Fisher Weddings - Professional Photography

New blog!

2011-10-13T23:43:00.000-07:00

I've made some changes so for more up to date information, pease visit my new blog at www.fisherweddingphotography.co.uk

See you there!

Thanks

2010-03-12T11:27:00.001-08:00

I don't have any weddings this weekend but there are quite a few sessions booked into the studio so I will still be keeping busy.

I've seen some old friends and some new faces this week. I met the Milton family who finally managed to get everyone in the same place for a family photo for their dad for Father's Day. I was really impressed at their organisational skills until they confessed that it was actually for last father's day and they'd only just got round to it - still better late than never!

I also caught up with the lovely Zara who, at the tender age of 9 months, enjoyed her modelling experience and smiled like a little star for the whole session. Although I do wonder if she found all a little less glamorous than she expected from the second picture!

2010-03-06T07:50:00.000-08:00

Last weekend and the beginning of this week has been busy at the portrait studio and so this week has been mostly editing to get all my pictures out for my clients (although there was a bit of a distraction yesterday afternoon as I couldn't resist going to see Alice in Wonderland which was very beautifully done!). Anyway, of the many lovely visitors I get at the studio, it isn't that often that I get twins and that meant that these very tiny little ones were extra special! I'm not quite sure how their mum managed to look so good but credit to her and thanks to all of them for coming to visit...

2010-02-26T02:42:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy February - three weddings, a fabulous holiday in Venice, and lots of portraits in our shiny new studio.

First I joined Gavin, Michelle and their families at Manningsheath Golf Club and after all the rain and snow, blue skies were provided.

Then I had the very great pleasure of being with Davina and Harry at their wedding which had been so very much looked forward to by all involved. Again the blue skies provided the perfect backdrop to what was a lovely day with a great deal of celebration.

Then I was lucky enough to have a short holiday in Venice which is like the world's biggest photo opportunity - every time you round a corner, there is another great scene waiting to be photographed. It was Carnivale when we were there and the masks and costumes just added to the atmosphere making it seem even more magical - I'd highly recommend it if the opportunity ever comes your way!

Last and certainly not least, of my visitors to the studio - this little lass was a little star. At the tender age of 6 months, her mum had taught her to touch her toes especially to get this shot and I think it was well worth the effort :)

2010-01-22T02:24:00.000-08:00

Studio refit was going well -nearly finished and just trying to accomplish the very tricky part of attaching the new paper background to the walls. We had just got to the hardest part where it needed cutting round some awkward pieces and the power went off for three hours. Much complicated wedging needed of a 9 foot roll of paper that had partially unravelled so it wouldn't fall over in the night and tear, thank you EDF! Still all should be finished today and ready for shooting tomorrow - hooray!!!!!

Shiny New Studio!

2010-01-17T09:04:00.000-08:00

No shooting for me this week as Steve and I have been hard at work in the studio carrying out a refit that we've been planning for a while. We wanted to give ourselves capacity to take larger groups and also to offer a more lifestyle look and feel as well as the popular white and black background looks. It has definitely NOT been plain sailing but we are finally making progress and on track to have the majority of the work completed for Friday ready to be open for business as usual on Saturday morning. I'll put up some pictures of our shiny new studio when it is completed... Very excited about the possibilities it offers!

2010-01-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe that we are in the new year already! Plus I am most ashamed of myself for lack of blogging and facebook updating despite the best of intentions. It would seem that I spent the whole of December running between the studio to shoot and the office to edit which is a lovely problem to have but it looks like I've got a little lazy in other areas. Truthfully, my desk is in a far worse state of neglect than my social networking but you can't see that! (so just forget I said anything - it's very tidy and organised. Honestly.)

So I've had lots of lovely visitors in the studio including these guys - Travis and Jade. Travis had proposed to Jade a few hours before their shoot and the whole thing was set up to be a big surprise. Considering that she was a little still in shock (although of course she said yes!) I think she was very gracious about it all - Congratulations to them! I was very excited to be a part of their first 'big day'...

Then I had a lovely big family who had all got together for a visit to the studio having had no pictures of them all together in existence (well you know how it is, there's always someone behind the camera). It was great fun to work with them all...

