Haleys Senior Portraits, Baton Rouge

A while back we set about photographing Haleys' senior portraits in and around the Baton Rouge area.  Haley is a talented dancer so we included some shots of her in the dance studio where she practises as well as some fun stuff around the city.

You can see more of Haleys images on the slideshow here

As you can see we had really great fun and produced some memorable images.

Alexia and Pauls Wedding at Mangapp Manor

Lexi and Paul out side Mangap Manor

This Saturday i was honoured to be asked to photograph the wedding of Alexia and Paul at the stunning Mangap Manor.  Unfortunately the weather wasn't the best and in all honesty I think it's the heaviest rain I've ever had to work in.

Alexia getting ready

 Although the rain came down hard it didn't effect anyone.  Everyone had great fun and took the day with a smile which made what could have been a hard job so much easier and we achieved some great images (see slide show below) and even managed to get outside late into the evening.

Paul and his bestmen

A fantastic wedding day made easier by all involved including the excellent staff at the Mangapp Manor.

Maegans Senior Pictures, Baton Rouge

It seems so long ago that I met up with Maegan and her parents at the State Capital in Baton Rouge.  It was a warm day and very bright (no surprises there) and Maegan had brought several changes of clothes to wear throughout the shoot.

I always think that the best senior pictures (or any pictures) are when a persons real expressions and ways are captured.  When you hear a comment something like "oh that's her" it's means so much more than a picture.  It's a moment in time a true reflection of the individual as they are.

Check out a few more of Maegan's senior pics in the slideshow below.

We had great fun and chose some fun locations making use of the beautiful grounds and lakes.  Its always a pleasure to photograph people with charecter and Maegan has plenty, with a magical smile that spreads from ear to ear.

The Pin Up Parlour, Hollyns Hair Studio

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Cat fight in Prison

And now for something completely different ....... Photographing in prisons, hair boutiques, in the street and in 50's cars, all in a days work ... Luv It!

It's always good to step outside of your comfort zone and push your boundaries.  I'm so used to shooting wedding and portraits I'm confident I could do them with any sitter in any enviroment and still get the results I would be proud of.

However this shoot was definitely not the norm.  I'd had several meetings with Hollyn the owner and main stylist at "The Pin Up Parlour" in Denham Springs who had an idea on what she wanted in her latest images to use for her marketing and decorations.  In addition her friend who owns a local clothing boutique lent her and her models some clothes she wanted to feature in a campaign.  All of a sudden instead of my norm of the person in the picture being the most important thing the clothes / hair was to be the feature.

Think this image is a good commercial shot for the Jeans

I'd checked out the area and had some ideas on where we could shoot and I had a few ideas I wanted to introduce and gauge the reaction.  We started in Hollyn's boutique with some pin up styled shots, and then moved outside.  It was about now I suggested we take some photographs inside the city hall (and specifically the jail cells).  I was very pleased that everyone loved the idea and we carried on photographing the girls in the prison cells.

You can see a further selection of images from the shoot here.  This slideshow of Hollyns pics is also available for download via i-tunes by clicking this link.  You can then add it to your i-phone / video i-pod or i-pad.

Another shot adapted to emphasise the Jeans

We finished the days shoot using some uber cool 50's cars which set the images perfectly.

The final shoot was with a couple of classic 50's cars

Al in all a very enjoyable day with excellent models and Hollyns exceptional skills in reshaping hair styles in no time, in not ideal locations with the minimum of equipment.  True professionals all around.

Chris's Senior Portrait Shoot, Baton Rouge

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Chris plays the drums on the banks of the Mississippi

There are several things vital for capturing great images and  I always consider that capturing a persons true spirit is probably the most important.  When it came to taking Chris's senior pictures I new this wouldn't be a problem.  With an army of helpers we managed to move his drum set onto the river bank overlooking the Missippippi river.   I'd intended to just pose a few images but for someone like Chris it's impossible to sit at a drum kit and not have a jam session.  This worked out perfect as i moved around and climbed up and down getting the shots.

A selection of images from Chris's senior portrait session around Baton Rouge

 We worked our way around Baton Rouge, finding some cool walls and super interesting backgrounds.  You can see a selection of images from chris's shoot on the video below.  You can also download the video via i-tunes and then add it to your i-phone/ video ipod by clicking this link 

Jeanette's Senior Portrait Session in Baton Rouge

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Jeanette relaxes by the lake at the state capital

Just  before I left the comfort and warmth of Louisiana for the cold winter in England I had a very busy week where I photographed 4 sessions in a week.

