Check out the new posting on the Boudoir blog

I know, its been far too long - again!

I have been busy with the more unusual over the last couple of weeks, but have had time to 'slip in' a boudoir photography session. Check out the dedicated boudoir blog for some of the images, here is a teaser below.

Busy busy busy

Time certainly does fly by, yet again I appear to have neglected the blog.

I think that the beautiful weather we have been having has got people thinking about weddings. Lots of enquiries over the last couple of weeks, including some winter weddings, so a busy time with appointments etc. Its been particularly lovely to find that quite a number of the enquiries have been coming via recommendations from one of my wedding venues.

Tomorrow is to be taken up by a product shoot, which is a little different for me and then even more different is an interior design shoot next week. Both challenges I look forward to.

Some of you may know that I have also been busy at home having a new kitchen and office fitted. Nearly there now. It will be nice to be able to cook and yes, even wash up again. I have no doubt it will take me a week or so to get the new office laid out properly but it will be worth it.

My husband and I have had a weekend away in Bournemouth since my last post, but of course I never go anywhere without my camera. The fantastic weather we had gave us the opportunity to walk along the seafront and gave me the opportunity to take some shots to add to my portfolio with the stock agency I supply.

Busy time one way and another

Gosh, I did not realise it had been quite so long since my last posting.

Its the time of year that I have my cameras serviced and cleaned, so they have been away to Canon. That obviously restricts taking photographs, but I must know that my equipment is in tip-top condition. So I have been spending my time getting new sample wedding albums designed and printed. (I will post some photos over the next few days). It does mean an awful lot of work on the computer, but I like to design my own albums not just pay for someone else to do them. I am very pleased with the end result. I have also been spending time going through a backlog of 'stock' photographs to send to my agency. These have to be absolutely perfect or they will not accept them, so lots of time is spent viewing actual pixels at 100%, then 150% just to ensure there is not a teeny tiny speck of dust anywhere! Yes, they are that strict. Very tiring on the eyes to say the least.

Of course I still have to do all the 'house' stuff and we are having a new kitchen installed this month, so the last couple of days have been spent completely emptying the old one, not much fun, but I am looking forward to having a kitchen that is less than 30 years old, which is what was here when we moved.

Just a little update

Well, what a smashing few days its been. The weather has been superb and the company just as good if not better. I had a meeting the other day with one of my brides and her husband to be. It really is nice to be able to spend a little time with clients, it helps us all to get to know one another and therefore relax when the big day comes, as well as having the time to allay any concerns they may have. Most of my weekend was actually spent in the garden as the weather was so lovely. Although my back is still aching now, I know that when my veggies all appear in a few months time I will be grateful!!

Today was a little different for me. My son is taking 'A' level photography so we went out together with the cameras. (My cameras I hasten to add - good job I trust him not to drop them!) We did walk for what seemed like miles but it was really nice to spend the time together and for me to give him a little bit of advice, which I think he appreciated. So not only has he got some very nice photographs to take to school with him tomorrow but I now have a couple of hundred to upload to the stock agency I supply. Win win all round I think.

Just a little aside, I have noticed that a number of people have been having trouble finding the boudoir information, you need to go to the Boudoir Blogspot at the moment, as my website for that is still under construction.

For everyone that had portraits taken for your Mothers day gifts, they should arrive with me tomorrow, so they will be in your hands by Friday.

Can you afford NOT to have a wedding photographer?

I visited a friend last night that I have not seen for some time and we were talking about my own wedding 18 months ago. It got me thinking and I have decided to write of our experience.

Now, we had a fabulous wedding, all arranged in 6 weeks flat. I purchased my dress about 2 weeks before, and 4 days (yes 4) before the wedding we still did not have a venue for the wedding breakfast let alone a menu. Not to worry, I love a bit of stress. So I booked a marquee for the garden (Bourne End Marquees - fab and really helpful), and ordered a huge Indian take away to be delivered. So the marquee arrived and was erected two days later (filled most of the garden mind you) and I rushed off to Ikea for lights, drapes, candles and crockery. Mum did the flowers which were beautiful and my two sister in laws did my hair and MADE me wear make up (which I don't normally). We had a registry office wedding then back to ours for copious amounts of champagne and curry. I should mention here Saffron in Maidenhead, fabulous Indian takeaway delivered to your door. We only had close family and friends on the day, (approx 30 people) and a party for everyone else the following day.

Now, I expect you are wondering where I am going with this. The point I am coming to is that (I know, I know, I should know better!!) we did not have a wedding photographer. We thought we could get everyone to bring along their cameras and we would have a record of the day. Fine in theory and it may well work for some people, but it is our one regret of the day.

