Mum's, they're amazing, it's the hardest job in the world for no pay and sometimes you actually hold your head in your hands and wonder "Why on earth did I actually sign up for this?"  Conversely of course you have those days where everything seems to fall into place, your parenting day is a good one, your children are thriving, excelling and generally being well balanced and wonderful and you feel on top of the world.

For almost 20 years now I've been a mum, I don't actually feel old enough to achieved that!  I'm proud I have 3 reasonably well balanced young adults who've made mostly excellent life paths so far, you never know what's around the corner of course but I cross my fingers and toes that they're wise and wonderful enough to go on to great things.  I adore my kids, they make me smile every day and even my nearly 20 year old who works for me reminded me that I needed to pay him early this week so he could send off for my Mothers Day present.

Now it may be that you are reading this having a panic about what to do for Mothers Day, I'll actually be going to Nethermined 2 with Looby as we have press passes, a thanks for being their official photographer for the original Nethermined Event, it's not my ultimate Mothers Day but I know Looby at least will have the time of her little life and it's already been put out there that we should go out for dinner on a different day.  Well at least I suppose I get to have a lie in.

If you are still struggling with ideas, here's 8 great presents to show mum you love her

1. On Saturday as always I have my Mothers Day Sessions, these are really an amazing way to tell mum you love her, there's still an available session at 1pm in Jesmond Dene, this year they're a 45 minute session and they're just £45 and include a 7x5, 9x6, online gallery for 30 days and 15% off if you place an order in the first week your gallery is live. Just email me and we can set that up.  Don't worry though if it's a little short notice because what you could do is purchase a gift certificate and give that to mum on Mothers Day, she gets to open something on the day and then you can take the photo shoot at any time you want in the next year or so.
2. Why not take mum for a favourite day out? If I had my choice I would be spending the day in Seahouses, walking along the beach with lunch at the Bamburgh Castle Inn
3. If you don't have any money at all but you still want to show mum you care you can get a mention in the Chronicle if you are local to Newcastle or the North East of England.
4. Why not get mum an experience to remember, a hot air balloon flight at dawn is something I have always wanted to do, Virgin Experience Days is your best website for that one.
5. Another creative way to show mum you care would be to collate all of your best photos, the ones that make you smile and make mum a slideshow, you could take it into her on a tray with the breakfast you've just prepared and play it on an iPad, honestly, a slideshow of cuteness with twinkly music is always guaranteed to reduce me to tears and I'm sure most mums are exactly the same.
6. Draw a picture, create some art, stick things to other things, mums like me adore handcrafted gifts, they're made full of heart and warmth and love.
7. I think I speak for most mums when I say that the best way to spend Mothers Day is with the whole family, all together in one place, I love busy family days so why not just take time out of your busy lives and go be with your mum wherever she is.
8. There's always a chance that you don't have a mum so why not use the opportunity to just send someone a card who means the world to you, maybe a special mentor or friend, your friends mum who treats you like one of the family?  It's always lovely to feel loved.

So that's my quick last minute run down of things you can do to show your mum just why she's so special.

Mandy Charlton

Newcastle Photographer

07918121838

It's those little things...

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!

Free Printable Gifts for Mothers Day

Good morning lovely readers, I don't know about you but I have the feeling that spring is very much on the way, from the primulas sprouting in my garden to the Rhododendron I saw in full bloom when I was out in Jesmond Dene yesterday.

You may have also noticed (unless you've been hidden away in a hermitage) that it's Mothers Day on Sunday and with that in mind I have made you some lovely printables that you can direct the children in your life towards so they can make cards, wrapping paper, gift tags, photos, you could even use any of these digitally, there's got to be 101 uses hasn't there?  There's a couple of vintage style in there and then I like the fresh and bright stylings, I cannot wait until I can actually get my hands on some elusive ranunculus and anemones which have so far avoided my grasp, expect lots of spring floral photography in my spare moments over the next few weeks.

So with my full permission just go and click and print.  I should also say a huge thank you to Vicky at Floral Quarter florists based in Gosforth for the amazing Houdini roses and kids/big kids/husbands if you want to buy some lovely flowers for mum for Mothers Day (or indeed any occasion) do pop down and see Vicky in her lovely little shop

Obviously if you don't have a mum in your life it doesn't mean you can't use these too.

So there you go, pass them on, save them, tell the marvellous women in your life about them and lets celebrate spring which I think I might have worked out is my favourite season of all.

1 last thing, if you still haven't decided what to buy for Mothers day, I have an extra 20% value added to all gift certificates until Mothers Day so you can give mum the gift which keeps on giving.  Just drop me an email and I'll sort that out for you.

Mothers Day Photo shoots, Head Shots and all the latest news from Mandy Charlton Photography

This is very much one of those posts which lets you catch up with everything that is going on, skip to the next post if you're not at all interested dear reader!

 

So, there are only 2 special Mothers Day sessions remaining, they're on the beach at Tynemouth on the 14th March and the sessions remaining are at 10.30 and 1.30pm, they're £30 and you'll be getting a complimentary 12x8 inch print of your favourite image (worth £15), a web gallery so you can show mum and everyone else the lovely images and also you'll get 15% off your order if you place it in the first 7 days your gallery is live.

