Wedding Photographer in Warwickshire and West Midlands

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Jane & Stuart’s Pre Wedding Shoot – Bosworth Hall, Warwickshire.

Jane & Stuart, along with their gorgeous daughter met up with me a few weeks before their wedding to discuss their wedding photographs in detail, to view the locations and to have a fun photo shoot session to get them used to being the main attractions in-front of the camera.  They are getting married at Bosworth Hall in Warwickshire.

Here goes with a small selection of the photos I took on the day, I think they’ll love the images & little Jorga will make a beautiful flower girl for her mum 🙂

A sample of Jane & Stuart’s wedding photos will follow in another post.

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Nicola and Daniel | Wedding Photography at Rowton Castle in Shrewsbury

Well, it finally arrived – my brother’s wedding!

After 10 years together Dan married Nicola this bank holiday Monday at the fantastic Rowton Castle hotel in Shrewsbury. As well as being a guest (obviously) I was also behind the camera – I couldn’t help myself 🙂 ! This time though, Gary wasn’t acting as my second-shooter because he was not only looking after our daughter, who was a beautiful flower girl, but was also one of the ushers! So instead, I roped in a trusted colleague & friend Stuart Kettell (of Kettell Video Productions in Coventry, whom I often work along-side and  photograph on his mad Macmillan charity challenges) to handle a lot of the photography for us.

Our present to Nic and Dan will be a fantastic bespoke digital album that I will create over the next few weeks using my images and Stuart’s images from the day.

I’ve just got home and spent the last hour or two making numerous back-ups of our images (as I always do) and I’ve noticed a few facebook (iphone and compact camera) images from the wedding appearing already! …… So as not to be out done I thought I’d better post a few sneaky peak photos from a real camera! Here are a just few of my favourite photos I took ………

A personal message to my family, our guests and friends of Dan and Nic
We had a great time and I’m sure that I’ll be able to create an album that Nic and Dan will treasure forever. For family, guests and friends reading this blog, here’s what happens next: Firstly, remember that I’m photographing and editing loads of other weddings too, some of which came before Nic and Dan’s! As soon as I can I’ll be sorting through all of the hundreds of photos from all 3 cameras. I’ll be editing a nice range of images that tell the story of the day and then I’ll post them on my main gallery website with a password to view them. You can get the password from Dan and Nicola. You’ll get the chance to order professional quality prints if you want to at that stage. The best way is to phone me on 07739096632 and tell me which ones you like!

Meanwhile, I like comments! Please post a comment! Click below to write a sentence or two about the photographs. Your comment will appear ‘live’ on here after I’ve approved it! You’ve never had a better reason than this! ……. Thank you.

Vicky  Xx

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Natalie and James | Fabulous Wedding Photography at Ettington Park Hotel by Victoria Jane Photography

This was one We had been really looking forward to! Ettington Park hotel in Alderminster near to Stratford upon Avon is a favaourite venue for us as it is where we chose to get married ourselves! When Natalie and James (Jim, to his friends) contacted us and told us where they were getting married we were delighted to talk to them about doing their wedding photography.

The wedding took place yesterday (Sunday 17th April) and it lived up to all expectations. The venue, as always, was beautiful, the guests were lovely, the ushers and best man were comical, lively and in great spirits (as well as being some of the nicest and most considerate guys we’ve met), the bridesmaids were lovely …… and the bride (Natalie) was simply stunning. The cameras loved her, as you’ll see below. Jim was/is very lucky! He’s also got a great personality and so no wonder Natalie fell for him!

On top of all that the weather was just perfect. We had warm temperatures and sunshine, enabling us to enjoy the fabulous Ettington Park hotel grounds all day. Enough chat for now. Let this sample of our wedding photography do the talking ……

The Venue …..

The boys …..

Anyone for Cricket?

The girls …..

A few details ……

The Service …..

Loitering infront of the chapel ……

Some ‘alone time’ …..

