6.jpg
category: Training and Networking




11.12.2008

I love shooting weddings. As my style is more a combination of fun contemporary, a little formal for the groups and lots of (hopefully emotional) reportage photography, I’m not a member of the wonderful WPJA (Wedding Photo Journalist Association) who’s members all shoot in a purely photojournalistic style.
However, I *LOVE* their website and will often draw inspiration from its members work. It’s incredible to think that much of what these skilled photographers do is in a purely documentatry, candid and unobtrusive way.
Brides Magazine and the WPJA holds a contest every three months in the following categories – Bride, Bridal Party, Culture/Customs, Ceremony, Getting Ready, Kids, Dancing and Departure. The latest contest results have just been released – have a look here for some truly inspirational photography (I love seeing the judges comments!)
Here’s a winner from one of my favourite categories:

Kara Purtell – 1st Place, Getting Ready

PHOTO CAPTION BY BRIDES MAGAZINE: “It ain’t easy being a bridesmaid, especially when you’re wearing a dress with a complicated corset. The girls form an assembly line to dutifully lace each other up. (That’s the bride, in veil and flip-flops, bringing up the rear.) Purtell catches the essence of preparation and teamwork leading up to the big moment.”





10.20.2008

There’s a lot of controversy surrounding the new and exciting trend of Trash The Dress (TTD) and I found this wonderful article on the WPJA’s wedpix.com website and thought I’d share it with you here.

A TTD session does not have to mean sacrificing and destroying your dress! Instead the results from a creative portrait shoot with your partner can be stunning imagery of the two of you being relaxed in your wedding finnery in unusual locations other than on the wedding day (be it a couple of days after the wedding or a couple of weeks/months). It’s another opportunity to be photographed together looking beautiful, happy and sexy and capturing the love that is there between you as a newly married couple.

For more examples of TTD sessions around the world, see here.

If you’d like more details or would like to discuss your Trash The Dress session, please contact me to discuss creative and fun ideas for your unique shoot.





10.16.2008

On Thursday I attended the Smarter work with GraphiStudio at the Hilton Hotel, Croydon. I’ve been offering GraphiStudio WeddingBooks for more than a couple of years now and they really are just magnificent and the best money can buy. I’m excited about the new changes – I know my Brides will just love it!

If you’d like more details or would like to order your own GraphiStudio WeddingBooks please contact me here.
GraphiStudio WeddingBooks as advertised in Harpers & Queens, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, The Times, Vogue, Brides, Cosmopolitan Bride, Bliss For Brides, You & Your Wedding, Wedding Venues & Services and Wedding Day.




06.25.2008

 

I had the privilege of attending a seminar presented by Jerry Ghionis, voted one of the world’s top ten wedding photographers by American Photo Magazine, on Monday.Jerry is such an inspirational photographer and I’ve been following his work for a couple of years now (I love his Pic Pockets – esp. the Ordinary to Extraordinary range: “Wedding photographers are often presented with less than desirable locations, confined spaces and challenging lighting situations. Jerry Ghionis is the master at turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.”) and so was pleased to be able to see the master at work!

 
Here’s one of my images inspired by some of his work: Spicer Hallfield hosted the seminar – click here for their article about the seminar, including a few images from the day.It was lovely too to have a chance to catch up with some from the networking group as we’ve all had a busy couple of months. I’m really excited and looking forward to putting into practice some of the new techniques I’ve learnt from the seminar!




01.25.2008

I attended my first SWPP Convention at the Novotel, Hammersmith from the 17-21 January 2008 and heard some amazing speakers. I’m so excited about all the knowledge imparted over the last few days and know 2008 is going to be an amazing year.

I attended Doug Gordon’s master class on the Monday – here are a few shots of him in action showing us how to do flow-posing:





12.12.2007

I’m pleased to say that I recently jointed the SWPP (Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers) and the BPPA (British Professional Photographers Association) and will proudly be adhering to their strict Code of Conduct.

By choosing a SWPP and BPPA photographer clients are assured not only of hiring a talented photographer (me!) but of my continued education and development through seminars and knowledge sharing and networking with fellow wedding photographers and staying up to date on the latest trends and keeping my photography fresh and contemporary.

I’m looking forward to attending my first SWPP Convention at the Novotel, Hammersmith from the 17-21 January 2008. So many great photographers will be presenting seminars and sharing their experiecnes and I’m looking forward to meeting and hearing from them :-)





05.17.2007

The MPA (Master Photographers Association) hosted Double Talk by two of my all time favourite photographers, Joe Buissink and Yervant at The Hilton, Croydon.

It was an amazing morning and Joe and Yervant was absolutely brilliant. I’ve *loved* Joe Buissink’s work for ages now so was really excited to be able to hear him in person. They both showed us some inspiring slideshows of their photography, and as is very differant and how they approach wedding photography discussed how they work.

Joe shared with us some exclusive images from some of the weddings which he has shot (he’s been a favorite wedding photographer among many celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey, Brendan Fraser, Kelsey Grammer, Hillary Swank & Chad Lowe, Christina Applegate, Jenny Garth & Peter Facinelli, Christina Aguilera and more..) as well as some from his latest project – still a ‘fresh of the plane’ shoot with Christina Aguilera and her production team on location from which they will produce exclusive GraphiStudio books for each of the team as a thank you and momento of their time with her. Some awesome work! Yervant showed us how he would post-produce them to a world class standard.

It was inspiring to see these two and how dedicated they are to teaching and sharing their experiences.

Click here for the MPA’s blurb and pictures from the day.