Blog

The Roles at your Wedding Day - the Best Man (part II)

2011-09-16T10:15:00.000+01:00

The role of a Best Man signifies that the Groom trusts you the most. So, you will be at his side on the wedding day. While your role at the wedding is one of the most significant ones, you are also responsible for arranging the stag night a few days prior to the wedding.

Of course, you will be consulting the Groom, yet there is a room for some innovative inputs from your side as well. Besides, you are also in-charge of the Ushers and need to ensure that they are well-organized and well-prepared for the big day.

As a Best Man, you are expected to be the greatest support for the Groom from planning to execution, stay with him on the wedding eve, make sure he arrives at the Church on time, walk the Chief Bridesmaid down the aisle, hand over the wedding rings when it’s time to exchange them, dance with the Chief Bridesmaid, compose and deliver a witty (but civilized!) speech at the reception.

Don’t forget that is also your role to drive the wedding photographer to recognize key guests (family members and close friends) and help with the group shots to get guests ready for the photographer’s guided poses.

Maternity photography, the celebration of Mother nature

2011-09-12T20:38:00.000+01:00

There is not such a touching and rewarding job as taking Bump portraits at home.
While expecting their baby girl, Erin and Jack wanted to frame this emotional as much as unique time of 'their' pregnancy - at 36 weeks...not long to go! - with a fantastic and magnificent experience as it's a Bump photography.
Erin was totally at ease with us and wouldn't mind to take few photographs of her beautiful naked body shape, helping our creativity and imagination work limitless, by using the house extensively and changing outfits and poses as the work unfolded.
We are sure Erin and Jack will treasure those sweet images for many years to come and, obviously, we can't wait to meet their girl soon and see the birth pictures!
We wish Erin and Jack the best of luck for the delivery and lots of happy and unforgettable moments together!!

The Roles at your Wedding Day - the Chief Bridesmaid (part I)

2011-08-15T10:50:00.034+01:00

After the Bride, Chief Bridesmaid is the next important lady at the wedding! As a Chief Bridesmaid, you’d better remember that you were chosen by the Bride among, maybe, hundreds of friends and family, especially for your special affinity with her. So it’s your responsibility to repay the trust shown by the Bride and assist her in all the pre-wedding preparations as well as during the event itself.

The Chief Bridesmaid role starts quite early, around 4-6 months prior to the actual wedding date; essentially, a Chief Bridesmaid is like a shadow to the Bride in being with her, assisting her, advising her, motivating her. Careful to remember that the Bride is the decision-maker and you must respect her decision; your reasons for divergence of opinion, though, may help her to take a more critical decision (i.e. while selecting the wedding dress).

Chief Bridesmaid is also responsible for helping the Bride in selecting your own dress and the outfits of the Bridesmaids. Coordinating with the Bridesmaids and informing them of their precise role is a part of your responsibilities. Arranging for, and conducting, wedding rehearsals is also something that the Chief Bridesmaid needs to plan and execute.

The CB will also need to coordinate and rehearse with the Best Man, since she will be walking down the aisle with him.

A day before the wedding is usually spent with the Bride so that she remains relaxed throughout the day and doesn’t develop cold feet on the wedding eve. A positive and encouraging talk in the evening and motivating the Bride with all good things wedding will bring in her life is a sure way to set her mood for the occasion.

It’s a very good and practical idea to have an ‘emergency kit’ in the car ready for the occasion so that the often miss-able chores can be covered. Pack the bag with things like tissue, baby wipes, safety pins, lipstick, comb, brush, nail filler, mouth freshener, hair spray, hair pins, hair grips, analgesics, spare earrings and/or other jewellery, and a switched off (but working) mobile phone.

You may be expected to make a speech at the reception, so be prepared well in advance and if possible, do let the Bride know in brief what you are going to say so that there isn’t anything in the speech, which the Bride might disapprove.

Another exciting aspect of being a Chief Bridesmaid is to arrange hen party. Usually, hen parties are organized around a couple of months before the actual event. Again, a speech is something that you need to prepare well for the hen party. Essentially, the hen parties are meant to enjoy the last few days of Bride’s single status, so the idea of the speech is a goad the Bride to hit the salon and pamper herself to look beautiful on the wedding day.