Then of course I had too many other lovely families to mention here but thank you to all of you for visiting and I hope you had as much fun as I did. Having said that there was too many to mention, I have to give a 'shout out' to baby Emily, who was possibly the most cheerful baby I have ever met and who laughed and giggled her way through the session (and so did I). She was just glorious...

2009-11-12T12:50:00.000-08:00

With Christmas all about us now, the portrait studio is starting to get really busy. Professional print labs shut down in December (heaven only knows why) so the deadline for getting print orders to us is really quite early at the 8th December for all those people who want portrait prints as gifts. I've had a wonderful time the last week and met lots of great families but this one stuck out as this chap's wife volunteered him to strip down to his jeans for these shots. I think they work wonderfully - and, although he isn't the main focus of the image, I think he can be a little proud of the gun show!

2009-10-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday night saw a departure from Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor for me (yes, I know it's sad!) and I had four visitors to the studio celebrating a 13th birthday with a party shoot. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun at work (which is saying a lot as I normally have a pretty good time). The girls had put so much thought into their outfits and accessories and all looked totally gorgeous!

2009-10-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

This week I have been mainly working with Steve in refreshing our portfolio for our relaunch of http://www.chaosconfidential.co.uk/ which is planned for a few weeks time. I've been stretching myself in my new role as make up artist which has been exciting and challenging and a little bit scary too if I'm honest but in the end, it is all looking good. The combination of me as make up artist and assistant in the shoot itself has worked really well - I get to keep an eye on the make up as we work and also its more relaxing to have someone with them who they are already familiar with. I'm very excited about the work we have done this week and can't wait to show you all!

But there has still been time for some more familiar work, including lots of family portraits and baby photography. Below is a lovely family that I worked with at the weekend - we met them first in a commercial capacity but they've visited us a couple of times now and although they look great as a family, the kids on their own are real stars!

2009-10-21T00:56:00.001-07:00

If you are planning a wedding and looking to make an entrance, this might be worth considering?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

Shamelessly stolen from a wedding customer who posted it on Facebook, this did make me smile this morning - thank you Hilary!

2009-10-17T08:00:00.001-07:00

It has been a crazy couple of weeks as I have been working with Steve to build some new portfolio shots to launch our new ChaosConfidential website http://www.chaosconfidential.co.uk/ It isn't out there yet but we've got some really great new images and products to add in and I'm really excited about it. It's also been my first time as official make up artist which I've been retraining to do for the last few months which was a little scary but fun at the same time.

The studio has stayed busy with lots of babies who've joined up to http://www.babyphotographystudio.co.uk/ after last weekend's baby and toddler show. I was lucky enough to meet this adorable little one in the studio last week - she was so patient all through the shoot and had the cheekiest and sweetest little smile!

2009-10-09T12:18:00.001-07:00

Had a lovely weekend session with the fabulous Taylor family - their daughter was just a dream to photograph! It was a really fun shoot and even my smallest model showed such patience as she was posed about and managed a lot of gorgeous smiles. Very much looking forward to seeing her in a few months time... I love this job!

2009-10-09T12:13:00.001-07:00

All packed up and ready for the Me Baby and Toddler Show in East Grinstead tomorrow. Really not sure what to expect and only had a couple of days to get ready as the flyer only came through on Monday - still nothing like an adventure! Hopefully it will be a busy show - it is run by a local toy shop so I guess they have been promoting to all that come in. Looking to meet lots of new parents who are looking for arty shots of their little ones and have just been waiting for Baby Photography Studios. Fingers crossed !

http://www.mbtshow.co.uk/

2009-10-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

Normally I just write about what's been going on in my little world but just saw this on Sky News and it did shock me a little. I'd say it was funny but obviously for the couple who didn't get any good pictures and memories of their day, it isn't funny at all.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Bride-And-Gloom-Worlds-Worst-Wedding-Pictures/Media-Gallery/200910115400546

Looks like they didn't have the world's best videographer either - and this guy was supposed to be a professional. Bit of an embarassment to the profession but if there's to be a good point, maybe it's a reminder to make sure you see plenty of work before you book!

2009-10-02T04:56:00.000-07:00

Cheese anyone? These are evidently the next big thing as an addition to your wedding, as well or instead of your wedding cake.

As a 'cheese-ophile' myself, I'd be more than happy with this but my husband would never speak to me again if I tried to replace a cake with it. Still they are very reasonably priced for the wedding industry I thought at £91 for the one pictured above which feeds 30-40 people... Check out some others at http://www.thecheeseshed.com/ although I'm sure there are plenty of other suppliers.

