I’m now delighted to announce that not only are [...]]]> Back at the end of December, the Deer Park Hotel approached me about being one of their recommended wedding photographers. I was delighted as I have fond childhood memories of the hotel and love the fact I get to go back there now in ‘a new life’.

I’m now delighted to announce that not only are they happy to recommended me as a preferred supplier, but they have also asked me to join an exclusive Panel of Experts, giving advice about photography related matter to couples planning their wedding.

Joining me are experts from all the major areas of wedding planning; the hotel, a wedding dress designer, a florist and a make-up artist. Please email us at experts@deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk and let us know if there are any other areas of expertise you would like to see covered.

This first month is all about introducing the experts and setting the scene for what’s to come and then next month….the really exciting stuff starts! We have been brainstorming ideas and collecting questions from previous couples to get us started, but are always on the look out for new questions to answer. Please email us at experts@deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk if you have any questions or overall topics that you would like to see featured and we’ll do our best to answer them.

You can find the ‘Ask the Experts’ section on The Deer Park web-site. They will be sending out an monthly email notifying you when the questions and answers will be posted but of course, I will be featuring them here too. Watch this space….!

Venetia xx

The http://www.deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk/ and myself have joined up to offer one night’s dinner, bed and breakfast, plus a romantic ‘Couples’ photoshoot for one lucky winner.

The lucky winner will enjoy the following:

* Dinner for two at the Deer Park Hotel * Overnight accommodation for two in [...]]]> Has a very exciting offer for any Facebook users out there.

The http://www.deerparkcountryhotel.co.uk/ and myself have joined up to offer one night’s dinner, bed and breakfast, plus a romantic ‘Couples’ photoshoot for one lucky winner.

The lucky winner will enjoy the following:

* Dinner for two at the Deer Park Hotel
* Overnight accommodation for two in a Principle Bedroom with Full English breakfast the following morning
* Romantic ‘Couples’ Photoshoot by myself

The photoshoot will take place in and around the Deer Park Hotel and grounds and will be a mixture of beautiful semi-directed and informal photographs. The shoot will last approximately 2 hours and you are welcome to bring a change of clothing if you wish.

Once your shoot is over, couples will be able to view the images on a password-protected section of the Firetop Photography website or have a face-to-face viewing at the studio. Winners purchase additional products following the shoot and these will be charged at the standard rate – prices start from £15 for a card-mounted print.

If you want to make the most of your shoot with a beautiful makeover, I can recommend you a hair and / or make-up artist for the day.

To enter the competition, all you need to do is ‘Like’ the Deer Park Photography Facebook page and complete the brief form. The winner will be drawn at random after the closing date on 30th June.

Good luck!

Venetia xx

Here’s a selection of photographs from previous couples shoots.

The day before the shoot, myself and my assistant were photographing Ruth and Sean’s wedding in Abedaire, North Wales and had been on the road for two days. We’d photographed a wedding the [...]]]> I first met Roger and Simone when they commissioned Sue (Aunties Vintage China) and I for a wedding stylised shoot last year.

The day before the shoot, myself and my assistant were photographing Ruth and Sean’s wedding in Abedaire, North Wales and had been on the road for two days. We’d photographed a wedding the day before in Bristol, so as well as 18 hours at two weddings, we’d clocked up nearly 14 hours in the car over 3 days. We arrived at Welsh Green Weddings tired and hungry at gone 9.30pm at night.

Sue had mentioned that Simone was going to cater for the ‘team’ working on the photoshoot but I didn’t expect, arriving so late, that we would be extended that same courtesy. I had totally underestimated their hospitality. Not only did we arrive to a roaring log fire, home-made lasagne, salad and garlic bread, but home-made lime cheesecake (you know me and pudding!) and a cheeky glass of wine or two. It was just the perfect welcome two weary travellers needed.

