Portrait Photography in East Grinstead - Katie

Good Afternoon Folks, I know, I know I promised a wedding photography blog today but I couldn't resist showing you gorgeous Katie so I made and executive decision to have a portrait photography blog today. Say hello to Katie who was a lovely bridesmaid at one of the weddings I photographed last year. She was so proud and happy to be supporting her uncle and new auntie that day and along with mummy did a splendid job. So we had a discussion as to what we were going to do in the session, and as I do not operate the conveyor belt roll on, roll off policy we were able to take our time with some different things to have lots of fun and create something a little different. I do think that the high key background has it's place, but I really do like to be able to create different looks in the studio that match my clients rather than wheel them in front of the generic white background for every shoot. Katie was a joy in front of the camera and very at ease, she really was a pleasure photograph. I also had the chance to try out my funky new background too :) I have chosen three images today and the first is showcasing the funky background, the other reason I chose it was for it's simplicity and the intensity of Katie's gaze into the camera, see I told you she was good. Oh I just love this image with Katie cuddling mum, what more can I say I love it. I have this photograph printed as a sample on some very beautiful paper that is pearlescent with a very, very soft metallic sheen. To appreciate it you really do have to see it. Lastly something that I think must be very associated with my style, very simple, classical lighting in black and white. Pre-wedding shoots for 2014 are kicking off for me this weekend and I am very excited to start on the planning this year's weddings with my lovely brides and grooms. I also want to do more portrait photography this year so I am looking forward to meeting all sorts of new people, how good is that :) Have a great weekend folks; we have a new washing machine arriving; oh yeah party on down. It's that moment when you pull the old one out and see what's underneath…yuk!!! I long for the day when one is invented that wheels in and out easily so those jobs aren't done once in a blue moon. Whoever nodded off at the back; wake up ;) new appliances are exciting, they are, they are :D Claire :)

East Grinstead Baby Photography - Charlotte: West Sussex Baby Photographers

Good Morning and a Happy New Year to you all,

So I am starting the new year with a real cutie called Charlotte; I photographed her Mummy and Daddy's wedding four years ago so I was lovely to see Catherine again.

There is something really special when you have a job that enables you to share in the joy of the happiest milestones in your clients' lives and I often think that the profession I am in must be one of the very few to enjoy this.

Charlotte is 12 weeks in this image and it is quite incredible how little ones change so rapidly from newborn to little babies.  I do love the newborn stage,  this is so short lived and the ideal time to photograph your little ones is in the first two weeks after birth.  Once this very brief stage has passed, your little one's muscles will start to develop and their neck strength will develop day by day. Their eyesight will also start to develop quite rapidly too, so capturing those serene images does become harder because they have the ability to observe much more the world that surrounds them.  It always amazes me how short a time being newborn really is and when I see these little marvels for their next session it is hard to believe they were ever that small; a little bit sad but lovely at the same time,because they are developing and growing into bonny babies!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year;  I spent time with my family and friends, some who I have not seen for quite some time due to work commitments so it was really good to kick back, eat chocolate and be merry :)

One last thing, it's not raining....hurrah!!!!!

Claire

To see more of my work pop along to my website Woodland Hill Photography

East Grinstead Portrait Photography - Izzy: West Sussex Portrait Photographers

Good Afternoon Folks,

Well as promised here is Izzy, who reminds me of Lady Sybil in Downton Abbey.  I thoroughly enjoyed photographing both Izzy and Sophie and we had great fun during the session.

I do love to get inspiration from people and places and to have Lady Sybil and Audrey Hepburn at the same time was a real treat!

Well the decorations are up in the Hill household and it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Slowly but surely the houses are being decorated with the most wonderful lights and it makes for an awesome sight at night.

Have a great week and catch up with you all soon.

Claire :)

If you would like to see more of my work pop along to my website Woodland Hill Photography

East Grinstead Portrait Photography - Sophie: West Sussex Portrait Photography

Good Morning lovely ones in the world of blogs,

I recently had a fabulous portrait session with Sophie who as you can see is utterly gorgeous and a pleasure to photograph.

We had a few different things planned for the session but this one was my Audrey Hepburn inspired shot.  I felt that Sophie shared the same features as Audrey Hepburn and I think this image demonstrates it nicely.  I do love a good hat and this baby resides in the studio so you may see it popping up in various guises in the future!

Whatever you have in store for the rest of the week make sure you have fun.  I will be posting an image of Sophie's equally gorgeous Sister Issy soon, and she reminds me of Lady Cybil from Downton Abbey :)

Claire
If you would lke to see more of my work pop along to my website Woodland Hill Photography

Suggestion Photography Tunbridge Wells Portrait Photographers - Clare: Tunbridge Wells Portrait Photographers

Good Morning Folks,

Ahead of Clare and Chris' wedding imagery I am posting some images from Clare's suggestion session that was a surprise for Chris on their wedding day.  It has been hard to keep it a secret as Clare looked fabulous!

