Emma & Matthew's pre-wedding shoot

I was lucky enough to grow up in Devon, just 15 minutes from the coast. I spent my days frolicking in the sea, lazing on the beach eating ice-cream, and my nights barbecuing (and drinking cider!) in the sand dunes. It was an idyllic life and the perfect place to grow-up.

Although I moved away to pursue my career and to experience the ‘bright lights’ of the city, the coast has always been one of my favourite places, and as a result, I grab any opportunity I can, to head back.

So, when Emma and Matthew asked me to photograph their wedding, I jumped at the chance to ’steer’ them towards a pre-shoot by the sea. Sidmouth, although having an average age somewhat above mine(!), has always been a firm favourite because of its beautifully English promenade, immaculately landscaped gardens and possibly one or two fond memories of their yearly Folk Festival ;-) !

It was great to be able to head-back in a totally different ’space’ and see the beauty I had always seen, from a different perspective and in what seems like, a totally different life-time.

Emma and Matthew are a truly wonderful couple, who have this incredible ability to put you at ease in their company and from the moment we met (for a glass of chilled cider of course!) to the moment we ‘hugged’ our goodbyes after the shoot, I felt like I’d known them for years. Their connection and passion for each other is so clear and it was an absolute delight to capture their love.

Venetia xx

I just *adore* this lens!

 

Emma – you are simply gorgeous…..and I knew you were going to make the most stunning bride!

 

It was so interesting shooting at Sidmouth – I hadn’t considered how picture-perfect it was.

 

I don’t know which of these I *LOVE* the best?!

 

A classic Firetop Photography shot….

 

The colours and the light on the day inspired me shoot them all ‘bright and bleached’ with the minimum ‘background’…I love it.

 

Dreamy, dreamy, dreamy…

 

The *light* by these rocks was incredible….mmmmm

 

Loving this series…

 

I remember the Connaught Gardens from being dragged round there as a child with my Auntie and Uncle looking at the plants – it’s funny how all those years later I feel so differently about the beauty and ’structures’ that make this place a photographers paradise…

 

And I remember rock-pooling here with my little bucket and spade!

 

One of Emma & Matthew’s favourites…

 

I love how Matthew had perfectly co-ordinated his outfit to the beach huts LOL!

 

Look at that look…

 

I always try and ‘prepare’ clients for having their photograph taken on their own for the day itself. I love that whilst I was taking the shot of Matthew, Emma said ‘Phwwarrr…he’s gorgeous isn’t he?!’. She is a girl after my own heart and not
afraid to tell those she loves, how she feels.

 

So many places to shoot…..

 

Couldn’t choose so…..

 

And off they go….

 

Happiness is

…a carpet of beautiful spring flowers.

Venetia xx

 

 

 

 

M for.....???

Lots of my friends have had babies over the last few years and I’ve watched with glee as they embark on those fabulous new adventures. I find it really interesting, as there pregnancy progresses, to see whether or not they opt to find out the sex of their ‘little one’.

Its been a real mixture with some choosing to keep it as a lovely surprise and others choosing to take a more ‘practical’ stance and find out if theirs will be a ‘pink one’ or a ‘blue one’ before he or she make their grand appearance. And whatever they decide to do, has always been the best choice for them.

I’m totally ‘on the fence’ when it comes to this decision, not knowing if I was in that position, what I would do. One half of me thinks that I would love ‘the biggest surprise’ of all to be kept until that big moment and the other, slightly control-freakish(!), side of me would definitely be up for knowing what to expect (and what colour clothes to buy, what colour to paint the nursery and of course the hugest responsibility of what name to pick?!).

A few months ago Ray & Sarah came to my portrait studio to have their pregnancy shoot. They, like many of my friends had opted to find out whether their little ‘bundle-of-joy-to-be’ was a little boy or little girl and, to their delight, she was going to be a ‘little pink one’! They were super-decisive and had already chosen names and the shoot was a real delight as I got some ‘pre-birth’ bonding time with baby Martha!

Ray & Sarah – I’m delighted you opted for one of my ‘Bumps To One’ packages and I look forward to capturing the gorgeous Martha’s first year beautifully for you. I’ll keep my fingers crossed no-one got it wrong and that Martha doesn’t turn out to be Michael!

Venetia xx

P.S. I’m catching up on blog posts so…sshhhh…I already know!

 

Sarah and Ray are sooo happy about their impending arrival. Their joy and love for each other was such a wonderful energy.

 

 

Sarah – even at eight and a half months pregnant you look gorgeous!

 

 

 

 

Sarah had the most amazing wardrobe of gorgeous maternity clothes – a beautiful Yummy Mummy! And Ray….you looked great too of course!

 

 

Just couldn’t resist a little ‘M’!

 

 

Sarah and Ray chose to have this image printed and framed….can you see why?! Serene, beautiful, radiant, stunning….and so much more.