Not only did they cater for us the night before the shoot, they provided accommodation for everyone from the team in ‘The Ceridwen Centre’, stocked the kitchen full of breakfast goodies and supplier a constant stream of home-made soup, home-baked bread, cups of tea and coffee, home-made cakes and biscuits for everyone throughout the next day. All this whilst calming helping fetch and carry various props, organise people and various animals(!) and get me up in a tractor bucket for a shot of the gargoyle on the roof! They really are incredible.

Having owned and ran many large commercial corporations over the years, including an airline catering logistics company, Simone & Roger decided to ‘jack-it-all-in’, move to ‘the sticks’ and renovate an eco-farm in a bid to repay their carbon footprint. It’s a proper family business with Matt, Lotty and the adorable Orla living and working on the farm, their son Krispin spending as much time there as possible and now Rob (their daughter Elle’s fiancee) taking up the reins as ‘Head Chef’. A qualified teacher, Elle will be moving there in September to run courses for children….everyone has their role. I love it there so much that I keep joking with Roger and Simone that I’m going to move in too and run Photography courses!!

On Tuesday, to celebrate the arrival of their brand-new and extremely green (in both senses of the word) giant tipis, Simone and Roger hosted a Wedding Open Day. They invited a select few suppliers and all the couples that have booked to have their wedding there this year and next. Sue and I had no hesitation in accepting their invite and were delighted to head back to Camarthen to see the developments and catch up. We both said, when we arrived, that it felt just like coming home. And I’m still trying to persuade them to let me move in!

Simone & Roger – thank you so much for your amazing hospitality, Pimms and nibbles again….I think I ate my entire body-weight in Rob’s Welsh-Cakes! Everything looks so amazing – you have done so much work since we were last there and I love your new ‘furry additions’!

Venetia xx

P.S. I am delighted to say that in October this year I will be seeing Roger, Simone and the whole family again as they have booked me to photograph Elle and Rob’s up-and-coming nuptials…..I am so honoured !

I couldn’t resist taking a few images while I was there of the gorgeous new developments that have taken place. The giant tipis is gorgeous!

It was lovely catching up with the suppliers who had helped out on the shoot….so many pretty things!

And some we hadn’t met….I loved the modern-ness and simplicity of this packaging

Don’t ask me why I felt compelled to take photographs of the Port-a-loo’s but they were so glam! And came on a trailer too!!!

Everything was so pretty round the farm…

And every corner I turned they had done something new to improve things. This gorgeous new awning (Roger – I’m sure that’s not the technical term!) is a perfect addition to keep guests dry / shaded whilst still enjoying the views.

And all these beautiful little finishing touches had been done

The gorgeous Orla was toddling around – the last time we saw her she tiny and was sat on a blanket in the grass watching Lotty build an en-suite for the Gypsy Caravan. Yes….I did say Gypsy Caravan! You can rent it for the night and it’s INCREDIBLE! What a place for her to grow up hey?!

Another new addition is these gorgeous Yurts tucked away in an Orchard. They have been hand-made by a local man who, when made redundant, decided to turn his hand to something new. I love everyone’s ’story’ there and the versatility, determination and resilience of people.

They are sooo cute and look this ones even got a window on the side so you can see the stars at night…how could you not want to stay in there!?

In true Simone and Roger style, every detail has been catered for including gorgeous log burners, outside seating, paraffin lamps….mmmm…..beautiful! I am still yet deciding; “gypsy caravan / yurt, gypsy caravan / yurt, gypsy caravan / yurt…..decisions, decisions”.

They have really worked with the landscape and made features of the natural resources….you find yourself walking around gasping in awe at everything.

The Open Day had lots to keep everyone amused

Including Rob the Magician. Simone was telling me they have booked him for Elle and Rob’s wedding which worries me as I’m not sure I will get any photographs taken if he is around. I was sooo blown away by his talent – I turned into a squealing 5 year old!

I had heard about the two furry additions to the family and it wasn’t long before I stumbled across them! Treacle and Honey….meet my blog readers! How cute are they!?!?

They were hilarious and busy jostling and biting each other to get in-front of the camera. I had such fun trying to get these images of them!