I am sure no-one will mind me telling you that we do not actually have very many 'usable' photographs from the day. Imagine you go to a party and there are lots of snaps taken, some out of focus, some with heads chopped off, some taken from so far away you cannot actually see anyone properly, etc, you get the picture. And I hasten to add, this is not a criticism of anyone and I really intend no offence. At the end of the day, these are family and friends that have come together to share your special day with you, to enjoy themselves, have a nice meal, a few drinks and have a good time. They are not there to spend their time concentrating on whether or not they should take a photograph at a particular moment in time, to check what quality their camera is set at, to make sure that lighting is good and there is not a tree that appears to be growing out of the back of your head. They do not normally have 'high end' professional equipment and they certainly do not bring spare cameras, flashes, memory cards, or batteries in case anything fails. They are not there to do a job, they are sharing your day with you and there to give you their blessing and love. And even with the best will in the world, they will not be there to take all your 'getting ready' shots, your arrival at the ceremony location (they will probably be sitting inside with their spouse like everyone else), they are unlikely to be allowed to take shots from the front during the ceremony, will not rush outside to get those shots of you leaving, and believe me, once they sit down for a meal and a drink they will, rightly so, only want to mix with their friends and family and enjoy the day. They will not be taking photographs of peoples faces and reactions during the speeches, they will be focusing on what is being said and enjoying themselves like everyone else, as they should be. The cameras will be forgotten and no more photographs will be taken until maybe a quick snap of your first dance, which will no doubt be taken from behind half a dozen other people so their heads will be in the shot too.

So thats it, your day is over, you spend months (or more) trying to get all your friends and relatives to burn a disk for you, gather them all together and sit at your computer in eager anticipation. Will they all be high quality resolution? I doubt it. Will they all be usable? I doubt it. Will the white balance have been set correctly? Guess. Will you be able to have your favourite one printed nice and large to go on your wall? Possibly not. Are there going to be some beautiful photographs you just the two of you sharing a quiet moment together away from the hustle and bustle? I would say not.

We had a lovely wedding album purchased for us as a wedding gift. It is still in its wrapper and still has no photographs in it. That is why I ask if you can afford NOT to have a wedding photographer. You won't be doing it again, hopefully. You will never show that same nervous anticipation whilst getting ready, or put that beautiful dress on again. You will never look so happy again, you will never show that same emotion again that you did when you saw your future husband or wife just before the ceremony. Will you ever be able to get all those same friends and family together again? There is only one time you will cry whilst exchanging vows, there is only one first kiss as husband and wife, only one cutting of the cake, only one first dance, I could go on but I won't.

So there is our one regret about our wedding, and some of the reasons why. We have said many a time that we would not change a thing about our wedding, even down to the Indian take away, except that we would have a professional photographer. We talk about doing it all again just to get the photos, but I know it would not be the same for all the reasons above and more. Plus, getting married can be expensive! The dress is in the wardrobe, the food has been eaten, the drink has long gone, the lawn has grown back (sort of) and the party is over. Still, we do have good memories at least.

Visit to wedding venue

Finally I have managed to grab the time to visit Fredricks Hotel in Maidenhead which is the venue for one of my Weddings this year. Sarah and Ian are getting married there in June and what a fabulous location it is. Marsha the wedding co-ordinator was generous enough to take the time to show me around, thank you Marsha. If you are still looking for a venue for your wedding, be it small or large, Fredricks is worth taking a look at.

From a photographers point of view it looks perfect. There are lots of large windows to bring in the natural light, spacious rooms, some rooms have a balcony overlooking the manicured gardens. There is a swimming pool and spa area (Trash the dress Sarah? - lol ) The gardens have some beautiful sculptures and plenty of shade under the trees for when the sun is beating down. I will be visiting again a week or so before the wedding, can't wait to see all the flowers in bloom, particularly the jasmine over the pagoda.

Spring around the corner - so is Mothers Day.

I really like it when March has arrived, it means Spring is just around the corner. The daffodils have already opened up in my front garden although the snowdrops are just starting to fade. I can just see signs of new growth in the flower beds with the start of my 'sea hollys' and 'peonies' poking through the ground. Some nice sunny days too, which always gets me thinking I should be out with the camera adding to my 'stock' photo portfolio. Maybe I will wait till the cold spell thats forecast has been and gone.

Talking of the weather, I am keeping my fingers crossed for Saturday morning. I can't say too much for fear of spoiling the surprise, but I am taking some photographs as a surprise pressie for someone. I will be able to tell you more next week. (As long as it does not pour with rain!).

If you are thinking of a portrait as a Mothers day gift, the last date for a shoot is 13th March and decision on the photograph you would like must be made by 15th March. This is to ensure arrival of the print by Mothers day.

I noticed from my stats that my blog has had a couple of visits from Thailand, so if you read this girls and boys, hope you are having a fantastic time. xxx