Engagement Shoots – ‘Tis the season

Engagement / Pre Wedding Shoots

Why do a pre-wedding shoot?

I’d say that 9 out of 10 of our clients admits to being uncomfortable in front of the camera and apprehensive about how they will feel on their wedding day effectively being watched by a lens all day long.  The pre wedding shoot is a perfect way to allay those fears.  I’ve never had a couple say to me after the shoot . . . .“you know what, it was as much of a nightmare as I imagined it would be!”  

It’s more along the lines of . . . . . “that was so much fun”
and  . . . . .“I’m so surprised that I actually enjoyed that”
and all importantly  . . . . .“I feel much better about the actual day now”

A pre wedding shoot has many advantages.  Firstly, you get to spend a bit of time with your photographer.  Get to know me a bit more in a relaxed environment.   That way, on the wedding day you’ll have an idea of how I work and what to expect.   Secondly, it’s a fantastic opportunity to explore different styles and ideas that you might want to use on the wedding day itself and even more importantly to identify those things that don’t work for you and your partner so that no time is wasted on the actual day .  Lastly, with Just Imagine, all our engagement shoots include all of the photos on a CD so within a week of the shoot you’ll have all of the images at your fingertips to use for your invitations, the wedding day or simply to keep as a record.

Here are some of the images from the two pre wedding shoots we did this past weekend.  Both couples had booked our combined Photo and Video package and were therefore offered a free engagement shoot.  If you’ve booked us for your photography but haven’t booked a pre-wedding shoot you can do so by calling or emailing us.

Dominic and Victoria

Dominic and Victoria’s wedding is  just a few weeks away in February at Wotton House and of course, photo and video will follow in a few weeks time.

James and Helen
James and Helen’s wedding is at Clandon House this coming March.  Photos and video to follow.

Pre wedding shoot price is £60 including the CD of images.  Engagement shoots are free of charge for all combined Photo and Video packages.

Highlights from a selection of our weddings in 2011

2011 was a great year for us.  The photography side of our business was busier than it has ever been and our combined photo and video package proved to be the most booked package of the year and 2012 looks no different. Proving that the consistency in quality products across our range of services as well as a relaxed yet focused approach to our work on the day is important to our clients.

I hope you enjoy looking through our highlights from 2011.

Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace in August provided some of the most interesting and my favourite photographs of the year.  Considering we were chaperoned by a Palace official with strict rules, very limited time and hundreds of tourists surrounding us, I think we were fortunate to be able to get these images.

But it’s not all about drama and mood.  Some of the best pictures you can hope for as a photographer are those which happen in front of you and you manage to capture.  Like this one, where the father of the bride removes something from the bottom of the Bride’s shoe, moments before entering the church to get married.

This Vintage London Cab has to be one of the most unique wedding cars I’ve seen.

Stoke Place

Stoke Place was by far the most flexible venue I covered this year.   Every room in this hotel is beautifully decorated with funky wallpaper and furniture.  So much so, that we did most of the photography indoors even though the weather was great!

I love the nervousness that ensues when you ask for the rings so that you can take them off somewhere to do something different with them.  Don’t worry, never out of sight of the best man and haven’t lost a ring yet!!

One of the features of Stevie’s dress was pockets.  I loved them, she loved them.  There were a lot of hand in pocket shots and this one against the setting sun was one of my favourites.

 

Brighton Wedding

Forget the Bride and Groom…look at that car!

Funny how, just for one day, a man becomes a true gentleman and holds the door for a lady.  Never again though, and she knows it.

The Ravenswood

Kids provide some of the best photo opportunities at weddings, as long as you can see the shots coming and be ready for them.

The shots in between the shots –  just as important!

Imagine my surprise when I found out that I was not the first photographer to do this shot!!

Well, I bet I was the first to have the Best Man hiding behind the couple in the boathouse holding a radio triggered flash gun.

Yes, it’s all about firsts here at the house of imagination!!  He did a good job with the hiding too.

 

The White House

 

Last minute adjustments.

I do love the sky shots.

The challenge of a night time shot in front of a bright blue lit house.  Turned out nice!

The Landmark Hotel

The landmark hotel is pretty spectacular as you walk through into the lobby.

There it is again.  The kids stealing the show with beautifully natural poses.

Stopping London traffic – literally.  The Bride did enjoy this bit!!

Great Fosters

Great Fosters is one of those venues you just feel comfortable in from the start.  The staff are great, the toastmaster keeps everything moving and the grounds don’t disappoint.

The mother of the Bride was pretty happy the weather in November was holding!

Video Wall Highlights 2011

The Landmark Hotel Wedding Photography

Combined Photo and Video package

You might remember Craig and Stacy’s wedding photos from a few weeks back.  Well their wedding video is now complete and I’ve attached two sections from it.  The usual “Day in Reflection” as a summary of everything that happened on the day, but also their first dance which was a lot of fun and very well executed.

A Day In Reflection

The Fun First Dance

Some of the Official Photographs

More photos from this wedding can be seen here

Stoke Place Wedding Photography

Stoke Place was one of those gem venues. Usually you hope for a good weather day that will allow you to go outside for some photographs. This venue is the complete opposite. Have seen Stevie and Dean at the venue for the engagement shoot, I couldn’t wait to do this wedding and I had absolutely no concerns about not being able to use the outside space if it rained.  As it turned out it was a beautiful day so we got the best of both worlds.  The interior decorating of each room at Stoke Place is just amazing.  Pick a corner to take a photograph and it will be different from the one before.  It allowed for so much creativity that there simply wasn’t time to explore it as much as I would’ve liked to.  If you want to spoilt for choice, this is the venue for you.

First, the highlights from their wedding film.

Tithe Barn Wedding Photography – Buriton

Clandon House Wedding Photography

Clandon House Wedding Photography – September 2010

I love photographing at Clandon House.   The grounds are beautiful and varied and the house itself is epic.  The lovely red brick frontage, arch and stone stairs all lend themselves to some dramatic photography and I encourage couples to  make full use of them all.    I’m local to Clandon House and have an album there for viewing if you happen to be in the area.  If not, get in touch and we can arrange something.

Gate Street Barn Wedding Photography

Gate Street Barn is another great venue local to us and one we really enjoy shooting at.  It’s one of those venues where everything just happens.  You don’t notice the cogs moving and for the couple, that must be a massive load off their shoulders.  

The grounds aren’t huge so it’s a challenge from a photographic point of view but with the long straight road leading to it, the field next door and the gardens at the venue, you can still manage to get a good variety of photographs without upsetting the natural flow of the wedding day.

London Wedding Photography