Since doing the wedding in Kent I’ve been asked by quite a few people if the castle is as nice inside as it is on the outside. See what you think! ………
Front View - Leeds Castle
And here’s a photo that I took before the formals began ….
Just like my dining room at home 🙂
What do you think? It really is a beautiful castle ….. and obviously a fantastic venue for a wedding! Future brides and grooms – start saving now!
Leeds castle at Night - Hand Held!
I worked along-side another photographer doing a wedding at the very lovely Leeds Castle in Kent last weekend. I’m contracted not to divulge any details about the wedding couple or their guests but the castle was so beautiful that I just HAD to stop and take a quick snap shot as I was leaving after midnight! I didn’t have my tripod so this image was hand-held. It’s not perfect, but I’m pleased about how well it turned out.
Earlsdon Kids enjoy face painting
We had a great time at Phoenix in Earlsdon Street in Coventry and our face painter was great! I took loads of photos on the day and I thought I’d show you just a few! We’ll definitely be doing more next year and I’d highly recommend Verity from ‘Sweethearts’ Face Painting in Coventry.
Sat 10th July 11:30pm
Just got home and have been taking photographs all day today since 9am!
Face Painting and Photographs in Earlsdon
Photos to follow once processed
I had a lovely time in our family-owned shop today (Phoenix Office and Printer Supplies in Earlsdon, Coventry). I set up one of my small portable studios with 4 lights and white backdrop. We organised a Children’s face painter (Verity from sweethearts in Coventry, who was very good!). I took photos of the Children afterwards and gave them a 6″x8″ print to take away with them.
Note to parents of children who had their faces painted today – If we agreed a password during the photo session I do intend to post extra images of your child on my main website in the next week or so. I’ve got other work to do first but I will be putting your children’s images on my main website within the next week in the Children’s Portraits Gallery.
……………………..
Wedding Anniversary Celebrations for Mary and Mark Owen in Earlsdon
This evening I was booked to do a few family photos at a 25th wedding anniversary celebration in Earlsdon. We had a great time and, to my surprise, the people kept on coming! I really enjoyed myself, including meeting some past and present customers of our printer shop in Earlsdon. However, I was caught out by the shear numbers of photos I needed to do and so it will take me a good few days to prepare the images for viewing on a dedicated gallery on my main website 🙂
I’ll let Mary Owen know each time I add more images so she can inform her guests. I’ll do my best to get them up on the gallery asap.
Meanwhile, if you’ve got any problems or want an update please call me on 07739096632.
Vicky
I’m really looking forward to Saturday 10th July. I’m going to be working in my family-owned shop in Earlsdon in Coventry. The Earlsdon Street Traders Association is putting on some special events for shoppers as part of it’s summer ‘Earlsdon-On-Sea’ event and Phoenix shop is having a children’s face painter ……. and I’m doing some instant photos to go with it.
On the day I’ll be doing before and after shots of children (without and with faces painted) and using my event printer I’ll be printing off an 8″x6″ photo straight away for the children to take home. My aim will be to take several photos of each child.
I’ll also be putting on a small display of my canvas prints and my wedding albums …. And …. I’ll have some special offers available for anyone who successfully recommends me to do photography for future wedding couples …. And…… I’ll have a special offer available for family photo shoots at home.
Pop along on Saturday if you are near to Earlsdon in Coventry. You’ll be very welcome and if you’ve got kids they can get their face painted!
I’ll be based at Phoenix Office and Printer Supplies, 43 Earlsdon Street, Coventry, CV5 6EP all day from 9am to 4pm.
I always encourage my wedding couples to meet me before their wedding day at their chosen venue to discuss their ideas about their wedding day and to decide which photographs they would like and where in the grounds or buildings we will plan to take them.
Here’s a flavour of the practice shots I did for Kelly and Michael who are getting married later this month at the Royal Court Hotel in Coventry.
Kelly and Michael - this location will be ideal on the day
Getting Comfortable
I’m really pleased that Kelly and Michael took to the camera so easily. They are obviously very comfortable with each other and this really enabled me to get some natural shots right from the start. I know they are going to look great on their wedding day and I’m really looking forward to capturing all of their special memories for them.
I was asked to do a photo shoot at Leroy’s 30th birthday celebration in Coventry a week or two back. I processed the images a while ago but it’s only now that I’ve got round to adding a few images to this blog.
I’ll let the images do the talking. They were a great bunch of guys and were a lot of fun… and I’m really pleased that they had a nice time. It’s nice to have lots of individual photos but sometimes its fun to create a montage so I thought I’d do one here…….
Montage of Photos from Leroy's 30th
I tend to promote myself as a wedding and family/children’s portrait photographer but I’m equally happy to do corporate events and special occasions such as birthday parties. In fact, in the next few weeks I’m doing some anniversary parties and prom nights as well as some product shots for web sites.
If you know of anybody who might need a photographer for any of these things please let me know.
