Andrew Jackson Photography: Cotswolds Weddings

A quick congratulations to Kelly & Mark, who were married in the beautiful Cotswold town of Tetbury. It was a fab day - perfect weather, lovely guests and off to Matara for the reception - which is a wedding photographers delight! Congratulations to you both!

Today I have been mostly trying out ladies perfumes...its a long story!

Andrew Jackson Photography: Pre-Wed Shoots

I always recommend to our wedding couples that they come along for a pre-wed shoot; its a really fun shoot - usually in Bristol's Harbourside area - and gives us a chance to get to know each other a little better. For the couple, its a chance to feel comfortable in front of the camera ahead of the big day - and gives me a chance to explain how to pose & look their best on camera and also how things are likely to unfold on the day. Yesterday, we were photographing Alexa & Charley and we had a fab time - they were naturals in front of the camera and when they get married in the Cotswolds at Bibury Court later in the month, I know they will look stunning together; we're really looking forward to sharing their big day with them. Here are a few of the shots from yesterday...

Today I have been mostly wondering why no one is talking about the AV vote - have they not announced the results yet?

The Rectory Hotel, Crudwell: Congratulations!

The Rectory Hotel in The Cotswolds is one of my favourite venues, so it was especially pleasing to see it highlighted in The Times newspaper on Saturday in the "Cool Hotel" guide. The article starts "Sometimes a hotel just gets it right - and you can tell almost from the moment that you walk in. The Rectory is one of those places...". It is so true. I've been recommended there for my wedding photography for a while now but we also run photo workshops there and in June, I'm hosting a dinner for some of my favourite fellow photographers. So I know The Rectory really well and not at all surprised to see a score of 9.5 for service. A good venue only becomes a great venue if the team are committed and passionate about what they are doing - the Rectory have a great team and it shows. So congratulations Jenna - you deserve the good press!

Today I have been mostly enjoying a family gathering - lovely to have the time to stop the world and catch up for five minutes!

Wedding Photography at The Manor House Castle Combe

Just a quick blog to say a big thank you to all the couples who stopped and said hello at the wedding event on Sunday at The Manor House at Castle Combe. Carla & Sophie were working flat out all day, giving couples - and their families - guided tours of what has to be one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the area. Lovely to see Jo from Passion (one of my favourite florist's - as readers of the blog will know!) there as well, so all in all a fab day! Our next "Public Appearance / Wedding Event" is in Bradford on Avon on Thursday, 5 May, 5-8pm. Find me at Orton's Jewellers - definitely the best place to go if you want stunning hand-made wedding bands or engagement rings. Lee & Christine create the most beautiful pieces - so call in and talk about wedding photography and jewellery. Other wedding shops will be open in Bradford on the evening, so call for more details...

Today I have been mostly stuck at my desk - thank you Claire & Lee for giving me a pre-wed shoot to escape to this evening!

Cotswold Wedding Fair: Sunday 13 March

An invitation to come and say hello! Andrew Jackson Photography will be at The Rectory wedding fair on March 13. We were very impressed by the autumn event; its really freindly with some really good suppliers - a long way from the usual bun fight, that so many wedding events have become! So do come along and say hello! Send us an email at info@andrewjacksonphotography.co.uk if you would like more information.

Today I have been mostly enjoying the stunning light at The Manor House, Castle Combe... How beautiful is this venue?!

Bristol Weddings & Twitter

I think this is good news... I'm pleased to say that I have finally joined the 21st century as I am now on Twitter - the address is AJP_photo. Have to be honest and say that I am still getting to grips with it all, but I hope it will in time become a great reference source for information & contacts for all things wedding related. So whether you are a couple planning your big day or in an associated business (from cup cake bakers to wedding planners and florists) do please sign up as a follower and lets create a space thats of useful (ie I promise not to to post a twitter simply to tell you that I'm drinking coffee) (actually, thats probably a given - just assume that whatever I'm doing a small latte or Americano won't be too far away!). Any questions or thoughts as to how I should get the best from Twitter do please say...

Weddings, Portraits & Things in 2011

The start of a new year is always kind of interesting. On one level, nothing much has changed (well, petrol prices are higher, VAT has gone up and its still too cold - but shall we gloss over that?); on another level, its hard to avoid thinking of a new year as anything other than a fresh start. And personally speaking, this is probably the most exciting year in prospect since 2008 (which is when I got married - now that was a great year!). I know, the recession isn't over, but I'm SO bored with all that doom and gloom now; so this year, the focus is firmly on having fun...its time to play!!