The following images are all taken of Jeanette and were inside and around the state capital just before dusk.  Amazingly the whole shoot was done inside of two hours (i think) as we had to be super-quick because we were running out of daylight.

We had great fun although we were warned away from the state capital steps at one point by the security guards.  Unfortunately a young child had fallen recently and some of the drops from the steps down to the ground are very high so it's understandable they don't want anyone injuring themselves.

The following is a short video showing a few of the images from the shoot.  You can download this slidesghow via i-tunes and from their add it to your i-phone / video i-pod by clicking this link.

Dave and Julies Wedding at the Fennes Estate, Bocking

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Julie and Dave have a quiet moment on the bridge at the Fennes bocking

Differant times of year offer differant opportunities.  Autumn offers possibly the best colours as leaves and plants turn yellow and fall to the ground.  Of course life can't be too easy so whilst the colours are amazing the light in autumn is scarce and at 4pm its almost dark.

So having spoken to Julie and Dave back in April (see their pre wed shoot by clicking here), it was always going to be a rush to get the pictures at the church then race back to the magnificent Fennes estate to make use of their well tended grounds.

We had a lot of fun on the day and as yo can see below managed to get some pictures before mother nature turned out the lights.  You can download this slideshow via i-tunes and then add it to your i-phones or video i-player.

Donnas Family Portrait Session, New Orleans, French Quarter

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I had the absolute pleasure of taking some more pictures in the French Quarter, New Orleans last weekend.  This time it was a family session.  The French quarter offers so many exciting areas to shoot and each turn down every street offers new opportunties.

One of the places we discovered was a small hotel which from the outside doesn't look much but once you are inside the gates a whole world of beauty and charector suddenly springs into life.  Another fun session with lots of laughs and great fun.

You can see a selection of images from the shoot in the slideshow below.  You can also download the slideshow via i-tunes by clicking this link.  You can then add the slideshow to your i-phone / i-pad etc.

Ashleys Senior Pictures in New Orleans

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Last weekend we has great fun taking senior pictures in the down town New Orleans area with Ashley.  It was a super fun session and whilst we photographed Ashleys mum circled around us in the car as a moving changing area for Ashley.

 As you can see from the pictures we had a great time in and around the French Quarter which really is an amazing place for photographs to be taken.  Every back alley and side-street offers new interesting opportunities. 

You can see a selection of images from the shoot in the slideshow below.  You can also download this slideshow to i-tunes (and from there add it to your i-phone / i-pad) by clicking this link.

Stixx Senior portraits, Baton Rouge, Denham Springs

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Something that is common in America (so I'm learning) is for school leavers to have a selection of photographs taken as a reminder of a certain moment in time.  These are known as senior pictures.  This was all new to me but having discussed with Taylor (her friends call her Stixx) I was confident i could put my own twist onto what was expected.

We started out in the Louisiana State capital (Baton Rouge) and used a little coffee shop I'd stopped in when we came down for Mardi Gras at the start of the year.  I remember thinking what a cool little place it would be for a shoot so when we decided on Baton Rouge I new where I wanted to start. 

I also new where there was an old bank vault very close to the coffee shop that I had seen that was just screaming out to be used in a shoot.  As you can see from the images on the blog and the video below we had some real fun.

The next location was next to the river where I'd scouted underneath a bridge which gave a really cool unusual overhead background.  Close by there was some nice long grass and some logs all making excellent photography props and backgrounds.




You can download this video to itunes by clicking this link.  You can then add it to an i-phone or video i-pod and have it with you wherever you go.

We visited a few other places in Baton rouge but then unfortunately it began to rain.  However we we decided that if we were going to get wet we might as well go for it so Stixx had fun splashing around in the water fountains outside the museum.

Because the rain had cut us short the day before we had arranged to meet up again the next day this time in old Denham Springs an areas rich with antiques and old styled shop fronts full of colour (British spelling) and excitement.

We were so lucky that Hollyn of the Pin-Up Parlour hairdressers allowed us to take some pictures in her shop and use it as a base so Stixx could get changed. We spent another three + hours finding fun places to shoot.   

