Well , Saturday was Nikki & Pete's wedding at Spring Grove House in the grounds of the West Midlands Safari Park and what a day it was.  It started with bridal prep in the House which provided a fabulously interesting backdrop with so many places to set up detail shots, and then continued to offer fantastic photo opportunities throughout the day both indoors and out - enhanced by the completely bonkers Best Man, Stu (as below)!  A lovely and thoroughly enjoyable day, made so by a great couple willing to have fun with their shots and whose family and friends were happy to join in. 

Recently I have been contacted by numerous outfits promoting wedding photography workshops on the premise that 'in order to secure clients you need to have a portfolio of stunning work' and that, quite rightly, this can be obtained through such workshops.  It used to be that you could tell whether a photographer was only presenting work from controlled conditions because you would only see the 'bride and groom' in images and generally with a very dodgy bouquet or well worn wedding rings!  However, new workshops are using wedding suppliers for dresses, cakes, flowers, etc, models are still being used for brides and grooms but now others are being added as 'extras' and not only venues but churches are now being hired to stage a full portfolio. 

Whilst this is great to get a variety of beautiful shots - they are NOT taken under wedding conditions.  Each shot has been carefully posed over time, with guidance and the lighting is controlled to maximum effect - unlike during a wedding where you cannot pose a couple/change the lighting during a ceremony, the bride and groom are not (generally) professional models used to posing in front of a camera and you have to work with the location/weather on the day, organise groups quickly and efficiently and have to do this all within a very strict time-frame for everyone to be ready for the sit-down meal at the venue so that the chef isn't ready to roast you alive!

There is nothing wrong with using wedding workshops, but when you are looking for a photographer, check the following:

You are looking at a variety of work (several full REAL weddings) that shows all aspects of the day and guests - don't be afraid to ask where/when these were shot.

If a photographer only has a portfolio of wedding workshop images (we all have to start somewhere), will they have attended weddings as a second photographer to get REAL LIFE experience BEFORE your big day and if so, when and who can you contact to check? 

I have had 3 photographers second shoot for me to provide them with experience; a couple after they have advertised themselves for wedding photography and ALL have very quickly decided that the organisation, fast pace and long hours are not for them - and that is only when taking the casual shots!  

Don't let someone decide this when they are the MAIN photographer at your wedding - there is nothing wrong with using a 'newbie' wedding photographer, just make sure you know it beforehand.

Happy hunting!

This is James's second shoot with me and he was more than happy to pose for the camera on his own and with Esme to show her the ropes for her first portrait sitting.  However, she was happy enough to give us some great shots (once she had caught up with the latest gossip on facebook via her i-phone)!  Here are just a few from the session.

Leah & Kevin will be getting married in Bobbington and moving onto the beautiful Blakelands for their reception in August and I have the pleasure in providing the photography and Phil (www.occasions.uk.com), the videography, but in the meantime we had a potter around Kinver Edge for their pre-wedding shoot.

Although Leah proclaims that she doesn't like having her photograph taken, you can see from these images that as long as she has Kevin to take her mind off the camera we are going to have more than enough chances to get some lovely natural shots for them!

Katherine & Matthew's pre-wedding shoot was supposed to happen on Tuesday, but with the poor weather conditions it was re-scheduled for yesterday, and what a day!  We 'did the tour' of Leasowes Park to get a variety of lovely shots and as we were heading back we happened upon a fab patch of buttercups.......

I am very much looking forward to their wedding photography in August when we will be making the most of what Brockencote Hall has to offer!

Carly & Shannon wed in Australia earlier this year and were today joined by family and friends for their wedding blessing in the UK.  You can see from the photographs, this couple just LOVE to be in each other's company and have done nothing but smile today from their blessing at Kidderminster Register Office to their reception at The Granary.  A totally relaxed and fun afternoon was had in The Granary garden and I'm sure the vibe will continue this evening - have a good one guys! 

I posted a few images earlier this month from Kelly and Mark's wedding at All Saints, West Bromwich and The Limes Country Lodge and can now share their wedding photography slideshow - enjoy.

When viewing, please select the 1080 option from the bottom right hand menu - due to the auto play setting defaulting to low resolution.

David & Sarah had a beautiful evening for their pre-wedding shoot at Dunsley on Wednesday - here is a sneak peak at some of their shots.

Jayne also went for the simple and classic look with her detail.  Her wedding gown was of a full length lace vintage style and she wore satin shoes with tiny detail.  The bouquet was muted to follow the theme, and held roses and lily of the valley.  It was tied with ribbon and on this was pinned a charm from her mother's bracelet - as the something old.  A glass panel had also been made up for them which has pride of place on their mantlepiece.  Wicker hearts already decorating the bedroom also acted as props for the detail shots during bridal prep and again kept things personal.  