Would you have one?

2009-09-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

After a very lovely weekend break, it's back to work catching up on all my editing. One of the last weddings that I have just completed was at Crawley Registry Office with the reception at Goff's Manor Pub. Scott, the groom, was very cool and composed until his wife spoke her personally written wedding vows and then there wasn't a dry eye in the house!

I'm happy to say thought that the tears were short lived and everyone went on to have a lovely day ...

2009-09-14T04:20:00.000-07:00

This little gorgeous girl is the lovely Caitlin who made her first visit to our studio at just 12 days old. I'm not broody but...

2009-09-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

Another lovely week with plenty to keep me busy. As well as my usual work editing pictures, including Bernice & Ian's above from their wedding at Highley Manor, I've been working on my shiny new website. Oh my word, it has given me a huge headache wading through it but it is finally finished (apart from the endless task of updating it and fiddling around with it of course!)

www.fisherweddings.co.uk

2009-09-06T22:39:00.000-07:00

Had a fabulous time at Penny & David's wedding at the Cooden Beach Hotel in Bexhill on Sea. I started with the bride where she was getting ready at her parent's house and straight away they were so warm and welcoming, it felt like I had known them for ages. Not only did the bride look lovely but the amount of work she had put into filling her wedding day with personal touches was amazing - each guest had a hand made (by the bride) gingerbread man as their place card at the table, iced to perfection with their name on it. I was lucky enough to get one too (pictured above) and so I can vouch that it was very fine indeed!

The ceremony was quite an emotional affair with one of the readings being a modern fairytale telling the story of how the 'prince and princess' did meet which I have to say was a little unfair cos it is hard to focus the camera when you are welling up. Still, at least I wasn't alone...

Despite what can't have been too far from a gale force wind, we did sneak away to the beach for a few shots which I just love - all windswept and interesting!

2009-09-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

Just finished editing one of my portrait sessions from my work for VisualChaos Studios - what a gorgeous family! The littlest fella just smiled the whole time whilst his big brother liked to express himself more actively!

2009-09-02T03:56:00.000-07:00

Been another busy week for weddings and in the studio and so I'm frantically working to edit all these pictures to get them out to their owners. The set that I've just finished is the wedding of Diane & Robin at the Copthorne Hotel. Despite some minor problems with final wedding arrangements on the run up to their big day, they seemed a very happy couple on the day and the sun shone for them in every regard.

Work on the website still continues in the gaps between shooting and editing and I'm feeling cautiously optimistic that I will actually be able to publish it in a couple of weeks. Still, best not tempt fate...

2009-08-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Such a busy week but a lovely one - two weddings and lots of portraits in the studio. On Friday, it was Tracey and Neil at Alexander House Hotel - I've worked there a few times and I always love it there. Not only is a great wedding venue as there are lots of lovely spots both inside and out (just in case the great British summer has a little sulk) but the service is just fantastic. All the time the staff are dealing with the wedding party, they always seem to go the extra mile and you are left feeling that is a venue with true class. I've just finished working on their pictures and I thought I'd share a few here - I know it goes without saying that the bride and groom are happy on their wedding day, but these guys seemed to have a little extra 'glow'.

2009-08-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

Mad busy week this week - just seems to have flown by. What with trying to work on the website (which is still looking much the same as it did on Monday morning despite my best intentions), and keeping on top of editing, I don't seem to have time to catch my breath.

Lovely wedding last weekend, at St Marys in Horsham which is always a lovely church to work at. We then went on to Cottesmore Golf Club where you get to ride down to the lake in a golf buggy to do some pictures. It was driven by a very nice fellow - he seemed to have scant regard for our safety as we hurtled over hill and valley but it was extremely exciting.

Two weddings this weekend - one at Alexander House Hotel and one at the Copthorne Hotel - both of which are great venues (although don't offer the buggy thrill ride as far as I know) as well as quite a few portrait sittings, oh-oh, more cute babies to coo over!

2009-08-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

Not a lot going on in terms of taking photographs this week as I had a rare weekend off due to a cancelled wedding, plus we have been having work done in the portrait studio so that's been out of action for the most part.