The evening celebrations begin …..

Natalie and James are a lovely couple and they had a fantastic day. For us, it was so nice to receive positive comments from several of the guests as we were about to leave at around 10:30pm. We also had a really enjoyable day ….. and now the real work starts! We’ve got hundreds of great photographs to edit, and to be honest we are spoilt for choice.

Ettington Park hotel is a dream venue, both for the bride and groom and for a photographer. The photographs above are just a very small selection …. just to whet your appetite. If you are planning a wedding at Ettington Park hotel (or similar venue in Warwickshire or the West Midlands) please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your photography requirements.

Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Shirley! I can’t wait to present you with many more images from your special day.

Vicky

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Two Qualifications Gained In One Day!

OK, time to blow my own trumpet for a minute or two! Indulge me …. Please!

I don’t generally go in for entering competitions or showcasing my images just for the sake of it. I’m far too busy actually doing the job! However, I do like to keep abreast of the latest developments and look at what other professional photographers are doing and to pick up new ideas. After all, there are some really good photographers out there with great ideas (and, it also has to be said, some shockingly awful ones!)

I’ve been meaning to join the MPA for a while. This is the Master Photographers Association. They are a national association that is open only to full time professional photographers. In order to join and become a qualified member you have to prove that you are a full time professional photographer, be prepared to be vetted by the MPA, submit a portfolio of images (professionally printed and displayed!) that meet tough criteria (for judging by top photographers of the MPA) and to submit information explaining your background, photographic philosophy, methodology etc.

In other words, it’s really quite something and you can’t simply sign on the dotted line and pay over your money!

Anyway, I was judged yesterday and was offered my MPA Licentiate Qualification Immediately ….. and I’m pleased as punch! 🙂

Here’s a snapshot of the images that I gained my MPA licentiate qualification with yesterday…..

I had to submit 10 images from one wedding and then another 10 images showing a wider variety of my work from other weddings. Each image was printed large with a wide black border. For some of the images I developed my own filter to give a sepia-like effect. These are the ones shown on the left in several of Gretchen and Craig’s images. This is a wedding that I photographed recently at Stoneleigh Abbey near to Coventry.

Moving On ….. My day didn’t end there!

I was really pleased with the MPA result and had already arranged to meet with other photographers of the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) to discuss some more of my images. This was just to get some more constructive feedback and to see what they thought of my work. I nearly fell off my chair when the SWPP immediately offered me a Licentiate qualification with them too! What a day …… TWO Professional Photographer Qualifications awarded to me within an hour!

It’s time to get my business stationery re-printed with some new logos and more letters after my name.

Victoria Jane Hubbard …… BSc (Hons), PGCE, and now LSWPP, LMPA  🙂 ……. Back to work now!

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Another busy week coming up including Photographing a Wedding at Stoneleigh Abbey

Phew! 🙂

Christmas seems like months ago! I’ve not stopped over the Christmas period and I only managed a short 3 day break at new year before everything kicked off again. In the last week I’ve had loads of enquiries from Midlands and Warwickshire couples who are interested employing me for their wedding photography. I’ve also started to get enquiries from a little further afield and it looks like I’ll be doing more than one wedding in the Peak district this year and at least one in South Wales.

Today I did a pre-wedding photo shot for a lovely couple, Natalie and James, whom Gary and I met at the fabulous Ettington Park hotel. We’re photographing their wedding at Ettington Park in April. Images to follow later.

My wedding season gets off to a great start with a wedding at Stoneleigh Abbey at Stoneleigh on the outskirts of Coventry and Kenilworth. I met up with the wedding co-ordinator, Angela, earlier this week to look at the venue properly. It’s going to be a fabulous location for some great shots. Take a look! ……..

The couple who are getting married, Gretchen and Craig, actually live in Australia and I’m yet to meet them.  They found my blog, liked my work and we’ve made all of the arrangements by email. I’m sure they’ll love their chosen venue!

