So as you know I'm having a bit of a working Christmas this year, it's fine though because I love it and you know what I love, true love at Christmas, the best things are true love and Christmas, put the two together and you have something completely wonderful, gorgeous, romantic...

Clayton and Carolines Wedding was just that, I cried big chubby tears during Claytons speech, die hard romantic thats me!!

They got married at St Albans in Earsdon and then on the way to a swish reception at the Hotel Du Vin we stopped off at the beach at Tynemouth to capture some natural light portraits just as the sun was shining it's golden light, we really couldn't have been any luckier with the weather, for the 22nd of December the weather was better than half of the weddings I've shot in June!!

This one photo really sums up the wedding in one photograph, it was vintage, beautiful and all about love, with a touch of Biba and a hint of Pulp, when they danced on the beach singing Common People to each other I had a lump in my throat!

Congratulations Clayton and Caroline may your love story continue for many years, thank you so much for letting me share your most special of days.

Christmas Working Hours and a Star Wars moment

It's approaching the time we all put our feet up, kiss under the mistletoe and pull the nearest Christmas Cracker.

This year has been my biggest ever, I shot an astounding 27 more portrait sessions this year bringing the total to 79, I'd love to get to 80 before the new year if anyone wants to book one!!

In the run up to Christmas I am now booked Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday so if you're thinking of a last minute Christmas shoot Monday or Wednesday is the only availability.

I'll be on my Christmas break from December 24th until January 2nd when I have shoots on the 2nd, 4th and 5th so if you'd like shoots in early January please do bear this in mind.  I will still be checking emails during my break but give me a little longer to answer won't you?  Its the only break hubby and I are both off  so we're really looking forward to a fun festive time!

2010 has been my best year in business so far, 22 weddings and 79 portrait shoots, I've met so many wonderful people and my business couldn't exist without you all.

I'm hoping to do some blog post with favourite shots from the year but I want to end with a photograph from my wedding on tuesday, these people are my type of clients.


I present, Bride kissing Stormtrooper -

Happy Christmas Family, Friends and lovely clients!

Ooh and 1 last thing, today one of my vintage weddings is being featured on the Brides Up North blog, please go and give it some bloggy love!

Mark and Helen are Married

Indeed they are!! On Saturday I made my way to Wylam by taxi as a freakish turn of events lead to one assistants engine practically blowing up, one assistant in York and the other at the Sunderland Match and a hubby (4th back up assistant) unreachable by mobile! So I winged the 20 miles in a Taxi and covered the whole event on my own and it was lovely, and charming and wonderful all wrapped up in a teeny parcel!!




Helen is one of the most radient brides i have ever seen.



waiting at the church before walking down the aisle, she was so happy and excited, a really lovely thing to see.



Confetti-tastic!!




This moment was a candid capture with my 50-150 lens.



and this one is for Helens mum, I really love it and thanks for suggesting such a great photograph.

Helen didn't want any posed photographs but I still took them away for their 20 minute couple session, I gave minimal instructions and look at the fabulous interaction which naturally occurred


Gorgeous!



Helen and Mark, you are a wonderful couple and I hope you have the happiest life together, enjoy Italy and I'll catch up with you when you get back.

Really Hectic Busy Schedule

Just to let all clients and future clients know, I thought I better post my schedule for the next two weeks as it's really hectic so things might not get done as quickly as usual owing to the fact that I am only myself and have no other staff apart from on Wedding days, so......

Today - Meeting in Newcastle
Tommorrow - Meeting in Durham
Friday - Wedding at Longhurst Hall
Saturday - Wedding at Prudhoe
Sunday - Photoshoot at Saltwell Park
Monday - a light snooze (or appointments, photoshoots if necessary)
Tuesday - Boudoir Shoot in the Lake district
Wednesday - small sleep (or appointments, photoshoots if necessary)
Thursday - Photoshoot in Wharton Park Durham
Friday - Photoshoot in Ferndene Park, Ryton
Saturday - Wedding at Wylam
Sunday - Wedding at Linden Hall Hotel

September is pretty much completely booked now so if you want a photoshoot the first availability is October or if you can take a weekday I might be able to squeeze you in a little earlier, do give me a call if thats the case as I hate letting people down.