As you can see from the imagery that I am posting, the sessions are about what you don't see and I want to echo the glamour Hollywood days of black and white photography and timeless beauty.

I am posting three images today and I think they speak for themselves; all black and white and Clare looks gorgeous in every one, to be honest it was a hard job to decide what not to put in the album.

Later in the week I will be blogging about their beautiful wedding day.

Claire :)
 If you would lke to see more of my work pop along to my website Woodland Hill Photography

Portrait Photographers West Sussex - Paula and Sophie: West Sussex Portrait Photography

Good Afternoon Folks,

I recently had a wonderful portrait session with Paula and Sophie; I was quite shocked at how much Sophie had grown since Paula and Hugh's wedding in 2009! It was at that moment I realised how time flies as it did not seem like 5 minutes since she was that little girl in a gorgeous bridesmaid's dress who was so excited to receive her own ring on their wedding day. There is always something that makes me cry when I photograph a wedding and it was when Hugh gave Sophie the ring; stop it Claire otherwise you will just blub again!!!

The session was a mixture of high and mid to low key photography; I have posted one high key image that I just love of them both and an image of Paula and Sophie looking just stunning.

Hugh, I think I can safely say now is the time to panic as Sophie is growing up from an adorable child into a beautiful young lady.

I hope you all had a great weekend; I have knuckled down and it's edit, edit, edit for me today.

Claire

Family Portrait Session: West Sussex Portrait Photographer

Hello Folks,

Welcome to Friday! Recently I photographed a really fun family and there was much hilarity in the studio! Nicky gave her Mum a studio experience with a framed print as a Christmas present, so they all came along and we had a fab time.

I have posted three images today, the first one is what I call 'the brow'. We all fell on the floor laughing when Lee kept doing his Roger Moore brow and I insisted that we had to get an image of the brow in action. Here it is and what a magnificent brow it is too! We then decided to speculate on Keith's previous career and I know exactly the one I mentioned just before this photo was taken, I am not going to reveal but it was funny and you can see that Eileen thought the idea incredulous. I thought I had better put a serious image on here and I just love this one of Nicky and Lee.

Have a fab weekend all and yes I am going to mention the weather again...hot, hot, hot well hot for March. Whatever you are up to have fun and if you happen to be in London on Sunday pop into 116 Pall Mall for a chat.

Ciao,

Claire

Red Squirrel Arts: West Sussex Commercial Photographer

Good Morning Folks,

Well it has been a very varied week so far at Woodland Hill Photography with pre-wedding shoots, bridal dress shoots and the artwork of the very talented Rich Spicer.

I travelled to Rich's studio in Worthing earlier this week to photograph his collection, which has been titled 'the look up series'. Rich has drawn his inspiration from the beautiful tree canopies that we have in this country and his aim was to encourage people to look up and see the beauty that exists above their heads.

The whole collection is going to be exhibited at the St Paul's Centre, Chapel Road, Worthing from 5th March until the 2nd April. Rich is going to exhibit in the most unsual way and I cannot wait to see the whole series in situ.

I am posting a couple of images and a portrait of Rich, but if you want to see some more ahead of the exhibition then I will be posting some extra ones on my twitter account if you click here it will take you straight there.

My next post for this week is going to be some more artistry but of the sweet variety from Sweet Little Blings; the studio had the most fragrant aroma during this shoot....yummy!

Enjoy your week and hope you all enjoyed pancake day; I like mine simple with just lemon juice and sugar:)

Claire

Paul G Smith Fabulous Toastmaster: East Grinstead Portrait Photography

Good Morning Folks,

I recently had the honour of photographing the President of the London Guild of Toastmasters, Paul G Smith. Some of the imagery is being used for his website and one of the images will be his official portrait in the President's book.

I love working with Paul, he has that wonderful mix of a consummate professional without being stuffy. If you have him at your wedding it will run like clockwork and be enormous fun too. I think I can safely say that he is nothing like the impression that people have of Toastmasters, so if you are thinking of having someone to ease the pressure on the day; Paul is the one for you. It is happy days for me because he will be at a few of my weddings this year.

The weather looks set to stay cold and my chicken is not liking it at all and to watch her trying to walk in snow was quite a sight I can tell you!!

Have a great weekend everyone and wrap up warm.

