Margaurita Photography

Building a portfolio.

natashacadman — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:43:37 +0000

When I first started to take photography seriously,I was eager to learn and eager to practice. The learning part I found was more readily available than the practice. I taught myself how to shoot manual, by making a lot of mistakes first, and shooting a lot of snails- but thats a whole other post. What I was craving for was experience to work with people, couples, anyone! I would literally practice on anyone who gave me the opportunity, but finding willing couples wasn’t always easy – you’d think with the lure of a free photo shoot people would be game – not so. So I had to use what I had around me, and that was every family member in sight and willing friends. I shot a few weddings for free to try build up my portfolio,which for me was great. They weren’t particularly big or expensive weddings, but it gave me the experience, to see how a wedding day flowed and get the basics of what was expected.

At the time, I was reading wedding blogs like there was no tomorrow. I was seeing beautiful images with amazing bokeh and style, and when I compared them to mine it left me deflated, I wanted mine to look like theirs! It wasn’t the effort that I was putting in which was the issue, I worked my butt of hard when I shot,even for free, I believe if your going to do something, especially when it represents you, you do it to the best you can. But, in order to change the type of images I was getting I had to change a few things, and I had to take some control, but I also had to get creative because I didn’t have a massive income. I couldn’t pay models and I wasn’t in touch with any vendors.

So I used what I had- my friends! One of my best friends had recently been married and said she would be willing to act as a model in her dress for me, and we enlisted our other friend to be the groom. I bought some flowers and loaned a full frame camera with a lens. We did the hair and makeup ourselves, brought along some jewellery accessories and headed to Kirkstall Abbey!

The images that we took that day were some of the first to go on my website and helped me define and express how I wanted to shoot. That shoot helped me book some of my first full paying clients who I didn’t know before hand. The start of my business. If you are wanting to be a wedding photographer and you are just starting out, don’t think that it is going to be easy. It’s not. But, if you have a passion for what you want to do and are willing to put in the work, I believe you can achieve it. Ask to second shoot, ask to assist, create your own shoots, connect with people & work with what you have.

Happy Wednesday – Here is to creating!

Ibiza

natashacadman — Tue, 07 May 2013 07:14:12 +0000

It’s true that when I travel somewhere, I easily fall in love and want to move there. This happend (again) quite recently when we went to Ibiza. Me and Jim packed are carry on and headed off for some sunshine, the snow had finally proved to much. I don’t know if it was the weather we left at home or the fact that when we arrived the heat was warm and the light was soft, but it had subtly already left its mark.

Over the next few days as we drove around, with no schedules planned, just the two of us, sun shining, swimming in the sea I totally wanted to move. Maybe it was the simplicities of being able to get from one side of the island to the other in a day ,or making a pack up lunch to eat on the beach or just being near the sea, or just having time together, but whatever it was it worked.

We had never been to Ibiza before, but we know we’ll definitely go back. Here are just few pictures from our trip.

We decided to walk down by the sea before we went out for dinner. I’m so glad we did because the light was beautiful!
Whats the point in having a self time if you don’t use it!

…see what I mean about that light…..
One of the best things about getting up early and hitting the road, is that you get the beach all to yourself.

0 My mini mobile office for the day.
This was the mariner at San Antonio.

We really do LOVE Ibiza.
I love churches. I think they’re really pretty, especially ones like this. Just plain and simple.

For our last night we went to Giri Cafe for dinner, it was amazing. It was their first night opening for the season, so they were trying out a few dishes with us, and we didn’t mind one bit!

For our last day, we decided to spend some time in the Old Town. First we went for a drive, to a viewpoint to over look the Town.

We then explored all the streets in between the Old Town walls.

This little pooch, Coco, was the most cutest thing I’ve ever seen.. He literally fell in love with my trouser leg – and wouldn’t leave it alone. to the point where he followed us twice…. in the end we had to get a neighbour to hold him, whilst we went down a side path. But I could have so put him in my handbag to take home
This is one of my last frames from the trip. Up on the walls of the Old Town, Eivissa. Its a beautifull little Island steeped in history and I cant wait to go back and visit some more of it.

East Keswick Engagement Session: Guy and Bethany

natashacadman — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:46:29 +0000

We had only met once before, at Jim’s cousins wedding,after that all our correspondence had been via e-mail, so it was great when I got to meet Guy and Bethany again for their engagement session. They invited me to their house first to talk more about their wedding, and as soon as I arrived I was greeted by Dudley, their extremely cute pooch! After tea and muffins we headed out for the shoot,which we decided to do on the windiest day of the year. No joke, the wind was literally swirling from all angles, but they didn’t let it phase them and rocked it like pros!

Not only are they a gorgeous couple, Guy and Bethany are totally in love. And it spills out into everything they do.The way they walk together, talk together, the way they just are together. They have the ability to make each other laugh easily and smile easily, and its being able to document this kind of love ,that makes me love what I do.

I cannot wait for their June wedding I know its going to be fabulous!