Now due to the state of my business and it's tremendous growth and prosperity it really is looking like you have to be on the ball about booking your family portrait photoshoots, especially if you are thinking about those presents for Christmas. October is always the most manic month for Christmas Present photoshoots so please don't hang about and book your weekend shoots as far in advance as you possibly can. I heard the other day that after this wet week gets it's self over with we're going to enjoy an indian summer in late September and October so there's going to be plenty of opportunities for fabulous autumn family photoshoots, also if you're looking for late availability for a wedding package I have a couple of dates open for October and November and also still a couple of Christmas and New Year dates available. Are you getting married on New Years Eve, or maybe even Christmas Eve, those are both dates I would love to cover as theres nothing more romantic than festive weddings. Please do call or email or click through to the website if you are interested!

Jayne and Stuarts Pre Wedding Shoot at Roker Park, Sunderland

I first met Jayne and Stuart last year when they booked me for their wedding. They're getting married at the Stadium of Light, home of Sunderland Football Club. Stuart is a huge Sunderland fan and there was a moment where he stood soaking in the atmosphere of the home dressing room.. well lets just say it was a little special. We wanted to leave all the football Stadium wedding photos for the wedding day so we nipped off to nearby Roker park and beach and I photographed their pre-wedding photoshoot there.


Jayne and Stuart are such a gorgeous couple that I was surprised when they said they hate having their photo taken, hopefully after today they'll change their minds!


Looking Gorgeous in the fairy dell.


Down on the beach feeling romantic!


I love this one where I feel like we're peeking in on their love.


Stuart and Jayne love to dance in the kitchen, today they danced on the beach.


This is the best example of a dip I've seen this season, I love this photo most of all!

So that sums up their relationship, fun, fabulous and good old fashioned romance. You guys rock and I can't wait till I photograph your wedding!

Cool Places to get married in the North East of England

So we've talked about all the really cool places to get married around the country but today I thought I would suggest some more local places, some of which I have shot at already, some I'm shooting at this year and some, well I would really like to shoot their, hint hint.... Mwahahahaha!

So in no particular order:-

1. Bamburgh Castle
2. Durham Cathedral
3. St Nicholas Cathedral
4. Hexham Abbey
5. Linden Hall
6. Embleton Hall
7. Beamish Hall
8. Matfen Hall
9. Kirkley Hall
10. Headlam Hall

Ooh, lots of halls there then!!

Ok so what about something completely different for those brides and grooms who want something out of the ordinary? I don't have any suggestions other than the countrywide ones I posted a couple of days ago.

Perhaps if you're a bride planning her wedding day at somewhere completely different you could let me know and then I in turn will be able to tell other brides wanting something out of the ordinary.

Now come on, don't keep it to yourself!

If you are getting married at one of the above places then why not give me a call or click through to Mandy Charlton Designs and we'll have a chat about all of your wedding photography needs or you can email me direct at mandycharltondesigns@gmx.com

Mixing it up for the 2008 wedding season

Saturday will see me at my second wedding of the year followed by my third wedding of the year a week later...

It's going to be a busy year but over the quiet season I've had time to make sure I have some fabulous new ways to present great photos to the brides and grooms of the north, so whether you're getting married in St Andrews like these photos


Or you're having some gorgeous family photos like this photo

I'm pretty sure I've brushed up on my knowledge to make them look their absolute best. Now I'm not a huge fan of photoshop and I don't like to see people looking plastic, I reserve pretty much all of my processing for Lightroom which helps me achieve these looks but doesn't actually alter the appearance of anything or anyone. I think one more characteristic of my photography that clients will see this year is that of atmosphere so add that to my already famous emotion and happiness and we're looking at a pretty great year for all the clients of Mandy Charlton Designs

Ok, time for a small list, if you're getting married at any of the following places then please consider me for your wedding photography -

1. Edinburgh Zoo (if I say it enough it's bound to happen, right?!)
2. Longleat Safari Park (not sure if you can get married there but it would be cool)
3. Somewhere completely different to the norm - The London Aquarium maybe???
   
