In the Press: Wedding Photography at Great Fosters, Egham

Last year I photographed the gorgeous wedding of Louise and Damian at Great Fosters in Egham. I submitted the wedding to one of my favourite wedding journals Wedding Venues and Services and it is now published in the summer edition under the great title ‘A Fine Romance’. Of course it always brings back memories of the day when I look at previous weddings, but it is satisfying to see them in print particularly when the editorial team really bring out the feel of the day in the article. Thanks to Louise and Damian for allowing me to submit their wedding and thanks to Wedding Venues and Services for publishing it………

Posted in Information, Weddings Tagged , , , , , , , , , , |

Birthday Portrait for Rebecca

Portrait sessions have been very popular in April and May! As a special present for her 18th birthday I spent the morning with Rebecca and her mum capturing some beautiful shots of Rebecca in their garden. Naturally camera shy Rebecca nonetheless managed to relax! Here are a few shots from the day………….

Posted in Portraits Tagged , , , |

Lifestyle Portrait for Caroline and her Daughters

I first photographed Caroline’s daughters when they were dance students and it was lovely to hear from Caroline when she called to ask if I would do some shots of her and her daughters to give as a gift to her husband for his birthday. The timing was perfect – we were in the middle of one of the driest April months I can remember and the bluebell woods were looking magnificent. A perfect spot for some on location portraits! As most of my clients and colleagues know I am not a studio photographer, preferring to shoot with natural light on location. The bluebell woods did not disappoint with the soft light of late afternoon and the vivid colours of the flowers providing a great backdrop for the fantastic relaxed shots that Caroline and her daughters really loved

Posted in Portraits Tagged , , , , , , |

Wedding Photography at Sketchley Grange

My brief from Pete and Claire was crystal clear. They weren’t ‘looking for somebody who considers the photos to be the reason for the wedding, who won’t burst through the privet hedge whilst the bride looks surprised nonsense’. As Pete further clarified they wanted ‘nice photographs, but the ones we want, not those some twit thinks we need!’

Well, no pressure there then! So on a glorious Easter Saturday I captured their wedding, a very family orientated day, with lots of activity and so many children – don’t think I have ever seen so many at one wedding! With the sunshine and joie de vivre of everyone there it made for a very busy fun day and I wish them well for their future.

Posted in Weddings Tagged , , , , , , |

Planning Wedding Photography

When interviewed after the ‘gig of the century’ Hugo Burnand the official Royal Wedding Photographer was asked if he had been nervous His answer really impressed me and I hope gave brides and grooms an insight into the work that goes into photographing a wedding, particularly with very formal group shots.

With such a momentous occasion to capture Burnand, like any respectable wedding photographer had a plan:

He had a reliable, trusted and skilled team with him.

He spent time prior to the wedding discussing the shots and planning them with Catherine Middleton and HRH Prince William, including location, positioning and lighting.

They did a dress rehearsal with stand in people and every detail was timed and stop watch perfect

He had back up for the extensive equipment needed for such an occasion (and as Burnand said “we have spares for the spares! Nothing can be left to chance!”)

My style is more photojournalism and thus less formal. Whilst I tend not to use additional lighting for formal group shots I can only do this successfully by also having a plan. I get to know all my couples before their day and ensure I know what they want and explain to them what will be needed. I make sure I know the ceremony and reception venues and the routes to and from and like Burnand I have spares for spares. Nothing is left to chance whatever the occasion and personally I don’t believe any couple should leave their wedding photography to chance (it is not the time to let an inexperienced friend or amateur be an ‘official’ wedding photographer!). I hope that the work Burnand has done will help couples to appreciate the work and effort that is required to capture their day successfully

Posted in Information Tagged , , , , |

Getting Married in Italy: Wedding Venues and Photography

As you know, one of my favourite locations for weddings is Italy. I love the climate, the architecture and above all the creative freedom it gives me as a photographer that I don’t always have in the UK

It was a pleasure then to connect with Virag Lochinger, CEO at classvenues.com a portal for some of the most prestigious venues in which to hold weddings and events, among them some of my favourites around Florence such as Palazzo Magnani Feroni, in the heart of the Oltrarno area of Florence, the gorgeous Torre Di Bellosguardo in the quiet hills above this magnificent city and further out into the countryside Villa Vignamaggio which Über film director Kenneth Branagh used for the filming of Much Ado about Nothing

 Each venue entry (users can view hotels**, castles***, restaurants**** and villas*****) provides a description of the property itself and details on important things such as capacity, proximity to airports and the services offered, including other external services such as photography, musicians and wedding planners

 With close to 600 venues available to choose from a dream wedding in Italy awaits.

