So I dont think the rain has ever stopped this whole weekend. But, my CreativeLive course and spending time with family has kept me inside,kept me dry and kept me same. On my way to dinner yesterday me and Jim stopped by a friends house who has recently – in fact 11 days ago today – given birth to a beautiful baby boy – Harry. I had my camera with me and thought it would be rude not to capture some cuteness.
Happy Monday - here is to a fabulous week!
If I had my time back at school again I would definitely have be more attentive and push myself.I can’t have that time again, but any opportunity that arises to learn now, I grasp. With two hands. So when a learning opportunity comes along that is so accesible, informative and beneficial I am definitely going to be there. This weekend has blocked out on my calendar for a long time - it’s even colour coded – and I cant wait. This weekend I have enrolled for a Creative Live Course with Jasmine Star about how to Shoot a Wedding in an Editorial style and get published. The natural style I feel my business turning and an accomplishment very high up my list.Creative Live are a fabulous team of people who bring learning into your home allowing you to learn and strengthen your skills, and build a better business. If you would like to enroll in any courses check out their calendar of what they have scheduled.
When you walk away from being with Karl and Jess, you walk away smiling. You see they have this effect you, a kind of happy effect. We met up in Saltaire for their pre wedding shoot, which was nice because this is where Jess grew up. In fact this is where me and Jess first met – we met as waitresses at La Rue many moons ago. The weather was forecast for some rain, and on my journey over started, but in the end it stayed overcast (which was great for me) and dry with some sunshine later on. ( I sound like a natural weather girl!)
Karl and Jess were naturals in front of the camera, a total reflection of how they are together.They are the nicest people. Ever. And it was an absolute pleasure to catch up again, chat about their wedding details and just life in general. I am SO excited to be shooting their wedding early May!
Here are just a few of my favourites from the day.
I have always had pets, for as long as I can remember. Cats,guinea-pig’s, rabbits you name it we had. A year and a half ago we got two kittens, which wasn’t intentional (or at least that’s the version I tell Jim). When we collected the boys they were 4 weeks old and had been abandoned by their mum. The plan was always, to raise them until they were big enough to be able to give one away,our place is only small and one would be easier. But, when you bottle feed a kitten from 4 weeks,get up in the middle of the night for feeds (oh yeah we did this), give them spa days (Oh yeah I did this) and they fall asleep on your shoulder there is no way that you are giving either of them away.
So, we kept them and now we have twice the fur to hover, twice the food to buy, twice the laughs but twice the mischief! Jim came home whilst I was out to find the 2 chicken breasts that we had out defrosting for dinner had been dragged from the bowl, cooked on the hob and eaten – not by us! It sounds like a joke – it’s not. Okay, so we don’t know if they definitely cooked them,but that had managed to turn on the hob! Its definitely like living with the feline version of Pinky and the Brain.
But to make the end of the week better, I am leaving you with a sneak from my latest engagement session. These to are SO working the camera and cannot wait to show you the rest!
When I planned this shoot,I wanted something simple – not glamorous. I wanted natural light nothing too fancy. I wanted to show the simple beauty of a women… Im still on a journey with this but I liked the result that I got. Shooting with the afternoon light with no flash made for rich tones and beautiful colours. Mind,with such a beautiful model, the pictures were always going to beautiful..
I’m always amused at the power of the internet. It definitely makes the world a smaller place and allows you to connect with people who you may otherwise never have known. Take for example the other week when I was googling images to make a mood board for a boudoir shoot that I had coming up. I can’t remember the exact words I wrote,but my screen was full of boudoir type images. Mostly the same ‘typical’ boudoir look. But that wasn’t really what I was going for. That’s not what I wanted. Then I saw something different,an editorial approach. The link to the picture took me to a blog post, from Adam Alex. Then on his blog I saw a whole host of inspiration, which really helped me build a mood board and get some structure. I know had something that I could use as a goal.
As I started to look more into Adams work I was become a little hooked. It was really good.Really good. Weddings.Children.Boudoir.Fashion – everything is done to a high standard and a certain feel. You get the impression that if you only has that one image from your wedding – it would be enough (that how I feel anyway).I would love to attend one of his worldwide workshop’s to see how achieves his vision, maybe that should be added to my 101 list?! But, check out his blog, and his facebook. I hope you take some inspiration as well – and get it starred as a favourite because this is definitely one to go back to.
This is another image from the boudoir session – the rest will be up this week.