Yorkshire Sculpture Park Engagement Session: David and Rebecca

natashacadman — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:53:24 +0000

At the beginning of the shoot, Dave asked me how many pictures I was going to take, and my first impressions were that having his picture taken wasn’t something he was that keen on.However, as soon as we started shooting – that opinion changed. He and Becky were so relaxed in front of the camera! Then I secretly started to think that they had been practising, because they were good. Really good.

Dave and Becky met at university, where Dave studied Design and Becky Fine Art. Not are they only a gorgeous, stylish couple, they are also great company and good fun to be around.

As we walked around The Yorkshire Sculpture Park, I got to see first hand the way they make each other laugh, the way they are together and it made more excited about their May Wedding.

365.

natashacadman — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:16:54 +0000

At the beginning of the year I set my self a challenge, nothing serious, just some fun.It was to take an image everyday - for a year. And to my surprise I’ve kept with it. Not every images is amazing, and sometimes it just with my Iphone, but it’s actually been quite fun to do, and would encourage anyone to try the challenge and have something to look at- maybe try it for your babys first year – or your first year of marriage! I keep my full archive on my facebook page in my 365 album here.

Here are a few random ones from the year so far.

Are you doing a 365? Leave your link in the comment below, so I can follow along.

Roberts Park Engagement Session: Rob and Amy

natashacadman — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 06:41:06 +0000

I love it when I come home from an Engagement session and I’m still smiling. It sounds cheesy, I know. But ask Jim he’ll vouch for the smiling for no reasons and the conversation about them that will follow. It was so funny when he said that, and she said, then we all laughed…….etc etc. When I came back from meeting Rob and Amy the above scenario strongly played out.

As we wandered through the streets of Saltaire and into the park it became apparent fast that Robert and Amy are the perfect for each other. They smile together from start to finish, laugh together and are in love. Amy is the sister of Jodi, who was one of my first brides,and I am SO excited about their wedding this year not just because of them, but I get to see her fabulous family again!

Rob and Amy, thank you for being so relaxed, so much fun – so you. I can’t wait for you wedding this year. x

It didn’t take them anytime getting relaxed in front of the camera. Amy decided to have a wedding day hair trail for the shoot, so she could see how it would be. Such a fabulous idea – and it looked gorgeous!
Amy – you are stunning. This is happy.
I’ll end with this picture – because no other image would be better! Rob and Amy, thank you for such a fun time. So looking forward to the wedding. x

The last few days.

natashacadman — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:23:23 +0000

The last few days I’ve set up office in Ibiza. Well, office may be a bit strong. I’ve swam in the sea, burnt in the sun,taken polaroids of acqua sea, sipped wine with the sun going down and drove round the Islands coastline. But, all the while working for the business, in some capacity

Yesterday we stopped here for a few hours, and I could have easily stayed longer.

Coniston Hotel Wedding : Chris and Lucy

natashacadman — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 07:15:53 +0000

Chris and Lucy are such a beautiful couple – inside and out and are genuinely some of the nicest people I have ever met. They married at The Coniston Hotel and had such a fabulous day.There was a still a few signs of snow on the ground, the winds still had a little chill to them but the skies were a beautiful blue.

I always think photographing stunning dresses and beautiful flowers is a great way to start any day - especially a wedding day! I started the day with the girls whilst they prepared, popped some prosecco and got Lucy into her dress.

Chris and Lucy, thank you for such a fabulous wedding day. It was a pleasure to document your day, and I know you have a very happy marriage ahead of you x

Lucy wore a W1 wedding dress that was elegant and chic. I loved the detail on the waist.
The flowers were done by the ladies at Ivy Florist. I have worked with them a couple of times now, and they never disappoint. So beautiful.
The name under the shoe is Lucy’s maiden name. By the time the ink wears off after wearing the heels all day, it symbolises the leaving off her old name and taking the new.

Chris sent Lucy some beautiful flowers and a sweet card (with a picture from their engagement session on the front) in the morning to open. Walking back down the aisle as Mr and Mrs May!
The wind picked up a little, but it made for some pretty pictures!

The wedding breakfast was turned around to host the evening reception,and after a lovely first dance, there was a whole lot of other dancing…..
…. it looked a little something like this…
I’ll end with this images, because it makes me smile. A fabulous couple, arms wrapped around each other amidst their family and friends completely in love.

Celebrations.

natashacadman — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:03:12 +0000

Yesterday we went to my parents for dinner,to celebrate my Dad’s birthday. The sound of dinner table full of people chatting and laughing, always has been one of my favourite things and as we sat there and toasted to a Happy Birthday, to my fabulous dad – it didn’t disappoint. We also celebrated a smaller birthday, my business. Yesterday saw me complete year number 2! On the 14th April 2011 my official title of Photographer began, I had my bag packs and I was flying to Ireland to shoot the Wedding of Alex and Shelley.

In the last 2 years I have met some fabulous couples and some amazing people. I feel very blessed to be able to what I love to do. xxx

Life lately through my Iphone.

natashacadman — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 07:20:53 +0000

Come along for the Ride – follow me on Instagram here.