Looking ahead, there are some really exciting wedding commissions in the diary already, which I'm looking forward to capturing.So if its your wedding on the horizon, keep calm, breathe deeply and it will be fine - promise!

We're also in the process of reviewing all our products and very soon we shall be releasing news of all our new products & prices for 2011/2012, so do give Andrew a call if you would like to receive further details.

Andrew is also going to be working closely with Damien Lovegrove over the coming year. Damien, one of leading UK wedding photographers, has been a huge inspiration to the business, almost since we launched in 2000; he has an incredibly relaxed style of picture taking but one that produces stunning images; as well as this, his attention to detail in looking after clients is really the blue print of what photography should be about (but so often isn't, sadly).

We have very high hopes for 2011 - we hope your year is going to be as much fun as our!

Bibury Court Wedding Fair - This Sunday

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Just a quick blog to let you know that Saskia and I will be at Bibury Court wedding fair on Sunday, making an exhibition of ourselves! If you are still looking for the perfect Cotswold wedding venue then Bibury Court is definitely worth a closer look. The village of Bibury is picture postcard perfect and the hotel is just as beautiful - set in lovely grounds and with a brilliant team to look after your day. Its been one of our main venues this year and its been a real pleasure shooting there. So, do visit us on Sunday 31st and we promise not to talk at you for ever about how great we are!!!

2011: Amazing New Albums

Firstly, I mentioned a couple of posts ago that there are lots of changes in motion for 2011 and that I would be letting you know what was going on over the coming months... well, to help the 'search' facility, I'll start each of these with '2011' in the title bar... hopefully, this will make it easier to find.

So, new albums... I'm really pleased to announce that we have just signed up with Graphi Studio to produce our book style albums. For those of you unfamiliar with these albums, the printing is direct onto the page, so it produces a very modern, contemporary presentation for wedding and portrait photographs. Best of all is the ability to print a picture across a double page spread, so pictures can be used much, much bigger than in a regular album - so loads of impact. We have a great sample here from one of our weddings at The Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath, which will be on display at our wedding fairs this month.

Now, I know that this style of album has been around for a while, but I've always resisted using them because there are so many dreadful alternatives out there. Just because it is now possible to make photo books doesn't mean that its right for a polite society; I've seen so many versions where the pictures have looked second rate and its only the gimmicks offered by the album that makes the product even remotely usable. BUT when I saw what Graphi Studio produced, I have to say I was blown away - the quality is first class - both in the construction of the album (after all, the stitching and binding has to be top quality to hold together as you share your pictures with family & friends) but the print quality too was supberb.

So we are still offering the jorgensen albums for those who prefer a more traditional approach, but have the option of the very best in book albums for people looking for something a little different. Hooray!

Wedding Photography - Kind of Missed Opportunities

Just been reading the back page of 'Brides' magazine. The feature is based around sound bites from couples wishing they had done things differently as far as the photography was concerned - too much B&W, bot enough colour shots / too many formal or not enough formal poses, that kind of thing. What struck me is that I would have avoided pretty much all the issues raised - BUT it does require the couple to engage beforehand. Great photography is a partnership - after all, I can only photograph what is in front of me, so if the groom or grand parents wander off and can't be found, there is very little that can be done, other than to move on and capture some thing else - guests enjoying the reception for example. But that type of situation is not ideal.

Whoever you decide to book for your wedding pictures, do meet up before as a couple to agree the style and the broad bones of a shooting list. You don't have to get bogged down with lots of formal poses, but making sure the names of key guests are listed will ensure no one is missed in the excitement of the moment. And check if images are captured digitally and in RAW format - that way you have the best possible starting point for colour or B&W decisions afterwards.

Elsewhere in the magazine, the advice is 'talk to your photography' - for the day at least we are a team so good communication is an easy investment to make to ensure great pictures.

Church Weddings

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As has been pointed out a number of times, this blog is rapidly turning into a tiny bit of a rant; or at least something of "soapbox corner" (think of it as my therapy!) but yesterday I was left wondering what is the next level down from a soapbox? (technically speaking, I guess its the ground, but you know what I mean)...maybe an "Its a Shame" Step...