Claire

Grace: Baby Photographers East Grinstead West Sussex

Good Afternoon,

I had a great session photographing beautiful Grace, she is such a yummy little girly all I wanted to do was give her a big cuddle! I first met Grace when she was in her Mummy's tummy and again when she was a month old. She is now 6 months old and such a bonny little girl; this session had to be split into two because she had enough and the mood we needed for the shots she was not prepared to do. She is a girly who knows her own mind so it was back today for part two with Daddy who makes the most wonderful assistant. He never fails to bring a lump to my throat when he talks to his baby girl; I just know I am going to blub during the edit! I am also very excited as she is going to be part of my secret project.

I have posted two images of Grace today, one very solemn moment and another showing her pink frilly dress and gorgeous feet to perfection.

Enjoy your weekend everyone and if you want to pop along and say hello I will be at the Alexander House Wedding Fayre this Sunday 29th. I don't know if you have gathered but I do like a good chat!!

Claire

Shelley and Matthew: West Sussex Wedding Photography

Good Morning,

I recently had a lovely engagement session with Shelley and Matthew; I am photographing their wedding this year at The Felbridge Hotel and ahead of the pre-wedding shoot this session made their engagement 'official'! The session was very romantic and I know I keep saying it Shelley, but you have the most beautiful hands and Matthew has chosen and equally beautiful ring to show them off even more...well done Matthew!

I have chosen two images to show you, one that will eventually be printed on my new black and white paper...I know, I know I keep mentioning it but it is new and I am excited; and the other to show Shelley's hand with the exquisite ring that Matthew gave her.

Looking forward to another shoot and then the Big Day you two.

Have a lovely weekend all whatever you are up to and just a quick heads up, I will be exhibiting at the Alexander House Wedding Fayre next Sunday 29th January. If you are in the area pop in and say hello.

Claire

Yas - West Sussex Children's Photography East Grinstead

Good Evening Folks,

I recently had a lovely session photographing the beautiful Yas. We started the session with high key as Yas needed some headshots then it was what I like doing best; creating a mood. I have photographed Yas a number of times now and she is just adorable, she has the sweetest disposition and to work with her is always a pleasure. She has also participated in my secret project that took us to a lovely location too.

I have chosen three images all from the 'moody' session; one in colour and two in varying black and whites. These images have had very little post production and all the work was done in the studio and camera, so what you see here is just simple, pure imagery. I am going to get some printed on a new paper that was delivered today that has a very warm tone to it. I produced the .icm profile this morning so I am all ready to go.

I am certainly feeling the cold snap that we are having and I keep telling myself it is good for the garden; not sure my chicken agrees with me though!

Claire

Mark, Elaine and Page: East Grinstead West Sussex Portrait Photography

Good Evening All,

I am posting a little late tonight some imagery that I took just before Christmas of a gorgeous trio. It is extra special as Paige has had to travel back to South Africa so she will always have memories of this Christmas! The last time she visited we were covered in a blanket of snow.

I have chosen three images to post and I think that Mark looks particularly dashing using split light, and we were all blown away when we saw the image on the back of the camera! The girls looked effortlessly gorgeous. I had the great privilege of photographing Elaine and Mark's wedding a couple of years ago and they are wonderful people, so it was really lovely to have them in the studio so I could prove to Elaine once more that she is beautiful.

I have just returned home from a brilliant couple of days at the SWPP convention. The week started with a Yerbury training day in Mayfair. Trevor and Faye Yerbury are true masters of their art and I have been looking forward to this for some time; it did not disappoint and learning from them was a wonderful and gentle experience. I was print handling on Thursday and catching up with suppliers and friends over the weekend. Exhilarating but exhausting!

I often think that I sometimes live in the past with regard to my photographic inspiration; to be honest I am pleased that I do as these people are the true greats and their work has truly stood the test of time. I really do not get the time to attend enough exhibitions and the last one I attended of Julia Margaret Cameron's work was sublime; so I really must try to see more of these photographers work close up if I can.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Enjoy your Sunday and have a great week.

Claire

Harry and Jack: East Grinstead West Sussex Portrait Photography

Good Morning,

I was going to post one of my 'sunny' posts today but it is so lovely outside I am going to save it until we have a dreary day!

This is one of my Christmas sessions with Harry and Jack; they came over with Dad to have some pictures taken as a Christmas surprise for Mum. We had a good session and it was finished off with a tickling session, Jack tickled Dad with gusto and as you can see probably too much gusto! I have posted one image of Harry and Jack and the other one makes me laugh as you can just see Jack and Dad about to topple out of view.

Enjoy your Tuesday and this extraordinary spring like weather we seem to be experiencing at the moment.

