It may have taken two attempts to capture this shoot, but it was definately worth while! Our first attempt was interupted by very strong winds and a huge downfall, but getting back down onto the beach a few days later under the golden sun gave us a beautiful backdrop for this lovely couple.
Due to be married this summer, Steph & Nikki had good fun and acted like true pro’s when we walked around Whitburn beach and park…here are my favourites from the sessions….
I can’t believe it is April already- and I know I say this to myself every year, but this one is absolutely flying by. I guess its true what they say; “Time flies when your having fun!”
So far this year I’ve been lucky enough to photograph two new wedding venues- Winstone View and Newton Hall. I was totally blown away with both venues for very different reasons and I cannot wait to shoot at them both again. We’ve shot a great range of engagement sessions including one 1300ft up on a mountain in North Yorkshire in the middle of a blizzard and a beautiful urban shoot on Gateshead Quayside.
I’ve met some awesome couples and booked some amazing weddings for 2014 and 2015 at some venues and locations to die for, not to mention the fashion and commercial work I’ve been doing in conjunction with a great North East Business.
On a personal note, I became an Uncle again to gorgeous twins Ruby & Max (what out for shots of these two in the next couple of weeks!!) and my little Noah (6 months) said his first word- Dad!! I had the slight inconvenience of being rushed into hospital to have my appendix taken out recently but that meant getting to spend lots of time being looked after by my beautiful wife while I recovered- so not all bad!
All in all its been a pretty amazing four months of 2013, and I for one cannot wait to see what the next few months hold! Here is a quick look at some of the images from this year so far…
Not that I have been counting the days, but it has been 187 days since my last wedding in 2012 so could not wait to get stuck in today!
We recently shot the engagement session for this couple in Jesmond, and we had a great time talking about everything from Back to the Future to the anarchy my children cause!
I was delighted to find out this couple were getting married at a Church in Alnwick and then going onto the amazing Newton Hall for their reception. This part of the world has a lot of meaning for me and my family so its awesome to go and get to share this wonderful day with a lovely couple and their family too!
Despite the constant rain all day, it didn’t dampen the spirits of the guests who enjoyed a great day in wonderful surroundings too! Here are a few of my favourite images from the day..
I was asked to give a talk today at Vallum Farm Wedding fair, on how to make the most of your wedding photography. Now what I didn’t want this to turn into was me talking about Xtraordinary Photography, I wanted to get across the importance of choosing the right photographer, ensuring the day is planned and what you can do to make your images extra special.
Here is a snippet about what I talked about;
Communicate with your photographer regularly, building a strong relationship based on trust, build a strong rapport and ensure your photographer knows what you want from your photography. Ask your photographer for recommendations on suppliers, venues and styles. They will have seen a lot over the years and should have good contacts and relationships with other suppliers in the industry.
Let your photographer know of any changes in timings from the original plan, keep them in the loop they will appreciate it!
Minimise stress on your day by thoroughly planning your shot list- if there are specific group shots you may want, let your photographer know. Group shots take time to set out and organise and can cause distress to your guests if they are standing around for long periods of time. Try to minimise the number of group shots rather than going for “The usual set”.
A lot of photographers now offer engagement shoots which are a fantastic tool to help you feel relaxed on your wedding day. Your photographer should walk you through some of the things they may ask you to do on the day and try to make you feel as relaxed as possible about your wedding day photography.
The more you get to know your photographer, the more you should feel at ease and able to enjoy your day- remember the photographer is there to record your day- not dictate it. Set out what you want right from your first meeting and then you can relax knowing nothing unexpected will creep up on the day. Remember- Don’t worry, be happy!
Bridal Preparation can either strike fear in the heart of those who don’t want or understand the benefits of it, or, be just another part of your wedding photography. If you’re having full day coverage from your photographer, the bridal preparation is a huuuuuuuge way to start telling the story of your day. It can give the most real emotions of excitement, nervousness and often the need for Champaign!
If you afford to it is worth trying to get ready at a hotel- this gives a feel of luxury and helps with the relaxation of certainly the Bride and Bridesmaids. Pamper yourselves, order some Champaign to the room and enjoy the space and freedom that most Bridal suites allow. These rooms also allow lots of light with big windows and beautiful furniture which can again add another element to your images. But don’t fear, if a Bridal suite in a hotel isn’t an option- use the largest and brightest room of your home- draw the curtains and do exactly the same- enjoy the space and pamper yourselves have fun and relax- this will be evident in your images if you feel relaxed.
Detail. Detail. Detail. One of the biggest travesty of any wedding is that all of the hard work and planning that goes into the little details is often lost in the day itself and they often go unseen. Make sure you have all of the little details out and ready for your photographer arriving such as your shoes, jewellery, cards and presents from the hubby to be, and good luck charms.
These details are another great way to tell the story of the day and show all of the hard work that has gone into the planning
Make the most of the Light. Unfortunately we are not blessed with the best light in the UK, however, we can still make the most of what we have…even if it rains. Some of the best light you could hope for is around an hour before sunset- this is known to photographers as the “Golden Hour”. This is when the sun is just starting its decent and brings a beautiful golden glow and can create a sensation sunset with the correct conditions. Speak to your photographer about utilising this light and nipping out with them even if only for 5-10 minutes and get some shots in this light. It really will add another dimension to your images.
Hiring Professional Hair and Makeup can be another way to minimise stress, save time and ensure that you (and your bridal party) look amazing. Although lots of brides are 100% comfortable with doing their own hair and makeup, a professional will know exactly how to design your hair and makeup and also how to implement in the best way for longevity and to ensure it photographs beautifully. Have a trial for your hair and make up, tell them what you want and listen to their suggestions and come up with a plan that will match the style of your day.
