before I realised my mind had wandered to summer days gone by and a smile crept across my face once more.

I love that feeling and there is nothing more special than being able to look back on photographs because really a photograph is a moment framed to keep and cherish.

I got in a taxi recently and the taxi driver told me that one of his favourite family photographs is one where him and his 5 brothers were all sitting on the kerb outside their parents house looking very glum and with no direction. Ordinarily something like that doesn't sound picture perfect, but it was when he explained to me that his mum had had enough of them all squabbling and told them to get out and not come back until they got on with each other! Now to him, whenever he looks at it, it reminds him of all the memories of growing up in a house as the youngest of 6 brothers!

TIme goes so fast and it is so important to have a record of your family story to look back on and as such we have decided to have an Autumnal Offer that is ready for taking advantage of!

For the month of October, if you purchase a family shoot for £125 then that becomes credit towards any purchases you make. So in effect you are getting a free shoot and spending your money on something for you to keep and cherish.  And if you want to be sure you fill someone's Christmas stocking with a lovely family picture, make sure you book now so your shoot can take place before 20th November 2011.

Get in touch to make the most of the Autumnal Offer, although if the weather stays the way it is we may have to change the name! 

Kathryn 

The face (well faces) of Zoe Photography Autumn 2011

We are now well and truly into September, and there is no denying it, the leaves have started to fall and Autumn will soon be upon us, but as sad as we are that summer has faded we are very excited here as we are currently looking for a family to feature in our Autumn 2011 newsletter.


So, could it be you?


We are looking for a family of 4 or 5, with 2 or 3 children aged between 3-7 as well as willing parents who would be happy to be photographed as part of the shoot. As a thank you for your help as well as the complimentary shoot, we would like to give you a print from the shoot to take away with you. 


The shoot has to take place on Saturday 24th September, and if you think that this sounds like you and your family, or a family you know that would be willing and are available this Saturday please get in touch at kathryn@zoephotography.co.uk

Chris and Claire's Wedding at West Tower Country House, Aughton

I have fond associations with West Tower as it's the place I had my 18th birthday meal, my sister had her wedding reception there (oh dear, nearly 30 years ago!) and we had many celebration meals there over the years. So it's always a pleasure to get to photograph weddings there too. Add into the mix two gorgeous people with fabulous families and friends, and you have the recipe for a great day (don't tell them both that it didn't feel like work!).

Chris and Claire tied the knot at their wedding ceremony at West Tower in Aughton on Saturday, and oh my word did it rain! But in Claire's own words, we 'embraced the rain' and as a result got fabulous outdoor photographs as well as beautiful ones in the gorgeous bridal suite.

Here is just a little taste of what's to come for Chris and Claire and their fabulous West Tower wedding.

Amanda and Milly's Liverpool Portrait Session

We had a great shoot during the golden hour with friends, Amanda and Milly at Falkner Square.  This was planned months ago to use that gorgeous light we get at the end of the day, and so we were really pleased that we got the right kind of weather to make it work - particularly after the kind of summer we've had!  Here is a little sneak peak:

Where to Find Zoe Photography

It was pointed out to me today that I'm great at using my Facebook business page and my Twitter account, by I'm not so good at telling people that you can find me there!  Hmmm, very true. So this is me putting that right.

Find us on Facebook
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And Follow us on Twitter
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Andrew and Kathryn's Wedding in Croxteth and at the Isla Gladstone

The day started with a torrential downpour, and it looked like that was the weather we were destined to have for Andrew and Kathryn's wedding day - but when we came out of the church there was a little peak of blue, and before you knew it, the sky was the most amazing blue, perfect for such a lovely couple. It was a funny day for me, as Kathryn's aunt, over from New Zealand had a little chat with me and we soon discovered that close friends of hers and her husband Joe are actually my cousin Paul and his wife! Small world! 

Both Andrew and Kathryn were very trusting, and when I told them the light was perfect for gorgeous photographs they joined me for an extra shoot in the golden light of sunset - as a result we got images that looked like they were taken in the med!  And one of the lovely touches of the day - an ice cream man! And that ice cream was so yummy.  So here is a little sneak peak of Andrew and Kathryn's perfect day.

Andrew and Jenny's Wedding at Knowsley Hall

Saturday was one of those days that ends so much better than the start of the day promises. It was squally, stair-rod-rain and black skies. But miraculously just as the ceremony started at Knowsley Hall the clouds parted and the sun came out, giving Andrew and Jenny the fabulous day they deserved! Theirs is the perfect love story, having started to date just as they left school, and it was clear that the two of them have a deep love for each other.  The day started and finished with laughter, and as a result of their willingness to play, we got some amazing photographs! Thank you both for making it fun for us! Oh, and that chocolate brownie with white chocolate mousse - it was truly to die for, but then the food at Knowsley Hall is always delicious.

Model Portfolio Update Days in Liverpool

Isn't it great to get free images from photographers to help you update your book? Trouble is, way too many of those photographers don't work in the fashion industry, and many are new to photography itself so the images you get are hit and miss - if you get them at all.

This summer I am putting on 5 special portfolio update days - and hair and makeup artists from So Coco Rouge will be on-hand for you to book in with them first to make sure your images are the best they can be.  These special rates won't be repeated in 2011, so make sure you book your slot on one of our special model portfolio update days.