Claire

Will, Dan and Isobel: East Grinstead Portrait Photography

Good Morning All,

Happy Saturday and the first full weekend of 2012! Today's imagery was taken just before Christmas of three lovely children Will, Dan and Isobel. We had a great session of some high and mid key photography and the aim was to produce some imagery to give as a surprise gift to their Nan. I was most impressed as we had a sausage roll break half way through, which I might add were homemade. I must say I am thinking of incorporating this into all studio sessions! It was definitely a first for me :)

Julie, Steve and Karen have chosen a beautiful frame for Nan and it will be presented as a surprise birthday gift today. I was so pleased that we were able to get everything done in time as we all knew that it was going to be tight; it has made my weekend though. Many thanks to my suppliers for being fabulous as usual, they pulled out all the stops to ensure that I could pick it up myself yesterday. Julie is going to report back but she said there will be tears for sure....I love my job.

I have chosen three images all from the mid key session; Isobel's image has muted colour tones, Will's is in full colour and Dan's image is full black and white. Look out for a compilation that will be called 'the many faces of Isobel' on my facebook business page. I did my first one of these back in August, 2011 called 'the many faces of Jess' and they do make me laugh.

Whatever you are up to this weekend...enjoy; I am having a weekend off and we will be catching up with some friends this evening.

Claire

Mercedes' Birthday Shoot - East Sussex Portrait Photographer

Good Afternoon,

Recently my Goddaughter Mercedes had a birthday shoot with her friends to celebrate her 13th birthday....well what's the point in having an Aunt/Godmother as a photographer if you cannot have a shoot whenever you want one!

This is one of the few sessions that is not secret. We had a fairly varied session that went from high to mid to low key and all the girls looked absolutely stunning. After the session it was off to The New York Coffee Club in East Grinstead where Ashley was over the moon to spot Peter Andre's brother Danny; I think all the girls were hoping that Peter Andre would pop up but alas no! Never mind girls there is always next time.

I still have frame orders to complete and I am awaiting deliveries of wall art; I will be relieved when it is all done and with all my clients in time for Christmas. I had a great studio session this afternoon and I am looking forward to another 1/2 day in the studio tomorrow too.

Enjoy your Friday and ho, ho, ho,

Claire

Molly: West Sussex Portrait Photographer

Good Morning,

My gorgeous Cousin Molly and I recently had a 'play' session in the studio. It was a fairly dreary Monday morning and we fancied taking some images and just seeing what I could come up with. As a result of the session some very interesting images were taken that I am now going to perfect. This has reinforced my belief in just experimenting and playing in a stress free environment; it is often the time when new ideas are born. I had a good old chat with my Mentor Kevin about it and I will be back in the studio to expand on the idea and play with the light.

So the image I am posting of Molly today is not one of the prototypes but a classical portrait, which I love to bits, showing Molly as the beautiful young woman that she is. It seems like only 5 minutes since I was carrying her around as a baby and she believed our car had a magic roof!

Claire

The Girls: West sussex Portrait Photography

Good Morning,

I recently had a lovely but poignant studio session with three lovely girls; they are firm friends. The reason for the session was to create some memories that they could keep before Jennie returned home to Zimbabwe. We had lots of fun creating glamour and guffaw, and it is nice to think that as Jennie is enjoying some lovely weather she can look back at the images of her friends. I have posted an image of the girls together and one of Jennie.

I really enjoyed catching up with this year's and next year's wedding clients over the weekend, and as usual had some fabulous chats...I do love a good chat! Have a great week everyone; I have lots to do and a few bits to get ready for my wedding fayre on Sunday.

Claire

Jasmine: West Sussex Children's Portrait Photography

Good Morning,

I recently photographed a lovely portrait session as a surprise gift for Jasmine's Grandparents. It was fantastic madness!

I thought I would post this image as it looked like the session was calm and tranquil, if only you could all see what was happening around this image it would have made you a laugh, and I certainly had a great time.

Today and tomorrow I am seeing clients to chat about their weddings next year, so lots more lovely things to discuss.

Have a great weekend and have any of you started your Christmas shopping yet? I confess I have.

Claire

Eva: West Sussex Children's Portrait Photography

Good Afternoon Folks,

Hope this blog post finds you all well. I recently photographed the lovely Eva, the story starts when I photographed Eva's Grandfather's wedding, then I photographed Eva's Mummy and Daddy's wedding. Little Eva was just a bump when I first photographed her and a month old when she had her first out of bump studio experience and here stood before me was this beautiful little girl who was just sitting up when she last came to me. Now she is walking and loves to talk to Daddy on the telephone; not quite sure Daddy understands it all. I translated a few of words and it was first, car, Ferrari; now don't say I didn't warn you Dad, you have 16 years to save up!