South Lodge, Lower Beeding, West Sussex - Heather and Roy: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Morning to all my lovely blog readers,

I hope the week is treating you well so far?  I recently had a great pre-wedding shoot with Heather and Roy at South Lodge, Lower Beeding, West Sussex.  We were lucky in that it did not rain but the wind was rather strong; I quite liked it as it made for some dramatic shots.

South Lodge has so many wonderful photographic opportunities both inside and out.  Heather brought along some balloons as it was Roy's birthday so we had a stroll with them before setting them free!  It was then down to the lake and then back into the house to create a bit of drama.

I am posting four images today; the first is a sneaky kiss stolen in a telephone box and reminds me of days gone by, the second showcases our balloons and I think this should be called 99 red balloons, I know there are not 99, but I like it!  The third shot is a quiet stroll with said ballons just prior to their release.  The last shot of the day is utilising our very own wind machine; I just love the way that Heather's skirt billows in the wind.

I have some albums to design this week and I have a very interesting shoot at the weekend, alas not one that will be public for a bit.  The concept is really exciting and there are a number of factors that remain a little out of our control at the moment, thus adding a little 'frisson' to the proceedings.

Have the most fabulous weekend and looking forward to catching up with you next week.

Claire

MPA South East Regional Awards 2012: West Sussex Photographers

Good Morning Folks, Well it's all excitement at Woodland Hill Photography this morning; we had the annual South East Regional Awards for the MPA last night and I absolutely thrilled to have been awarded the following:-
MPA South East Regional Awards 2012 Contemporary Wedding Winner
MPA South East Regional Awards 2012 Contemporary Portrait Award of Excellence 2nd Place
MPA South East Regional Awards 2012 Pictorial and Fine Art Merit joint 2nd Place
MPA South East Regional Awards 2012 Contemporary Wedding Merit

Here are the winning images and I just want to say a big thank you all the gorgeous people that feature in the images; the criteria for entry is that the images must have been taken in the last 16 months and the wedding images were from two of my recent beautiful brides, Donna and Annabel; the fine art piece was taken in an amazing local location with the sublime Nikki.  The contemporary portraiture was taken on Emma Tindley's shoot Shakespeare in Love for her new collection and features the fabulous India.

I am as happy as larry but it is back to work today and I hope you all have a great day.

Claire

Emma Tindley Couture at Wakehurst Place, Ardingly - Shakespeare in Love Collection: West Sussex Wedding and Fashion Photographers

Good Evening Folks,

Something a little different this evening, a slideshow that showcases the wonderfully, brilliant and talented Emma Tindley who designs right here in East Grinstead.  I am very happy to say that I am the official photographer for Emma Tindley and wow do I love photographing her creations, they are truly a work of art.

Emma studied at the London College of Fashion and what she doesn't know about the female form is not worth knowing.  All her designs have this amazing corsetry that gives a beautiful shape to any woman and this comes from her extensive knowledge of period corsetry that she has adapted and moulded into her collections.

When you visit Emma you are talking to the designer herself not just a supplier of dresses and  you are talking to the expert, not someone who just sells dresses without any real knowledge of their construction.

Have a look at the slideshow, better still visit her beautiful boutique in our very own East Grinstead and you will never buy off the peg again!

Enjoy the evening folks,

Claire

Felbridge Hotel and Spa, East Grinstead, West Sussex - Shelley and Matthew: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Evening Everyone,

I recently had a fun time with Shelley and Matthew at their pre-wedding shoot at the Felbridge Hotel and Spa, East Grinstead, West Sussex.. They had just finished a particularly fabulous menu tasting at the hotel and their choices sounded yummy and made me feel a little peckish!

We explored the hotel and I went to my usual spots and also found some new ones too.  We also have a new shot planned along with some drama, I get all excited when we start planning the shots and I cannot wait until the big day when we can put everything into action :)

I have posted four images this week, the first one in the garden of the hotel; Matthew was being a little over vigorous, I think he had a Strictly Come Dancing moment!  The second is just a lovely shot of the two of them enjoying each others company,  I love the gates and fence in this shot and the clouds were all puffy and dramatic, little did I know what was to come!  I am calling this last shot stolen kiss and its inspiration was taken from the film Grease.

As we left the hotel the spits and spots of rain started and by the time I got home, which is so local you would not believe, the monsoon was here; how lucky were we.  I think Shelley and I have managed to convince Matthew that he is photogenic and Shelley is a natural in front of the camera; we are going to have great fun creating the drama on the day...super stuff.

This week sees the start of the album designing and completing all my outstanding orders, next up on the blog Slaugham Place, so tune in later in the week folks.

