Wow, can't believe how busy I've been this week, the only sad point was no photography which always makes me feel sad, not to worry though my diary is now bursting until October, first big wedding of the season next weekend at the Cathedral and I am so excited, lots of cool time spent walking around Newcastle for the wedding portraits as well do should be brilliant, Heather I hope your nerves are calm, don't worry it will all be fine :)
The children all went to stay at their grandparents on Friday so Paul and I had some precious us time, great because we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on the 14th! We went to Houghton Hall Garden Centre and bought loads of scrummy food from the farm shop and most of the bits and pieces we needed to finish landscaping the garden. It surely is great when your hubby is a gardener and yesterday he finished the new back garden complete with Koi pond which uses a Hydroponic filter to keep the water clean and circulating, it's a really nifty green idea! I'm hoping that the pond will draw wildlife into our small city garden and the first step will be rehoming Arthur koi in his new pond as soon as the water is clear enough, joining him will be his two large goldfish friends Fred and Bob!!
Last weekend Hubby and I went to the movies to see Pathology, I felt completely tense the whole way through but hubby enjoyed it! Hubby and I rarely agree on movies so we make concessions for each other although I'm not even sure whether I'll get him to take me to see "Sex in the city" when it opens!
One business thingy, August 2009 bookings have really started to heat up so if you're marrying then and are thinking about having me as your wedding photographer call me quickly to secure your date or click through to my contact page!
We've had some great meals out this week but one of our favourites remains The Badger in Ponteland plus Dobbies the garden centre is just next door! Can you tell we visit a lot of garden centres. My favourite is probably Heighley Gate up in Northumberland because there's just so much to see and do there.
Paul is off gardening for clients today and then he's seeing an allotment at lunchtime, I'm crossing my fingers that he gets one because he would love it so much and he could grow his own plants, probably the next step for his landscaping/gardening business to go, have you heard of Meandering Gardens yet?
I have decided that I am going to be rebranding as Mandy Charlton Photography but it's going to take a while to do this and will be done step by step, stay tuned for more news!!
I'm having a pyjama day today seeing as all my weekends work was called off, conserving all my energy for Heather and Joels wedding next weekend ;)
Bits and Pieces from a busy week
Saturday, April 19, 2008
It's Saturday morning and I've just received the bad news that both of this weekends scheduled photoshoots have been cancelled so I'm twiddling my thumbs badly! So..........
If you want to fill a session and you can make it this weekend give me a call, you can use the session for either Family, Kids, Pets, Engagement or even Anniversary sessions or what about a Trash the Dress?
If any of those tickle your fancy and you've an hour over the weekend then give me a call on the numbers on the banner.
I'm giving 2 sessions away and all you'll pay for is any prints, canvases or mini-albums. I don't have another weekend free until Mid May so this really is a great opportunity!
Hope to hear from you soon :)
If you want to fill a session and you can make it this weekend give me a call, you can use the session for either Family, Kids, Pets, Engagement or even Anniversary sessions or what about a Trash the Dress?
If any of those tickle your fancy and you've an hour over the weekend then give me a call on the numbers on the banner.
I'm giving 2 sessions away and all you'll pay for is any prints, canvases or mini-albums. I don't have another weekend free until Mid May so this really is a great opportunity!
Hope to hear from you soon :)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Came up with a logo for myself, it's only taken me 2 years, now I just have to come up with how to integrate it in my website, LOL. Sometimes I think it could have been easier if I had just got someone to brand me when I started out, actually perhaps if someone literally had of branded me with a hot iron it might have been better!!! LOL!
So I would love to hear what you think, I think it's quite chic and simple and thats really what I'm looking for!
Oh and the adorable little one is Karens youngest from her shoot on Sunday!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
I have a few things which I haven't been able to pop in posts due to being so busy so here's a brief roundup of all thats going on :-
July 12the 2008 - Due to a cancellation I am now available on this date, please do enquire if you still need a wedding photographer for this date.
Boudoir shoots are booking up to 6 months in advance, introductory pricing will end on the 31/5/08 so book before then to secure yourself a great deal.
Weddings - 2009 prices start on 1/6/08 so book now and secure your 2009 date at 2008 prices, next year due to the demand on my portraiture business I will only be doing a limited number of weddings so please book early to avoid disappointment.
A great Venue - I was up with Paul and the children at the Bowes Incline hotel for lunch, we spent around £60 and had the most amazing food (try the duck with orange and ginger sauce, oh and the Eton Mess is amazing) while we were there I think I noticed that they did wedding receptions so brides if you're looking for an intimate venue with the most amazing chef then why not check out the Bowes Incline, the best bit is you can even see the Angel of the North from the window!
Family Portraits - Due to demands I am booking up to 6 months in advance if you're wanting a family portrait session please do book early to avoid disappointment, plus if you book now you'll avoid my yearly cost of living increase which is planned for 01/06/09, book early and save!
Bookings for weddings, portraits, boudoir can as always be made by calling either of the numbers on the banner or clicking through to my contact page which is HERE
Wedding Albums - Plans are afoot to become exclusively Graphistudio by 2010, in the meantime I also supply Spicer Hallfield.
