New Exciting Promo Stuff!

I attended a marketing workshop yesterday to try and get some new ideas for promoting my business. Right at the start of session, the lady running the workshop asked who had business cards. I was the only person to put my hand up. She asked me to show her my card and as I was getting my wallet out, I felt a shiver of embarrassment run through me. This was because I knew full well that I’d given my last business card to a close up magician I'd met in a Parcel Force collection office the previous day. Anyone who is friends with me on Facebook may have noticed that I've had a bit of a running battle with Parcel Force this week over their 'Express 1 day service' that I eventually received 3 days late after 3 phone calls, 2 visits to the depot and a strongly worded letter! Anyway this magician did a trick for me whilst we were waiting to be served and was quite good so I said I'd recommend him to my clients where necessary. He didnt have a business card on him so said he'd email me his details through, which he is yet to do.

Anyway, I’ve digressed into a babbling and ranting idiot now. Back to the marketing workshop. So I didn’t have a business card and felt quite ridiculous admitting this after just saying that I had one. The workshop leader gave me a mild dressing down and instructed me to never leave the house without them! I wanted to tell her that I was leaving to pick up a batch of business cards (at a 3rd attempt) immediately following the workshop. But I didn’t as this would have made me look like the a schoolboy (that I used to be) making excuses for not doing his homework.

Here they are anyway, I love them! I got 13 different photographs printed onto the front of the cards. It's like carrying a mini portfolio around in my pocket. I've simplified the contact details on the back going for a 'less is more' look. The print quality is superb and I couldn’t be happier with them. (Which is more than I can say for these poor quality iPhone photos of them.)


Pics!


Lots of pics!


Back of the cards


The postcard front


Postcard rear

The only problem I have now is that I really don't want to give them away!

Terri and Rik Get Married at The Bolholt, Bury

Last month I covered the wedding of Terri and Rik over at the Bolholt Hotel in Bury. I’ve worked this venue a few times now and have enjoyed every single event covered here. The venue seems tailor made for weddings and the highly professional coordinators work tirelessly to make sure everything on the day runs smoothly.

I started off at the madhouse that was the bride’s mothers to capture the preparations. Loads of people crammed into a terraced house, loads of noise, kids fighting, champagne flowing – ACE! Terri seemed cool as the proverbial cucumber as I followed her and the bridesmaids about whilst they sorted themselves out. I had to capture the bride making the final adjustments to her dress in the smallest space imaginable. All good fun.

I headed off to the venue around the same time as the bridesmaids and met up with Rik and the lads, struggling to find an open bar at the venue to sneak a cheeky pint in before the ceremony (unsuccessfully I might add). The venue was dressed up in spectacular fashion by Organza Occasions. The room truly was breathtaking. If you want to see anymore of their work check out www.organzaoccasions.co.uk

Anyway, I’ve known Rik for years from working together in the past, and he is generally a cool customer. But seemed to be bricking it a bit before the service (haha, sorry lad). Rik and the groomsmen pre-warned me about a trick that they were to play on Terri during the exchanging of the rings (switching his wedding ring for the one you’ll see below).

The trick was played and taken in great humour, setting up what was to be a great day. Weather was a bit windy, but the rain held off. We had a free reign of the entire venue as no other weddings were due to arrive until later on so took full advantage. Highlights below…

































The photos probably tell the story of the day better than I can, great venue, great people and a great laugh. Thanks to the pair of you for allowing me to be a part of your special day. As Rik said in his speech, PARTY ON DUDES!

Sarah and Tony at Heaton Park Orangery, Prestwich.

Starting off a busy October for me were Sarah and Tony. The couple had chosen The Orangery at Heaton Park to tie the knot which was my second time shooting there (my third happened to be just 3 weeks later, but more on that to come on another post). I love doing photo shoots at Heaton Park for two reasons:
1) It’s a wedding photographers dream (as long as the weather behaves). The park is beautiful, as are the flowerbeds at The Orangery. The temple on the hill is a great spot for portrait shots and the staff are extremely helpful.
2) I just live around the corner so I don’t have far to drive after my work is done :-D

The wedding itself was held in Heaton Park Hall. The room where the service was held is breathtaking. Loads of light flooding in through the big windows at the front meaning I get to turn my flash off for more natural lighted shots. The wedding had the couple reading their own personal vows with neither of them being able to suppress their emotions. From there we moved outside for the group shots before I took the bride and groom for a walk to get some nice portraits. The whole day ran very smoothly thanks to the ushers who were great at organising everyone and helped me a great deal on the day. Many thanks lads! Highlights below.





























All the best for the future to Sarah and Tony! I really enjoyed being a part of your day and I hope you love your photographs.

Sharon Maternity Shots

As she was coming to the final month of pregnancy, my friend Sharon wanted some shots taking to document how she looked before giving birth. We went out over a few different days and locations and took some nice pictures of her looking all lovely and… well pregnant! We finished the shoot at her home with her husband Pete getting his hands in on the action on the final picture below.















And about a month after I took these shots, I went round and took this one!



Congratulations on the birth of the lovely Leila Mae Owen! We’ll get a proper family shoot sorted for you as soon as possible.

Sarah and Ste

Phew! This last 4 weeks has been hectic, busy busy busy! Time to catch up with some bloggage and share some of the work I’ve been doing.

What a great day this was! Starting off with the service in Bury followed by the reception in Haslingden (or Rawtenstall, I never quite got to the bottom of that one?), my good friends Sarah and Ste tied the knot and gave me the honour of capturing their amazing day. These are two of the nicest and most fun people I know and was really looking forward to the day, especially when I found out the theme of the party – mad hats! Guests were invited to bring along some funky headwear for the reception, the madder the better! And they didn’t disappoint. The best man had the duty of making the groom's hat and unveiled it on the day - his idea was quite literally PANTS! See below for details!

























I had a fantastic time here, definitely a wedding day to remember! Congratulations guys! x