More Roles to follow like this, keep posted!

NEW Wedding Albums on iPad now available

2011-08-12T10:23:00.000+01:00

Shots of You photography is glad to offer a dedicated package that includes an iPad pre-loaded with images from your special day.

It’s a simple, yet brilliant way to get both Bride and (especially) Groom more excited about the album — while assuring their photos won’t lie forgotten in a dusty album years later.

The digital trend is catching on, the iPad adds a bit more immediacy to the images, as well as a sort of permanence in a new digital age: photos look great on the iPad.

What better way to show off your wedding photographs, that on a bright, crisp, vivid display.

It is a fantastic way friends and family to see you photos, and looks great set up on a shelf as a digital photo frame.

And future Grooms light up when they see the iPad package!

Of course, if you plan on actually taking the iPad with you everywhere you go, it’s a good idea to also keep a physical photo album somewhere, even if it’s in the darkest recesses of a closet.

Hard copies may fade and collect dust, but they are much less likely to have a data failure, break, or get stolen.

We enjoy gadgets, not because they are new diversions for an ever shrinking attention span - they are, but that’s not the only reason. We like gadgets because we are fascinated by the creativity and thought that went into making the doo-hicky.

Photography, for example, is an area where innovation relentlessly pushes technology forward.

Film cameras are now anachronisms, relicts of a time and a discipline kept barely alive by a few diehard devotees. Further, today’s pocket cameras can produce images that equal those that came from professional quality SLRs only a few years ago.

The iPhone 4, with its 5 megapixel camera, can produce amazing photos, and it seems like there’s a new app that broadens the capabilities of what the camera can do being offered daily.

For information on our specific iPad package, or to have an Ipad as part of a bespoke package, or to add the iPad app on top of an album package, contact us or just get in touch on 07817 693343.

Louise & Dean, Wedding at the Farm

2011-08-04T15:15:00.000+01:00

A week ago we got to visit a new, 'non-regular', wedding venue. It was the first time we went to Lumb Farm, just off Ripley, and this modern, refurbished farm was a revelation of originality and practicality for the married couple and guests alike.

It doesn't happen so often to assist such a 'touching' wedding like this of Louise and Dean, where personal history and family feelings come along the day with tender and sweet sensitivity.

Louise got ready at home so our first stop was to grab few shots of details, bits and bobs, and things happening. The available light was just perfect so we managed to keep a very low profile without using flash, and let everybody - especially four beautiful young bridesmaids - get on with what they were getting on with.

We wandered up to the church to meet up with the bridesmaids, some of whom were less sure of us than others.
It was a shame we were not allowed to take any shots of the ceremony but we managed to record the unfolding of the day just outside the Eastwood United Reformed Church with family and friends.

With a vintage car on hand, and a front door like this, you simply have to make use of it for a smiley posy picture.
Then we spent some more time floating around for informal shots, and yes, the kids stole the show :)

We finished off by walking a very obliging Bride & Groom around the grounds to get as many shots of the gardens as we could before dinner.

Congratulations Louise & Dean!

Make the most out of summer light on your wedding day

2011-07-18T20:58:00.000+01:00

Interestingly, during some of the weddings I’ve been taking pictures at this summer, Brides are terrified by how bad weather will be on their perfect day and, consequently, plan their reception inside to avoid disappointment and an unplanned change of plans.

It’s perfectly understandable wanting to make everything perfectly working without having to worry too much about how weather will be – especially in this country! It wouldn’t be a win-win situation... However, don’t forget that summer can offer the best natural light shots of the whole year, where lots of candid spontaneous shots of the Bride and Groom, but also of all guests, can be taken without many technical restraints.

Also, a good professional photographer will be able to drive through a second plan B in case of rain, and get all the basic and creative shots you’ve been talking during the pre-wedding meetings. So don’t be afraid, let the natural light and the warm joyful moments of being outside make your special day even more perfect...

If you’d like to tell us your view on the ‘outside’ planning matter, why not dropping us your comments?

Basic Wedding Photography Coverage & Essential Wedding Shots

2011-07-08T10:35:00.000+01:00

When it’s time to think and decide how many hours wedding photography you might need, everybody can at first very unclear ideas, as this decision never occur to be taken.

