New Blog Home!

I've been reliably informed that a Wordpress blog should help me with my search engine optimisation (which apparently means more people will find us through things like google...?)  It's all a foreign language to me really, but if I want to get our work out there, I guess I can but try. 

So I'm afraid my little blogspot site will be a little sparse from now on, with just updates to redirect anyone to the new blog site.  I hope you will come and say hi.  We have posted our first wedding for 2011 there today - the gorgeous Abbie and her now husband, Rob.  It was the perfect way to kick start our weddings this year, so click here and take a look for yourself :)

Sneaky Peek: Abbie & Rob, Old Marylebone Town Hall

Our first wedding in 2011, and Abbie and Rob's intimate family affair quite literally took my breath away.
More to come soon.

The Million Dollar Question

One of the biggest dilemmas I've had since starting the photography business has been pricing. It was so much easier in the beginning, when it was just something I did for fun. But now that this is my occupation, now that this is what I do, it's become so much more complicated.

I've joined forums, canvassed opinions of friends, peers, brides, but the answer is never simple; and everyone has a valid opinion.  Kat and Julia Boggio wrote an excellent article asking the question: what is a good photographer worth, and I often think about that.  After all, I value my work.  I put a great deal of effort into it, so why is it so hard to put a monetary value against that?  This is made all the more difficult knowing the price I charge is also being judged by some as my worth.

Yet something I've said from the outset, is that I want to be affordable.  I want to ensure that good people get good photographs, and I know I for one would find it difficult to stretch to some of the prices out there.   Funnily enough I have been on the consumer end recently, as I am looking for a photographer to document Cam and my 10th anniversary celebrations next year; so I appreciate the fine line between wanting the best for an important occasion, and what I can realistically save up and afford.

This has been on my mind all the more recently, because we've just raised our prices.  This was as a result of an increased number of enquiries, particularly for 2012, and we felt our introductory package needed to expand to illustrate the growth we have achieved.  However ever since doing so, I've been feeling a little uncomfortable.  Some of the most exciting sounding weddings we have booked for 2011 are based on our earlier prices, and the thought we might have missed out on these brides make me sad. 

At the same time, as the business grows, so does our investment in it.  How do I find a happy medium?

I've decided tonight to revise the packages we have on offer, so as to give a wider choice, and ensure the DIY bride's beautiful efforts do not have to go to waste.   I've found that the people who fall in these brackets often have some of the most unique, imaginative and original weddings, and these are some of the weddings we really want to photograph.   

I realised tonight, my ultimate worth is determined by how I capture the spirit of a wedding, and there can never be a definitive price tag on that.

The Usual Suspects

We launched our Usual Suspects photobooth at Hannah and Nick's wedding in August.
Can't wait to do more next year...
and there will be more props too!

Today I am grateful for...

Validation

vali·date (val′ə dāt′)
to prove to be valid; confirm the validity of; verify

Although I always strive to do my best, and more, for the couples we photograph, the little gremlin still lurks occasionally in the back of my mind going, "Seriously?  Who do you think you are?"  So it was beyond wonderful to receive this testimonial from Lucy today when I asked her to write something for me to include on a new section of our website:

"When I first started to organise mine and Chris' wedding, I asked a lot of married friends for their opinions on which companies they used for different parts of their weddings. The answers I got were encouraging - except when it came to the photographers. With everyone I asked they had some kind of problem - either they didnt gel with the photographers, their styles clashed, the photographers were difficult to get in touch with or they didnt like the final pictures. Well I can categorically say that Chris and I had none of these problems with Penny and Cameron! From day one they were excited to be a part of our wedding, they wanted to know what type of pictures we wanted, kept in touch with us all the way through right up until the big day and on the day they were amazing. From blending in with our guests, to making everyone feel at ease in order to get a relaxed picture; all of our guests have commented on how lovely they were. But what I am most thankful for is making me the happiest bride in the world because we have the most perfect set of wedding pictures, which captured the essence of the day, that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Thank you Penny and Cameron, we are forever grateful to you both."
Lucy and Chris Johnstone (married 31st July 2010)

Thank you Lucy and Chris, those words mean more than you'll ever know.

Thanks Lisa for inspiring this series of gratitude posts :)

Today I am grateful for...

Weddings.

I love weddings.  They contain all the best ingredients of life, compacted into one perfect day, and packaged beautifully with a bow on top! 

I still pinch myself to think I get to share this magical day with people as part of my work, but I am oh so grateful for it.  These last few days I have been particularly giddy with excitement as we booked 6 weddings in 48 hours.  Amongst them is a breakfast ceremony at Stonehenge, a beautiful English country garden picnic and more vintage buses!  Yay!

So today I just want to thank the lovely couples - past, present and future who invite us to capture the most amazing day of their lives.   We don't take that for granted.

Thanks Lisa for inspiring this series of gratitude posts :)

Mr & Mrs Shelley

I've been looking forward to blogging this wedding as it's definitely one of our favourites to date!
Mel & Mark found us via the incomparable Rock n Roll Bride website, so we knew their wedding was going to be right up our alley, and they did not disappoint.

Tying the knot in a stylish evening affair, Mel wore a dress handmade by her Great Great Aunt and worn by her Great Aunt and Grandmother.  True vintage indeed!   By the time she had her hair styled and make up applied, she quite seriously looked like a 1940s movie star.  Just stunning!

After the beautiful and intimate ceremony at Burgh House, the wedding party boarded an original Routemaster for a champagne filled journey to the East end of town, where the Britannia was ready for the reception.

We loved the informal vibe of this wedding, and it epitomised the groovy kind of love that Mel and Mark share.   Thank you Mr & Mrs Shelley for choosing us to document your day, and thank you Kat for attracting the best kind of couples!

Married: Stacey & Luke

From the outset we were excited about Stacey and Luke's wedding.  We've met with them twice, over the last 12 months leading up to the big day, and each time we came away from their company giggling in excitement.  Cam was doubley excited because Stacey and Luke are VW fans, and a split screen camper (which was a surprise for Luke) and a VW beetle, were both being featured in the days proceedings! 

You know, all weddings are magical, and it is a real privilege to get to share in one of the most joyful family occasions.   You get to really see love in action at times like this.  Not just between the bride and groom, but amongst family and friends too.  You get to see love in it's rawest forms, where it is accepted (even encouraged), to be sentimental and sweet and beautiful and romantic and gentle.   Where you are expected (even encouraged) to have fun, be happy, feel good.  This is a time when a handshake often becomes a hug, a quick hello becomes, "Wow, you're looking great, how are you....", and where you often hear words from the heart which sometimes get lost in everyday life.

Stacey and Luke's big day had all this in abundance.
The sheer love was palpable. 
The thing is, I don't think this was a one day only occurance; but rather here was a group of people, families, who really enjoyed each other all the time.  

And then we were gifted with the most glorious sunset.  After two days of torrential rainfall, even the sky couldn't help but smile on these two beautiful people.

Stacey and Luke, your day was true joy.
May each and every day bring you as much joy with each other.
High fives all round :)
xo

You can see more pictures from Stacey and Luke's wedding by clicking here.