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

Those 3 Questions, Valentines Portraits and Zero Procrastination

I hope you've spent the weekend working on those 3 questions I asked you last time dear reader, some of you have been in touch and it's interesting to note that so many people have a huge problem with question 3, that's "How are you going to achieve that?"

Now obviously it was always going to be a challenge but what I think we need to do is try to simplify, if you can't come up with any kind of lucid answer and your mind is rambling (mine does often) think about breaking things down into stages.  They don't say "baby steps" for no reason.

Also when thinking about the questions do write them down, in coloured felt tips if necessary, I find that I can rule the world as long as I have a packet of felt tips and some kind of jotter to make notes on, do you know I hate to-do lists but once I actually make one I am pretty unstoppable.

This weekend was just lovely, I worked on Saturday with a day off yesterday, the light was wonderful and did you see that sunset on Saturday?  I only wish that I had been on the Quayside to catch the sun going down behind the Tyne bridge but even from my house I could see the most gorgeous urban sunset.

Next weekend I am working on Sunday (that's the 15th) as I realise that many of you love birds have plans for Valentines day.  I'll be down on the beach at Tynemouth and if you would like an appointment I have from 1pm onwards available.  As you know by now it's £25 for a 30 minute session and that includes a web gallery for 30 days, 15% off for the first week your gallery is live and a complimentary 7x5 print.  Further prints start at just £10 for a 7x5, to book your session you can email/fb me or click through to mandycharlton.com and send me an enquiry.  If the weather is as good next week I will be delighted and you know what?  If you haven't bought your love a Valentines day present then why not get them a gift certificate for a couples/family portrait photo shoot?  It's the gift that keeps on giving.

This week I'm going to be very productive so if you see me dilly dallying around just remember to shout "Stop Procrastinating" at me in a very loud voice, actually in saying that I have a newborn lifestyle at home shoot right up in Northumberland and a portfolio shoot with a young and talented actress who needs some head shots so throw in some album design and work on my new business idea plus a couple of lovely dog walking days off and it doesn't really leave much time for anything else.

The wedding of Gemma and Mick, The Grand Hotel, Tynemouth

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to have one of those mad weekends where I shot 2 weddings, unbelievable both weddings were sunny ones, I'm pretty sure it's only been dry and sunny on days where I've shot weddings this year, maybe I'm a good omen, haha!

So the first wedding of the weekend was Gemma and Mick, they married at St Pauls Church in Whitley Bay followed by a gorgeous pink reception at The Grand in Tynemouth, there were many many cute children at this wedding so I was in my element!

A very handsome group of groomsmen don't you think?  Mick is a fitness instructor, he's very tall!

Gemma arrived quite late, looking splendiforous in an amazing gown, I had to do a couple of quick photographs and then let the lovely vicar get on with the wedding!

Gemma might look calm and smiley here but she was very nervous and shaking, thankfully once she'd joined Mick at the front of the church the nerves just seemed to wash away, amazing what happens when you finally get to stand next to the love of your life.

and 45 minutes later after a lovely ceremony they were married!

and they finally got to have that first kiss as there'd been no kissing in the church, I have to admit that it always makes me a little sad when the vicar doesn't let the groom kiss his new wife, I'm sure God wouldn't mind.

a few crucial group shots later and we were ready to go off to the beach for some portraits!

it was quite a busy Friday on the beach, a school trip even gave Gemma and Mick a big cheer and a clap which I thought was lovely!

we got some beautiful portraits on the beach, or nearly on the beach, Gemma had realised that she should have worn some flat shoes or wellies to go on the sand but it wasn't a problem and we just stayed on the ledge.

Of course The Grand in Tynemouth has such a gorgeous staircase it would be rude not to use it for a couple of portraits.

Gemma had a gorgeous pink colour scheme which suited the gorgeous room at The Grand so well and wowza look at this cake with the swans on top, sensational

and all too soon after we'd got there it was time to leave another lovely couple to party away the day and night, it's a shame I didn't get to stay for the first dance with this one, I have a feeling it was sensational!

Gemma sent me a lovely email the other day to tell me that they all think the photos are amazing, it's always lovely to hear, I hope they have many many happy years together.

If you want to talk to me about photographing your  wedding in  Newcastle, North of England or maybe somewhere further afield in the UK or even overseas then please do get in touch either via my website (if you're viewing on a non flash device like iPhone or iPad I also have a website without flash here or of course you can call me on 07918 121838.

My next wedding is in Kendal in the Lake District and I can't wait, please let me take some sunshine!