We shot a wonderful wedding in the Cotswolds yesterday; the couple were lovely, 200 friendly guests and a church that was borderline Catherdral it was so spectacular - really beautiful, indeed everything a church wedding should be.

Except that the vicar refused permission for pictures to be taken during the service....so when the bride & groom look back on their photos the most important part of the day will be missing. The nervous looks, the father giving his daughter away, the exchange of rings, the first kiss, the joy of the occasion all missing. And by and large, it is a C of E issue; Roman Catholics are incredibly welcoming and really want to share the service and experience, Methodist services the same - but venture into a C of E church and it becomes a lottery. Some churches are wonderful, with a ready welcome and are a real joy to experience (All Saints in Clevedon as a great example of the warm welcome extended to visitors) but others are noticeably less so.

Photography in church is always a delicate balance - after all, it is hugely distracting to see a photographer moving around or firing a flash or intruding on the occasion in any way. But those of you reading this whose weddings we captured, will know how discreet we can be - no flash, no moving around and considerable respect for the occasion. So this isn't a rant as such, or even a soapbox moment - but it is such a shame that some vicars don't reflect upon the legacy that images from the service produce and who can't find the a compromise that maintains the integrity of the occasion without depriving the couple of such wonderful memories.

Workshop at The Rectory

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Just back from another workshop at The Rectory Hotel, Crudwell. Just wanted to say a big thank you to Leah, our model (above) who was just brilliant and thanks to everyone for joining in! It always feels a long day, as there is always more to cover in the workshop than we have time for, but over all a great day. Watch this space for news of the next workshop, planned for September.

Boudoir & Cotswolds: Two Very Different Days!

Busy few days... last Friday we photographed the very lovely Vicki, who won the Clifton Life boudoir competition, so hair / make up stylist Julie Johnson was with me to ensuring maximum pampering (that was Vicki receiving the pampering, not me obviously!), Charlton House provided a stunning backdrop (as well as a great dinner, canapes and champagne - I do love working with a glass of champagne in my hand - really, its the future!) & we captured a lovely set of poses. Then on Saturday, it was up to the Cotswold's to capture Jon's 30th birthday - great set of guests and a lovely evening. I wish more people considered photography for key celebrations like this - we met 150 guests, all dressed up and looking fabulous & it made for a great set of images to remember the occasion. Then off to Christchurch to celebrate my own wedding anniversary...

In between all of this, I did see an article in the Times magazine on Saturday, which posed the question "what really annoys you as a (wedding) guest?" There were a range of answers from sugared almonds (how you take offence at a sugared almond?!), to photographers taking too long (then maybe the couple should have booked me - really, I've no sympathy!) and dress codes. Obviously, if couples insist on a "pride & prejudice" theme then maybe it might become an issue (although I think I might be able to carry off the 'Darcy' look if the lights are kept low and I can keep breathing in!), but is a dress code something to stress about? Strange, sometimes, what bothers people!

Wedding Advice 003: Time Waits for No Man (or Bride)

Time. Waits for no man. And definately not for brides, although w've photographed a few that may disagree...there is not enough of it on a wedding day, that's for sure. The day will fly by, so there is a huge advantage in sitting down with your photographer (yes - your photographer - sorry, remind me who else knows the day from start to finish - florists, venues, vicars and cake makers only share part of the day, I'm with you all the way!) and plan the day. And as I write this (actually in a very lovely coffee shop in Bristol - I do love the fact that I can work on location!), I can almost hear you shout something to the effect that "we don't want our day to be planned - we want natural, fun, relaxed", etc. But it makes SO much sense - make a plan and then let other people to deliver it for you - that's the hallmark of great, relaxed, wedding day...

Anyway, advice number 3: ALWAYS overestimate how long everything will take. If your timings are correct, the worst that will happen from over-estimating is that you will have more time to talk to your guests; more time to look around and soak up the atmosphere. If you need the extra time, then its factored in already and it won't throw the rest of the day. Couples always worry that they need to ensure the day keeps moving, in case guests get bored... being positive, get a few mates and /or family (the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive) together and they can spend hours catching up - so a couple of hours spent with a pims on the lawn isn't going to be a great challenge - so don't worry! Or, put another way, if your guests are getting bored, maybe you invited the wrong guests?!

The reality is that there are too many demands on your time on a wedding day - so inevitably the day is a compromise, there is no way of avoiding this (well, there is, but you wouldn't like the answer so I won't go there), so plan the day, prioritise the parts that are most important and be relaxed about the rest. Give me a call if you have any queries about your special day.

