Yes, you heard it here first folks, in the spirit of Christmas I am giving away 2 festive photo shoots down at my Studio this Saturday afternoon.  All you'll pay for are any prints and I'll even guarantee delivery for Christmas.

Here's just a couple of portraits from last weekend -

So, what do you have to do to win one of these portrait shoots and when are they available?

Well you can choose pretty much any time from noon on Saturday and they'll be at my studio, I'm based within The Photography Studio, Unit 6, The Old Co-Op buildings, Ralph Street, Hebburn, NE31 1HP, it's literally a 10 minute drive from central Newcastle and it's cosy and warm and full of fun things for the kids, we have a trampoline, rocking horse, tons of dressing up and festive things, it really is a whole lot of festive fun!

So to win one all you have to do is email mandy@mandycharlton.com, leave a comment on this post, Tweet Me or send me a Facebook Message you can even contact me through my website 

I'm also going to open up evenings for portrait shoots at my studio next week, so if you wanted to book a shoot but you haven't had time I can do after school pretty much all next week, I even have some slots available on the weekend of 17/18th but thats going to mean being super speedy when it comes to placing orders if you want them for Christmas.

x

So, this is what I've been up to lately [newcastle wedding and portrait photographer]

In addition to lounging around the countryside in a tent I've also been working really hard as usual but because I'm so busy I never really devote enough time to blogging so here's one of those famous catchup posts with highlights of my latest work.

When Julie and Stephen from Applause Accountancy Services wanted some new headshots I of course was delighted to shoot them, I don't do boring headshots, remember when people first see your photo thats the overall impression they're going to get of you and your business so why would you want to have a bland white background? Take this opportunity to show your personality and get out on location if possible.

Burnside School are building a new website so I got to go and spend the day in the life of a school, I had a wonderful time with the kids and teachers and again I captured things in my very own style, after all who wants a boring website?!

Harry is one of the last babies I've photographed, here with his little bear how cute is he?

I spent a week in Ponteland photographing the kids and parents of Kindermusik, these little ones have such fun responding to music, if you have a baby aged 0-4 then your kids are going to love this, they'll dance and sing and spin and jump and play with parachutes, it really is an amazing thing to do with your little one

and so to that band we all know and love, Villain Thomas who held the launch for their new EP "The Waters down at As You Like It last week, an incredible night with amazing music, lots of friends and familiar faces, full blog post coming on this later this week.

Oh look it's James of My Other Life with his beautiful wife Anila, news coming soon of our project we're working together on

Backing dancers?

ah Olivia, what a poppet, I wish all little ones were as smiley and full of sunshine as this little one

Finally it's Olivia, William and family down on the beach at Tynemouth, lovely kids and even the dog played

and so thats my brief history of the last month, sure I've still managed to miss bits and pieces but I'll get there and so if you are looking forward to a long hot summer it's a brilliant time to book your family portraits, you can get in touch or see more of my work by going to my all new and wonderful spangly website mandycharlton.com

If you are looking for headshots, want an event shot, or want to commission me for your special project then get in touch, I love my wonderful varied life of fantastic people and wonderful projects, there's pretty much nothing I can't photograph and put my own quirky spin on!

Charlotte, Lucy and Johnny

On Saturday I had the absolute pleasure of photographing these three gorgeous kids, we had so much fun and all the kids were beautifully well behaved!





Here they all are :0)




what a sweetie eh?



He gave me a good run around I can tell you.



I asked her to show me a sad face and oh my, bless her!



She's a poppet isn't she?



This little one loves America's Next Top Model!



I know that mum Claire loves these photographs and it's been such a joy to photograph so many fab children lately, I can't tell you just how lucky I am to do a job which I genuinely love and look forward to!

If you've got a big group of children getting together over the holidays (maybe several families worth) please do give me a call and book a kids photoshoot for only £10 instead of £50.

Capturing Events in the Dark!!

I met up with some guys from the Royal Bank of Scotland on Friday night at 9pm in Apartment Bar in Newcastle, I should state now that they had hired the Basement Bar as a finale to a day of raising money for the Fairbridge Charity which raises money for disadvantaged young people in urban areas around the country.

Did I mention that it was in the basement of a nightclub in virtual darkness? Seriously I've never been so challenged, I shot all of the following photographs at 3200iso f1.4 and if you know your stuff you'll know how very very very very dark that means it was, yes even with flash!!




The guys, all of whom were dressed in a spots and stripes theme!



there were some awards by Vicky who I believe also celebrated the evening as her leaving party.




There was a heavy dose of Tom-foolery about I can tell you!



Who said bankers were boring.



this group were very well behaved party animals if you know what I mean.

Guys I had loads of fun though it was a little dark for my liking, perhaps the next time we meet up we can make it an afternoon garden party!! LOL

A Birthday Present For Grandma

A couple of months ago now Karen contacted me because she wanted to get her mum some great photos of her kids and also her nieces. We arranged the time, the place and then the kids were ill, the weather was against us and so it came to pass that grandma actually had her birthday before the session, just as well really as due to more inclement weather we moved yesterdays shoot to Grandmas house!!

I photographed 4 very different girls yesterday who all had one thing in common, they were all gorgeous!!




this little beauty was the youngest, one of Karens nieces and a more delightful and smiley baby you couldn't hope to meet!!




The second of my wee models, well I could have photographed all afternoon because she was simply delightful!




In this photo she had successfully stroked quite a large frog who hopped back into grandmas pond, she chuckled with delight as he leapt off!




My next model, a quiet and thoughtful girl lucky enough to have 2 horses who she was telling me all about, this girl is a deep thinker and smiley and well behaved, you couldn't wish for anything more!




My final model, Karens 16 year old daughter, bound to be an actual model in my opinion, how gorgeous?




Look at those eyes!!

Karen, I know you love the photos and I'm so delighted because you and your whole family welcomed me in with open arms, I was so privileged to spend time with you all and I can't wait for next time!