Congratulations to The Bath Priory

Just wanted to say a big congratulations to The Bath Priory, who have just won Gold Award for best Small Hotel at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2009-2010, held on 23rd November. This prestigious award also means that The Bath Priory now goes forward to the National Enjoy England Awards, held in April 2010. Obviously, I'm a little bit biased because the Bath Priory has been a great supporter of my business - recommending Andrew Jackson Photography for Bath weddings for about five or six years now - and its where I run some of my workshops AND its where I got married - so it will always be a special place even without the Awards that it regularly wins. But even so, I'm so pleased to see all the Team's efforts recognised and wish them all the luck in the world next April, when the National winner will be announced.

Christmas Flowers in the Cotswolds

I mentioned a month or so ago that I had been working on a shoot with Flowercube (great florists who we bump into often when shooting Cotswold Weddings). The aim of the shoot was to create a set of beautiful Christmas table decorations - one of which I have included above. These were taken for Cotswold Style magazine, which is one of the best lifestyle titles that we have seen. So if you are in the Cotswolds, look out for a copy & get some inspiration for your Christmas flowers... and let me know what you think about the flower shots!

Boudoir Competition Launches in Bath & Clifton

Really pleased to announce that we have launched our Boudoir competition in 'Bath Life' magazine today. The first prize is fantastic - an overnight night stay at the wonderful Charlton House Hotel, followed the next day by a full boudoir shoot, with the brilliant Julie Johnson taking care of make up & hairstyling. To enter, you need to pick up a copy of Bath Life or go to their website (Bath Life or Clifton Life) for your chance to win a prize worth more than £1,100.

Wonderful West Country Weddings

Living in such a beautiful part of the country, we often have couples visiting from outside the area for their wedding. If you are pondering a west country wedding, we can definitely recommend it! Besides great cream teas and real farmhouse ciders to encourage you back for the all the planning meetings, we also have some stunning venues. This shot was taken at Bishopstrow House in Warminster; but have a look at Charlton House, Pickwell Manor and Ston Easton Park too - really, we are so spoilt with great places here... always remember that if you are planning a wedding from a distance and need help with recommendations for florists, stylists, etc, ask us and we'll put you in touch with people we have worked with and can recommend.

Pickwell Manor

Just planning my next trip to Pickwell Manor, and as mentioned before, I have to say that this is such a fab venue. Surfers beaches on the doorstep, beautiful Devon countryside & a wonderful welcome. Anyway, planning the visit brought Angus & Charlotte's wedding back to mind. I love the attached shot. Not sure whether it will make sense as a small image, but the back lighting adds a great texture and I've cross processed it to bring out the detail of the light. I don't tend to use cross processed images in an album as they tend to be one offs and can conflict with the other images - an album should sit together as a portfolio so one of the design skills (we do all of our design in-house) is to create a collection of images that work in harmony. So cross processed images are usually for frames and canvas prints. Anyway, long story short. Love the image. Brings back memories of a fab couple, great day, great place...

Winter Portraits in Bath

I love this shot: its got a lovely wintery, almost snowy feel to it. It was actually taken a few weeks back when we had the gorgeous Autumn weather, but using the deep greens of the tree as a backdrop has created a great background. Big, bright colours can add so much to a winter portrait too, so if you are planning to book a session, have a look through the wardrobe for colours that will zing off the page.

New Photo Workshops

Are your snaps missing their crackle and pop?

If your camera has been banished to the back of the cupboard, now is the time to set it free! Perhaps you have a big family gathering on the horizon or a holiday of a lifetime; maybe you will be treating yourself to a fancy new camera for Christmas and would like to know how to get the best from it… Andrew will be hosting a number of training workshops this spring, starting in Bath, followed a few weeks later by an event in the Cotswolds. Andrew’s courses have been very well received and the feedback from the last workshop was that all who attended would recommend the course to a friend. Its fun, its jargon free (mostly) and it will reignite your passion for photography.

Email Andrew's studio to find out more.

Portrait Models Required

I was looking through my library today and came across this image from a portrait shoot in Bristol Docks. It reminded me again just how dramatic winter light can be. This was captured at about 4pm - a fairly civilised time, whereas in the summer it would have needed to be much, much later! I'm really into exploring the creative potential of mixing flash and ambient light and this image shows just how dramatic the portraits can be. I'm always on the look out for models to swap time for images, so if you would like to be considered, please contact me via my website and send an image with brief contact details - I look forward to hearing from you!