I was bowled over. This wasn’t any old dinner. This was an invite only, ‘night-before-my-wedding’ dinner. With not only her closest family, [...]]]> I arrived just as Jen was checking in. After we had looked around Stanley House Hotel – and I got TOTALLY over-excited by the gorgoeusness of it – she invited me to dinner.

I was bowled over. This wasn’t any old dinner. This was an invite only, ‘night-before-my-wedding’ dinner. With not only her closest family, but her bridesmaids *and* closest friends. That’s what I love about my job. I get to work with the most amazing couples.

Couples who feel like friends and not only want me to be at their wedding to photograph it, but couples who actually want to spend time with me at their wedding, but also want to spend time with me before and after too!

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t gate-crash every pre-wedding dinner. And I certainly don’t expect it. But it is so amazingly, mind-blowing when it does.

Jennifer, Simon and I have a ‘history’ as a number of their friends have asked me to photograph their wedding over the year, so photographing their wedding was just like photographing old friends. They are such an a lovely, warm couple that you just can’t help but be attracted to them and feel totally at ease in their company.

They have a tremendous network of friends and family round them and that was so obviously before and after the ceremony. Spending time with ‘the girls’ whilst Jen was getting ready was just incredible…..her team of ladies clearly adore her and were totally focused on what she wanted and needed…..like all good bridesmaids should be.

Simon’s family scurried round him before the ceremony too, supporting him in those pre-wedding nerves and making sure he looked ‘tip-top’ for Jen’s big walk up the isle.

My time with the couple photographing the two of them, is often my favourite bit of the day and this was certainly the case for these two. They were so relaxed, so much fun and *clearly* so happy and in love, it was a delight to witness.

Jen and Simon – thank you so much for welcoming us into your life and your wedding. Letting me document what was an amazing day at a beautiful venue and witness two people committing to share the rest of their lives together. It’s clear to see you are going to have the most magical journey and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the photographs!!

Venetia xxx

P.S A huge thank you goes out to my second shooter, Anne, who travelled 6 hours on a bus from London the night before the wedding, shot with me for 11 hours and then took the 6 hour journey back on the bus, getting home at 3am! Anne….you were a pleasure to work with and thank you for the amazing images you took.

Stanley House Hotel is GORGEOUS. It’s a beautiful mixture of a grand stately home and a modern boutique….

And filled with gorgeous details…..

Simon came up trumps and had the most beautiful diamond necklace delivered to Jen’s room. I loved the emotion of the moments that ensued……

This Agent Provocatuer garter has been at Jude, Kirsty, Ruth and now Jen’s wedding. I love the fact it’s a ‘friend-heirloom’!

Beautiful detail-tastic!

‘The girls’ know how much I love unusual props for my details and I sent them off in search of something funky. I *LOVED* this so much I think carried it around under my arm for all the getting ready shots!!!!

I love this beautiful image of Jen….so relaxed and so happy…

Lots of beautifying going on……

I love these few especially the bottom right….sums up the relaxed atmosphere completely.

For me capturing a bride getting ready is not only about her (although of course it is!!) it’s about capturing the emotional moments between her and her family and some gorgeous portraits of them.

Jen’s room was beautiful, there was so much space and I love this image of everyone intent on her getting dressed

Something different for me and a beautiful ‘into the light’ shot.

Loving the perspective on this….almost had to lie on the floor!

jen….you look INCREDIBLE, STUNNING…..need I say more…..

Don’t know quite what is is about this image but I *LOVE* it….so serene.

The window seat caught my eye immediately I walked in and made for lovely bridal portraits….away from the groom!

Dad waiting anxiously to see ‘his little girl’….eeekkk!

Couples often ask me if I ‘do’ groups shots. Yes, I do and I can give you lots of suggestions to get everyone in whilst making them quick and easy to do. And here’s the proof! (They just don’t make the most interesting images that’s why they rarely make a blog entry!)

The boys doing their thing….

Wow….what a background colour hey!

The boys groups had to make it in….I gave them ‘free-reign’ on their poses and I love what they came up with!!

