PR shoot for NCT Beaconsfield Committee

Recently I joined the committee of my local NCT branch, and having never had the time to really read my newsletter properly, I never noticed the "pick and mix" nature of the images of the committee members in the front.

When I did however notice it, I couldn't stop thinking that I should volunteer to do something about it.

The photo shoot didn't have to include hair and makeup artists and glamorous poses, just a uniform/consistent look, where people were (preferrably) smiling.

I felt that the images should be informal and relaxed and not have a corporate polished look and feel to them. Afterall, we are mums volunteering and having fun while doing it. ;-)

So I did a 15 minute shoot, one evening before we started our meeting. I asked everybody to sit on the floor just outside the front door of the house where the meeting was taking place, and quickly took some pictures while we were chatting like only a bunch of mums can do.

Below is a selection of the images...
(ladies, I hope you understand that I couldn't show all of you! ;-) L)

Market in St Antonin, France

I went to the market in St Antonin today. What a wonderful vibe!!

Everybody was so friedly even though I can only just about manage Bounjoir, Merci and Au Revoir!

We've only got a few more days left before we return to "the Grindstone", and in a perverse sort of way, I'm looking forward to it.

I've loved my time in France, and I will be back really soon ;-)

Here are a few images I wanted to share with you...

My visit to Carcassonne, France

I've been very quiet recently and I suppose I can only blame that on being very busy getting everything done before we left for France for our holiday.

The weather down in the south has been absolutely fantastic... I've read some books (not done that for a long time), we've been to the beach and had lots of ice creams.

To be perfectly honest, I wasn't planning on blogging while we were away, but we visited Carcassonne yesterday. Only one word springs to mind - WOW!!!!

I just had to put some pictures on here to encourage everybody to visit it when they are next in this part of the world.

Have a look below...
(They are all chocolate toned as I felt it suited them best) ;-)

Malmaison Oxford - wedding setup and details shots

On Sunday 26th July I headed out to Oxford again to go and photograph a wedding setup and detail shots for use on some marketing material that the Hotel are planning to produce in the near future.

Timing was of the essence, as I had to take all of the shots I needed between the staff putting the finishing touches on the rooms, and the bridal party and guests starting to turn up.

At the end of the day, I finished just in a nick of time, because as I walked out of the Visitors Room, the Groom and some of the guests stepped out of the lift.

Here are a few favourites...

Helen and Paul's wedding at Sheepdrove

On Saturday 25th July I assisted a friend of mine, Paul Glavin, at one of his weddings.

Helen and Paul Jackson chose one of the only days in July that turned out to have decent weather and blue skies.

The ceremony took place at St Peter’s Church in Earley and then everybody made their way to Sheepdrove Eco Farm and Conference Centre just outside Lambourne (Berkshire).

Apart from the Thunderbugs (that's what I was told they were called) getting absolutely everywhere ;-0, we could not have asked for a better day or a more imaginative couple.

It was a beautiful service, jolly reception and surely an occasion that everybody would remember for a long time!

Here are a few of my favourites from the day...

















Here is a link to Paul's Blogpost of the day.

Malmaison Oxford - Truly Superb Wedding Venue

I went to a meeting at Malmaison Oxford a couple of weeks ago to meet their new Event/Wedding Coordinator.

We had a lovely chat about our way forward and exchanged lots of ideas and possibilities to cement our relationship. I feel it is my great priveledge to be their preferred Wedding and Event Photographer.

Every time I go there I feel inspired and can't help but take even more photographs. This time I had a chance to get into one of the rooms (because they seem to be permanently full - which is great) and also had a good look outside, as it was raining on the previous occasions that I was there.

I've put a few images below to hopefully inspire you to go and see for yourself...











I'm doing a Wedding Setup shoot there in a couple of weeks, so there'll be more images soon.

Flower Photography at Crocus

It's not often that I get the chance to do any photography for myself anymore. In fact the last photo I took (that was not for a client or pictures of my kids and holidays), was probably a good 3-4 years ago. I was active at a camera club then and frequently entered competitions.

Nowadays, the business keeps me so busy that I see the bluebells in the woods and promise myself that I will go and photograph them this year, and before I know it, it's been 4 years and I haven't been anywhere near the bluebell woods.

I LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING FLOWERS - There, I've said it. I've admitted to being a closet flower photographer.

So on Saturday 27th June, Crocus, the worlds best online garden centre (in my humble opinion) opened its doors to the public, and they did not have to invite me twice. I spent a delightful morning there photographing all the wonderful varieties and georgeous colours and shapes. I think I was there for about 3.5 hours, and didn't even cover half of the site.

Of course I ended up buying a boot full of plants, including some fabulous roses, but that goes without saying, doesn't it? ;-)

I had a long chat with one of their buyers, Mark Straver, and he gave me an excellent overview of their operation, the workings and some good tips on a couple of problem areas in my garden. I was very disappointed that the tour that was advertised on the email that I had received from them was done so in error and was only applicable to the previous open day that was held a few weeks earlier (before Chelsea). But as I said Mark did an excellent job at answering any questions that I had.

Here are a couple of the images I took that morning (obviously only a very small selection, because you can just imagine how many I took over the 3.5hr period.)

Enjoy