All in all an excellent fun couple of days!!

Family Portraits in New Jersey

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I've been sitting on this slideshow for a while now.  The photographs were actually taken back in February but were part of a gift for Jobeth and George.  The whole family recently went on a cruise which where the pictures were shown publically for the first time so it's now safe for it to be added to the blog.


I had an incredible fun time meeting everybody and it's amazing how many points of interest are within just a short 45 minute drive ..... ;0)


You can download the above slideshow via i-tunes by clicking this link.  You can then add it to any video i-pod, i-phone or i-pad to be watched at your convenience.

Colonel Rogers Promotion Party, New Jersey, USA

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It takes exceptional ability and leadership to be promoted in the US Army to the rank of Colonel, so on the rare occasions it happens its something that is often celebrated by the officers friends and families.

I was honoured to be asked to photograph Stephanie's day and also to capture some family images which will be uploaded at a later date.

The day started with Stephanie preparing her uniforms and various family members visiting at her parents house.

The trip to where the party was to take place took a "New Jersey 45 minute drive" which I was to discover several times over the weekend could be anything between 30 minutes and an hour and a half.  When we arrived there were plenty of people already there.


The actual military presentation of the rank was a short part of the day with a short reading.  Stephanie's, dad then placed the Colonel badge of rank on her uniform and her mother, sister and brother added the rank to her dress uniform and cap.


With the formalities out of the way it was time for everyone to eat the excellent buffet meal that had been provided and carry on the conversations as Stephanie did the rounds and visited every table being an excellent host.


You can see a short slide show of some of the images from the day by clicking play below.  You can also download Stephanie's slideshow via i-tunes by clicking here, allowing you too add it to a video i-pod or i-phone.

Rayna, Tyler and Hannah, Lifestyle Photographs Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Over the last few weeks i've had the real pleasure of getting to know the three little ones pictured above.  We've played football (soccer) in the garden and struggled with homework in the evenings but every moment has been a joy.

The images in the slidehow below were taken over a couple of days at the Louisiana State University (LSU) and the Louisiana state capital building in Baton Rouge. 

The slideshow below can be downloaded via i-tunes by clicking this link and can then be added to your video i-pod / i-phone.

Maegan & Franks Wedding, la Maison Creole, New Orleans, Louisiana

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Sometimes I forget how lucky I am and how much I love to take photographs and as a result I've had some pretty incredible opportunities.  I'm lucky enough to have travelled the world and photographed in some incredible locations.





Last weekend was one of those incredible wedding days.  Frank and Meagan had chosen to marry at the fantastic wedding venue "La Maison Creole" in New Orleans and I was honoured to be asked to capture their day.

New Orleans is famous for many things but probably top of the list are its infamous Mardi Gras parties.  

Maegan and Frank's whole wedding theme was "Mardi Gras" based and incorporated the three mardi gras colours of gold purple and green which realy helped set of the photographs.

I also encountered a new tradition i'd never seen at a wedding before.  It was based around the cake (check out Frank and Maegans incredible cake in the slide show above).   The base of the cake has strings attached and the single ladies each take one.  On the command they all pull and at the end of each string is a small pendant that signifies various things, I love discovering new ideas and traditions and this wedding was packed full of them.

There are so many happy highlights from the day but one of the most touching parts was when Maegans grandfather sang to her and her new husband, a very touching and heartfelt moment in time, not a dry eye in the house.


You can watch a short selection of their images in the slideshow above.  You can also download this slide show via i-tunes by clicking this link.  You can then add it to your i-phone / i-pod and have it with you wherever you go.

Alexia and Pauls Pre wedding photographs, Colchester, Essex

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This weekend I took the trip over to meet up with Alexia and Paul in Colchester who had recently got engaged and plan to marry in the summer of 2012.  We had a great chat about their day and possible ideas that could happen.

We then took a short drive to Friday woods were we took a few photographs.  We timed it pretty well as it was probably the only time over the weekend when it wasn't raining althought it was very muddy underfoot (which added to the fun).
 
You can see a selection of the images we captured on the slideshow below.  You can also download this (and other) slideshows via i-tunes by clicking this link.  you can then add them to your i-phone or i-player so you always have them available to show anyone who may be interested.