As well as keeping on top of my session editing, I thought I'd take an opportunity to get on with my website redevelopment which I have duly tried to do. It isn't as easy as it looks that's for certain - I'm learning Dreamweaver which is apparently the latest and greatest way to develop your website and certainly seems have lots of good things about it, if only I could work out how to use them all! So there has been a fair amount of storming away from my laptop and sulking, moaning at my husband about how my brain has turned to mush since passing 35 (although obviously, officially I remain as always only 29) and generally having hissy fits every time I have not been able to achieve my objectives. In more mature moments, I have made some progress and am inching my way towards my relaunch which is planned for the last week of August.

Still despite all of these minor frustrations, I do thank my lucky stars that I have a job where I get to do what I love and capture images like these - I would be in dangerous territory were I even in the slightest bit broody!!! (Steve, don't panic if you are reading this. I am not. Not one bit)

2009-07-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

Well it is has been a busy week although not mainly because of work as I've been away to York with my family for a few days to celebrate the start of the school holidays. It is a lovely place, if you haven't been, I'd definitely recommend it! Great tourist attractions and, for some reason, fabulous cake. We joyfully tucked into both and had a fabulous time.

Before I went, I had a lovely wedding at Gatwick Manor with the gorgeously named Laura Love. It was a great day and the weather was kind, tactfully waiting until we had done the photographs before offering a quick shower to freshen things up for the guests and then providing bright sunshine for the rest of the evening.

It was a day for the wildlife as well - the geese may look sweet but they are not. At all. This one is only sitting down as it was tired from chasing me! The bunnies however, are much more welcoming. This little fellow quite happily nibbled on grass throughout the reception regardless of all the guests around him (as far as I know, he wasn't invited himself).

The bride and groom and all the guests were so welcoming to me, it was a treat to work with them all. I had a lovely time and didn't fall off any precarious perches while taking the group photos which is always a bonus.

2009-07-24T04:18:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I have a wedding at Gatwick Manor Hotel. I've been there a few times over the years and I really love it as a venue. It has a number of very nice little spots for photographs and a lovely big courtyard which is wonderful for group photographs - everyone keeps cool in the shade, doesn't have those 'panda eyes' in the photograph (bright sunshine may make everyone feel 'wedding-y' but it is more difficult to work with than anything else). Plus and this is a huge bonus, the guests also get to play a great game of guessing whether I will fall off the wall that I always end up perched on to take the picture. There have been a couple of near misses, but I've not hit the deck yet - still there's tempting fate for you! The Tythe Barn is so pretty as well, a really unusual building for a hotel complex - all open beams and hanging tapestries, makes you come over quite medieval :) You can find out more at www.gatwickmanor.com ...

2009-07-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

Choosing your Wedding Photographer

I'm a brand new 'blogger' and wasn't sure how to start so first I thought I'd talk a little bit in general about wedding photography and some of the aspects of it that I think are important.

Ok, I guess I am biased but I think selecting your wedding photographer is an incredibly important part of your wedding day plans. I'm not saying that you have to spend a fortune but I would definitely recommend investing some fairly serious research time into finding the photographer that is right for you.

Professional v Amateur
It's obviously tempting to look at cost first when you are selecting a photographer, especially when times are tight, and clearly you have to be realistic about your budget. I would say though, that if you can possibly stretch to it, it is definitely a worthwhile investment to go for a professional rather than an amateur who is treating it as a second income. It's not that there aren't good amateurs out there - there probably are - but because of the importance of the task, I think you should have someone who takes it seriously enough to live by and also who has the kind of experience to deal with the myriad of strange and unusual circumstances that crop up at a wedding. That really only comes from doing a lot of them - I'm not saying you can't ever dumbfound a professional, it's just a lot less likely. (This isn't an invitation to play a twisted game of bait the photographer in cruel and unusual ways of course!)

That Certain Something...
It goes without saying that you should see work online and enough work to make you confident that it is of good quality and that you like it (or preferably love it!). But I think it's just as important to have a chat with your photographer whether that's on the phone or face to face to see if you 'click'. As well as giving you a chance to raise any specific questions or issues that you might have, you know how it is - when you speak to someone, you usually have a pretty good idea straight away whether you're going to get on with them or not. And it's that certain something that can make your wedding photography really fun and easy (even if, like most of the population, you don't love the camera too much).