July 12the 2008 - Due to a cancellation I am now available on this date, please do enquire if you still need a wedding photographer for this date.
Boudoir shoots are booking up to 6 months in advance, introductory pricing will end on the 31/5/08 so book before then to secure yourself a great deal.
Weddings - 2009 prices start on 1/6/08 so book now and secure your 2009 date at 2008 prices, next year due to the demand on my portraiture business I will only be doing a limited number of weddings so please book early to avoid disappointment.
A great Venue - I was up with Paul and the children at the Bowes Incline hotel for lunch, we spent around £60 and had the most amazing food (try the duck with orange and ginger sauce, oh and the Eton Mess is amazing) while we were there I think I noticed that they did wedding receptions so brides if you're looking for an intimate venue with the most amazing chef then why not check out the Bowes Incline, the best bit is you can even see the Angel of the North from the window!
Family Portraits - Due to demands I am booking up to 6 months in advance if you're wanting a family portrait session please do book early to avoid disappointment, plus if you book now you'll avoid my yearly cost of living increase which is planned for 01/06/09, book early and save!
Bookings for weddings, portraits, boudoir can as always be made by calling either of the numbers on the banner or clicking through to my contact page which is HERE
Wedding Albums - Plans are afoot to become exclusively Graphistudio by 2010, in the meantime I also supply Spicer Hallfield.
Monday, April 14, 2008
It was a busy day in Jesmond Dene for me yesterday and just after I had said goodbye to Karen and her family, Wendy arrived with her 3 girls and her parents for their family photoshoot.
What a lovely family they all are and I must say that Wendy has such beautiful and well behaved girls, they really are a credit to her.
All the girls together!
Wendys Eldest, I love her hair, I wish I could braid mine like that!! LOL
Wendys middle daughter who is a delight, she's in the same class as Abigail at school, Abigail was gutted that she missed out on seeing two of her friends yesterday!!
Wendys' youngest who of course I had a soft spot for as I adore toddlers, there's just something about that cheeky look that 2 year olds have! This was when she picked a flower, by it's roots!
Finally this one, because it was my favourite of the session!
Wendy, I had so much fun with you and your family and I'm so glad that you love your photos!
What a lovely family they all are and I must say that Wendy has such beautiful and well behaved girls, they really are a credit to her.
All the girls together!
Wendys Eldest, I love her hair, I wish I could braid mine like that!! LOL
Wendys middle daughter who is a delight, she's in the same class as Abigail at school, Abigail was gutted that she missed out on seeing two of her friends yesterday!!
Wendys' youngest who of course I had a soft spot for as I adore toddlers, there's just something about that cheeky look that 2 year olds have! This was when she picked a flower, by it's roots!
Finally this one, because it was my favourite of the session!
Wendy, I had so much fun with you and your family and I'm so glad that you love your photos!
Karen and her Family - Jesmond Dene
I met up with Karen and her family in Jesmond Dene yesterday morning to get some photographs of all the family. Karen and Neil have 4 children and kudos to them because all of their children are completely adorable and really well behaved.
This is Karens oldest daughter who I think looks very sophisticated for 8!
Karens middle daughter who is just lovely!
Karens youngest daughter who is a total cutie, she's the youngest of the family and a happy little bean!
Karens only boy who can only be described as a real live wire with the most amazing blue eyes.
This family portrait really embodies the feel of my photography as a whole, it's spontaneous, it's relaxed and theres something going on on everyones faces.
Karen, I had a great photoshoot with you all and I hope that you love all your photos as much as I do.
This is Karens oldest daughter who I think looks very sophisticated for 8!
Karens middle daughter who is just lovely!
Karens youngest daughter who is a total cutie, she's the youngest of the family and a happy little bean!
Karens only boy who can only be described as a real live wire with the most amazing blue eyes.
This family portrait really embodies the feel of my photography as a whole, it's spontaneous, it's relaxed and theres something going on on everyones faces.
Karen, I had a great photoshoot with you all and I hope that you love all your photos as much as I do.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Headlam Hall is an amazing country house hotel up in Darlington and I am delighted to be shooting the wedding of Emma and Mark there in August.
Emma and Mark are both Teachers so it being spring break we met up there today for their pre-wedding shoot.
I adore this photograph!
The adoreable couple!
Close up!! There are so many wonderful places you can shoot at Headlam hall it's going to be a photographic feast. I really thoroughly recommend it to any other brides who may be stuck for a venue.
They're definetly a wonderful couple to spend time with and we had a lot of fun, I saved my favourite photograph until last though - wanna see?
OOh Emma and Mark, I really can't wait to shoot your wedding in August and I'll look forward to catching up with you both next Friday!!
Emma and Mark are both Teachers so it being spring break we met up there today for their pre-wedding shoot.
I adore this photograph!
The adoreable couple!
Close up!! There are so many wonderful places you can shoot at Headlam hall it's going to be a photographic feast. I really thoroughly recommend it to any other brides who may be stuck for a venue.
They're definetly a wonderful couple to spend time with and we had a lot of fun, I saved my favourite photograph until last though - wanna see?
OOh Emma and Mark, I really can't wait to shoot your wedding in August and I'll look forward to catching up with you both next Friday!!