Sian created her vintage feel by keeping everything very personal.  Place settings were made from sheet music and presented on bone china cups and saucers for guests to take away with them as a memento of the day.  Favours were sprigs of herbs from their garden planted in tiny terracotta pots, delicate containers held the tiny table flowers of sweet pea and even her bouquet (which had the most amazing scent) was made up of flowers and herbs from the garden, these were wrapped together with ribbon and to make it even more special this was pinned with a broach holding a picture of her mother. 

Invitations had been sent out with old, yellowing, postcards as the method of reply for messages and these were displayed on a ribbon-trimmed board along with sepia photographs - it really made for an unusual and interesting focal point not only for guests but also me as a photographer!

Fran & Tom married earlier this year at Trysull Church and held their reception at The Old Vicarage, Worfield.  Being ankle-deep in snow was interesting but made for fabulous photographs.  I posted a few in March, but have put together a slideshow to give a taste of the day.  Enjoy.

When viewing, please select the 1080 option at the bottom right hand corner of the screen because the automatic setting seems to reduce quality.  Thanks.

Chrissie & Edward were inspired by the 'big brother' wedding of 2012.  Everything was on a grand scale and we were surrounded by candelabras crammed with beautiful roses, lilies and gyp, sumptuous satin chair cover decorations and a huge cake with the 'wow' factor.  Not only did the wedding follow this route, but they wanted their images processed with a very stong vintage look - to imitate the 'instagram' feel of the big brother wedding coverage in the glossy mags.

The lovely & 'outdoorsy' Nicola & Peter will be getting married at Spring Grove House next month and in readiness for their wedding photography we had a potter around Kinver Edge for their pre-wedding shoot to get them used to the camera.  Despite initial reservations about being self-conscious, they are so comfortable with each other they quickly got into the swing of things!

I put a few taster pics up earlier this year but because Claire & Tom now have their wedding images I can show you a photo-slideshow from their day at Wolverley and Cadmore Lodge.

When viewing, please select the 1080 viewing option given at the bottom right of the window because the default setting of auto HD seems to reduce quality.  Thanks.

Well yesterday was certainly emotional!  It was fantastic to be a part of Mark and Kelly's wedding, with a beautiful ceremony conducted by George at All Saints Church, West Bromwich and then onto The Limes Country Lodge for the reception.  These two are the definition of 'in love' and Mark's speech even got me blubbing behind the camera.  Their son, Lewis, made sure everything went to plan at the church and family and friends joined them to celebrate their marriage and braved outdoors for photographs, despite the wind and rain and made the most of the occasional sunny spell.

I put a few taster pics up earlier this year but because Natalie & Rob have now collected their wedding images I can show you a slideshow of images from their day.  Enjoy!

When viewing, please select the 1080 viewing option given at the bottom right of the window because the default setting of auto HD seems to reduce quality.  Thanks.

The short answer is, yes.  Here are three lovely ladies who I would suggest you speak with/meet regarding your wedding or special event to determine who can best accomodate your make up requirements.

Chloe McCall

Chloe (whom I have know for several years) offers both brush and airbrush work and was a 2012 wedding industry awards regional finalist for her work.  Book early to avoid disappointment because she is ALWAYS busy! 

Chloe Tel: 07854 365603

www.chloemccall.co.uk

Terrie Yonwin

I met Terrie at a wedding I covered last month and her brush work was amazing.  She helped with a really relaxed atmosphere to the bridal prep. side of things and made sure everyone was ready in plenty of time.

Terrie Tel: 07557 051123

makeupbyterrie@hotmail.co.uk

Angela Ferguson

Angela is new to the area, offers brush work and covers bridal as well as tv/commercial make up.  As an added bonus she is also a hairstylist and so can cover both of these aspects for you, making sure that your hair and make-up compliment each other - removing the stress of trying to find a mobile hairdresser and trying to explain the 'look' you are after.

Angela Te: 07535 513119

angelafergusonmua@gmail.com

Saturday's lovely couple, Claire and Tom, were married at Wolverley Church and held their reception at Cadmore Lodge.  Claire kept things personal by arriving in her Dad's classic car and including their 'furry' family members in prayers and appearing with them on the cake.  Once again, Claire, Tom and the guests braving the cold and wet meant that we managed to capture beautiful and natural images of the day.

Kelly and Mark chose the beautiful setting of Bewdley for thier pre-wedding shoot and because we did this quite early so it was relatively quiet, Mark didn't have to worry about being too embarassed about having his picture taken in public!   This was a fun shoot to cover because not only were they very comfortable with each other in front of the camera, both were up for pottering around to get a variety of shots for their guestbook.  Next shoot is their wedding day when they will be joined in their pics by their son, Lewis.

Following on from their recent pre-wedding shoot, I had the pleasure of photographing Natalie & Rob wedding at The Church of Ascention in Wall Heath (ably assisted by their bridal party Graham, Richard, William and Amanda) and then at the beautiful Dunsley Hall Hotel, Nr Kinver.  Natalie (as always) looked stunning and, as with all of my recent couples, she and Rob were happy to brave the cold in order to make the most of their wedding photographs and so I trust I did them justice!