Workshop at The Rectory

www.andrewjacksonphotography.co.uk

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.

All Saint's Church, Clevedon

Stained Glass Detail: copyright Andrew Jackson Photography

I'm very pleased to write that I have been commissioned by All Saint's Church in Clevedon to document their 150th Anniversary. Its a fascinating project in prospect, not least because its a real legacy project that will become part of the history of the community. And 'community' plays a big part of this project, because as well as capturing some of the incredible details like the stained glass, the project also aims to reflect how the church fits into real life. So baptisms, weddings and funerals will all feature - each posing a different photographic challenges - but also the people who keep the church alive - the wardens, the flowers arrangers, the bell ringers and cleaners. The project will result in an exhibition in November, more of which later.

Vicki's Boudoir Shoot

www.andrewjacksonphotography.co.uk

It's probably no surprise if I said that right now, I am sat in a coffee shop, with my americano (with hot milk) in front of me - regular followers of this blog will know that this is the life blood of my business (did you notice the optimism of 'followers' plural!). Anyway, just wanted to share one of the shots from Vicki's boudoir shoot that I mentioned recently. Vicki was absolutely amazing! When we started shooting boudoir the images that came to mind were very dark and moody, but its becoming a trend now that people have so much fun in front of camera that there are too many smiles to make mean & moody work! But in a way, I'm really pleased with this response. I've met lots of women who like the whole 'How to look good naked' thing, but who hate the idea of being pictured in a 'page three' style. So sexy and fun seems to work much much better.

French Weddings: New For 2011

Really pleased to announce that from 2011 onwards we shall be available to shooting weddings in France. Our first French wedding was shot in the south west, not far from Bergerac and was a great experience. Firstly, amazing settings - the chateau and vineyard backdrops are just SO inspirational from a photographic perspective. The light is incredible - especially in the countryside - and that really helps me to create something different and interesting. And from our experience, weddings tend to be very relaxed, so more smiles and more informality to capture, which suits my style down to the ground!

It makes good sense if you are UK based getting married in france to commission a UK photographer, since all the pre-meetings and post production are more easily managed. And flights are so reasonable these days: we are available for commissions across the UK, so really its as easy for us to get to France as it is to a castle in Scotland. And I get an opportunity to practice my quite dreadful language skills (that's true for France and Scotland!).

Its been my aspiration for a long time to base at least part of the business in France, so the prospect of spending more time in this beautiful country is very exciting. Do please have a look at my website and contact us if you are planning an overseas wedding.

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!

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....

Trash The Dress

Trash the dress... daft name, great concept. For the name, we must blame the Americans (or at least an American - I doubt the whole country got together to brainstorm the name) (to be fair, it might be have been someone who just lived in America at the time, so maybe 'blame' is the wrong approach - maybe a group hug would be a better response). So daft name, great concept... In yesterdays blog I highlighted how precious time is at a wedding. Do you know that despite all the time shared with your photographer, you'll only get 20-30 minutes to take some stunning couple shots. And yes, stunning couple shots is what you will end up with but...

From experience most brides have spent more on their wedding dress than any other item of clothing they have ever bought and whatever their size and shape, they will probably have been in the gym or on a diet in the lead up to the wedding to make sure they and their dress look as fab as possible. So, you are feeling and looking better than ever and you get twenty minutes in front of the camera - not long is it? But of course, on the day, you don't want to risk the dress getting marked and you'd really prefer to be talking to your guests anyway, which is where 'trash the dress' comes in. Firstly, the dress doesn't get trashed (that would just be silly) - think of it as an extra special portrait shoot: what happens is that we meet up a few weeks after the wedding and go for an extended portrait shoot somewhere amazing - a striking urban setting like Bristol Docks or on to the beach or a remote landscape setting - somewhere that is a total contrast to your wedding day. And with the extra time, and all the stresses removed, we create some amazing set piece pictures. I saw a picture a few weeks back where the groom was in smart casual clothes and the bride in her dress with an urban setting and it looked AMAZING. Just as though the couple had stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine.

It's not expensive. The session fee is £95 (or £45 if I photographed your wedding), with a range of frames starting from £295. Do please ask for details.