Seasonal Greetings Video

Watch the Christmas 2010 video

From all of us

a very Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year

Time for Christmas Markets

The Christmas shopping started already and the weekends seem now assaulted by crowds of people who browse around for the best present (deal).
Have you considered visitng a nearby Christmas Market?
They can be fun for all the family: there are many markets at this time of the year all across the country (just Google Christmas Markets). Choose the one which is closest to you or the one you've heard about.
I've been recently to the German Christmas Market in Birmingham and, despite the bitter cold of last weekend, I enjoyed also looking at the many different ideas for presents, not to say how much I was tempted by authentic food and drink specialities... The kids also had some fun at the fun fair, so it was a lovely family day out just in time and with the atmosphere that preceeds Christmas...
Enjoy some photos of the day!

Photo Album or Photo Book?

For many people the difference between the two is confusing but the results, and the cost, are massively different.

 

Photo Albums, no matter the cover you can get, are normally Self Adhesive or Slip-in pockets album where you only need to insert/stick the prints you like to include. Every department store sells Photo Albums and you can get them as low as £8, depending on sizes and page numbers.

 

Photo Books are something different: because of the continuous binding and the print process – images are printed directly on the album pages – they look like books, which tell a story.

Modern wedding photographers use Photo Books, not only because of the quality and excellent performance of these  products, but for the fact that Books, due to the way they are bound and the paper and effects used (metallic, on photographic paper), are the perfect choice to ‘tell a story’. 

 

What better for your wedding?

 

Ethical Wedding Supplier Pledge for Brides

We’ve signed for the Ethical Wedding Supplier Pledge because we want to show our customer the high standards of quality and customer service we operate as professional wedding photographer.

Wedding businesses who sign up this pledge are showing they care. It’s an indicator of trustworthiness to help you choose wedding suppliers who won’t rip you off or let you down.

It’s our quick and simple way to say “You can trust us”.

To find out what the pledge is all about, click on the symbol below.

Launched LOVE in ITALY weddings Website!

Launched few days ago our New Business of Weddings in Italy through the creation of a brand new website, editorials, wedding fairs and ongoing campaigns.
Shots of You chose to partner with the most creative and stylish Italian wedding planner, Monica Balli Events, which has got a wide experience of weddings of foreigners in Italy and can offer any kind of wedding ceremonies, venue location and style.
We are so convinced this will be a success because, unlikely other organisations of wedding planning in UK or Italy, LOVE in ITALY weddings is the only organisation in the UK which can guarantee a personal and customer-oriented service while creating your dreamt wedding in Italy through local experts.
Also:

• Your first and main point of contact is 'personal' – people will be in contact from day one with a real person, with experience in the wedding industry, not an email system or a website;
• The best business in Italy is done in person and our wedding planners check out locations and services personally;
• Our Planners know all the "in's and out's" because they live onsite and can quickly and smoothly take care of any unpredictable situation;
• Your Wedding Planner really does speak English!
• The most unique Wedding Design service, brought to life by our brilliant team of experienced, enthusiastic people who have worked in the field for many years and strive to deliver the best wedding settings you can imagine thank to their unique creative skills and the professional training they received.

Among all wedding suppliers you may choose for your Big Day, only the Photographer and the Planner know every single detail of the day, inside out. That’s why our partnership can guarantee the most superior quality, success and unforgettable memory of your wedding.

Check out our website for more information and to get inspired by this beautiful country at http://www.loveinitalyweddings.co.uk

 

Shots of You helps ill children

‘Christmas is coming’ Shop Night is the charity event we attended last Thursday night, to support The Chidlren’s Trust for children with multiple disabilities and brain injuries. 

Shots of You donated a gift voucher of £50 value to support this special evening of Christmas shopping with fabulous inspiration, wonderful products and unique gifts. The lucky one who won the voucher we know already will go for a family portrait to be done at home or in our per hour studio. 

Also, there have been quite a few people signing for our Prize Draw Competition to win a Christmas Family Portrait – the perfect Xmas Gift! – and we’ll soon run the draw!

Visitors who pre-booked online got a glass of wine and goody bag on arrival. Visitors, exhibitors and other generous donators helped the Trust to raise just over £1000 altogether on the night! We are sure this is money well spent to help less fortunate children.

We will continue to support the Children's Trust in any way we can because we can stand with the idea of children suffering in any way.

To find out more about the Trust, forthcoming local and National events and to make your own donation, please visit http://www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk

 

New SHOTS Website !

Our main website has been restyled and revamped to give you a better surfing experience and show sone of our recent works in a more attractive way.
Check on the website because something really new is coming out soon... something about Italy!
For any enquiries, to subscribe to our eNewsletter or to book a free, no obligation meeting, use the contact form in the Contact Us page, or you can always email us at contact@shotsofyouphotography.co.uk

Entertainment at Weddings

It happened last Sunday to see at the Gateway Hotel Nottingham a couple of 'different' stands.
It's probably not fair to say, but it's likely that Wedding Fayres are often packed with stands exhibiting tiaras, wedding stationery, and similar (nothing against these businesses, of course!). Quite often, each event looks the same as many others.
Last Sunday there were 2 stands of weddings (and any kind of party) entertainment which we really like because made us thinking about the little ones at weddings.
How many times we see couples with children not enjoying the day? And children getting bored after the first half an hour of the day?
Wedding entertainment is a clever way to make everyone happy, both children and parents, and for some extra pounds on top of the wedding spending.
So why not think about hiring a kids entertainer to play in a little marquee, or a bouncy castle, or scalextric race circuits (all ages), or a casino table? The opportunites are endless and for all ages.