I always try and do a pre wedding / engagement shoot for any couples that contact me when they're considering me as their photographer.  I find it helps everyone involved, the couple so they have an idea of me and how I work and me as I can get used to the couple and see what they want and how far I can push them.  It's like taking a test drive before you have to make a decision as to who you want to photograph your big day and best of all its completely free, drop me a line if you think you may be interested.

Family Lifestyle Portrait Session, Wivenhoe, Essex

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About a week ago, I travelled over to the Essex college in Wivenhoe where I'd arranged to meet up with Steve, Heidi and young Joseph for a lifestyle portrait session.

It was a real fun afternoon and young Jospeh certainly kept us all on our toes all day, he's got the cutest smile ever and is full of energy.  However he didn't quite get the idea that the bread he was given was supposed to be for the ducks, prefering to eat it himself instead.

 You can see a short slideshow of some the images from the shoot below.  You can also download the slideshow via itunes by clicking here.  You should then be able to add it to your i=phone or video i-pod.

Naomi and James Wedding, Elmstead Market, Colchester

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One thing about being a wedding photographer in Essex is every location is different.  Unlike when working in London there is often large rural areas that if the weather is kind and with a little bit of effort can help in creating some real memorable images.

Naomi and James got married at a small little church near Naomi's parents house in Elmstead market where Naomi and her bridesmaids got ready.   The whole day went without a hitch and was very enjoyable for everyone who came.


One of my favourite detail shots was this one of Naomis shoes on the piano, I was later told by Naomi that his piano had been a gift to her Grandfather and Grand mother on their wedding day which helps to make the image even more special.

You can see a selection of images from their wedding day on the slideshow below.  you can also download this show via i-tunes and then add it to an i-phone or i-pod by clicking here.

Hannah and Dylans Wedding in Peldon, Colchester

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I've just got back from showing Hannah and Dylans their images from their fantastic wedding.  I first met Hannah and Dylan back in March when we talked about their day then took a few pictures (link to their pre wed shoot) .

Having had such fun on that day I had no doubt their wedding day would be a real fun event and it certainly was.  The church (St. Mary the Virgin) was just a few minutes away from Hannah's parents house (where the party was to be held), so the pressure of getting lost was non existent taking away something that can be a major stress, I did raise a smile when I mentioned to a nervous Dylan at the alter that the girls were going to be late cause the sat nav had gone wrong.

The ceremony was ministered by Dylans uncle so it really was a tight family service.  After a few pictures at the church it was time to head back to the marquee set up in the garden.

 The evening couldn't have been any better with some fantastic food, top notch speeches and a band that really rocked the house (well marquee).  A truely magical day and an honour to have photographed.

Family Portrait Shoot in the Park, Braintree, Essex

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Last Saturday we saw the first serious rain we've had in quite some time.  Whilst no doubt the countries gardeners and farmers were relieved I must admit it wasn't good news to me.  My problem was I was due to meet up with a couple of families in the local park on Sunday and whilst photography in the rain can produce some interesting images it's far easier to have fun when the suns shining.

Luckily mother nature was kind and Sunday saw a welcome return of the sun.  In no time at all we were all having fun and running around, jumping and shouting (I'm just a big kid really).  It's not rocket science, if you want good images of children, just have fun and it all comes natural.

Below is a short slideshow showing some of the images. If you look closely you'll spot some of the local wildlife who wanted to be in the photographs, fantastic.   You can download this slideshow through i-tunes by clicking here, you can then transfer it to an i-phone or i-player.

New Born Baby Masons first Photography Shoot, Southend on Sea

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I'm extremely proud how past clients quickly become friends and It was a fantastic honour to travel down to Southend on sea and revisit, Taylor and Nateisha who's wedding I had the pleasure of photographing last year.  This time there was a new star of the show, their beautiful new born baby boy, Mason.

Little Mason was an absolute star and slept through most of the shoot only occasionally waking up to check out what was going on around him. 

Mason is just over four weeks old, If you've seen my baby pictures before you'll know I consider the early stages the perfect time for capturing the best baby images (ideally in the first two weeks).  If you have a baby please don't delay in making enquiries, babies change so quickly and you'll never have an opportunity to get these pictures again.

You can see a few more images in a slideshow below by clicking play.  You can also download this slideshow via i-tunes by clicking this link and then watch it on your computer or transfer it to your i-phone or i-pod.