Vicky
From time to time I get asked to do weddings for other photographers. It was a real pleasure to take on the photography for Angie and Dominic who got married at Warwick Register office and then celebrated the rest of their day at the Saxon Mill just outside Warwick.
Angie and Dom were an absolutely lovely couple who responded well to the camera and had a very welcome laid back, easy going approach. Here’s a few taster images for them to look at. I’m sure they’ll be delighted with the photos and I’ll be processing the rest of the images and passing them on to the photographer who they booked with in the next day or two.
Best Man being nice to the Groom (For once!)
When I process images for my own clients or for other photographers I like to add a few effects. This shot lent itself perfectly to my ‘colour-popping’ technique.
Angie's Supporting team look fab!
First glimpse of Angie when she arrives
Warwick register office, like many others, have strict rules about what Photographers can and can’t do during the service. I always make sure I do the most I can without upsetting anybody! One shot I can take is the exchange of the rings ….
Dom hopes it fits!
Signing of the register
Here’s one of my trademark images. If guests are in my way I’ll make use of their image …. just a bit of fun!
Guests can be helpful with their cameras!
A very happy family! Angie, Dom and Heath
Some register offices have very little in the way of greenery to take nice outdoor photos. Warwick register office is one of the nicer ones ….
Whole group shot at Warwick Register Office
And yes, I do colour them all in! See below!
Confetti galore!
Some time alone!
The Saxon Mill gives some nice photo opportunities ….
Bridge at the Saxon Mill
Sorry Dom, all eyes on Angie!
Angie looked stunning on the day as I think you’ll agree in these shots.
Pooh Sticks, anyone?
A little time to reflect
I really enjoyed doing this wedding for Angie and Dom and their lovely guests. I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at these taster images. I’ll be passing all of these images and quite a few more onto their photographer for him to prepare their album (if that’s what they choose). Meanwhile, I hope this gives you more of a flavour of my style of photography.
If you know of anyone who needs a wedding photographer or a family portrait photographer in Warwickshire or anywhere in the Midlands I can also be booked directly under my own business name (Victoria Jane Photography) on 07739096632 or by email on vicky@victoriajanephotography.co.uk
My main website can be found by clicking here or by clicking on my photograph on this home page
A Recipe for Children’s Photography Success (when it’s pouring down outside!)
AND ….. Hey Presto!!
……. You’ve got a fantastic set of photos for the whole family to drool over!!!
Now I’ll let the images do the talking ……………………
Cousins - Jessica (2 yrs ,2 months) & Paige (8 months)
A few of Paige on her own ……………….
I hope you agree that Paige is a natural! Â Jessica is too – she’s had plenty of practice in-front of the camera.
Me and our daughter Jessica - Photo taken by Gary
Her first pair of shades - cool!
A tip for new parents - bubbles are just THE BEST entertainment!
When I first met Lara and Martin I knew that I’d be the right person for their photography and I was so pleased that they chose me to share in their special day. They are such fun, lovely people ….. and a photographer’s dream because they are both very photogenic too!
It’s taken me a couple of weeks to edit the hundreds of images that we took on the wedding day. There were two of us there all day (I took the lead and my husband and business partner, Gary, did the offset informal reportage shots) and between us we filled all of our CF cards. Lara looked so beautiful in her stunning white dress that I was spoilt for choice when it came to editing the images.
Lara and Martin have been given a password to access the full gallery of their prepared images (over 500 images) on my main website but for those who simply want a good taster, here goes:
I try to capture every detail that makes the day so special. My feeling is that if the bride and groom have gone to the trouble of designing a ‘look or theme for their wedding day’ or perhaps choosing an item of detail such as a hair clip or perfume bottle then it’s my job to capture the memory for them:
Lara had a fantastic eye for details that made the day
I’m fully aware that the day is special for other members of the family and so Gary often concentrates of close-ups of guests and those with a special role to play. I love this image!
Lara wasn't the only star of the day!
I don’t always get the opportunity to take photographs at the bride’s home when she’s getting ready but on this day Lara was so well organised that we managed to steal a good few minutes to get some family photos and some of the brides maids too.
It was nice to start at home ... without Martin!
Some photographers forget that the bride and groom have often chosen the venue very carefully and it will forever remain a special place in their hearts. I always make sure I get some shots of the venue on the day. You’ll see that we were lucky with the weather, despite threats of rain later on.
The Main Venue - Charlecote Pheasant Hotel near to Stratford Upon Avon
It is standard for me to make sure I’m at the service venue well in advance of the bride arriving so that I can capture the groom, best man and ushers. Here, Matin looks great … and to be fair he didn’t seem too nervous … well hidden perhaps?
First Images of Martin and his men before Lara arrived
At some weddings the best man and ushers seem only to be there to make up the numbers. These guys did Martin and Lara proud. They were among the most pleasant and helpful of any ushers and best men that I’ve come across. Well done guys!
What a great bunch of guys!
It’s always nice when there’s a slight twist to one or more aspects of the day. I understand that VW camper vans hold a particular significance to Lara and Martin’s life together and so this was a fitting addition to the day. A wonderful touch to make it a little more interesting….