Weddings & Weather in Bath

Still buzzing from Saturday's wedding - what a fab time! We haven't quite finished the processing for the actual wedding, but I've attached a picture from the pre-wed shoot, just to set the scene. The dark clouds and heavy showers promised gave way to a sunny, still (but cold) afternoon - the light was gorgeous and Jenny, our bride, was even willing to risk her beautiful, beautiful dress by walking in the leaves to capture the last of the autumn colours - it is always brilliant when we have a bride willing to try something a bit different. Winter weddings will always present a bigger challenge, but when the light is right and you have a perfect couple as we did on Saturday, winter weddings can be quite magical.

Wet Weather Weddings in Bristol!

Lots of couples ask 'what happens if it rains on our wedding day?' Well, bad weather does sort the 'men from the boys', or (recognising there are some female photographers too) it does separate 'those with experience from those who don't' (less catchy but more inclusive!). But beyond that, the light will be lovely & soft, which always makes for great pictures and we've taken some lovely bride / groom & brolly shots - it makes for a very different collection of images and often even more creative that usual as different visual solutions are employed. So we always reassure our couples that whatever the weather, we can deliver a great set of pictures - just celebrate the day for what it is.

But all of this is leading up to a very useful bit of information that I was given whilst on a shoot recently. Apparently, THE website for accurate weather forecasting is www.yr.no Its Norwegian (you probably guessed that from the 'NO' bit), but there is an English language service and it covers the uk and is spot one... So, when I'm shooting my wedding this saturday, I'm expecting a clear day, clouding over with rain from 6pm (when the guests are eating their meal). I'll let you know if the forecast is accurate!

Wedding Flowers

Had a great shoot today, producing a selection of flower images for Frances at Flowercube. Frances is such a talented florist - we met originally at a wedding at Kingscote Barn in Tetbury (lovely venue and fab people!) and started talking. Anyway, long story short, we work together every now and again, producing images for the local lifestyle magazines - always great fun and always a buzz to see my images published! I can't show you pictures from today's shoot yet, but the attached is one of the images from a summer 'picnic-theme' shoot. Capturing gorgeous flower shots is always part of our wedding coverage, so do ask if you would like to see more examples.

Wedding Photography in Bristol & Bath

Andrew Jackson Photography uses Jorgensen albums for all our wedding & portrait collections; these are beautiful, hand-made albums imported from Australia and really show off our work at its best. We've always kept the album design very simple and classical, but for 2010 we introducing a new range of colours and cover styles that will really create unique albums for our clients to cherish. We're hoping to get some fresh images from the distributor to post here, but in the meantime if you are looking for creative images of your wedding, simply captured and would like to know more, please click on our website link to find out more.

Wedding Fever!

This week I have been mostly... talking to couples about weddings. And a question that keeps cropping up is "how far in advance should we book our photographer?" Its a tricky question because the business side of my brain is shouting "Me, Me" and "Now, Now"!!

But the reality is slightly more complicated. We always say to couples that, despite what the lists in wedding magazines might say, there are just three key criteria to consider when booking: style, personality and budget - in that order. Most photographers will have their own way of approaching a wedding shoot and its really difficult to step out of that and shoot in a different style, so you must love the pictures being shown to you. You've really got to like the photographer and be willing to trust them - they are sharing a big part of your day and if your personalities clash after five minutes it certainly won't get better after an eight hour shoot - especially with all the emotion and excitement of a wedding day! The day is too special to compromise with an obnoxious photographer, however low their price, so don't compromise in this key area. And finally, there is a budget. What can I say? You get what you pay for, I guess, so buy the best you can afford...

So when should you book? Well, if you've found someone who ticks those three boxes, book them asap - a year to go or a week to go, just book because it would be a real shame to find a perfect match and then miss out. But don't compromise - if you haven't found someone who really inspires you with their creativity don't panic, keep looking and definitely come and talk to us.

Christmas - Again!

Photographs make for great Christmas presents, but you need to order those reprints, frames and albums sooner rather than later in order for Father Christmas to sort out delivery...