The most important message I have is, be realistic about your photography- if a price seems too good to be true, most of the time it is. If you want a top quality photographer with amazing products you WILL have to pay a premium for it. Speak to lots of photographers and meet lots of photographers to ensure you get what is right for you. Ask questions and be upfront about what you want.
All images taken and owned by Xtraordinary Photography
Having met Katy and Martin for the first time last year, I was very much looking forward to their wedding being my first of 2013. They will be exchanging vows in Alnwick in March but we decided on somewhere a little closer to home for their engagement shoot today. It was a bit chilly in Jesmond Dene as we walked down towards the park, but this lovely couple didn’t let it bother them at all! Here are a few of my personal favourites from the shoot….
You may have noticed if your a follower of my Twitter feed, a friend on Facebook or a regular visitor to my website; that I emphasise quite regularly the fact I will shoot a maximum of 25 weddings per year.
This is something my fellow photographers quiz me on regularly asking
“Why..”
“How can you afford to..”
“Is it a marketing ploy..”
Etc
Etc
Now the truth is it is a personal choice which I believe is best for me, my business and my family. When I tell potential clients that I will only shoot 25 weddings they often ask why with a look of intrigue. I am totally honest with them as to the reasons why;
For me, I don’t think I could offer the same level of professional and personal service to my clients if I was shooting 30/40/50+ weddings. Building a strong and successful relationship with my couples is paramount to ensuring that on the day there is a level of trust which isn’t questioned. I suggest (and ensure) that I meet with my couples 3-4 times at least before their big day so that I get to know the details, the personalities, the worries and the expectations for their wedding. And they get used to my sense of humour, enthusiasm and over use of the word Awesome!
As well as meeting the couples regularly, the engagement shoot is another vital element of the preparation. This session eliminates the worries, reservations and embarrassment some couples have about having their images taken. The feedback I get from these couples is conclusive and overriding feedback is that my couples have fun, laugh a lot, and generally enjoy an otherwise daunting experience.
I like to hand deliver proof books/albums/products wherever possible and of course this also takes time. I don’t just knock on the door and hand it over, I sit and have a chat, talk about the world and continue the relationship as much as possible.
One of my main phrases for explaining my logic is “I don’t want to become a production line of wedding photography”. Now before any other photographers think I’m calling their work production lines and start kicking up a fuss, I am not. I’m saying that I don’t want to shoot the same venue every other week, have the same decorations every other week and have the potential to have the same images every other week.
I’m quite proud of the fact I’ve only shot a lot of venues once. Obviously this will change as the years go by, but, I love going to a brand new venue with brand new ideas and creating something brand new! I can really take the time to step back and look at venues, couples and themes to make sure it is absolutely about them and not about the “best way to shoot that venue”. It is important, nay (always wanted to say nay!!), essential that I represent the personalities of my couples in their wedding photography and not impose my style on them.
Family. I love mine with all of my heart. I have two amazing sons; Oliver 5 and Noah 5 weeks, and a beautiful, funny and hardworking wife. Because I love them so, I want to spend time with them and although Wedding photography is my passion and my purpose in life (sounds ominous) I still want to spend weekends with the boys, go and see Oliver play football, have nights out with my Wife and spend time with my siblings, parents and Nephews. I don’t want to work every single weekend because I work to live and not the other way around. Sometimes I may lose sight of that and over extend myself but it is a means to an end to ensure my kids have the same kind of amazing upbringing I did!
My Family; Nicola, Sean, Harry, Susan (Mam), Me, Oliver, Laura, Ramsay, Sarah, Adam and Alex (Dad) at the front
So there you have it- quite simple I think; why I will shoot no more than 25 weddings per year.
Wow, so this is a big one. My beautiful Sisters Wedding sneak peek…….
When I’d offered/informed Sarah that I would be shooting her wedding, I didn’t quite anticipate just how difficult it would be, how emotionally charged I would be and how much I would dance when it was “Tools down” time! I’m also quite proud that when shooting this happy couple I only shouted “Get off my Sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” once……
Here are a few of my favourites so far from the big day…….
Last Sunday was a pretty special day. Ham, my friend for as long as I can remember tied the knot with the beautiful Helen. When I blog the full wedding I will give a bit more background to this couple, but for now, enjoy some of my favourites from the day…..
Pulling up the drive of Guisborough Hall for the first time, its fair to say I was taken aback- this place is stunning. Because of the wonderful jobs this couple have, this was the last opportunity we’d have to get together before their wedding in September. We sat and had a cup of tea, looked through albums, talked about the day, laughed lots and then headed outside to capture a very relaxed shoot. Sally & Chris eased straight into this as if they’d been in front of the camera for years. I often say it; but I literally cannot wait for this wedding!!…..Here is a sneak peek of their engagement session….
This one needs no introduction……Enjoy your sneak peek of Linzi and Pete’s beautiful seaside wedding….
• Husband to a gorgeous and rather hilarious Laura
• Father to Oliver- quite literally a carbon copy of me (it’s scary how much he acts like me...or me like him, haven’t quite figured that one out yet) and our brand new arrival Noah (born October 17th) who is amazing just like his big brother...and Dad..
• Loves Dr Pepper- the drink not the practitioner, Parma Violets and pineapple juice.
• Hates coleslaw (even though I like all of the ingredients separately), traffic jams and any kind of celebrity reality TV!
• Is 1.98m tall- that’s 6ft 5 ½ in old money