And the girls…..were just too beautiful to miss out!

The room and the details was stunning

Capturing moments like this are what make weddings for me.

Jen….you specifically asked me to capture your music sheets….here we go…!

Jen’s Dad was brilliant when he handed is daughter over, cracking a joke and putting everyone at ease at the start.

The registrars at Stanley House Hotel were so lovely. Really friendly, really amenable and conducted the most beautiful ceremony. Thank you ladies!

A few moment during….

Before outside for THE confetti shot. And thanks to the rain we made it……

My style incorporates lots of informal ‘reportage-style’ moments

And I love this image of Jen and her sister when they weren’t looking….

And now…..the stars of the show……

And I apologise to Stanley House Hotel for treading in their flower beds in a ‘Ohh, Ohh….the perfect angle’ way! I promise no daffodils were harmed in the making of this image!

Simply beautiful series.

HANDSOME! And for the man who wasn’t overly keen on being photographed….very model-esque!

This was definitely a Venetia ’squeel-of-delight’ moment when I saw this on the back of my camera. I’d coveted this spot the night before and was just praying the light was good enough…..eeeekkkk!

I love Jen and Simon’s table names…..essences of love….perfect.

And beautiful, home-made cupcakes…..

Simon proposed on Boulder Beach, South Africa, which, if anyone has been (which I am soooo lucky to have done) is full on penguins. A little touch!

More lovely touches and beautiful flowers….and a little St Patricks Day thrown in…

Time to relax for their guests….

Before the speeches…..tee hee!!

Love this little series….look top left!

I love it when couples as me to stay on to photograph the first dance – it just completes the story perfectly.

Jen & Simon will remember this image well ! Thank you for allowing me “Just one more”!

I NEVER give up the opportunity to photograph a couple. I’ve shot in rain, snow, -4 on beach in January, where it was so cold my fabulous assistant took off his coat and laid it on the floor to stop the poor brides bottom freezing to the pebbles. If [...]]]> “…..oh well. We’ll come back another day!”

I NEVER give up the opportunity to photograph a couple. I’ve shot in rain, snow, -4 on beach in January, where it was so cold my fabulous assistant took off his coat and laid it on the floor to stop the poor brides bottom freezing to the pebbles. If my clients are up for carrying on, then I’m there with bells on….well usually gloves, hat, scarf…..but no brolly as I can’t hold it at the same time as a camera!

A few weeks ago, despite finding some gorgeous covered areas around the Bristol docks and Katie and Alistair doing their absolute best to smile and look ‘toasty warm’ and relaxed, I decided they deserved better than a few rushed shots as we ran from shelter to shelter.

So, today we re-scheduled another complimentary shoot for them where we can get lots more beautiful images celebrating their fabulousness as a couple and really ‘limber’ them up for their photography on their wedding day. And the best bit….we get to meet up again and spend yet another fun afternoon together!

Katie & Alistair – it was so lovely to see you last time and thank you for putting on such a brave face and being so amazing. I LOVED hearing about big day, can’t wait to see everything come together (your Mum sounds like a creative genius!) and really look forward to seeing you again later today for ’round two’!

Venetia xx

Despite the rain we still managed to get some beautiful photographs of the two of them.

I love this little series!

This is my ultimate favourite from the shoot…..

I don’t know if it was deliberate but Katie and Alistair were beautifully colour co-ordinated!

One of the things that made it possible to re-schedule was the fact that Katie is so wonderfully organised and booked their first pre-wedding shoot in so early. Things are hotting up and dates are going fast, so please book earlier rather than later if you have busy diaries.

Katie & Alistair are getting married at Clifton Pavilion alternatively known as Bristol Zoo so we nipped up there for a look round and sheltered in the Butterfly Enclosure. I couldn’t resist this one…how beautiful?!

