2011: Portraits in Bristol

All pictures copyright Andrew Jackson Photography

As part of next year's portrait relaunch, I've been looking to capture a little more emotion, more intimacy than in my work to date. These three are just a small sample of pictures from Bristol Docks with Stina & Joel. Pictures shot yesterday, all with natural light and all on location. Fab shoot - and if you would like something similar, there is still time to get a Bristol portrait shoot in the diary before Christmas - just contact me via the website.

Portrait Promotion

www.andrewjacksonphotography.co.uk

Recently, I've been really doing a lot of navel gazing (or is it naval? I'm rubbish at spelling and this is one of those moments where there really is quite a difference: one spelling suggests I spend my weekends at Portsmouth harbour, the other that I am a belly button obsessive - anyway, its the later). So, having removed all the fluff, chewing gum and the remains of last weeks hummus & avocado sandwich, I started to think about how we approach the various styles of photography. And with portraits particularly it felt that I was shooting in much the same way as two / three years ago. So, I've gone back to basics, reassessed my style and approach and created a style more inspired by the fashion pages. First trial shoots have produced some lovely shots and the 'new look' is getting a really good response. Different to the usual studio portraits, it is a style more about capturing movement, emotion and atmosphere.

Special Offer? Well, until Christmas we're looking for victims (doh! sorry, 'customers') to experience the new style shoot. Its a special price of £25 for the session fee (will be £125 when officially launched in January), with discounts on any prints ordered. It's ideally suited to couples or teenagers (rather than family shoots - sorry), so if you know anyone who might be interested, do get in touch as soon as...obviously, good timing for Christmas presents, but even so, a fab experience at a great price. Email the Andrew Jackson Photography website for more info.

A Stunning Spring - Its Portrait Time

I'm back in my favourite 'office' - one of Clifton's best coffee shops - wondering why I am sat here and not taking pictures! The weather is glorious, the blossom is in the tree's - this is such a great time to book a portrait shoot! Once upon a time, I did promise that there would be some special offers for people who kept tabs on this blog, so here is the first special offer. Mention that you have seen this blog before the end of April '10 and I will offer a free on-location portrait session (in Bristol, Bath or surrounding area). Reprint prices start from £20 unframed, so a bargain to be had! Shoots need to be booked by the end of April and take place before the end of May. Have a look at my website for some sample images. Have to go - my americano with hot milk is cooling rapidly....

Bath Photo Workshop - 21 February

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’ve just treated yourself to a fancy new camera and would like to know how to get the best from it… Andrew will be hosting a number of training workshops this year, starting at Bailbrook House on Sunday, 21 February. Bailbrook is a lovely venue, with amazing areas of well lit areas indoors, so whatever the weather, we'll be able to get some great pictures.

For more information, please contact Andrew on 01761 452084, who can talk you through what the course aims to cover.

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.

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.

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 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.