However, even with the small budget available and in case of a basic wedding photography required, there are some shots and ‘precious moments’ that cannot absolutely be missed.

First of all, there are few things that can help ‘shorten’ the photography hours required:

Having the ceremony in the same place of the wedding breakfast reduces the transfer time from one place to another one, so it gives you more chances to optimize your photographer’s work;
Reducing to a minimum the number of guests, so the time to ‘move them around’ the wedding venue or, worst of all, from church to reception venue, again, reduces the photography coverage;
Ask some of your guests, normally the Best Man and Bridesmaids, to help the photographer to identify ‘key’ guests (Bride & Groom’s parents and close family member) and gather all them together for the posed group shots;
Discuss and decide together with your photographer the plan for the day – give confirmation of times, program, guests attending and any other requirement you wish, as the failure in doing so might slow down the course of photography and likely increase the hours the photographer has to spent at the wedding.

It would also be a good idea to agree with your wedding photographer which ‘essential’ shots you want them to be included in the service, as once this is done there are no other ways to get back.

In a 2 hour wedding photography coverage, starting from the ceremony (at the same reception place), we recommend:

Groom, couple’s families, Bridesmaids and Best Man’s portraits
Bride arrival in car with Father
Heading to the ceremony and ceremony (subject to priest concession)
Couple getting out the church, confetti shot, other candid spontaneous shots of married couple and all guests
Basic group shots (depending on time remaining, from 3 to 6 posed shots)

For a 4/5 hours wedding package, we suggest:

All above, with group shots extended when required and preparations of the Bride and/or Groom
15/20 minutes married couple alone
Start of reception with toasts, details of the breakfast and other close-ups, ‘fake’ cut of the cake

To know more how we can help you identify the right wedding photography hours for you, contact us today via our contact form or call us on 07817 693343. We’ll be happy to assist you!

30% off on Signing Boards

2011-05-05T12:40:00.000+01:00

Continues our fantastic offer on the popular Signing Boards!

Your beautiful engagement (or pre-wedding portrait) image will be mounted on a heavy board and then framed with a wide mount.

This can be placed at the reception for all the guests to sign with a special message.

Choose between 3 different sizes:

20'x16' ~~£69~~ £49

20'x20' ~~£80~~ £56

20'x24' ~~£74~~ £52

The signing boards are for just a print and the mount, no frame is included but can be easily added.

What to look for when searching for the Wedding Venue

2011-05-04T12:38:00.000+01:00

When choosing your wedding venue and wedding location, it can be a good idea to consider, among all other factors, how your images will represent your day. It’s important to think about the issues.

It’s important to remember the images you will be able to produce at the wedding location and venue will only be influenced by the visual conditions available. If you have any concerns at this stage then consider your options. A compromise as to style and location could still give a great album whereas inflexibility may restrict your choices.

This is a key point for the Bride and Groom: a good photographer will not be able to recreate exotic locations or marble walls in a wedding album unless the location of the wedding is to be held at such a place. Not just church and group shots.

When choosing your wedding venue, look for spacious areas where group shots can be taken easily and nicely (if you’re fancy group shots), like gardens, parks, venue large steps and large patios. Porches and galleries are suitable places for the Groom and Bridesmaids’ portraits before the ceremony, while gazebos, along the river benches and ponds/lakes’ walks are a perfect setting for Bride & Groom photos. The indoor rooms should be big, with high ceilings and large windows in order to allow natural light to get in and avoid the use of flash light. Old buildings offer a variety of shooting options due to the richness in paintings and vintage accessories (chandeliers, antique chairs, matching linen, etc). Marquees with external patio and garden are the ideal location for candid shots of all guests.

For winter weddings, besides recommending you to anticipate the ceremony and wedding breakfast time, try to look for an open space outside where there are not high trees which may hide the available light for precious outside shots.

To receive some more wedding venue photography tips, and to know about our winning ’20 minutes secret recipe’, contact us today or call us on 07817 693343.

Shots of You photography is Contemporary Wedding Photography

Can you afford a Wedding Planner?

