Real Wedding: Prue and Greig

Yesterday I got to shoot Prue & Greig's Wedding at The Stables, High Melton.

I first met Prue, when she contacted me regarding her Wedding Photography, we discussed her venue, and the weather in November - and of course, finding out exactly what she wanted when Greig and herself went on to book me.

We started yesterday morning at Salon 10, Doncaster, where the hair was being done, and then the make-up artist came and started working on the finishing touches.

Throughout their wedding planning, I loved hearing how Prue and Greig met in Australia, whilst he was over there on his 6 months cricket tour, and how love literally made her travel and live half way around the world. 

Prue and Greig's Wedding was full of personalisation, from the Apron's with "Mother of the Bride" and "Amazeballs Hairdresser" to the Bride and Bridesmaids personalised dressing gowns. However, Prue was a bit gutted that she couldn't get the little bridesmaid Ugg boots embroidered!

The Ceremony took place at the Old Hall at The Stables, High Melton. Where a beautiful string quartet played whilst guests awaited Prue to arrive, and then played her down the aisle, to her husband to be. 

So towards the end of November, we were expecting torrential rain, like we have been experiencing, but no, the sunshine came out, and although it dropped a little cold, we were able to get some lovely shots outside, of the guests - and then the Bride and Groom on their own.

Prue's Mum and Sister had travelled over from Australia, and have been over almost a month, helping Prue with the final preparations for her Wedding. 

Prue's veil, was amazing, and she definitely knew she wanted a "veil toss" shot, and we didn't need much help with the November breeze. 

And everyone loves a good Confetti shot! 

By this point the sun was setting, and it was definitely getting a little cold, so we all headed inside, to where the meal was about to start.

The details that Prue and Greig had put into the Wedding was truly amazing.

Every seat had a preserve, a personalised shot glass, and a shot for the final toast of speeches.

But not only that - the children had "suitcases" with toys and things in, and personalised bags with colouring books in - and the little babies had personalised bibs!

But my favourite one, was each seat-place was a photograph of that guest. From "normal" to downright silly.

The speeches drew plenty of laughs, and tears - but there are no words to express how much the two families have come together, for a love that came from separate ends of the world.

We popped outside for some after dark photographs - and it was warmer than it was that afternoon. Before going back inside to watch the fun of the night commence!

I want to say a massive thank-you to Sarah Riley Photography, for second shooting with me on the day.

I want to wish a fabulous time to Prue and Greig on their trip to Australia, their Cliffe-Top Ribbon tying ceremony, and their honeymoon in New York.

And I want to thank you for booking Blue Lights Photography for their special day.

I normally don't do a blog post with this many images, especially the day after the Wedding, however with Mr and Mrs Batty not returning to the UK until 2013, then I said I would do a blog post so they were able to show their family and friends some of their images from their Big Day in the UK.

Voting Closes at 23:59 at 27.11.12 for the Wedding Idea's Magazine Awards. 

Vote for us here.

Newborn: Louie

I was excited to photograph little Louie when he had arrived, after all, I love the Newborn Sessions that I offer and it means lots of baby cuddles!

They are a great way to capture all the little bits and pieces and details of their little ones.

Just look at how adorable he is. Fast asleep, and all those little details change so quickly!

The joy of newborn shoots and being a member of the British Association of Newborn Photographers is the love of being specially trained to pose newborns, and use some tips and tricks to get them sleeping soundly.

Not all babies will do all poses, and it all depends on the baby, if they are unhappy, and start murmering for whatever reason, then I move on from that pose - and try something else. The reason some little ones may not like certain poses, are for many things, sore fronts from the surge of hormones making their chest tender, trapped wind, or even the belly button cord still being on. 

Visit the BANP website for more details of specialist newborn photographers in your area.

Cakey Baby: Evie

I love when I get to celebrate someones birthday, especially with a Cakey Baby shoot.

Yes they may be messy, but they are pretty awesome! 

All our Cakey Baby shoots start with "normal" photoshoot - this can be a family shoot, pictures of the little one on their own, or as this mummy had decided, she wanted Evie dressed in our gorgeous Pink Ruffle tutu, and fairy wings and wand (Mum supplied)

We then unleashed the cake made my Twinkel Cakes, for Evie to devour! 

