Danielle - Playing with Shadows!

Danielle is one of my favourite people to photograph - I mean, look at her! She's 17 (almost 18) and she really does sparkle.
When my Yoda Mark (photography mentor extrodinaire) set up a mission for studio lights, she was my model.
I always say that if you make an effort to actually pose for the camera in this type of shot, it really pays off. Sure, you might feel stupid for like 30 seconds but the results are well worth it. And besides, who is there to laugh at you? Just me, and, let's face it, I am so untrendy that even my own HUSBAND calls me Scarecrow!

Jill rocks it out!

Jill has just been promoted at work and to celebrate decided to treat herself to some Good Golly, Miss Dolly boudoir shots!

We had a fine old time, Jill brought a suitcase full of props (I was worried she might be moving in to one of our spare bedrooms!) and we spent hours changing costumes, laughing, and generally aiming for the Moulin Rouge look!

It was great fun and afterwards we had a good cup of tea and a chatter which was lovely - though Jill did email me the next day to say she could barely move as I had made her work for it!

I hope it was worth it Jill, here are some of my favourites from the shoot. And congratulations on the new job!

My husband - the artist!

James is my best friend, my most ardent supporter.

When I decided I wanted to eventually become a wedding photographer, James was the one who said I wasn't totally crazy. When I started spending hours with my camera and computer, he never complained. When I was lucky enough to land some second-shooting posititions with some really really great photographers, he put up with my excited chatter at ridiculous-o'clock when I came home.

Yesterday, we were talking about my blog because all our friends are now checking in on what I am up to (hi everyone!). I had this great idea to draw a little dolly to sit on my page (in my head, it looked cute.)
I don't have a graphics tablet. I work on a £200 quid Dell with a chunky harking-back-to-the-early-90s mouse. Drawing a dolly was harder than I expected.

So I yelled for my hubby - he is a details kind of guy. Another thing I love about him. If anyone can draw me a dolly, it would be him, I thought...

...this was his contribution!! We laughed until we cried. It's so bad...he tried to delete it but just because he tried I wanted to share it with you.

So here is James's dolly...not quite what I had in mind but cute all the same!

Dolly's Rock Star Treatment....

At one time, photographers picked up their cameras and it was all about the film speed, the emulsions, the developing, the negatives and the darkroom. Different looks were achieved with different films...all gave different colour tones. You could cross process, split tone...it was all pretty creative! And it's a skill I envy as I can't process film.

But with the advent of digital photography - well, that was blown out of the water! The possibilities are limitless.

It's taken ages to develop my own photoshopping techniques (and I am still working on it) - but I did it so I could process my images like magazine formats, airbrushing, correcting and generally giving it the Rock Star Treatment!!

Some people don't like it and prefer to be left natural, but, as an example, I have some before and afters to share with you (not that the model needs it!) Though I will say, these are EXTREMELY photoshopped, I don't usually go this far!

Here we are: BEFORE



And AFTER :



And the very final image in its full crop:

It's all in the details...

If I say the word, 'vintage' to my best friend Joanna, she instantly wrinkles her nose in dismay. She is not the kind of girl who would spend hours forraging in a charity shop for a designer bargain. I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen her wear something 'retro' and she is so on point she often looks like she has stepped out of the pages of Glamour magazine.

I, however, am the complete opposite and came across a vintage wedding weekend held in Wimbledon, London.

It was hosted by Luella's Boudoir, a fantastic little shop which has every dream accessory brides could possible want.

And if you like vintage details, then this would have blown you away. From vintage jewellery, to 200 year old crockery they had it all.

Here are some examples, which might give some vintage-loving brides a few ideas. Don't forget - everyone is welcome to comment on my blog! I would be interested to hear your thoughts on retro weddings!

The vintage crockery was sourced by experts at The English Tea Party...

Beads and tiny flowers added to the appeal....







Vintage inspired jewellery was on display in lovely little bird cages....

Wedding Ideas Magazine, May 2008

James and I were married in October - it was a crazy day, as many of our friends and family can confirm! We won Galaxy's Arranged Marriage competition and were lucky enough to win our wedding, all expenses paid.

There were a few hairy moments as listeners had to vote on whether or not we won our dream Hollywood wedding. It was looking more and more like James would have to be dressed as Gandalf with me as a Playboy bunny!

But thankfully everything went our way and it was a splendid day. For everyone who wants a little reminder, here we are making the most of our five minutes of fame in Wedding Ideas magazine this month (reproduced with kind permission from Philippa Richards, editor.)

Our wedding photos were fantastic, and were done by my 'Yoda' whom I pester with endless questions, Dave Sander at 1ClickPhotography! Actually, I have two 'Yodas' who help me develop as a photographer - but Dave was the first! Then he put me in touch with Mark...it all went from there really. Anything I learn as a photographer, I learn from them. Thanks so much guys!

Good Golly, Miss Dolly!

Keeley, my model from last week, had so many of her friends checking out her pic on the blog that I thought I would share another one with you.

Here she is, striking a pose and having a great time!

Dolly Rocks!

My best friend Joanna is always one of my most favourite models.

Here she is. In all her glory. In Grimethorpe (it's as sexy as the name suggests) Rockin' that dress!

Good Golly, Miss Dolly!

Boudoir photography started off in America, I think. Brides wanted cheeky gifts to give their hubbies 'special' presents for their wedding nights. But slowly, and with the help of Gok Wan on How To Look Good Naked, the art of boudoir photography crossed the pond.

It's one of my fave things to do - because it is such a laugh and so great to see people's reaction when they see their photos (which have had the glam treatment with my post-processing secret recipe, yum yum!)

Sophie's Shoot

Thankfully! No rain! I hate flash so I was pleased for a bit of sun!

Here are some examples of the fun photoshoot myself and my almost-neice Sophie had last week. She wanted some funky portraits, check her out busting her moves.

She was a little shy at first but once she got into it, we had a great time.

Who would have thought we were in sunny Barnsley?!

(Don't worry everyone, the railway line was closed!)