2011-04-22T09:40:00.000+01:00

It must be confusing for a couple when thinking to hire a wedding planner, considered the variety of prices, solutions and approaches available. We didn’t know the Wedding Planning industry in UK is not practically regulated, as it is, unfortunately, the category of photographers. There are of course two association of professional wedding planners but nobody regulate their works and check that hobbyists sell themselves as professional planner.

Only by talking to Louise Jones at Veils and Vows we realised how different things are.

Louise says: 'A helping hand and a friendly smile - I think that is what every bride needs when planning her wedding'. We totally agree with her.

'Calming reassurance and honesty', that's should be the principles of each Wedding Planner.

Being fair about the choice of suppliers in order to offer every Bride the matching service required without benefitting some for the mere commission exchanged.

Identifying the strengths and styles each supplier can provide and tailor made them to suit the Bride & Groom’s personalities and wishes.

Offering different level of service, because couples must have the opportunity to choose the help required, following their ideas and budgets.

Being genuinely and professionally available to share opinions, giving solace when needed, and overall being honest with services offered.

Then, a professional wedding planner becomes affordable and reliable. In this respect, we feel we can easily recommend Louise professional services.

Veils and Vows image copyright

Wedding Inspiration - Trash the Dress

2011-04-01T22:16:00.000+01:00

Are you considering Trashing your wedding dress?

Or perhaps you’re just intrigued by the whole concept of rocking your frock, drowning your gown (honestly!) or “fearless bridal” photography. Trash the Dress isn’t only for wedding dresses: I’ve seen photoshoots of prom dresses and ballgowns being ‘trashed’ too. Many photographers all over the world offer Trash the Dress – or a variation of it – as part of their portfolio.

It may be true that the original idea behind Trash the Dress was for brides to prove to their new husbands that they were done with the dress, they’d married for life and wouldn’t need it again – so they could safely trash it as a symbol of their everlasting love.

More believable is the story that many brides wanted to get creative, artistic photography and wear their wedding dress just one more time for fun! f you’ve decided you want to have some fun in your wedding dress, and play at being a model for the day, then Trash the Dress is for you. Just go prepared – know what you want and have a great time!

The golden rules of Trash the Dress:

1. Have fun! Make the most of being the centre of attention, leave your inhibitions at home and play!

2. Accessorize. Take your favourite pair of glittery red heels / pink converse / frog wellies (delete as appropriate). Love surfing? Take your board. Got a horse? Ride it. Add a hat, your sunglasses… you get the picture.

3. Choose your Trash the Dress photographer wisely. They should be experienced, know the area, set clear boundaries and listen to your ideas. They should also share their own ideas.

Will it ruin my wedding dress?

I’ve seen photographs of wedding dresses being properly trashed, as brides run into the sea, dive in mud, even one (admittedly photoshopped) fantastic picture of a bride in her wedding dress which was on fire. The pictures are striking and a wedding photographer’s dream – but in reality brides aren’t that keen on actually trashing their wedding dresses.

The majority of Trash the Dress photography shoots are quite kind to the wedding dress, and take place in interesting and unusual environments like urban landscapes and in beautiful countryside but without causing permanent damage to the dress.

Your wedding dress is more than likely to get a tiny bit dirty at the hem – but in most cases it will be ok to be cleaned. If you’re worried, discuss this with your photographer. They’ll be able to reassure you or share their previous experiences so you can decide whether trashing the dress is right for you.

Top 5 tips for your Trash the Dress photography

1. Choose a location with various aspects (e.g. a city centre with modern architecture, graffiti art and a park);

2. Take someone with you: your groom can join in if he still has his wedding suit;

3. Tell your mum! Feedback from photographers shows the mother of the bride is most likely to object to ‘trashing’ a dress!

4. Don’t be afraid to ask all kinds of questions before you book;

5. Make sure you choose an experienced Trash the Dress photographer, who understands the concept and will respect your dress!

Location ideas for Trash the Dress

Seaside – sandy beaches you can draw your name on, rock pools (take wellies!), driftwood, sand dunes and endless horizons make great pictures;

Countryside – forest and woodland, wheat fields in summer (ask permission), rivers and streams, lakes and hillsides;

Theme park – they might not let you on the roller coasters, but the backdrop is fun and you’ll have a great day out;

City centre – if your photographer knows the area well you’ll find a range of exciting urban landscapes to play in!