Whilst we can usually turn orders around very quickly, we only use hand-made frames and the framers do tend to get especially busy as the 25th gets closer. Similarly, the album company we commission to create our beautiful hand-made albums is extremely busy, so please let us know if you are planning an album or frame as a gift so that we can place the order. Reprints in folders can be ordered up until the 12 December.

If you order after this, obviously we'll do our best to get it ready in time, but we won't be able to promise...

Bailbrook House

Incredibly busy few days so completely behind with the blog... had a fantastic day-long shoot at Bailbrook House in Bath on Friday. Aim was to update some of the website & brochure images, so we had chefs presenting amazing 'Master Chef' style plates of food; we captured some interiors of the recently-refurbished rooms and captured some lovely architectural details along the way too! Bailbrook is a lovely venue, with a very friendly team & well worth a look if you have a wedding or celebration to plan.

Autumn Portraits

It always amazes me that people associate the summer so closely with portraits, when autumn especially is so full of colour...yes, its a bit cooler, but a scarf, gloves and hat can look great in a picture. It's so atmospheric and so different to the summer look. The quality of the light can be really special at this time of year too, so what are you waiting for? Book your portrait shoot now and we'll have everything printed, framed and delivered in time for you to give the pictures as Christmas presents (pictures need to be chosen by 20 November if you would like us to arrange the framing). As always, contact us via the website.

Boudoir - The Christmas Gift He Really Wants!

Christmas is coming. Sorry, but it just is. So let's cut to the chase - we can help you out with the best present EVER!

Sexy, seductive, sensual - our stylish interpretation of boudoir photography could be bringing a caress of hollywood glamour to your life this Christmas...We have teamed up with a beautiful country house hotel; we have the bubbly on ice; we have expert hair and make up stylist Julie Johnston poised to keep you looking fab throughout the shoot. And afterwards, you can choose your favourite 12 images to be presented in a beautiful hand-made album. All this for just £595.

Don't delay: all shoots need to be booked in by 15/11/09 to ensure Santa has the finished album ready for the delivery day! Call us now on +44 (0) 1761 452084 or click on this link.

Bibury Court Wedding Fair - The Sequel!

Today's wedding fair at the Bibury Court Hotel was such an enjoyable experience. The team at Bibury Court organised a great event - it does take a huge amount of effort to make these occasions work and yesterday the attention to detail just showed every where; from the champagne fountain to welcome visitors and some delicious canapes to the mix of service providers invited to take part to - it was all just perfect. We met some lovely couples too and having the space and time to have proper conversations made such a difference. So a great day and for couples still planning their big day, I have to say 'watch this space' and we'll bring you the date of the next one just a soon as it is confirmed. So thank you to Rupert, Kirsty and all the team for a great event and thank you to everyone who stopped to say hello - we'll be in contact soon!

Bibury Court Wedding Fair - Sunday 18 October 2009

Weddings are supposed to be dreamy, romantic, fun, and more than anything, special... So which fool thought up the concept of a wedding fair as an ideal starting point to developing the key relationships that will play such a big part on your special day? Think 'chuggers' (the new style charity fund raisers who populate the high street and who stand between me and my skinny latte with caramel), think 100 chuggers, all trying to stop you in your tracks. Well - with the best will in the world - that's been our experience of wedding fairs.

But there is hope! Recently, there has been a trend led by the quality venues, for smaller, more personal events. Fewer stands, fewer couples, but time and space to enjoy a glass of bubbly & have meaningful conversations with service providers endorsed by the venue - how much better is that?!

This Sunday, we'll be at the Bibury Court Hotel wedding fair and looking forward to meeting couples and hearing all about their plans. Click on the hotel link for more information.

Pickwell Manor -Stunning!

I recently discovered a fantastic new wedding venue called Pickwell Manor in Devon. It boasts a lovely countryside setting, but more importantly, its just ten minutes from some great beaches - if the surfs up, what a great way to start your special day! If you are into surfing it has to be THE place to get married... I photographed Angus & Charlotte's big day there and it was perfeect. The house is beautiful and the team are incredibly friendly - a great destination - if you are planning to be married there, you MUST book me for the photos!!! Check out my site at for more wedding info.