Pre-Wedding and Engagement Photoshoots

What an amazing weekend it's been across the country. I spent Saturday afternoon in a pretty village in Warwickshire with a fantastic couple whose wedding I'll be photographing next month.

Admittedly most of our time was spent enjoying a chat about the wedding in the beautiful sunshine, but we also took ten minutes to set up a few shots and give Will and Jen a taste of being in front of the camera.

As you can see, they had no reason to worry and after just a few minutes were completely relaxed and enjoying the whole experience. This is an element of wedding photography that is often overlooked. If you have trust and confidence in your photographer, your belief in having your photograph taken as an unpleasant experience will completely change. We had such fun on Saturday that the bride, groom and myself are all thoroughly excited about the photographs on the day. That's the difference! They are now actually looking forward to having their pictures taken which is exactly how it should be.

On top of that, having shown Jenny and Will a few simple posing tricks, there is no need for me to take up any unnecessary time on their big day.

Pre-wedding shoots are by far the best way to make sure you are choosing the right photographer for you. You need to have a good rapport, be able to communicate with each other and most importantly, they should instill you with confidence in their ability to make you look your absolute best.


At Sally Marie Photography, we offer a pre-wedding shoot as standard so that bride, groom, and photographer can get to know each other before the wedding day. Every couple ends the shoot by telling me how easy it was compared to what they were expecting.

If you are planning a wedding, and your photographs are particularly important to you, then why not try a pre-wedding or engagement shoot to show you how painless it really is!? Give the studio a call on 01341 28 11 93 for more information or to book.

All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.

Lifestyle Photography

What is Lifestyle Photography?

Lifestyle photography is a contemporary form of portrait photography. Its most common use refers to informal, natural-looking images of families, children or individuals.

Lifestyle photo-shoots are usually carried out "on location" outdoors, making use of natural scenery, unusual backdrops or even industrial settings. They may also take place around the home of the person or family being photographed.

The Cariad Collection is a Lifestyle photography package which has been developed especially for women. As a photographer I constantly hear people tell me that they "don't take a good photograph" or "always look awful in pictures". Let me tell you now that EVERYONE CAN LOOK FANTASTIC IN A PHOTOGRAPH. There are no exceptions!
To create a fantastic photograph you need someone who can put you in the right light, with the right background, direct you into the most flattering pose and bring your gorgeous personality into full view. I have spent years specialising in photographing women to bring out their best, and Lifestyle photography provides even more opportunities to explore just how incredible you can look.

I have also incorporated the Lifestyle philosophy into pre-wedding and engagement photo-shoots. Many couples are now seeking a more informal, relaxed approach to their wedding photography, and a fun Lifestyle shoot is a great way to create quirky, unique portraits of a couple starting their life together.

It's all about letting an individual's personality, or a family dynamic, shine through and be captured in a beautiful image. They are moments that tell a story, a far cry from the stiff traditions of portrait photography gone by.

I hope that this has helped to explain the concept of Lifestyle photography. If you would like to enquire about a Lifestyle photo-shoot adventure then please get in touch on 01341 28 11 93.

We also offer Lifestyle gift vouchers for a truly special present.

All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.

Chester Wedding Feedback - A Great Result!

Wow!

The Chester wedding event was great fun. I had expected lots of wedding photographers but there was quite a good spread of different wedding services, so it wasn't all wedding photography chat!

Looking forward to building some great new relationships and of course shooting lots of beautiful weddings in Chester.

As always with me, ideas are already brewing and I'll keep blogging as things begin to take shape. I also have some more stunning wedding photographs to share with you, which I plan to upload next time... watch this space!

All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.

Chester Wedding Event

What a fabulous month we're having here in beautiful Snowdonia. With the traditional exception of the Bank Holiday weekend, the days have been warm and mild, with the bluest of blue skies!

A perfect month for the lifestyle shoots we've currently got booked... images to follow. And of course, for amazing Spring weddings.

I'm looking forward to attending a special networking event in Chester tomorrow evening, which is just for wedding-related businesses. It's always fascinating to meet people from other areas of the wedding world, not only because I learn so much from them, but also because it's useful to stay in touch and to be able to refer prospective brides to those offering the best services and products.

At the studio is a box containing samples and details for all sorts of other wedding suppliers. I am often requested to recommend wedding services from DJs to wedding dresses! Tomorrow's event in Chester will give me the opportunity to meet even more talented local wedding suppliers and experience their level of quality, so that brides in the Chester area can be sure of the best possible value for their wedding bucks.

I'll let you know how it goes in Chester tomorrow, and if you are a wedding supplier offering a high quality product with excellent service, be sure to get in touch and make your introduction!

Now, back to making the most of this wonderful weather with a photoshoot in a forest park! Hope you're all enjoying it too.

All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.

Natural Family Portraits

Even in a studio setting, family portraits don't have to be formal and boring. Relaxed, happy portrait photographs are achievable, as long as the family is at ease with the photographer.

Elaine's family came into the studio in Gwynedd for some portrait photographs with their young children, and we all had a great time. When everyone is happily having fun the results can be really superb, and after a very short time it was easy to forget about the camera and lights!

We started off with everyone on the floor and asked the kids to climb on the adults, much to the children's delight!
With everyone still sitting on the floor, a fit of giggles lightens everybody and creates some lovely natural expressions. It's not always necessary for everyone to look towards the camera, in fact it's much more informal when the family is interacting together and the dynamics of their personalities can shine through.

Ruth and Ruby are wonderfully tolerant of my bad jokes, and Ruby could easily be set for a career as a model with her fabulous flame-haired looks!

Towards the end of the shoot everyone has forgotten all about my camera, and some wonderfully touching moments are caught as they interact closely together as a family.

If you would like more information on studio family portraits or lifestyle portraits on location, contact the studio and speak to Sally on 01341 28 11 93, or contact us through the website http://www.sallymarie.co.uk/.

Photoshoots are also available as gift vouchers and make amazingly memorable presents!

All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.

Miss Galaxy 2010

Here's a name to watch out for - Alana Lewis from Tywyn, Gwynedd is getting ready for the Miss Galaxy finals 2010.

Starting at the studio this week, these images will form the basis for her portfolio and Sally Marie Photography wishes her lots of luck on this exciting adventure.

Please join me in showing our support for local modelling talent:

All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.

Jade, Will and Cian's Photo-shoot

Jade received a very cool present from a generous friend at Christmas - photo-shoot gift vouchers! So we had a fun morning at the studio with Cian last week and here are some of the shots, some of my favourites and some of Jade's!

Family portrait photography doesn't have to take place in the studio either. Lifestyle portraits and location shoots are becoming increasingly popular, especially amongst young families. If you'd like to find out more about studio or Lifestyle portraits please call 01341 28 11 93.

All Blog content ©Sally Marie Photography Ltd - No reproduction without express permission.