Favourite places – it’s nice to revisit favourite romantic picnic spots (why not take a vintage style picnic!) or the beach where you got engaged, your favourite UK holiday spot or somewhere that means a lot to you.

NEW Totally Renewed EASY Wedding Prices

2011-03-25T21:43:00.000Z

That's right! We have totally changed our wedding photography packages and prices to make simpler for couples to work out their needs.

Following our customers' feedback and comments when talking to engaged couples, we realized that quite often wedding photography packages put couples down because of their difficulty to be understood or great their complexity.

We are extremely keen to adequately respond to the market demands and, together with the 2012 prices just published, we have renewed our prices by adding two more albums choices to the existing one, and by structuring our prices in a way that your final cost has been tailored on your needs and your budget.

We are not giving packages away anymore but only a series of ideas and solutions couple can decide to take on. We will of course assist and advise whenever we've asked to but the final, individual, cost is made up by the simple sum of all items (being the coverage or an album or other presentation costs or additional expenses to consider), so to create a tailor-made package.

Here's a simple example of the concept:

1) Choose your Photography Coverage
you decide how many hours of photography you need - in doubt, we are here to help;

2) Do you want to keep all images with you?
you decide if you want to have a CD with all high res images of the day, royalty-free

3) Decide which Album you like most
you choose which album best fits your needs and budget, including Family & Friends books, within:

Traditional British Bookbound Album
Classic & Contemporary Italian Digital Storybook
Glamorous Italian Digital Photobook

4) Choose other Presentation options
you decide if you need other products, like a Canvas, a Wedding Box, a Calendar, to say but a few

5) Take into account all Other Expenses
like petrol refund, retrieval of old images, special editing requests cost, and so on

We think this is the correct way we can assure an incredible prices transparency, a fantastic easiness to get the right quote for you and a stimulating presentation of the options available to you.

Could that be easier than 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5?

To know more about our New Wedding Prices, please get in touch by calling 07817 693343 or emailing contact@shotsofyouphotography.co.uk

On-location Family portrait

2011-03-14T15:08:00.000Z

I had a chance to shoot an informal Family portrait at home during the weekend and the space available at Jo and Simon's was just perfect for the equipment. In fact, our mobile studio can be perfectly adapted to our customers' home spaces without compromising the fun and the quality of the photoshoot.
Jo wanted a relaxed, modern family portrait, so she helped me a lot with her two children who, by the way, after few minutes of shooting, were an explosion of poses ideas so had lots of fun!
They now look forward to seeing their pictures published in the password protected area to decide which ones will be chosen to go in the Acrylic frame. I'll shortly make the images available to them and let them enjoy the result of the photoshoot easily and privately at home; when ready, I'll do the presentation product for them and deliver the portrait to their house.
Enjoy some of the shots taken!

How to choose your Wedding Photographer - Part #1

2011-02-02T11:52:00.000Z

Photographs are the lasting reminder of your wedding day.

They record the atmosphere of your wedding, your choice of dress, colours, venues and guests.

They will be on display in your home, and the homes of the people who shared the day with you, or those who were unable to attend.

They are a record of the most special day of your life for you to look back on with future generations.

It is important then to find a photographer who is well qualified, experienced and aware of the requirements for your special day. You need to feel absolutely sure that the photographer you choose will capture the essence of your wedding and be able to make you and your guests look a million dollars.

Important things to look for:

· A professional, working photographer should be updating his/her book regularly;

· The ability to capture a moment, an emotion

· A flair for making the ordinary appear beautiful

· The ability to make the images tell a story

· The confidence to work under any weather, light condition and time constraints

· Confidence in shooting one person or a group of 150+ people

· An eye for using different locations well to set the stage for the photographs

· Use of light to enhance the mood of the photographs (various conditions shown in the portfolio)

· Formal, posed photographs which work well to the eye

Look at the work and decide if it speaks for itself. If it does, you are ready and confident to move on to the next stage of the discussion: the fees.

Relationship.

You are commissioning an artist, and if there is a lack of rapport between you, this could show up in the final product. If you want wedding photography which feels personal, your photographer should invest time in getting to know you (included the pre-wedding shoot), and even in visiting your venue and pre-planning shots. It’s about building a relationship. After all, this is the person who is producing the images of one of the most important days of your life.