Evie decided she didn't want to play with it where she was so we moved her onto the white backdrop, and put her in our little cupcake ruffle bottom nappy cover! 

The good thing with cake, is when it is played with, and when it is squished, cake just dissolves, it crumbles into little bits, and makes the little ones look like they've eaten a lot more than they actually have.

In fact - Evie didn't eat much cake at all!!! 

Product: Madrid

One of the other popular albums that I offer is the Madrid, this is our next cheapest album. It reminds people of a traditional album, with the idea of a more contemporary feel inside.

The difference with this album is the "black" gutter that runs down the middle of the page, which means when I am designing it, I have to be careful as to what images that work. And one thing for you guys to remember, is if you love the idea of having big pictures over two pages in your album - its very tricky to do it in this album! 

But these things do not stop it being a very popular product, and the 10x10 30 page album is included in our Classic Album collection and it is a very solid and heavy album. This is also available in 12x12 and 8x8 Parent Albums.

Outdoors: Elijah

One cold and wet early Monday morning, I couldn't think of anything better to do than go out photographing little Elijah in the leaves at Locke Park, Barnsley.



The leaves provided lots of fun and entertainment - but also, if you are considering an outdoors shoot in the Autumn/Winter then please make sure that you do not mind your little one getting WET and DIRTY! 

Sitting in the leaves, throwing leaves, playing with the leaves is all good fun. And little Elijah is definitely at the inquisitive age to find out what is going off around him - and into everything. Climbing, playing, running around. And with it actually drizzling with rain in these photographs - it was also very quite so he had the full roam of the park! 

I think the end photographs you can see how wet and dirty he is, but he loved every minute of it, and I know that his mummy and grandma love the photographs! And that's what matters.

Giving YOU memories of your little ones, doing things that little ones do! 

BLP: Ways to Pay...

Photography a lot of the time is a luxury - something you want to treasure. A moment. A memory. And not only that but it is something that you want to pay for to get a good service, but not be left with a sour taste in your mouth.

A lot of photographers charge differently, but its just finding out what you would like - and going with a photographer who’s work you adore, and who is also recommended to you.

Not only that, here at Blue Lights Photography, I do offer people to pay via a payment plan if they wish to spend a little bit more than they were expecting to.

This is done via a series of payments made from you, the client, to myself, the photographer - for the items. The items are then ordered (item dependant) on the last payment, or the payment before the last with the last payment due to be paid on collection.

I used to offer 50% on order and 50% on collection, however I have had a client who has not returned for her items, and this therefore makes me sad, and also means that I too, have to put a barrier up to protect my business.

Please remember that we take, cash, both credit and debit card and cheques.

Here at Blue Lights Photography I try to make the most to give you the best opportunities and the best experiences for you with your Photography needs.

Newborn: Mcaiden 21 Days Old

Facebook has been a fantastic word of mouth for my Newborn Photography Sessions. I am getting lots of lovely bundles of joy coming to see me, and they've all seen the work on facebook.

Here I am sharing a session from a fair few weeks ago, in the editing backlog, of when this gorgeous little fellow came to see me at 3-weeks old. And slept "like a baby"

When I do a newborn session I always make sure the room is lovely and warm, and not only that, but the baby is safe and comfortable. I always start on the bean-bag and blanket shots first, giving and showing you the wonderful littleness that is your gorgeous baby.

Baby smiles are great to capture! I do not care if people say it is wind - it isn't, its a smile! 

When I know the little one is settled, and asleep, that is when I move over to the props that we have to show something different. If baby isn't in a deep sleep - then we do not try the additional props. This is for baby safety which is always at the forefront of our mind!

For newborn shoots I normally suggest, that they take place within the first 14 days, as after this time, this is when baby colic, reflux and baby acne can kick in. However we can try newborn poses, with up to 8 or even 10 week old babies. But be prepared for lots of trying to get to sleep! :)

For more information on our newborn sessions, please pop over to our facebook page and ask questions, as we are currently developing our new website page.