[Studio] Cute Little DD

Look at this gorgeous little fella! DD, stands for Dylan Dennis, and even sometimes we call him Dilly. I know his mummy, from school - so its always nice to see how babies grow.

Now I can tell you don't let that cute little face fool you - he wasn't the happiest of chappies when he came to visit. 

He loved being almost naked, and that gorgeous little face and big brown eyes. #Love

And of course his cheeky face!

We did get some lovely smiles. It's fun playing at the Blue Lights Photography Studio don't you know! 

Gorgeous little Dylan! So adorable!

[Announcement] Exciting news!!

I am so excited to be able to finally share this news with you. Are you sitting comfortably? 

It has been in the pipeline for a number of weeks, and at one point I didn't think that I would get to share this news with you.

But here we are.

Today, after quite a few stressful weeks, and tears I finally have received the keys for what will be Blue Lights Photography new studio!

There is quite a bit of work that needs doing, so all sessions will still be held at the current studio until it is time to move.

I am excited because we will now have a shop front, which means I am busy planning and thinking of the window displays and wall displays.

And not only that but we will be having a collection of Wedding and Baby gifts and keepsakes to buy too!

I probably won't be moved over until towards the end of July, however I will keep everyone informed of where their shoot will be taking place. The new studio is still in Barnsley and isn't very far away from our current premises - however it will create a better customer experience for you.

I shall release the new premises address when I launch the date of the Open Evening we will be holding so you can all come and have a look at the new premises. I don't want to share it with everyone yet just incase people get confused at which address you need to come to.

I just want to say a massive thank you to my customers, family and friends for supporting me throughout the last (almost) 5-years, and getting me to this new and exciting chapter.

My lease on the new premises is between 3 and 5 years which means I won't be moving AGAIN anytime soon after this move!

I'm so excited!

[Newborn] Dainty little Isobelle, Newborn Photographer Barnsley

Tiny little Isobelle came to see me, and just look how beautiful and tiny that she is.

When mummies and daddies bring their little ones into the studio - I ask them if they have any particular colours that they wish me to use - the main thing is I ask where you think you will put the images - and work with that. Some rooms have a striking feature colour - or a just neutrals and woods.

How could you NOT smile looking at this photograph! Adorable!

[Wedding] And the String Quartet played Elvis, Allie & Andy's big day at The Bridge Wetherby

On Saturday I had the pleasure of Photographing Allie & Andy's big day at The Bridge, Wetherby. I had stayed overnight close by as I was starting with Allie and the Bridal Preps at 8:30am.

Allie was wearing those beautiful shoes, had silk flowers and pearl jewellery. There were two ladies doing hair and make up on the morning making sure that everyone was going to look their absolute best! 

I dashed outside when the Boys arrived to get some photographs of all the groomsmen together, and of course Andy, with their two boys - who looked gorgeous!

When Allie was ready, and looked absolutely gorgeous in her dress. She walked down the aisle, to a string quartet and the ceremony was very emotional. The vows were beautiful - I do not think I've heard the same vows in all the Weddings I have done before.

After the ceremony we headed out into the grounds for photographs, whilst everyone mingled and had drinks whilst the string quartet played outside. 

The room was decorated with green sash's to go with the pink and green theme of the Wedding and the Cake from Cake Bakes in Castleford was just purely stunning.

The speeches started with a surprise speech from Allie's Auntie Liz, before the Groom and Best Men delivered their speeches, and of course, more tears were had, from a lot of people.

After the meal, there was some down time before the evening guests started to arrive and Allie & Andy did their first dance, but not before another surprise from Andy - he played the guitar and sung for his new wife.

It was such a lovely day, surrounded by lovely people. This is why I think my job is amazing.

Thank you to Andy and Allie for choosing me to be your Wedding Photographer. These images are what were played on the Evening Slideshow.

[Wedding] Purple and White themed Wedding at Burntwood Court, Barnsley

On Friday saw me travelling to Burntwood Court, not too far away from my home, to photograph Sophie & Dean's Wedding. 

I started just before the Ceremony - and made sure cravats, flowers and handkerchiefs were correct before popping to see how the bride was feeling.

Brides Mum & Pageboy

Before Sophie made her way down the aisle with her dad, her two adult bridesmaids and two flower girls made their way down before her scattering the way with purple and white petals.

Sophie was very emotional, and as I always tell every Bride, you will get swept away with the emotions - it is a big day, one you have dreamt about since you were little - and you are starting a new chapter in your life. It is all happy tears, but definitely emotional.

After the Ceremony, we headed into the conservatory area, and then outside for photographs to start!

As with many Weddings, and just how life works out - I tend to be aware of parents and step-parents. Here we have the brides mum and step dad, the brides dad and step mum and the grooms mum and dad. 

The bridesmaids wore gorgeous purple, whilst the flowergirls wore white dresses adorned with purple roses along the waistband.

We then had to take some photographs with gorgeous little Freya. She totally loves her Daddy and Step-Mum Sophie.

We headed to do some Bride and Groom portraits whilst the rest of the guests sat outside or chilled in the conservatory bar area. It was lovely outside, even if a little overcast. And the grass was wet, as I found out taking the next few photographs!

So Happy and in Love! I love being able to spend lovely times with lovely people.

How beautiful is their Cake! Spots, Stripes, Bunting and flowers. What more could you wish for in a cake! And even though Sophie told me to take some cake, I forgot. I missed out on white chocolate cake - gutted!

Speeches were after dinner, and were delivered by the Father of the Bride, The Groom and Best Man Lee.

To finish the end of the Wedding Breakfast, Sophie & Dean cut their cake and posed for a few more photographs before everyone was ushered out of the room for turnaround for the evening reception.

These were the images presented on the Evening Slideshow at their Wedding, I stayed into the evening capturing the first dance and guests, before heading off up the motorway to Saturday's Wedding.

Thank you to the new Mr and Mrs for choosing me to be their Wedding Photographer! x

[Qualified] Becoming Qualified with The Guild of Photographers

Back in April, I became a Qualified Member with The Guild of Photographers.
When we join The Guild of Photographers we are "registered" members, and then we choose to put forward a panel of our work for judging to become Qualified. After this level then there is working towards Craftsman and the ultimate Master Craftsman.

Here is my Qualified Panel, along with some more information.

From The Guild of Photographers Website: Our ‘Qualified’ status is therefore aligned to standards of competence that reflect a level where the customer should be ‘pleased with the results’, when employing the services of a skilled tradesman (the photographer). In other words ‘Qualified’ indicates professional ‘competence’  to a level where the Guild is willing to recognise the photographer as an ambassador of the association , so those who achieve that level should be proud of doing so.

I had to present 3 images from 7 different customer sessions to be assessed - and then wait 3 weeks before I got a "yes" or "no" to my Qualified Status. It was lovely to receive a call from Lesley and The Guild, to tell me, especially after I had all the issues with my car being broken into the same week! 

Thank you to The Guild, as there are many many lovely members who are happy to help - as well as the mentors! (And Steve & Lesley).