Last night I went up to the Lake District for two portrait photography shoots.  I hadn’t met either Michelle, Andy and their two boys (the first shoot), or Cheryl and her two daughters (the second shoot) before so it was literally case a meeting them, saying hello, then snapping away!

Both portrait shoots were great fun and I am very pleased with the photographs we got.  For the first shoot I met Michelle and Andy at a really beautiful spot just on the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake.  Michelle brought along her two boys as well so it turned in to more of a family shoot

After Michelle’s shoot, I headed west to Whitehaven Harbour to meet Cheryl and her two daughters.  Again, it was a really fun shoot and the light was lovely as the sun was just starting to set.

I love the Lake District (it’s where Michelle and I got married), it’s just a photographer’s dream.  The only frustrating thing is when I was driving around I saw a few amazing, dramatic landscapes (especially around Keswick) but couldn’t stop fast enough to be able to take photographs All of the landscape photographs which I did take were taken on my Canon G10 compact camera.

Michelle & Cheryl – it was a pleasure to meet you and your families last night – I hope you like the photographs!

Last week I met up with Christine and Dave, whose wedding I will be photographing next month, for a pre-wedding engagement photoshoot in Cheshire.

Christine and Dave get married in Chester before having their wedding reception at Inglewood Manor in Cheshire.  I haven’t photographed a wedding at Inglewood Manor before so I’m extra excited about Christine and Dave’s wedding!

Christine chose the beautiful Dunham Massey National Trust Estate for the engagement photoshoot – an excellent location for portrait photographs.  Dunham Massey, which is a few miles south of Manchester in Cheshire, is home to lots of deer so I tried my best to include them in the photographs, although this was certainly easier said than done!

Can’t wait for the wedding now..!

Earlier this week, I held a portrait photography session for two friends of mine, Katie & Dave.  We started off at Longford Park in Chorlton and moved on to take more photographs at Salford Quays near Manchester city centre.

I really enjoy these shoots as they are very relaxed (we just tend to wander round having a chat whilst I look for different locations for photos!) and I have the time to try and get quite creative and experiment with different ideas.  The two locations we went to were great too, I especially like Salford Quays as it is has some fantastic architecture and is usually quite quiet.

Some of my favourite photographs from the shoot are below.  The first half of the photographs were taken in Longford Park, with the second half all at Salford Quays.

I am very keen to do many more of these shoots so if you are interested in having a similar photoshoot, whether it be on your own or as a couple, then please contact me

The following photographs were all taken at Salford Quays near Manchester city centre:

In September last year I photographed a family portrait shoot in Avenham Park in Preston, although I haven’t been able to show the photographs until now as they were used for a surprise Birthday present!

It was really nice to go to Avenham Park again as I lived in Preston for three happy years whilst studying for my degree at the University of Central Lancashire – including one year living on Avenham Street which is just off the park itself.

We had a lot of fun on the portrait shoot and I hope that comes across in the photographs

I am very pleased to announce details of a brand new portrait photography package, especially for couples.

When people think of portrait photography they often only think of just one person being photographed, but why not photograph couples together?  This way you can both enjoy the shoot together  and the resulting images will be really special to the both of you

This special package will include a 2 hour portrait shoot of the two of you together in an outside location, such as a local park or other picturesque venue. Working outside will give the photographs much more variety.  I can advise on locations or I am happy to be guided by you should you have a location in mind (perhaps somewhere special and meaningful to you both?)

Although I will guide you in terms of posing ideas, the emphasis of the shoot will be very much on you both being relaxed, having fun and enjoying yourself!

Following the shoot you will receive:

• A CD containing 30+ images as full size, non-watermarked, hi-resolution files which you will be free to use for personal use.
• All images on the CD will be digitally edited and enhanced by myself.
• All images will also be supplied “Facebook optimised”, so you can share the images with your friends and family. These will be the same images as on the CD but they will be re-sized and sharpened especially for use on Facebook.

The cost of this package is £345.

This portrait package would make an ideal Valentine’s Day, Birthday or Anniversary gift.  If you would like to book, or have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me

On Saturday I met up with Lisa and John, whose wedding I will be covering at Egypt Mill in Gloucestershire next year, for an engagement shoot in Williamson Park in Lancaster (a park famous for the Ashton Memorial).

Not only are Lisa and John a really lovely couple but they also proved to be great models!

Engagement shoots are becoming very popular amongst couples getting married and I will soon be offering engagement shoots as an additional option in my standard wedding photography packages. From bride and groom’s point of view they are great as they allow you to get a taster of being in front of the camera, as well as giving you a lovely set of photographs which can then be used in the run up to your wedding (such as Save the Dates or wedding invitations). From my point of view they allow me to get to know couples better before the wedding day itself and give me a chance to get more creative as I have a little longer with the couple than I would normally have on the wedding day itself.

John and Lisa – I am really pleased that you enjoyed the engagement shoot and like your photographs. I am really looking forward to your wedding next year, I know it will be a fantastic day!

Here are a few of my favourite photographs from the shoot:

Yesterday evening I took some portrait photographs in Manchester for my friend, Ant Bacon.  Ant is an aspiring actor and wanted some headshots to show casting directors.  I haven’t done many portrait shoots recently but I really enjoyed this and would like to do more in the future.  

Hope you like these Ant!