 

Watch this space for an update.

 

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Kate and Adam | Wedding Photography at Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire by Victoria Jane Photography

Here’s proof that people read this blog and visit my website: Kate and Adam live in London but decided to get married at the fabulous Ragley Hall at Alcester near to Stratford Upon Avon in Warwickshire. They did an internet search of Wedding Photographers in Warwickshire, found my blog site, looked at my images, arranged a meeting with me and then booked me to photograph their special day.

They decided to hold the whole of their wedding day at Ragley hall, including the ceremony and a blessing afterwards by a local minister. Luckily, it was on a day that Ragley hall itself wasn’t open to the general public. It gave us plenty of opportunity to photograph the architecture of the building and gardens (specifically requested by Adam who is an architect) and to capture the story of their day from arrival of the groom until the start of the celebratory meal.

Two of us attended the wedding. We knew that there would be some photographic challenges, especially due to the light available in the grand hall and the VERY bright sunlight in the afternoon outside …. but after many hours of carefully choosing and editing images I’ve been able to present Kate and Adam with a fantastic selection of images from which they can choose for their album. I know that they are delighted with their image choice … AND … after entering some of their images for assessment by the SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) I’ve picked up more awards including a Gold and a Bronze from this wedding alone! (More on this to follow in a later blog post!) Here’s a taster of the wedding photographs from their special day ……

The venue! Ragley Hall, Alcester, near to Stratford Upon Avon – dating back to around 1860

Adam, looking very dashing and outwardly quite calm, while they waited for Kate to arrive ….

Another touch of class – brand new Jaguar XJ cars – fantastic! …. And a favourite modern choice of ours

A fitting chariot for Kate who looked absolutely fantastic ….

The very grand ‘Red room’ leads into the Grand Hall. Just time for Kate and her dad to settle their nerves before entering for the ceremony.

Adam gets his first glimpse of his beautiful bride ….

Photography Plug!  – notice we got an image of Kate from behind just before entering the hall and one from the front as she walked up the aisle. Once again, an advantage of having two photographers present!

Exchange of the rings …. (again, from the back of the hall and from the front)

Just married, a little time to breathe …. and then it was outside to the front of the house for a whole group photo on the front steps ….

There were certain group shots that Kate and Adam wanted us to get for them but we were mindful that they wanted to spend time with their guests.

Confetti on the back terrace (colour-popped image)

You may have noticed that it was a great day for a few silhouettes!

Kate was so natural and vivacious that you could be led to believe that she is used to being in-front of the camera!

It was nearly time for their sit-down meal and time for us to go …. but we just had to take advantage of sun setting over those fantastic grounds ….

And finally, a last look at the Hall, guests inside about to start their dinner and an evening of entertainment!

We thoroughly enjoyed taking the photographs at Ragley Hall and you can see more images of the building from a earlier blog post. The wedding coordinator was particularly helpful when we went along on a couple of occasions before Kate and Adam’s wedding day to plan our photography. We think we managed to capture the story of kate and Adam’s special day, along with the grandeur of the venue and we hope to be back there very soon for another wedding.

If you need a photographer or you know of anybody who needs an inventive and professional wedding photography service at Ragley hall or other similar Warwickshire venue please give me a call (07739096632). I’ll be glad to discuss your requirements with you and show you many more images and album samples from weddings such as Kate and Adam’s.

Vicky

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Tara and David | Wedding Photography at Coventry Register Office and Hatton Village Hall

I met Tara and David to discuss their wedding photography much earlier in the year and was delighted when they came back to me to say that they had chosen me to do their wedding photography for them. They had planned their special day to be in two locations, Coventry Register Office and celebrations afterwards at the Hatton Village hall in Warwickshire. When the big day arrived everyone had a great time, despite one or two mishaps caused by an administrative error by their coach company (coach didn’t turn up to transport 80 ish guests over to Hatton!)

