I don't know about you but for me those special days we celebrate are more about the little things than the big things, it's about the doing and being rather than the stuff.

Now don't get me wrong, for Mothers Day Looby bought me some cute loafers for summer walking and Abigail got me some flowers, a travel journal and 2 Kilner jar mugs that I've been coveting for quite some time.  But our day out to Seahouses yesterday totally surpassed anything that could have been bought or given because I got time with my girls and that for me is the most precious thing of all.

You may know that I recently took my fabulous associate Stacey on to shoot sessions on Sundays and bank holidays so I could take a step back and spend more precious time with my children, more time for playing, exploring, adventuring, more family time.  Of course I'm still editing all of the images myself but the difference there is that I can do that at 11pm at night in my pyjamas if I want to, I think I simply ran out of time during days where I could photograph people without my children never seeing me.

Back to yesterday though and we had the most delightful day out with lunch at the wonderful dog friendly Bamburgh Castle Inn, they do a huge Sunday carvery and I love a carvery as it's something I can enjoy without even a hint of white flour or sugar and no I didn't have the Yorkshire pudding or the gravy!  I can't recommend the Bamburgh Castle Inn highly enough, the dog friendly space is just as you go in right up to the end of the bar and also in a little room behind it, Holly and Petunia loved it although I think that may have been to do with the meaty morsels slipped under the table.  I'd been there before I had Holly and always loved it and can't wait to go back now, especially in summer when you can sit outdoors and look right over to the Farne Islands.

Here's some little moments from our lovely day together -

Looby loves the wild ponies who live between Seahouses and Bamburgh and we always go and visit them when we're up there.  I'd quite like to live in Seahouses if I'm honest but I don't think the kids would be too happy about the daily commute, it's a 6 hour round trip on the bus!!

No trip up to that part of the Northumbrian coastal route would be complete without a visit to Bamburgh, the way the castle majestically sits above this tiny village famed for Grace Darling is quite an awe inspiring sight to see, even on the not so bright and sunshiny days.

Every Mothers day I've had is special since I've had children, even my son who couldn't buy a card or present has been informed he can wash the dishes instead...I fear it'll actually be me who washes them, oh and down with Mr Hallmark, none of my kids got me cards this year, "It's not about the things, mum and its definitely not about spending £3.70 on a card"  You know what, I think they might just have a point and it's probably thanks to me!

and the portraits and mini shoots keep on coming

Dear reader, I have been so busy that I forgot to blog last week or maybe I just didn't have time, one of the two.  So I turned 39 which in itself is a little uncheery, the thought that I'll be 40 in less than a year now quite frankly terrifies the life out of me.

So here's what I've been up to, some portraits and some personal from my birthday weekend away in Seahouses.

I have so many exciting things going on right now,  I'm shooting my first wedding of the year on Saturday and I'm going right through to December this year, 20 lovely weddings all waiting to be beautifully shot, I will take on another 5 this year so if you would like to have me shoot your wedding please do get in touch via my website.

I'm still shooting Mini shoots as well as my "At home with" lifestyle photo shoots and if you want to see even more examples of my work which are posted a couple of times a day please visit my Facebook business page

I'm also talking to a lot of people about how to market their businesses on Facebook through 1-2-1 training workshops and I'll also be putting out 1 video every week to help you get the best bang from your buck as a page on Facebook.  After all, I've been using social media since the very start of my business, I started blogging in 2005, Facebook in 2006 and Twitter in 2008 and I do no other advertising.  I can sit down with you for an intensive 2-3 hour session which could just change your business life and i have the facts and figures to back it up from my own results (did you know that I went from 400 likes on Facebook in September to over 1500 and not by any black hat schemes or like ladders, every single like on my FB business page is a quality like) so if you would like to sit down with me in real life or via a Facetime chat my how to be a Secret Superhero training workshops are currently at an introductory offer of £150 (special rates are available to the ladies of the Inspire Network) and for such a small investment you could see big changes in your business, every single one of the people I've sat down with over the last few months has been able to use what we've discussed to add value to their business, to bring in new business and to make their Facebook page more active, engaging and interesting which all leads to better Edgerank.

and so for last weeks video, you can watch it here -

If you get something out of it I would love to hear your feedback and if you are interested in doing an intensive morning or afternoon of Superhero training please get in touch via my website, Facebook or you can email me at mandy@mandycharltonphotography.com 

and until next time my lovelies, live well, love lots and laugh hard!

Quirky wedding venues in the North East of England

Being a photographer in Newcastle and the North East of England for the last 6 years has afforded me the luxury of visiting many wonderful venues, and the best thing for me is because I mainly shoot weddings which are quirky or different I've managed to build up a lovely list of quirky venues which I would personally recommend.

There may be venues I've missed out and I'd love to hear your personal recommendations but here with the links (because I'm lovely dear reader) are my top recommendations of quirky venues to get married at or have your reception at if you are currently planning your wedding.

St Marys Lighthouse - 

http://www.friendsofstmarysisland.co.uk/weddings.html

now you can't really get anywhere more quirky than getting married in a Lighthouse!!

The Winter Gardens in Hexham, literally no one knows about this place - 

http://www.qehs.net/index.php/community/community-facilities-a-lettings/the-winter-gardens

Guyzance Hall is amazing, you get the whole place to use as your own for the entire weekend and family and friends can stay in cottages based around the hall, the views are amazing, the staff are wonderful and it's completely unique

http://www.guyzancehall.co.uk/

Woodhill Hall is near Otterburn, I've actually not been but my colleagues tell me it's beautiful, unique and the staff are lovely, it's also in the middle of the most beautiful countryside

http://woodhillhall.co.uk/index.php

Bamburgh Castle, 

Cheaper than Alnwick Castle, owned privately and I believe they have amazing service, it's certainly the most beautiful location of I think all of the castles.

http://www.bamburghcastle.com/

Of course if you are getting married and you want to go with a grand castle or maybe you are a Harry Potter fan you might want to consider

Alnwick Castle or Durham Castle, both have been featured in the movies and you can point them out to the guests.

It's not that long since I was watching the first Harry Potter with my Harry Potter obsessed daughter and I realised it was in the room above (The Bishops Suite) which I think is used as the Hogwarts common room, please forgive me if I'm wrong about which room they use it as, she's the huge fan, I'm just the mum!

Chillingham Castle

You want quirky, this place has quirky by the bagful, named as the most haunted castle in the country it even has it's own torchure chamber, the funny thing is that I think when they have weddings it's closed to the public, the gardens are amazing and if you want a ghost or two at your wedding then this is the place

http://www.chillingham-castle.com/

Cuddystone Hall,

Now this one nobody even knows about, it's about as remote as you can get, no one will be able to use their phones, it's in the middle of the Cheviots near Wooler, it's not grand like some of the big halls and castles and to be honest no one really knows about it which is one reason you should probably check it out

http://college-valley.co.uk/events.htm

If you're planning your wedding at any of these venues or maybe even somewhere else and you'd like to talk with me about photographing your wedding day please click through to wedding photographer Newcastle/my facebook page or just drop me an email, I offer photography from just 1 hour right through to the whole day and if you do email me I'll send you over my latest pricing brochure.