Green Weddings

I read an article today about Green Weddings - which got me thinking how environmentally friendly can / should a bride & groom be and also how environmentally friendly can photography be? In the old days we shot on film (excuse me whilst I wipe a nostalgic tear away - film was lovely - the whole alchemy of capturing and processing an image on film is magical - its a real shame that digital process is so soulless in that regard) (but I really don't understand pro photographers today making a virtue out of capturing images on film - its the 21st Century - get a life!...but thats another story!). I guess by today's standards, film wasn't desperately 'green' and so digital capture has improved things there. But from experience, we still print almost as much as before. So that's one tick in the 'green' box and one tick in the 'nothings changed' box!

One aspect is with so many more suppliers in all aspects of wedding planning, their is a temptation to meet lots of people - decisions become harder to make because there must always be a feeling that there is someone better / cheaper / different around the corner. Personally, I think too much choice can confuse rather than help. So save the miles and start with on-line research. Find five photographers whose style you like, because style is so individual and much easier if you can find someone whose pictures really engage you from the outset. Then call them and from the conversations check availability and decide who sounded most interested in your day and who gave you most confidence, because these are key factors too. Armed with this, pick your three favourites to meet - in the unlikely event that you don't like any you have two reserves to come back to. Meet all three close together and make a decision. Efficient, low mileage, low stress and - trust me - you will end up with the right person. Don't even bother with wedding fairs - the concept is great, the experience today has become awful unless you can get to one of the boutique events (ie at Bibury Court the experience is a real pleasure). So miles saved equals a greener approach another tick there!

Finally (for this post), go local. We have probably a dozen quality venues within a 15m radius of the studio but we are just as likely to be shooting 50 miles plus away from base. If everyone went local, imagine how many miles would be saved...

But when all is said and done, from experience I can report that my wedding day was the best day of my life and for those of you planning your big day, do enjoy it and don't get too side tracked meeting the agendas of others - you should have the day of your dreams and not someone elses!

Wedding Advice - 002: Virtual Weddings

Helpful Tip: Talk to your suppliers, don't just email!

When I started in wedding photography (back in 2000, not so long ago), a photographer with a website was considered 'cutting edge'. On-line galleries were just a twinkle in a developers eye and if couples wanted to find out more it really was a case of getting up close & personal - calling in to a high street studio, meeting at a wedding fair or calling in response to an advert. But one way or another, there was a personal contact that is missing now. Clients look on line, send 'copy & paste' emails to lots of suppliers and generally avoid anything other than 'virtual' contact to the last minute.

I understand the reasons why but once you have used the web to create a short list of three possibles, pick up the phone. We always advise clients to ignore the 'questions to ask' lists in the wedding magazines. Selecting your photographer comes down to just three issues: style (if you don't like what you see on the web its unlikely that's the photographer for you); personality and budget (in that order). This posting is focused on personality. A professional, experienced photographer will have a host of questions about your day before they can get to the prices. Yes, we have standard packages that set a framework, but most photographers can tweak their offer (I was going to say 'tweak their packages' but that may be open to misinterpretation...) to match your day - if we know what your day looks like. But don't view the call as waste of your time: how friendly the photographer sounds, how interested they are in your day (if they are not asking lots of questions how interested are they in your day - and if not interested, how creative will they be when the time comes?) and whether you come away from the conversation thinking "he sounded friendly" is all useful research. Our longest wedding shoot was about 14 hours, with a lot of that time spent with the bride - if we didn't hit it off it would have been a nightmare on both sides (fortunately we did and it was great fun but that's not the point!). So be brave, pick up the phone and talk to us. Yes, its kind of old fashioned but it is SO the best way!

New Workshop Date Announced

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 the holiday of a lifetime; maybe you’ve just treated yourself to a fancy new camera and would like to know how to get the best from it… why not attend one of Andrew’s training workshops this year?

Our next course is a jargon-free beginners session that will help you understand your digital or film SLR camera and will give you the confidence to move off the auto settings to take control and take beautiful pictures. The workshop is taking place on Tuesday 25th May at The Rectory Hotel, in Crudwell (not far from Tetbury, Glos). It starts at 9:00 for 9:30 and costs £85 (includes lunch).

Please contact Andrew on 01761 452084, who can talk you through what each course will cover.

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!