To help steer communication in a clear manner, a photographer should keep up to date with the details of your day, and should provide a contract or terms in which they sum up what is expected of them:

· What the photographer is expected to do and provide for the fee agreed

· What the clients are expected to provide in order to assist the photographer in getting the best shots possible

· Details of the shoot – where, when, schedule, guest list, etc

· Fees exchanged

Agreeing this few months in advance means that client and photographer are moving towards the same goal – everything running smoothly on the day that counts, and the resulting images being the best they possibly can be.

Happy New Year to you and good news on VAT

2011-01-12T09:59:00.009Z

First of all, we wish you a healthy, happy and proficuous 2011 !

We all hope that this taught times of recession will soon end up, leaving us with more tranquillity and opportunities to enjoy our social and family life.

Despite the VAT increase to 20% from 4th January 2011, we decided NOT to change our wedding and portrait photography prices. That's because we believe many couples and families will still strive to cover all wedding and everyday life costs and we want to show our customers we are a professional and honest company.

Enquiry today about our unchanged prices by calling us on 07817 693343 or by emailing to contact@shotsofyouphotography.co.uk

Seasonal Greetings Video

2010-12-09T14:13:00.002Z

Watch the Christmas 2010 video

From all of us

a very Merry Christmas

and Happy New Year

Time for Christmas Markets

2010-11-30T16:50:00.001Z

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?

2010-11-24T21:41:00.000Z

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

2010-11-15T16:07:00.000Z

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!

2010-11-15T15:04:00.002Z

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

2010-11-08T16:26:00.000Z

‘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 !

2010-10-29T11:13:00.000+01:00

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

2010-10-28T18:12:00.001+01:00

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

2010-09-29T12:50:00.001+01:00

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

2010-07-28T17:39:00.000+01:00

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!

2010-07-10T10:22:00.003+01:00

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

2010-06-27T23:02:00.000+01:00

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!

Boudoir photography, still for few women

2010-06-11T10:33:00.001+01:00

Boudoir photography goes back decades, but still women don't know what's about, rather, I noticed many looking suspiciously at it as if it's something terrible or not to talk about because vulgar.

But boudoir is everything but pornography and nudity.

Sexy, gorgeous, desirable. You're all of that and more, and now you can prove it; if you want. To your husband, your boyfriend, your lover, to yourself.

Intimate boudoir photography with Shots of You photography is an experience you'll remember for ever. Close your eyes and see...with a glass of bubbly in your hand, and visions of Marlene Dietrich in your head, now you can relax, as I'll create stunning intimate portraits of you in satin and lace, till the level of nudity you will tell me to shoot.
In your own home, by a soft sofa, your king size bed, into a bath full of fluffly bubbles, the lighting's soft, the atmosphere creative and sensual, and the professional make-up artist is there for as long as you want her.

Take your time - beauty is best unhurried.
You will want to do this because it's his birthday; because it's your birthday; because it's Valentine's Day; because it's your Anniversary of 1st year of Marriage; because you love him; because you're a new you. Or just because.

I do the most sought-after boudoir portraits in the area; I do shoot alone, for hen-party group, on a gift-voucher, for a wedding surprise.
But the real surprise is that, no matter how luscious you look, how fabulous you feel, it's your personality that shines through.

He'll see you in a whole new light.

And where that takes you is entirely up to you.

I had to remove the Boudoir Portraits from this post due to the stringest rules Blogger establishes on "decent" conditions of blog usage. Being an Image Maker, for me, it's almost meaningless talking about something so new and visual without showing you what I mean, but please be so wide and interested to have a look at my Boudoir works on our Flickr pages.
Thank you for your kind patience.

Summer Events - FUN MORNINGS with NETMUMS Derbyshire

2010-06-09T11:32:00.005+01:00

Netmums in Derbyshire is a group of mums and mums-to-be that "wants to make friends in their local area".
Sarah, the organizer at the Derbyshire group, she's getting very enthusiastic with a series of Fun Mornings she organizes for the summer 2010, "especially as I've got so many companies interested in coming and helping me provide fun for the mums!"