Okay, so i tried to cut down the amount of images that I wanted to show on the blog. But, I didn’t get as low as I wanted. I couldn’t. Each image really makes me smile so I thought what the heck – lets blog away to our hearts content.
I joined Ian and Hannah for their Spring wedding at Hazlewood Castle. I arrived with the sun shining, to a warm welcome by my bride and the girls. Preparations were well underway and the excitement was stirring, you could feel it. As Hannah’s mum helped her into her dress and buttoned up all the details,I was reminded of just how fabulous mums are. Ian and Hannah had a beautiful ceremony as they became man and wife and then joined friends and family in the courtyard for Champagne and canopies.
Before the wedding breakfast I took Ian and Hannah for a few portrait pictures and just before disappearing in for dinner we did a big group shot on the steps. After dinner they joined they friends with dancing late into the night.
* I would also just like to add that the team at Hazlewood castle were great. Luke and his staff were so accommodating and were great at letting us have extra time in the sunshine!*
Ian and Hannah thank you for letting me document your day. Thank you for becoming friends. Thank you for being fabulous.
Enjoy your honeymoon.. x
”I took the plunge and stepped out of my 9-5 and have decided to commit to making this dream flourish and work. Having a partner who believes in your vision, allows you to set your goals high and run after your dreams, is amazing! Having a family who never say you cant, but always say work hard, keep your faith and believe in yourself is a blessing. I couldn’t have taken this first step without them” - Me. Blog post from 14th April 2011.
This saturday just gone,marked my first year of working for myself. Managing my own business. And I can honestly say that i’m happy. Deciding to leave me full time job was a big step, but one that I knew I had to take for my business to develop, and it felt like the next natural step to take. I told myself I would give it a year. You see I knew that I had enough bookings to take me through the summer so I could support myself, but at that time I had none booked for 2012, I didn’t know what the end of this first year would look like. But, I did know that if people didn’t like it - didn’t want to book, then the worst scenario would be that I tried, and I would have to go back to a full time position. Fortunately some people did like my work – and me. They decided to enquire and to book, and recommend me. Thats right, the majority of my bookings for 2012 have come in the form of recommendations from previous clients and friends and I am SO thankful for this because now,I am entering my second year of business. I have more bookings confirmed for this year then I did for the whole of the last. So thank you to each person that booked me for a wedding or a shoot. Thank you for each person that passed on my details to a friend and referred my name. Thank you, because in doing so I get to continue to do what I truly love.
So here is to another year of rock and roll!!
Hi Friday – here again so soon?! Well I think I am ready for the weekend this week. I have an engagement session with a fabulous couple lined up and and a surprise party as well.. so I know its going to be good! I have been noticing my lack of blogging recently, so next week I intend to make a change and bring you some daily blogging – yes daily!
So, have a fantastic weekend what-ever you end up doing. Here is taster from a boudoir shoot I will soon be sharing..
So its Wednesday sharing and this week im going local. Like on my doorstep local and I think your going to like it – Barnaby Aldrick a Leeds based wedding photographer . This is definitely a blog that I check all the time, for so many reasons. Images mostly, but the stories and comments are definitely a key factor of my constant return. You see when Barnaby posts he adds his own little insight, put’s his stamp all over and really makes every post enjoyable.
But, I would also like to tell you about the authenticity behind his posts. When I was first starting out in the wedding business and trying to get any type of portfolio at all I contacted Barnaby. I actually came across him via David Jay’s website in America ( the internet makes the world a smaller place) and I asked him to see if I could second shoot and he very kindly said no. No to the weddings,but, he did say that I could assist him on a couple of other shoots for the Leeds Guide. I was thrilled, I booked the 2 days of work as holiday and was so excited - I mean I was assisting a pro! 
The shoot came and Barnaby let me shadow his shots, gave me tips on my lighting and was just really kind to me. I was allowed to blog my images, he even mentioned me on his blog and I felt cool. So.So.Cool! Not long after that I attend my first workshop with 3B Media which he was apart of - getting to know my camera and then I signed for a second one – which was weddings. In every meeting with him his passion to help others learn is standout.
I think aside from the brilliant images and fantastic portfolio, people book Barnaby because of him. His honesty, fun and for being an all round good guy. So, go take a look at his blog and you will soon have it book marked and be going back for more..From weddings to babies to holidays to his rescue dog to his urban explorations and a few music videos you will really love what you see.
I thought I would leave you with this car – because its cool!