Still, it didn’t spoil the day and aided by some beautiful autumn colours under the trees at Coventry register office and at Hatton Locks, I’m really pleased with the way the photos turned out ……

An important family member who wanted to be involved but unfortunately couldn’t attend the wedding itself!

First glimpse of Tara on her special day …..

Coventry Register Office ……

David and his grooms-men waiting patiently for Tara to arrive …..

One of the very important little bridesmaids (and is that a really magic wand I see?)… Couldn’t resist adding a bit of sparkle … Don’t you just love CS5!

It can be a real challenge to get the shots in the service at Coventry register office. It’s very dark and opportunities are restricted by the rules set by the registrars

Some ‘fun’ time for the kids of all ages with the autumn leaves while the best man chased the coach company to find out where they were!

Time for some newly-wed photos of Tara and David before setting off for Hatton

Whenever we attend a wedding we have always planned the photography thoroughly. Sometimes we need to be flexible when plans get changed at the last minute. Whilst the absent coach company was being sorted out we left earlier with Tara and David to go to Hatton locks to take advantage of the lovely sunshine and the autumn colours for some more ‘couple shots’ ….

We weren’t the only ones with cameras at the wedding ……

Evening entertainment went down really well ….

And we injected a little unexpected extra fun for ourselves ….. Just a minute … Who is the groom getting intimate with on his wedding night?

After around 12 hours of photography by both of us this was one of our parting shots …..

This was a wedding that we both attended for the whole day from bridal preparations at Tara’s home in the morning to the first dance and way beyond. The photos shown in this blog post are only a small sample of the ones that I’ve now prepared and provided for Tara and David to look at ready for their album choice after Christmas.

I’m booking up weddings for 2011 and 2012. Many of the more popular dates, especially in August 2011, are already taken, but if you need a Coventry and/or Warwickshire based photographer for your special day please do give me a call on 07739096632. I’ll be glad to discuss your wishes with you.

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Linda and Ian at Coombe Park Hotel | Warwickshire Wedding Photography by Victoria Jane Photography

This was one of my more unusual weddings of the year and one of the most intimate and enjoyable!  I was asked to photograph Linda and Ian’s wedding at the lovely Coombe Park Hotel just outside Coventry a couple of weeks ago. The lovely couple had so many guests to invite that in the end they decided to keep the day entirely to themselves! I feel very honoured that they chose me to be with them throughout and to photograph their special day so that they could share their memories with family and friends afterwards.

Coombe Park hotel is a lovely venue on the outskirts of Coventry on the road towards the village of Brinklow. The hotel was once an abbey and the grounds are magnificent. Over the years there have been many stories of ghosts and paranormal activities – so much so that they actually run a ghost tour! ….. And the ghost tour was one of the highlights of Linda and Ian’s wedding day.

I must admit that I was worried that my presence might be a little intrusive, but Linda and Ian were so relaxed and welcoming that it worked out just fine and I’m really pleased with the number and variety of photographs that I managed to get. Here’s a taster ……

Attention to detail …. the shoes were stunning with their intricate detail

Linda and Ian met up before the ceremony to have a stroll in the beautiful grounds and to make the best of the Autumn sunshine for some photographs …..

Time for a quick drink with their witnesses before seeing off on their ghost tour ….

….the start of the ghost tour with Coombe park’s master of ceremonies, Jonathan

Back inside for the ceremony itself ….

Just married … and time for some more photographs and to explore the grounds and historical building a little more

I thoroughly enjoyed sharing in Linda and Ian’s wedding day and I’m sure that they’ll love the photographs. I stayed for several hours and took loads of images which I have posted on the password protected gallery on my main site. The gallery can be viewed by clicking here and entering the password (which is only available from Linda and Ian). Photo prints are available to purchase on my main website.

