Laura wanted some pictures taken of her Daughter, Isla, and we were pleased she asked us to provide her with some. We don’t rush our pictures and just wait until the time is right. Today Isla, who is just over 8 months old, took a little time to adjust to different people in the room. It was well worth waiting, we captured some lovely pictures, just right for surprise presents at Christmas.
One of our favourite subjects is Monochrome Portraits, sometimes called black & white! There is something special when the there is no colour to distract. They seem to have a more timeless appeal although they don’t have to be old fashioned or dull. We do prefer the more natural pictures but will of course arrange some during a session.
Adults, children, families all look great in monochrome. They are also great for people engaging in their sport, hobby or job.
Monochrome Portraits look fantastic in simple black frame with a classic mat. They are individually printed on Hahnemuhle Fine Art paper to last far more than a lifetime! We will soon be offering a new folio collection, watch this space!
A few of our Monochrome Portraits:-
A service we have covered for many years in a small way is Pet Portraits. While a phone camera picture records their existence, it can not capture their character like a professional portrait. These are important family members!
You don’t have to bring your animal to a studio, we come to you.
You may purchase a framed portrait or canvas which will grace any wall for many years
Here are a selection of Dog Portraits, we also cover cats, horses, chickens and everything else. Owners are welcome to be photographed at the same time if they wish!
Jennifer and Tom came to see us at the end of last year when they were visiting their family they also wanted a Pre-Wedding studio session. We needed to get together to talk about their Cornwall Wedding. It was lovely to see them, our communications up until then had been e-mail or phone, as they do not live locally. We had a nice chat about their Wedding at Polhawn Fort, Cornwall this year. We were so excited about their Wedding! We were not disappointed, it was wow – wedding blog soon!
As a Master Craftsman and a Craftsman of theGuild of Photographers, we were delighted to be invited to provide basic wedding photography training to a group of Guild Members at The Upper House, Stoke on Trent. Day one was was business training by Guild Director Steve Thirsk. We took over for day two. We worked through a whole wedding day showing the basics of posing, lighting and how to run a wedding day.
Each delegate had the opportunity to work with the couple in a range of ‘real wedding’ locations and situations that could occur on a live wedding!
A quote from one delegate:-
“I especially liked the way you made us adapt to different situations, ie lighting, space, surroundings etc. and the finer details, it opened my eyes, it really made me think. As a wedding photography newbie, it helped me more than you will ever know. ”
Last year in the Autumn we met with Amy and Tom for an outdoor Engagement session at Danbury Lakes. This is one of one of the nicest places to take an outdoor Engagement session particularly with the Autumn colours! Meeting here and taking some pictures of Amy and Tom meant a great deal to them as it holds very special memories for them. We had a nice walk taking relaxed pictures as we went and talked about their forthcoming Wedding at Smeetham Hall Barn, Bulmer in the Spring this year.
Prested Hall was the chosen Wedding Venue for Nicola and Rob’s Wedding. Arriving at Prested Hall we went upstairs to see Nicola. It was nice and relaxed up there with Nicola having the finishing touches applied to her hair and make-up. Robert was downstairs and once he was ready we took a few pictures of him, and a a couple of pictures with his Parents, Brother and Nephews. Robert then went off to join his Guests. Once Nicola was ready, her Father came into the room and saw her before we got on with a few pictures. 
It was soon time for the Wedding Ceremony. This was going to take place in the Garden Room once the Guests were seated. The children led the way. Keiran and Issac were the Ringbearers and theywere followed into the room by Ellie the Flowergirl. After that Nicola taking her Father’s arm made her entrance. Some lovely moments. 
After the Ceremony everybody socialised in the Lounge area for a little while, where we were able to capture some informal pictures. 
A little while later as it was dry and fine day, everyone went outside for a group picture followed by a few requested family pictures. Leaving the Guests for a few minutes we took Robert and Nicola for a few pictures around the grounds of Prested Hall. Not keeping them too long, we managed to take some nice pictures on and over the bridge. This was late Autumn and the light was going fast. Later, finishing off with a picture as the sun was going down was an added bonus.
Returning we took a few more requested pictures before we took Nicola and Robert into the Orangery to take a picture of them with their Wedding Cake. It was then time for the Wedding Breakfast. Once everyone had taken their seats we took table shots. Our coverage of Nicola and Robert’s Wedding finished once the meal was served. Congratulations Nicola and Robert, it was a lovely Wedding and we wish you all the best.
Louise made contact with us in the Autumn last year enquiring about some family portraits. Louise and other members of her family wanted some pictures taken in an outside environment for Mum’s Birthday. Danbury Lakes was the choice of venue and a lovely one to pick. We all had our fingers crossed for the day! As we left home to go to Danbury Lakes it was raining but a few miles down the road, sunshine! The afternoon turned out to be one of the best! The weather was fine, we walked around the Lakes stopping every now and then to take a selection of different pictures. It all worked well! It was lovely to hear from Louise again, we photographed her Wedding to Kevin in 2005 at Three Rivers Golf and Country Club and then photographed them with their daughter a few years later. It was also nice to see Kelly and Daniel again as we photographed their Wedding in 2011 at Stock Brook Manor.
Before the Wedding of Susannah and Keane at The Barn Brasserie, Great Tey, we visited The Crowne Plaza, Colchester. Susannah was getting ready there, everybody was relaxed and preparations were going well. Capturing a flavour of the day’s happenings was our aim.
Emily, Susannah’s daughter and the Flowergirls, Ruby and Susie were soon ready and we were able to take a few pictures of them in the adjoining room. Susannah was ready shortly after and following a couple of photos we left them to make our way to The Barn at Great Tey. We met with Keane and his Brother, Damien and took their pictures outside before the Guests arrived. This Autumn day went very well with the colours Susannah and Keane chose for their Wedding. Whilst waiting for Susannah to arrived we took a few Guest arrival pictures. The rain started just as Susannah arrived so under the shelter of umbrellas she was quickly ushered into the room to see the Registrars. We had a few minutes afterwards to get a couple of Bridal portraits. The Civil Ceremony took place in the Barn and once everybody was seated, Susannah made her way in escorted by Emily. Following the Ceremony, Susannah and Keane greeted their Guests and enjoyed the Drinks Reception and Canapés. 
As the weather was not playing ball we had to take the requested family group pictures inside. Fortunately, these Group pictures were not too big so we found space in the bar to do these. Later Susannah and Keane were quite happy to go outside for a few pictures of them. It was a warm day and the rain was on and off, we decided to chance it! It worked well, happy with a few pictures we returned to the Guests. An ‘everybody’ picture was wanted which we managed to do inside with the aid of our lighting kit. 
Soon it was time for the Wedding Breakfast. The meal was superb! Coverage of the Speeches followed the meal. Susannah and Keane’s Evening Guests then arrived. As the rain had stopped Susannah and Keane had a couple of evening pictures taken outside including them being covered with rose petals.
After cutting their Wedding Cake, Susannah and Keane had their First Dance. A little later we left them to continue the evening celebrations. A great couple and a lovely day!
We met Christina and Paul one afternoon in Highwoods Country Park, Colchester. This was for their pre-wedding photo session but also including their sons. When children are involved it is always good to meet them ahead of the big day as well as the happy couple! Highwoods Country Park is good for any type of outdoor pictures with places to walk, sit and lean. We walked and talked about the wedding for a little while before taking a few pictures. Christina and Paul’s Wedding is at Smeetham Hall Barn, Bulmer.