4. An Ancient castle, think somewhere like Urquart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness and Wow.
5. York Minster, yes I'm aiming big but it pays to be ambitious!!

So if you're getting married anywhere unusual then do give me a call and see if I can provide you with all your wedding photography needs and if you book the top 2 packages travel is inclusive.

Ooh and i must just mention, if you're having a small midweek wedding then do enquire about a midweek discount, this is available on all packages upwards from the "Do it your own way package" and you could save yourself up to 20% depending on the day of the week and how much wedding photography you need.
When I checked my google page rank it had dropped from 3 to 2 and I don't know why?????

All though it's been said.....

many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you!

Yes, I know I'm pinching lyrics to get the message accross!

If you want gift vouchers you have till 9pm tonight and then I'm switching off for Christmas!! If you order prints they won't be processed until the beginning of January when the Labs reopen but you will still get your discounts if applicable.

Don't forget if you order vouchers you'll get a little extra and since it's Christmas eve lets just say you'll get 20% extra but only until 9pm tonight! so pay for £50 of vouchers and you'll get £60 back! Sounds good to me!

Now I've had a glass of mulled wine and I'm feeling good, my rack of pork is in the oven and will be accompanied by sprouts and organic chestnuts, carrots, Yorkshire puddings and potatoes and parsnips roasted in duck fat! All that to be folowed by Rhubarb Pavlova (mine) and Chocolate trifle (hubbys).

May I take this opportunity to wish all my friends, cyber friends, blog readers and clients the most happy Christmas ever.

Right back to tracking Santa....

Lisa and Glens wedding - Hexham 24/11/07

Aren't Lisa and Glen the cutest couple?! We met up on a very cold wintery day for their wedding at Hexham Registry office, friends and family gathered with numb fingers and warm hearts to watch an adorable couple celebrate their love.

What November did do for us was give us edgy dramatic photos which I hope Lisa and Glen will love and cherish for the years to come.

I think these photos really suit winter weddings and I'm delighted that the happy couple chose me to be their wedding photographer.
Thank you Lisa and Glen for letting me share your wedding day with you.

If you're interested in booking me as your wedding photographer then click through to Mandy Charlton Designs and book yourself a consultation where we can talk all about your wedding photography plans and of course your very special big day!

SNAP

Thought I really should post this one!! I often don't have time to take piccies at home, such a shame because I truly love photographing the family and especially this guy, I snapped this at home this afternoon as he was "Filming me" LOL, I keep telling him that I'm putting all his "silly" photos in an album and I'll give them to hom when he's naughty at forty, trouble is that I still have another 8 years before we get there and I'm not sure there's an album big enough!!!

Talking of albums, don't forget that you can win your wedding album when you book one of my wedding photography packages before the 30th of September, if you're in Newcastle upon Tyne or the North East of England and you're looking for a wedding photographer then don't forget to check out my website www.mandycharltondesigns.com

Hurry though if you want one of the more popular months because the dates are filling up fast!!

More Molly!!

I just couldn't resist sharing another couple of shots from my childrens photoshoot yesterday, she's the cutiest pattooty don't you think?

Don't forget if you are in Newcastle upon Tyne or the North East of England you can hire me for a family portrait sitting for only £50 and you get a free 10x8 enlargement of your favourite shot!!

Oh, must also mention the wedding photography because bookings have gone through the roof, I already have a pretty adequate diary for 2008 and even some for 2009 so if you want to get your date booked then do call, don't forget that you can either win an album or you can have £100 off a larger album. With prices starting at only £295 what have you got to lose, oh and if you mention my little blog I'll even throw in something a little extra, can't argue with that now can you!!