]]> http://www.firetopphotography.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=2055 0 http://www.firetopphotography.co.uk/blog/?p=2275 http://www.firetopphotography.co.uk/blog/?p=2275#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:22:50 +0000 Venetia http://www.firetopphotography.co.uk/blog/?p=2275 I thought something was wrong from the moment we met in the car park. In my head, I tried to dismiss it, but after the flurry of smiles and ‘Hello’s’, I noticed it again. You see, she’s normally such a beautifully confident, chatty girl but this time she was different. A little edgy, a little [...]]]> I thought something was wrong from the moment we met in the car park. In my head, I tried to dismiss it, but after the flurry of smiles and ‘Hello’s’, I noticed it again. You see, she’s normally such a beautifully confident, chatty girl but this time she was different. A little edgy, a little quieter, a little more flustered. And as we got coffee in the cafe, I noticed her hands were visibly shaking.

“Oh my goodness….I’m so nervous.” she blurted out emotionally. There it was again. That thing. The thing I do to people at their pre-wedding shoots. I make them nervous. Years ago that feeling used to really upset me. I felt I was doing something wrong. That they didn’t want to be there with me, they didn’t like me (I know….it’s silly!) and that I was doing something horrible to them.

And now. I feel thankful. Thankful and happy. Thankful that I have still chosen to offer complimentary pre-wedding shoots as I cannot express how so important they are for the couple. And happy, because I feel confident and safe in the knowledge that at the end of their shoot (or usually halfway through) they will be beaming and telling me that they are so looking forward to the photography on their wedding day now.

Kat and Stu were no exception. After a few moments of ‘I feel silly’, ‘Everyone’s watching’, ‘I don’t know what to do with my hands’, ‘I don’t like my body / face / arms / ears!’ we got into the swing of it. We chatted, we laughed, we played around and before long, those beautiful words that I’d been waiting for “This isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I’m looking forward to our wedding photography now.”

Kat & Stu – thank you for such a great pre-wedding shoot. Thank you for the coffee, the parking ticket (grrrrr…..that traffic warden!). For being honest and for being you. I can’t wait to photograph your wedding….next week…..eeeeek!!

Venetia xxx

Kat was especially nervous. As with many of us girls, there are lumps and bumps she doesn’t like and that coupled with a few recent ‘hiccups’ with suppliers etc meant she was feeling a little ‘buffetted’. But from early on she was showing signs of ‘fabulousness’ and I knew she would be fine. And she was.

Kat – you look amazing darling and I can wait to see you in your gorgeous Kate Walker dress:-)))).

What you can’t see here is the crowd of people eating their lunch on the stone bench behind her and wondering who these ‘celebrities’ were having their picture taken! And….she took it all in her stride…..like I knew she would

And when she got near the man she loves…of course everything was OK!

Since I started my own business [...]]]> I really dislike being ill. It’s a fact. D-I-S-L-I-K-E with a capital D. I don’t like being stopped, I’ve got no patience with myself when my body won’t allow me to do the things I normally do and watch out if I’m that ill I need to be bed-ridden!

Since I started my own business 7 years ago, I can count on one hand the number of days I’ve had sick and I only just about get past halfway! My theory; the world IS officially going to stop turning unless I can get to my desk and therefore I simply don’t LET myself be ill.

I’ve been waiting for sometime for a small exploratory operation, which although an Outpatients Appointment and relatively minor, nevertheless required a general anesthetic. The thought of “What happens if I never wake up….who will photograph this years weddings?!” was scary enough and thank you to a very dear friend of mine who pointed out in no uncertain terms not to be so silly (and of course she didn’t use those exact words!) when I suggested organising a ’stand-in’ just in case!! In addition, I was also told that not only would I not be able to do anything for 24 hours after the op, I would be ‘out of action’ for a couple of days after that. WHAT?!?! NEVER?! ME?! Don’t be silly, I’ll be fine……’my couples NEED me’!

So, on Monday off I trotted with my PJ’s, dressing gown, slippers, book and a rumbling tummy (you know the score….no food after midnight!), to have a little sleep and let a lovely surgeon look at my insides. (Does anyone else ever wish they could see a video of what went on while they were ‘under the influence’?! No. Oh, maybe it’s just weird old me?!).