Here's what's on offer:

1. Quick shoot for 15-20 minutes with one look and 3 images on disk (1 each of headshot, full body and half body) for £65 - hair and makeup is optional though advised for £35 per model. This option is usually sufficient for most established models who simply need to update their book with a handful of images.
2. Mini shoot for 30 minutes with one look and 6 images on disk (2 each of headshot, full body and half body) for £90 - hair and makeup is optional though advised for £35 per model.
3. Midi shoot for 45 minutes with 2-3 looks and 12 images on disk (4 each of headshot, full body and half body) for £140 - hair and makeup is optional though advised for £35 per model. This option is advised for those models who have changed their look recently and need to update their portfolio.
4. Location shoot over 2 hours with 4-5 looks and 30 varied images on disk, for £225 - hair and makeup is highly recommended for £35 per model. This option is ideal for the newer model who needs to increase the number of images in their book.
5. Location couple shoot (with individual images for each model as well) over 3 hours with 4 looks and 40 varied images on disk for both models, for £350 between the two models - hair and makeup is highly recommended for £35 per model. This option is perfect for models who need a combination of couple and individual images.

If you are signed by Pulse Model Agency (http://www.pulseagency.co.uk) I have organised a special rate with them as I am signed with them as a creative. Please get in touch for the Pulse rates. Other model agencies who would like to work with me on model portfolio updates can get in touch to arrange special rates for your models (minimum of 10 models to benefit from special rates).

And just so you can be sure you will receive quality images from an experienced photographer who works in the fashion industry, here is a short slideshow of images I have taken for recent fashion work.

Getting the Wedding Photographs you Want from you Wedding Photographer

After the wedding it's too late to say "Oh no, you didn't get a photograph of me and my cousin 3 times removed and she's so important to me - we grew up together!" Sure, there are photographs that you expect your photographer to take for you without you giving them instructions (you and your parents and siblings, your groom and his parents and siblings, both of you with any grandparents you have at the wedding). But we wedding photographers are not mind readers, so we are not going to know what pictures are important to you. So here are a few tips to help you make sure you get the most out of your wedding photographer.

• Trust your photographer - Assuming you have booked an experienced professional photographer to take your wedding photographs (rather than a new or semi-pro photographer, or an enthusiastic amateur or relative with a camera) then you can be assured that they know what they are doing because they have been photographing weddings for years. So you can trust them to know how to direct you in photographs, and you can trust them to capture the story of your day. Despite what is said on some wedding blogs, you really don't need to know how to pose if you have hired an experienced professional wedding photographer. Trust a professional wedding photographer to do an expert job for you.
• Be ready when your photographer asks you to be - you need to be ready for photographs before your ceremony, so you need to be in your dress with your hair and makeup finished at the time that your photographer requests. The thing that is most likely to make you late is your makeup, as many makeup artists suggest doing you last - but this is the one thing that delays the whole proceedings. Be sure to have your hair and makeup done first, then you will be ready on time for your photographs.
• Allow time for your wedding photographs - Your wedding day will go so fast you just won't know where the time goes! It's the most common thing that brides and grooms say to me when I photograph their wedding in and around Liverpool. Whatever time you think now that you need to allow for photographs, as well as seeing all of your guests, add time to that!  The main time to focus on is that your venue need to turn the reception room around for the evening do after your reception meal - they need this to be ready by 7.30, and so they prefer you to sit down for your reception meal no later than 4.30. In reality, it's possible to do the meal, the speeches and the room turn around with the sit down meal at 5pm, but this is the latest.  Knowing this helps you plan the rest of the day.
• Group Photographs take time! - Every group that you add to the list that your wedding photographer needs to take for you takes about 5-7 minutes to set up - longer if people you want in the group have vanished to the bar or to check into their bedroom. Look for ways you can combine groups together, such as both sets of parents with the two of you, both sets of grandparents, all aunts, uncles and cousins together in one photograph.  When I photograph weddings in and around Liverpool I suggest to couples that they limit themselves to 6 groups photographs, which takes about 20-30 mintues, allowing more time for photographs of the two of you, and for you to spend time with your guests.
• Know what photographs are important to you - And let your photographer know. This might be people that you want to be photographed, or it could be parts of the day, such as your vows, a pictures of your rings, or the details in your reception room. Don't assume anything - if a picture is important to you, then let your wedding photographer know this.
• Speak to your vicar, priest or venue about photographs during the ceremony - On the day of your wedding, if your vicar, priest or venue tells the photographer that they cannot take photographs during the ceremony, they must respect this.  It is your responsibility to arrange for the photographs to be taken during the ceremony beforehand, putting all the arrangements in place.
• Arrange for someone to help gather people together - Your wedding photographer doesn't know who the relevant people are for group photographs, so arrange for a couple of the ushers to find the people who need to be in each group photograph and make sure they are ready when they're needed.
• Work out your timeline with your photographer - Wedding photographers are the one of the only wedding vendors who is with you for most or all of the day, so talk to your wedding photographer about the timings of the day.
• The first dance - A quiet plea for your wedding photographer - chances are by 8pm your wedding photographer will have worked a long day by 8pm, so although it doesn't seem much to you to put your first dance back an hour, that hour is a long time to your wedding photographer.  and remember, the night won't really begin until you take the dance floor, so get out there, dance, and let the festivities begin!