Claire

Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex - Jamie and Rachel: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Morning Folks,

I recently photographed the wedding of Rachel and Jamie; after the torrential rain the night before we weren't sure that we would be able to venture outside at all!

The day started at Alexander House Hotel, East Grinstead, West Sussex where Rachel was getting ready and this would also be the place where they would spend their first night as a married couple.  The rain had managed to wash most of their beautiful gravel drive into the road!!  There was lots of excitement and I never tire of seeing the happiness of a longed for day finally here.

It was then off to the glorious Wakehurst Place,  Ardingly, West Sussex and I just love this venue;  Katie was on hand ensuring that everything was running smoothly and in the morning she had deployed a team to restore their beautiful lawns as the rain had washed most of the bark surrounding the trees on to the lawns!!  I would not have known anything had Katie not told me, the team had done a wonderful job.

The rain abated just enough when Rachel arrived so she was able to walk through the door on the opposite side of the house, thank you rain!  We were able to do the group shots outside and then had two lovely Bride and Groom Portrait sessions both inside and out.  Wakehurst Place is such a beautiful venue, I really wanted to make the most of it.

Today's imagery sees on of Rachel in the Manor House; she looks so serene and beautiful, followed by Rachel and Jamie having a stroll within the copious grounds.  Rachel and Jamie both love the lake at Wakehurst Place so we popped back a couple of times during the day and I loved the richness of colour in this shot along with the delicate reflections of the Manor House twinkling in the water. I won't tell you what the ducks did whilst we were down there.  To give you a clue they decided to give us a practical lesson to demonstrate the birds and the bees whether we wanted it or not!!!!  The last shot I have chosen was taken in the formal gardens, and again the richness of colour and texture was wonderful.

With Wakehusrt you really can have it all; I love it!

Have a great day folks and enjoy the weekend....squelch, squelch!

Claire

May and Jess: East Sussex Location Photography

Good Afternoon Folks,

I am enjoying my secret project immensely and it is really starting to take shape now.  The project has taken many twists and turns since I first started, so much so that I had May and Jess back to re-visit their image.  As always the girls were consummate professionals and this helped to capture the image that I needed.  It was then for some fun and to see if they could beat the waves!  All I can say is there were some squelchy shoes on the walk home!!!  As the project remains under wraps, I thought I would post one of the images taken after the session; as you can see the girls are having great fun despite the weather.

Had a lovely session in the studio this morning and I am really looking forward to photographing their wedding next year.  There is lots to look forward to in the interim as a new bundle of joy is due in July and I cannot wait to see 'bubs' once he/she has made an appeareance.

Claire

Cliveden House, Berkshire - Annabel and Matthew: Berkshire and Surrey Wedding Photographers

Good Evening Folks,

Twice in one day; that's it for this week, I promise!

I had a lovely day with Annabel and Matthew and the weather was very kind to us for their wedding.  The day started off with Matthew to capture a few images then it was a quick hop and a skip up the road to Annabel's parents to capture some lovely moments before leaving to be married.  Weybridge Registry office is a lovely building and the marriage room had very nice decor and great light.  We then headed back for champers and fun at Annabel and Matthew's home before going to Cliveden House, Taplow, Berkshire where the reception continued.  This was a beautiful and intimate wedding, and was enjoyed by all.

I am posting four images today.  The first is of Annabel just having a moment before leaving, the next shot is of Annabel in magnificent Christian Louboutin heels; when Annabel said she was wearing killer heels she meant it!  I have used a very subtle selective colour for this shot; I wanted a black and white image, but when one is wearing Louboutin darling we have to show the red!  This is followed by Matthew in that fabulous bedroom     The final image is one from the amazing Cliveden House, when you reach the fountain and take the left turn that sight is awe inspiring.  I love this image with the arches and subtle light highlighting a shared moment alone together.

Have a fab weekend folks; no weddings for me this week but I do have client viewings, some clients for a wedding in 2103 and the studio; just enough to keep me out of trouble....or is it?!

Claire

How to tie a Cravat: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Morning Folks,

I thought that I would post something that will hopefully help all you Grooms out there as wedding season is now in full swing!

The cravat and especially the 'scrunchy' tie causes so many problems for the Groom and his 'men' and a little googling found me this useful tutorial

I hope it helps and I am looking forward to seeing some splendid creations lads!

I had two fabulous weddings over the Jubilee weekend, I managed to get the best of the weather on both occasions, Sunday was meant to be a wash out and I am so grateful we managed to get out and about a bit. Keep an eye out as some sneaky peeks will be posted here soon.

Right back to editing for me, time to focus and crack on.

Claire