Wedding 'Car' with a difference
I always make sure that one or both of us is there at the arrival of the bride. This is something that the groom can only imagine as he’s nervously waiting inside and wondering where she is and with great anticipation, what she looks like……
A very proud dad! ... and so he should be!
It’s normal for me to locate myself somewhere near to the front of the ceremony venue so that I’m in a good position for the exchange of the rings and ‘the kiss’ etc. The advantage of having Gary as a second photographer, of course, is that I know that if I miss anything at the back of the room he’ll capture it….. and he’ll be ready for when they come out as newly-wedded, Mr and Mrs!
Martin's first glimpse of Lara ... Wow!
Rules vary from authority to authority. Some are more relaxed than others. In Stratford you can usually only take photographs during the ceremony at certain points, the exchange of the rings being one of them. Some photographers abuse the rules. We go out of our way to follow the rules but we think that if you’re ready and prepared you can still get shots that capture the day perfectly…….
Exchange of the Rings
Some people wonder why we sometimes use lenses that are about a foot long! Here’s your answer … there were a lot of guests extending quite a way back into the room and it was relatively dark for photography but it didn’t stop Gary from being in the right place at the right time at the back of the room for this important moment.
'The Kiss'
Just married, and this is the point that the registrars will allow the official photographers to step forward for a few moments … so we make the best of it.
Signing of the Register
You’ll see that I use a mixture of black and white and full colour images. Another effect that I selectively create for some shots is what I call ‘Colour Popping’. This is where I turn a full-colour image to black and white and then ‘paint back in’ certain coloured objects to highlight them. I think it works well. Most couples love one or two different images in their album like this. Lets see if Lara and Martin like it.
Colour Popping - takes me ages but the effect is often worth it!
Charlecote Pheasant hotel has some nice gardens at the back and the main lawn is large enough to cater for relatively large groups of guests. I always take formal shots of groups as requested by the bride and groom but I usually start with a large full group so that guests can then mingle and get refreshments while the rest of the photography is taking place.
Full Group Shot
Sometimes guests choose to occupy themselves and I guess, on this occasion, that the adults couldn’t resist the allure of the children’s playground ….. I’m not sure how strong that bridge is though!
Playground - I didn't plan this shot!
We have a rule at our weddings to keep it simple. we ask the guests to ignore the second camera and look only at mine. Here, you can see how the second camera, slightly offset at an angle, captures the same shot as mine but with a slightly less formal undertone ……
Proud Parents
Lara chose bright red dresses for her brides maids. It worked really well. They looked lovely.
Lara, Martin and lovely Bridesmaids
Most of the 'dressed-up' people!
We managed to get a large number of group shots done within about 20 minutes and had enough time to take Lara and Martin away for about 10 minutes to do photographs on their own. This is always nice for the bride and groom and the photographers. It’s a little less intensive with no guests to organise and allows time for a little more creativity without being watched.
Time alone .... well nearly!
Lara and Martin were both very photogenic
He's all mine!
Back to the Camper Van. Lara was keen to take the camper van for a quick spin (she wasn’t driving!) and get a few more photos.
A short Road Trip before the Meal
A walk along the river bank at Stratford Upon Avon
Luckily it wasn’t too sunny for this next shot. A white dress against a white van on a bright day can be quite awkward for a photographer. This works really well though….
What a fabulous looking couple …. no, they aren’t hired models …. but they could easily be!
A few minutes alone before returning to the hotel
I’m sure that not all VW camper vans come with bubbly … this one did!
At most weddings when it comes to the cutting of the cake it can be awkward to get the shot because the guests also want to do their own photos. When possible, we do a mock cake cutting shot ……
Back inside and cake-cutting duty calls (mock)
We always do our best to capture the special little moments that the bride and groom might miss. A rock star was born, some time between the reception meal and the start of the evening entertainment!
A quiet time for the guests?
The evening entertainment was excellent. The band was ‘live’ and the guests were really up for a good time …. led by a very impressive and confident first dance by Lara and Martin …….
The first dance
Sometimes the best shots are from above…..
Another example of a ‘colour popped’ image ………
You can't beat a live band to get the party going
…. And Finally …….
Surely this isn't Martin on his knees in-front of his new wife already?
Want to see more?
This is just my blog site. My main website is www.victoriajanephotography.co.uk
The full gallery of images from the wedding is available there but you will need a password to access them all. Only Lara and Martin have the password so they can choose who can view the images.
All images on the site are available to buy directly from the website itself or by emailing me directly or placing the order over the phone.
We thoroughly enjoyed Lara and Martin’s wedding day. They are a fab couple and we wish them health and happiness for the future ….and I can’t wait to start designing their digital album once they’ve chosen their favourite images.
Even if you are just looking for interest, I hope you enjoy the photographs and some of my commentary, and PLEASE remember to recommend us if you know of anyone who needs a wedding or family photograper in the future.
I can be contacted on 07739096632.
Vicky
Victoria Jane Photography Blog 