Photo by 'Slot Carz R Uz'

Alison & Mark's wedding - 25th September 2010

A massive congratulations to Alison and Mark who married on Saturday at the beautiful manor in Tewkesbury, the Hilton Puckrup Hall, followed by a reception.

A very elegant day planned by the couple and with a fabulous burgundy colour to be the wedding theme in all chair, bridesmaids and flower ornaments and decor.

Despite the previous days, on Saturday the weather was gorgeous so the guests and family could enjoy the aperitif and the after the ceremony cocktail some lovely warm sunshine in the garden.

The civil ceremony was full of emotions thank also to the intimate atmosphere created by the string quartet playing alongside the ceremony minister.

A professional harpist also enterntained the guests during the cocktail.

Beautiful stylish white, pink and red roses were all around the venue and on the tables during the wedding breakfast.

2-month old Baby Portrait

Today I've been doing a rewarding baby portrait of Lola, a beautiful 2 month old baby girl.
I don't know, but every time I do babies kids or bumps portraits, I feel so happy and satisfied of my job, so privileged of being able to give people something so precious.
Lola makes me staying with her all day: I didn't count the time I was spending while shooting because of her beauty and calming effect she had over me, that little and perfect tiny creature.
Even if you have to follow their patterns - sleeping, feeding, changing, sleeping and feeding and changing again - photographying a baby is so easy-going because whatever they do is eye-catching, whatever the expression they have is almost certainly a loving memory for the parents, the rest of the family and friends alike.
But what makes a great photograph from an average one is the creativity and the way you can play together with the baby's needs: the more you can "pre-view" new, cute, smile-making and loving images, the better job you do.
Enjoy some of the tiny moments of today's shotting with Lola...

                                  

    

Elvaston Beauties: the perfect portraits set!

   

It recently happened to shoot for a 3 and a half boy, Shaun, at Elvaston Park. I've been quite lucky I must say, despite the recent weather conditions of mix rain, dark clouds, strong winds and very few sunny spells; but for that shoot, I was lucky enough to receive a "coup de grace".

After the shooting, I  greeted my new little friend and his parents when realised that it was ages since I enjoyed the beauty and magic of the park, so I decided to take the chance to have a walk on my own and relax and enjoy the peace and the tranquility of this incredible park and castle. This is one of the many advantages of my work: I can be in many different beautiful places because people require me to be, and Elvaston Castle and Country Park is actually not only a great place to chill down with the family, friends or your loved one, but a fantastic place for magical portraits too!

Immerge yourself in the magic of the never-ending highest trees, or the birds-home by the lake, or somewhere by the castle surroundings and the stables. I could not resist to take some photos here, too tempting! Even by the Tower, among the tombs, the atmosphere surrounded by perfecly shaped and maintained garden is source of peace and gives perfect sense of artistic perspective.

Have a look at the images that follows. Can you see yourself there? I bet they suggest the same sense of inspiration for your next portrait..... In case, pick up your phone and call me:) Francesca xxx    

      

      

 

Back from Fire & Rescue Show @ Markeaton Park, Derby

This post is to comment last weekend Fire Engines & Rescue Show hold at the local Markeaton Park in Derby.

Having a lively and mad about Fireman Man character boy, we couldn't miss a two-day visit to our local park where, quite probably, he could have finally met his hero! So, as good parents do, we brought him to the park both days to admire the beauty of loads of antique and modern Fire Engines on display - an entire parc made available on the grass for the most curious there - and a live demonstration of Fire Rescue.

I believe our son mostly was impressed by the noise of sirens and the promptess of people involved in the action, more than the level of rescue's danger in itself.

It's been a nice show overall, but from the a kid point of view, it was more a fun fair entertainment experience. I'm saying this because I saw passionate people about Fire Engines, like the Memorabilia stallers - Train set with Fire Engines display stallers, with fire engines from all over the world and all times - and the old Fire Engines owners, definitely proud and jelous to own such antiques, proof past adventures!

The rest was mainly candies, lollies, donughts, fun fair exhibnitors, with the exception of the nice "Save the Parrots" people.

With these beautiful long days, warm weather, people and certainly children want to get out, spend their days and weekends outdoor; parks have certainly been crowded with the increse in temperature. So it's undoubtedly obvious that any event at the park - when well advertised - it's turning in a successful day out, for families but not only.

My question is: why the organisers of the Fire Rescue Show haven't been able to attract a greater number of people, I mean, is that because the only exhibition of fire engines and a demonstration of fire rescue did not excite enough the audience? Or because there was almost no children entertainment for the young public than a common and modest fun fair? Or because Fireman Sam appeared with the purpose of  conceding some photographs with him and some lucky ones and then disappearing later without conceding any fantasy performance or last minute surprise?

Come on, we all need to come back to childhood..... spending good time at the park doesn't necessarily mean to spend money on fun machines, we all like to be entertained!

Derby City Council - Parks Dept., I'm sure you can do better for your people....

Thank you everybody for the event, anyway!