Find out more at classvenues.com and Scott-Wood Photography

Useful Web Addresses:

http://www.classvenues.com/wedding-venues

For hotels** http://www.classvenues.com/wedding-venues/hotels/crptl10gaptpoarreo

For castles*** http://www.classvenues.com/wedding-venues/castles/crptl4gaptpoarreo

For restaurants**** http://www.classvenues.com/wedding-enues/restaurants/crptl2gaptpoarreo

For villas***** http://www.classvenues.com/wedding-venues/villas/crptl5gaptpoarreo

Posted in Information, Weddings Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

Royal Wedding Photography – The Wedding Photographer

London based photographer Hugo Burnand is the wedding photographer chosen by the Royal Family to capture the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. His work has a very different feel to that of the legendary Mario Testino, who of course took the engagement shots of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, but Burnand’s classic style of portraiture is without a doubt popular with the Royal Family.

 Both photographers do have a common bond in that they are trusted and respected by the Royal Family and reports say Burnand was chosen for his ‘discretion, spontaneity and charm’

 For me their choice of photographer embraces the key elements of what to expect from a wedding photographer. Royal or not any couple should be able to engage with and feel comfortable with their chosen photographer.

Here are my 3 key tips for ensuring your wedding photographer is right for you

 When you have decided on shortlist of photographers to see, make sure you meet them face to face – you can then see their work and importantly decide whether you like them as a person!

 Take advantage of a pre-wedding shoot. It not only gives you time for each other in a hectic schedule but allows you to practice being in front of a camera.

 Ensure you know what to expect from your photographer on the day and what he or she expects from you. Discuss mutual expectations before the day not on it!

Above all enjoy your day…………….

 We wish all couples getting married tomorrow a very happy wedding day and of course (envy aside for photographing THE wedding of the century) I wish Hugo Burnand the very best for the day

Posted in Information Tagged , , , , , |

A history of Wedding Photography

With Royal Wedding fever reaching its peak you can’t avoid articles about weddings – whether it be spring weddings, Royal Weddings (including so many adverts for cheap tacky souvenirs that really shouldn’t be seen at any time let alone a Royal Wedding) or the historical perspective on weddings everyone seems to be talking about them

 As I mentioned on Facebook recently Coutts (www.coutts.com) did their take on wedding styles through the ages in their journal Coutts Woman. Unfortunately it didn’t mention anything on wedding photography, but one other article that did spark my interest was in Homes and Antiques (www.homesandantiques.com) who have done a great piece on the history of weddings, with four brides sharing the memories of their wedding day from the war era of the 1940’s through to the flower power peace and love era of the 1970’s, only this time they shared their images.

 I laughed at one lady’s description of how their wedding photographer ran back to his studio to get colour film to capture the colourful exuberant fashions worn by the bridal party and their guests at their 1970’s wedding, and was equally struck by one very elegant wedding that showed wedding photojournalism  was around in the 1950’s– great relaxed shots of the bridesmaids, and of the bride and groom running down the steps after their ceremony, all caught in a moment, blowing away the perception that wedding photojournalism is a new concept – I wonder who the photographer was? It seems a shame we don’t know………..

Posted in Information Tagged , , , , , , , , , |

Pre-Wedding Photography London

Last week I met up with Michele and Neil for their pre-wedding photography shoot.  They live in a great part of London close to the river and so we decided to hold the shoot in the apartment grounds. It was very low key and very relaxed but having said that Michele does work in the fashion world so she was suitably glamorous and elegant at all times! 

They will be holding their wedding celebrations in Hampshire in May with many family and friends attending.  I am told lots of her family will be in traditional dress (wearing sari’s) so despite my leanings toward black and white wedding photography I think their day will be a celebration full of vibrant colours, fashion and fun that will lend itself to more colour photography than usual. What a great day it will be!

Posted in Portraits Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Wedding Photography in Lake Garda Italy

I had a blast from the past so to speak very recently when wedding and event planner Ginny from weddings at lake garda contacted me. A couple of years ago I photographed Maya and Gary at their wedding in the Castello at Lonato, overlooking Lake Garda and worked alongside Ginny to ensure Maya and Gary had a great day. It was a lovely wedding that I remember fondly and as Ginny has recently revamped her website I was pleased to supply her with an image from that day to use on the site. Here are a few shots to reminisce from their day. Watch this space for wedding celebrations at another castle location – Castello di Vincigliata overlooking the heart stoppingly beautiful city of Florence in early July……..

Posted in Information, Weddings Tagged , , , , , , , |
Copy Protected by Tech Tips's CopyProtect Wordpress Blogs.