It would be a mix of indoor and outdoor locations where adults and children can both enjoy the morning, "I think that it would be superb to get a bouncy castle if it's sunny and do the activities outside as well as having the inside to have things like the toy stall, your photography and refreshments".

First date is the 26th of June in Belper, but Shots of You will not be there.
Indeed, put down on your diary for Saturday 24th July + Saturday 21st August because Shots of You photography will be there at Netmums Derbyshire Fun Morning!

Saturday 24th July
from 9.30 till 12 pm
Belper Community Hall
Bridge Street (behind the local library)
Belper DE56 1AB
Parking is available outside the library or beside the Community Hall.

Saturday 21st August
Derby
Date TBA

For more information on both summer events, visits http://www.netmums.com or go to Facebook/Netmums in Derbyshire.

Register your contact details (complete name, email, address, possibly phone number) to http://shotsofyouphotography.co.uk/contactus.aspx or contact@shotsofyouphotography.co.uk to be entered into our Fun Morning's Prize Draw and WIN a Shots of You VOUCHER worth £50!

Wedding in the City

2010-06-06T00:41:00.007+01:00

Congratulations to Lizz & Stuart who celebrated their marriage in Manchester last Saturday with lots of friends and family coming all over from England.

After a ceremony at the Heron House, Manchester Register Office (which included a fantastic solo performance from Amy, the bride's sister) guests then enjoyed the short journey through the vibrant and lively atmosphere of the big city to the reception at the Band on the Wall, to enjoy some quality live music. The perfect setting for their 'personalities and lifestyle', would say mum Cyra!

During the drinks reception, guests enjoyed champagne and canapes in the bar area, followed by the groom and his best men's speeches. Then it was the time of Noel Ward, aka The Hoochie Coochie MAN-cunian, a well known artist in the Blues arena, to perform his fantastic live music, even whilst the dinner buffet was served - Lizz & Stuart worked hard to prepare lots of Mediterranean specialities, together with a finest catering - followed by a never ending of pop and revival songs. The dance floor was never empty and also the kids experimented some acrobatic dancing! It looked great fun!

Here are a few photos of the day, a very warm wedding ceremony and an informal as well as entertaining reception I would suggest to consider to every young couple who wants to contain the budget - without compromising the wedding photography, of course!

Lizz & Stuart have been a delight to work for, I do hope their day was everything they wished for and the photographs I've taken exceed their expectations!

Francesca x

Special Father's Day OFFER!

2010-06-04T23:30:00.001+01:00

Book your FAMILY PORTRAIT and give Daddy this Father's Day a lovely present he'll not forget!

Pay a 20"x16" MDF BLOCK WRAP £77 only, instead of the usual £230, to frame your favourite image with Daddy!

Don't wait too long!

The offer is subject to product availability!

Call us today to book your Special Father's Day Portrait.

Get a FREE Family Portrait at the Bump to 5 Show !

2010-04-21T10:37:00.005+01:00

SHOW OFFER!
Claim your FREE Family Portrait at the Show by presenting the “Lots for Tots” magazine coupon; the first 5 lucky families will win a stunning on-location Professional Family Portrait! Also, you can get £50 Shots of You photography vouchers as raffle prize!

The Entry is FREE and if you Pre-Register onnline, the first 500 receive a FREE goody bag on the day (http://www.bumptofive.co.uk/).

The Show opens at 10am with Rammie, there will be Mini Craft Workshops at the Westfield Stall, the Chill Out Zone provided by Carlton Day Nursery and, obviously, SHOTS OF YOU PHOTOGRAPHY!

We'll be at Level 4 - look up for lots of bubbles and balloons - come along and say hello - we'll be happy to show you some of our works and very pleased to meet you at this fabulous fun FREE day for all the family !

100 Stalls

FREE Parking

Activities

Demonstrations

Face Painting

Competitions

Freebies

Entertainment

100 Raffle Prizes to be won

Lunch & Refreshments

Real Dairy Ice Cream

See you on Saturday 8th May from 10am to 3pm at the University of Derby!
And don't forget, for any info or to just to have an informal chat with Francesca, call today on 07817 693343 or visit today http://www.shotsofyouphotography.co.uk/