Kathy's Birthday Present to Mike

Kathy was my first shoot of the day today, and we had a lovely time creating some gorgeous photographs for her to give to her husband, Mike for his birthday.  I am sure he will love them.  I met Kathy through her daughter, Becky, who owns hair salon Shush on Liverpool Road in Birkdale, Southport.  Becky and I are working together on a number of fashion and bridal fashion projects

I look forward to showing you the rest of your photographs next weekend Kathy.

Kathy and Aidan at Cloghan Castle, Galway

I was over in Ireland at the weekend for Kathy and Aidan's wedding at Cloghan Castle,between Galway and Shannon, supporting my photographer friend, Mike Patterson.    The castle was originally built in the 13th century, although it has now been rebuilt, and is a stunning wedding venue.  All the rooms are full of character, and you can see how fantastic it looks at night, with Kathy and Aidan 

Kathy's colour scheme was beautiful, with a combination of creams, rust, peach, greens and golds that all complemented the feel of the castle with it's stone walls and dark woods.

Experiencing Ireland's Charms!

I have just had a fantastic weekend over in Galway in Ireland, where I was working with Mike Patterson on a wedding at Cloghan Castle, part way between Galway and Shannon - more of that later.  I wanted to share with you the photograph I took yesterday when we went into the countryside - I never take landscape photographs, but I got very excited about the scenery and managed to snap this beautiful landscape.  This is going to have to be framed to go on our wall!

And I was also really pleased to be able to take a photograph of Galway wedding and portrait photographer, Mike Patterson, when we snatched a moment's break during the wedding at Cloghan Castle.

www.mikepattersonphotography.blogspot.com

Big thanks to Mike and Maire for making me feel so welcome - and ensuring I tasted the full range of Irish hospitality, including (of course) plenty of Guinness!  Yummmmmm.

Especially for Gerry

Gerry had never before been to see the red squirrels at the pine woods in Freshfields so we went off in hunt of them whilst we were out for today's portrait session.  And here is one of the little fella's.  Lawrence made me laugh when he commented on the squirrel's comb over!

Gerry and Lawrence

Gerry and Lawrence are getting married at Croxteth Hall next month, so today we went off for a pre-wedding shoot at the pine woods and squirrel run in Freshfield.  We had a really good time - although it was a bit on the breezy side when we got down to the beach!  I think we all had ideas of a wander along the beach until we were blown about, so it was a quick about turn and back to the shelter of the woods!

This is a little selection of the photographs that we took - and if these are anything to go by we are going to have some amazing photographs from the wedding day!  I can't wait!

Photographing children: Hints and Tips for Photography Mums

Until now I have been writing my Hints and Tips for Photography Mums on this blog - but now that I have my exciting new blog for the Mulberry Workshops that I run it seems to make sense to put these onto that blog - so click on the title above and that should take you straight to www.mulberryworkshops.blogspot.com

10 Tips for Brides - Getting the Most out of your Wedding Photographs: Part 2

So, as a follow up to the 10 Tips for Brides, I have a few more tips to add which I hope you find helpful.

1. Do your research - buy magazines and tear out photographs you like - with a good photographer you can discuss with them what it is about these tear sheets that you like, and they will be able to help you achieve the look you like.
2. When it comes to your wedding day, think about where you are going to get ready - a tiny room will have very little space for the photographer, your mum, your bridesmaids, the dress, all the essential extras  and, oh yes, you to actually get into.  You may end up needing to move furniture out, or use the living room to get changed if you are wanting photographs to be taken as you get ready.
3. When it comes to getting your makeup done, it is likely that your makeup artist will suggest that you are the last to be done as the bride - no-o-o-o-o-o!  Have your hair and makeup done first - if there are any delays then let them affect a bridesmaid who is not too worried, or who can do her own makeup if necessary.  Allow yourself time to relax - and allow yourself time to have photographs taken.  You will be surprised at how many brides are late getting ready because the makeup artist took longer than they anticipated.
4. Show your photographer the little detail things - even if you like candid photographs, if you are giving your bridesmaids or groomsmen a present, let the photographer know so that they can take the photograph of the gift giving.
5. Before you put your dress on go to the toilet!  It may be a bit more difficult once you are in your dress.
6. If you have gorgeous shoes you may not want to walk across the grass in them to get that perfect photograph.  Rather than spoiling the photo opportunity, take some nice flip flops along with  - the photographer may be able to put them in their car for you.  That way you can take your beautiful shoes off for the time you are walking across the grass.
7. And what if it's been raining?  Buy some great wellies and leave them at the venue so that you can walk across damp grass - the wellies can look great in the photographs too!
8. Check with your photographer to see if they have umbrellas for the inevitable shower we get in the UK summer!  Most will have more than one to keep you dry.
9. Accept now that weather in the UK is temperamental and don't let it affect your day - a good photographer will make the most of whatever the weather is, and will make the most of you on your wedding day regardless of the weather.
10. Use your groomsmen and bridesmaids - make sure they know the people who will need to be in photographs, give them jobs to make sure that the right people are available to be photographed (including getting people out of the bar!) and give them things to carry for you such as your shoes and flowers.

I'm sure there will be more tips to follow in the next week or two - the more I think about this the more I find that things pop into my head!

10 Tips for Brides - Getting the Most out of your Wedding Photographs

40s Themed Fashion Shoot

This is a very tiny sample of some of the photographs I took at the recent 1940s themed fashion shoot. These photographs are not going to be used in the book, so I have permission to upload them now as samples. These showcase the gorgeous and talented Fleur, who makes me think of Freda Kahlo here. My mother loves Kahlo's self portraits, so I think I must have been influenced just a little.

I can't wait to share some of the photographs from the shoot that are being featured in the book - but as the press releases don't go out until the start of April, I can't do that yet!  You'll just have to wait ... sorry for the tease!

Alex at 3 Months

I recently photographed Alex at 3 months old - I am photographing him every 3 months until his first birthday, having taken his mum and dad's wedding photographs 2 years ago.  It's interesting seeing how much a baby changes over such a short time.  And it's always fun photographing with Jenny and Nick because they are always laughing so much!