Also, after cutting work right down I have now formally asked my lovely assistant to become my associate so from now on there'll be 2 of us available for photo shoots making sure that you get more chances to have your photo shoot wherever and whenever you want. You'll always know if it's me or Stacey who'll be shooting your session and I'll be doing all of the editing to make sure that the images have the same look you have all come to love.  Customer service will be dealt with by lovely new assistant Sue as I've said a very sad goodbye to Elanor who is off to take over the whole world!

I'm delighted to say that work keeps coming in constantly at the moment and I am shooting a really diverse selection of jobs, from families and their doggies, maternity sessions on the beach and newborn sessions in the comfort of my lovely clients homes (I like those, my toes stay warm).

and on a personal note, well there's always Holly

I'm off to Edinburgh today for a travel assignment for Ibis, absolutely thrilled to have been asked and from the schedule I have seen it looks like it's going to be a pretty brilliant 24 hours.  If you want to keep up with everything that is going on on my assignment please follow me on instagram

We have availability for photo shoots on 21st and 22nd of March, 21st is on the beach at Tynemouth, 22nd is Jesmond Dene, it's up to you which one you choose but they're my regular 30 minute sessions with a 7x5 print, web gallery and 15% off for the first week your gallery is live and you can even buy one for Mum for her Mothers Day present, gift certificates are always available.

Having some niggles with one of my websites today so please contact me via email or through photographer newcastle

A Tuesday Cornucopia

I sat down to write this post yesterday in the kitchen in the afternoon while I was cooking a chicken dinner (my sons favourite) and doing 43 things at once dear reader, well it's now Tuesday morning, bit late but we got here eventually.

So todays post is a real cornucopia really, lots of things to tell you about!

Firstly on Sunday I celebrated my birthday by spending the morning in beautiful Alnmouth on the beach with Looby, Holly and Petunia.  Holly was also celebrating, she's a whole 8 months old now and she's just the best dog in the whole world, I might have mentioned that once or twice in the past ;)

She's pretty much off lead all the time now in safe places, I do have to say that her beagle deafness was pretty bad on the beach though and I had to go and fetch her from the middle of the golf course at one point, she's a bit spaniel obsessed and easily led once she finds them!

Whilst I wouldn't want a birthday portrait, I think it's essential to have one when you're as cute as Holly the beagle

Have you noticed that Petunia who perpetually has a silly smile on her face actually makes Holly look very serious and a bit grumpy?

In the afternoon we enjoyed the last light of the day in the park at Morpeth, it's one of my favourite Northumbrian places and I love a walk along the river.

The moon had just popped it's head out as I walked over the bridge and caught this with the reflections of the trees in the river, very pretty I thought and a lovely way to spend a birthday!

Business News

due to a cancellation I have availability this weekend for a kids/family/couples photo shoot anywhere in the north east, please do get in touch, it's only £25 for a photo shoot in Jesmond Dene, Saltwell Park or Tynemouth Longsands or at other locations from £40 and you get a complimentary print, web gallery for 30 days, 15% off for the first 7 days your gallery is live and further prints start at £10 for a 7x5, £13 for a 10x8 and £15 for a 12x8, the light is lovely in February and as print and session prices are due to rise at the end of February it's a great time to take advantage of the availability.  Also if you would like to have a photo shoot over the half term holidays could you please book your session quickly so then I can plan my diary around them!  I'll be available on Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat or Sunday depending on when bookings come in so pick your place first and then you get the choice!

Mothers Day Sessions

I announced these late last week and there are only 6 sessions still available, for all of the details about this day of very special sessions on Saturday 14th March at Tynemouth Longsands please see this lovely gallery and post all about them but be quick, I don't think there'll be many sessions still available by the end of the week! 

Right then, bit of a jumble but back tomorrow as usual with hopefully some quite exciting news about the future.

Mothers Day and Mini Session Availabilty

Mothers Day is coming dear reader and it's a really great excuse to buy a gift certificate so she can celebrate the wonder that is being a mum!  Gift certificates are available from as little as £20 for a mini session with complimentary 7x5 print, to buy one just drop me an email 

Those Mothers Day Mini sessions sold out within 8 hours of announcing them, booked solid which is brilliant!  I thought I would update you on the latest availability if you are looking to have a mini session.

So

Jesmond Dene, 15th March, 11, 11.30, noon

Tynemouth Longsands, 16th March, 1, 1.30, 2, 2.30 and 3pm

Saltwell Park, 22 March, 10, 10.30, 11, 11.30 and noon

Mini sessions are £20 and include a 7x5 print, web gallery for 30 days, 15% off for the first week your gallery is live and prints start at £10 for a 7x5.

and here's a couple from last weekend at Tynemouth Longsands

Mothers Day and Easter Mini Sessions - Portrait Photography in North East England

You heard it here first dear reader...

To book all you need to do is email me, contact me through my website or even my lovely Facebook page

This is the first year for Mothers Day sessions as close to Mothers Day without actually meaning I have to go to work on Mothers Day, being that I'm a mum of 3 too!  I expect them to sell out early as Tynemouth Longsands is one of my most popular locations so if you see a slot you want grab it quickly.

Last year the Easter Sessions completely sold out and I shot 12 sessions in total, this year I am capping it at 8 sessions for my own health and wellbeing ;)  so if you see a time you want I can't emphasise enough the advantage of securing your slot early.