If you are getting married at Coombe park hotel and you would like a wedding photographer then please contact me. I’m taking bookings for 2011 and 2012 with some dates proving very popular already. As you can see, I’m happy to photograph small or large weddings at lovely venues throughout Warwickshire and the West midlands. It wasn’t appropriate at Linda and Ian’s wedding, but most of my weddings are covered  by two of us: I am always the principal photographer and I almost always have either my husband or another assistant with me to ensure that we get more shots from different angles.

My contact number for enquiries and information is 07739096632. Alternatively, you can email me by clicking here

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Sam and Andy | Wedding Photography at the Ardencote Manor Hotel in Warwickshire

This has to rate up there as one of the most enjoyable weddings of the year! Sam and Andy are such a fun loving fantastic couple that we couldn’t help but smile most of the day. Sometimes we had to remind ourselves that we were there to do the photography and not as guests! The wedding ceremony and celebrations took place at the beautiful Ardencote Manor hotel and Golf Club in Claverdon, Warwickshire. We were there from about 90 minutes before the ceremony started to late into the evening celebrations. It’s probably true to say that we both (Gary and I) took more photographs on this wedding day than just about any other wedding we’ve done this year. I’ll let the photos do the talking – Here we go! ……..

Ardencote Manor Hotel – Front Entrance with turning circle …..

Andy on the far left with groomsmen. What a great bunch!

A few practice swings, just to warm up for the events ahead ….

And a few more exercises to get the legs working too!

Just after the arrival of Sam with her lovely brides maids ….

Sam showing her true feelings for her brother! …..

And then we went inside for the ceremony itself …..

Having the two of us there helps to get photographs from more than one angle without us having to move around and distract the registrars

Signing of the register …..

Then it was time to go outside into the bright sunshine for some group photographs beside the lovely lake ….

Something told me that Andy was in his element – Swept off his feet with a pint in his hand!

A few newlywed ‘alone’ shots ….

And then it was inside to start the celebrations …..

Hilarious speceches. It was difficult to keep the camera still at times! Good job we use stabilised lenses!

On to the first dance and what seemed like hundreds of guests for the evening entertainment …..

Andy treated us all to an impromptu solo performance too! Soooo funny! Sorry Andy, but it was!

As night fell we had the opportunity to try a few slightly more unusual shots ….

We had a great time photographing Andy and Sam’s wedding day. They are a great couple, each with a fantastic sense of humour. It was also great to meet so many guests who’ve been at other weddings we’ve done this year too. Referrals are great for our business and this is how we met Sam and Andy. If you are getting married at the Ardencote Manor hotel in Claverdon in Warwickshire and you need a photographer please do contact me on 07739096632. I’ll be glad to talk to you about your special day.

Meanwhile, if you were one of Sam and Andy’s guests and you want to see more photos from the day (and there are loads!) I’ve put there full gallery of images on my main website. You can view the images by clicking here and entering the password. Only Sam and Andy have been issued with the password so that they have control over who can view the images.

If you’d like to comment on our photography or any of the images here we’d love to hear from you. Please click on the ‘leave a comment’ link below.

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A window of opportunity – Kate & Adam’s pre wedding shoot

Many of my brides & groom’s choose a wedding package that includes a free pre-wedding photo shoot and consultation with me.  Not only does it give us a fantastic opportunity to get to know each other, it also gives the couple a chance to have a practice being in front of the camera, to discuss their ideas and tell me who they want me to photograph …… oh & if I’m lucky, a coffee & a cake  🙂

One such pre-wedding shoot I photographed was for Kate & Adam, who got married recently at the beautiful Ragley Hall in Warwickshire.

I am always on the look out for an image which pushes my creativity as well as my photographic skills.  Ragley Hall certainly provided me with many fantastic opportunities to create such an image. The main hall at Ragley is VERY dark but lit by huge arched windows at one end – ideal for silhouettes ….

So here it is, my favourite image from the afternoon

A stunning 16ft arched window + amazing view + a lovely couple = photograph below