After pushing myself to jump through all the hoops to be discharged, off I was taken back home, with a sure-fire intention of being at my desk the next day and up and about by day two. Ah. Think again. In order to get to your desk, the anesthetic has to wear off enough for your legs to work properly. And, secondly, you have to have the energy to at least sit up, let alone stand up. I was stopped. Well and truly.

The last 10 days have been quite a learning curve for me. Learning to accept that even I have limitations. Learning that expectations are not always the best thing (after Day 4 when I was getting worse rather than better, they diagnosed a post-op virus and I was back in hospital again). Learning that I have some incredibly supportive friends and family to help me. Learning to accept their help. Learning to give myself time to recover. Learning to go easy on myself and take it one step at a time. And most of all, learning that the world hasn’t stopped turning even though I can’t get to my desk.

It hasn’t changed the way I look at my business. I’ll still go the extra mile for all my clients. I’ll still have the same passion and commitment to the job I love. I’ll still think the best of myself and every situation. But I’ll have a bit more perspective on what really makes the world go round.

Venetia xxx

Today has been the first proper day I’ve been out of the house, driven myself and been back to work. I’ve been on a location recce in Bristol for a collaborative shoot. What a beautiful place to go on my first day back

We sat, we chatted, we laughed, they told me all about their plans for their wedding and I watched them. I watched how he quietly sat, supporting [...]]]> Walking into their house, there was a sense of calm. Calmness from a couple who are so sure about their decision, they are taking everything in their stride.

We sat, we chatted, we laughed, they told me all about their plans for their wedding and I watched them. I watched how he quietly sat, supporting everything she said, giving input when it was needed, but during the rest of the time looking at her in that fond ‘You’ve got it under control darling’ kind of a way.

And I watched when she reminded him to write in his notepad. The one she’d bought him when they started planning their wedding. The one he could write all his tasks in, so that he felt involved and not pushed out. You see the planning of a wedding often ‘falls’ naturally into the girls lap, because a) we love it, b) we’re good at it (not to say men aren’t!) and c) we’ve been planning it in our heads for years and years.

But that’s not what Jennifer wants. You see this isn’t about him or her or who takes what tasks when planning this wedding. This is about team work. Team work and partnership. Working together to achieve a common goal. And that’s how I see them. For the rest of their life. Partners in life.

Jennifer and Simon – it was lovely to see you both again. I’m delighted that the snow didn’t hamper our plans and thank you for choosing such a fabulous venue for your pre-wedding shoot. I hope you had quite as much fun as I did and thank you for being so amazing to photograph – I know you were nervous but you’d never guess it from these images.

Venetia xxx
I LOVE this image with a capital L. It just says everything to me; love, adoration, fun, happiness, comfort, passion. Everything this couple have in bounds.

This is how we spent of the shoot – laughing – it was so much fun!

Beautiful bench and beautiful setting.

More smiles……and doesn’t Jen look fabulous in that image on the bottom left?! Well all of them in actual fact.

It was touch and go the week before the shoot as to what the weather was going to do and when I left Bristol it was heavy snow. Lucky, my eyes and ears on the ground ‘up North’ (Simon!) told me that they had only a ’smattering’ so we decided it was a goer. I love snow and it was utterly beautiful in this little hidden garden. How cute is that scarecrow?!?!

More kissing. This time with a long lense so much easier for them!!

Laughs in abundance….

I always ask couples to choose a location they love for their pre-wedding shoot as the images will have more meaning and they will be more comfortable in their surroundings. Jennifer and Simon chose Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate – it was a fabulous venue with so many ‘props’ to use.

Jen…..you lok amazing and simon….you’re a natural!

This little series makes me laugh. I always get couples to kiss in front of me (they will have to do it on the day!). It breaks the ice and the first time generates some fabulous laughing shots!

Loving the dark walls and the stone – simply stunning.

Keeping warm!

Jen looked fabulous (not that you didn’t Simon!) and I adored her fur lined books and that beautiful blue coat – a stunning contrast.