The Dressing Up project has allowed me to indulge myself in shoots I don't usually have the time to do and  a 1940's themed shoot is something I've wanted to do for ages so after a few drinks with the very lovely Claire and John I managed to persuade them they would be perfect.  With thanks to the Little Theatre for the costume hire.

If you would like to join in with the dressing up project or you would like to have your very own 1940's themed shoot please email me or contact me through my website

The further adventures of Dressing Up [newcastle photographer]

Yes it's about time we had an update post isn't it?

So there you go, an update with some of my favourite photographs so far, each and every person I meet on this adventure brings something new to the table, there've been 16 shoots so far with lots more booked.  Can I ask a favour though?  I need more people, I'm trying to get to 100 shoots and I need people to spread the word.  If you would like to model for me please do get in touch.

Featured on 2 amazing bridal blogs this week [wedding photographer Newcastle]

Still working incredibly hard on the "Dressing Up" project and with the Biscuit Factory and Links Art Gallery earmarked as potential venues for the exhibition it's all becoming quite exciting.  However this isn't the point of this quick post, the point of this quick post is to alert you to 2 great articles this week featuring Mandy Charlton Photography.

Firstly Joy and Dan are featured on amazing blog So You're Getting Married, go across and give it some love!  Secondly I have another post on fabulouso blog extraordinaire Brides Up North

So quick go read both of them and enjoy a couple of very beautiful and in love couples.

Dressing Up - The day I narrowly avoided being arrested by a 3 year old

So we're into the second week of the Dressing Up project, can you believe that?  This week I've shoots booked every day in fact I think the next day I have off is January 30th, just as well I have energy by the bagful and am having so much fun.

So on Monday I went to meet a 3 year old policeman, he was quite keen to handcuff his sister who's only tiny!

here's some of what we got -

Little Sister wasn't taking part but she was suitably cute so I grabbed a couple of shots

This Policeman means business

Managed to grab a quick informal family portrait for them

and I also love this one right at the end of the session.

Dressing Up - Dee La Beau, Lilu and Vee

Yesterday saw me out in the cold with some very brave models, one of whom is the fabulous Miss Dee La Beau Miss La Beau is a model, a burlesque performer and all around wonder mum so when she offered to get involved with 2 little models called Vee and Lilu I couldn't get the shoot booked quickly enough!!

We found a suitably random location and this is what we got -

Tribute to Lady Gaga maybe "come and show me your kitten fingers"

To Infinity and Beyond

Really hoping to shoot Ms La Beau again this year as she is gorgeous as she demonstrated Princess with aplombe here!

So 2 dressing up sessions down, 30ish more booked in the diary and a target of 100 shoots, if you want to get involved either alone, with your kids, or as a group I need lots more models, the blog post telling you all you need to know is here.

Dressing Up - Lucy

The Dressing Up Project has begun!

I went down to South Shields yesterday to photograph Lucy who's wedding I shot last April, now my self imposed rules for this project are that as much as possible I should only shoot with my camera, a 50mm f1.4 lens and my flash, obviously if I have a whole school (as I do for a future shoot) to photograph 50mm might not cut it but for this one my 50mm was perfect.

I've also imposed myself a 50ish frame limit for each model so that I don't get bogged down by the editing because with 10+ shoots every week it's no good shooting 2 or 300 frames per shoot.

So here's Lucy, proving Fairy Wings are the future -

This one taken within the art piece - Conversation Piece is my favourite from the session

Models required for my 2011 project and exhibition

I start this first post of the new year with great excitement, last year about this time I decided that it was time to have an exhibition of my work but I could never come up with a suitable concept and then it finally hit me on New Years day so I'm excited to reveal my new project and forthcoming exhibition "Dressing Up"  quite simply it's what those two words mean to the individual models which means it's open to all kinds of interpretation!

I announced it on Twitter and Facebook yesterday and already have quite a few models booked in but I need lots!!

I'm looking for kids of all ages, families, men, women, couples, for each model who takes part they will receive a 12x8 print as thanks and an invite to the exhibition which may feature them!!  I'm also hoping that there will be a book of the exhibition with room to feature lots more photographs.

If you want to take part or nominate someone who would then please email me at mandy@mandycharltonphotography.com.com or fill in the enquiry form on my website, remember the shoot is free and you'll receive a 12x8 print, and you'll also have a full online gallery with a 25% discount code.  You can also call me on 07918 121838

if you are a parent nominating your children I want you to do one thing, I don't want you to tell them what they should wear I want you to simply tell them the title "Dressing Up" and see what they come up with, there's no right or wrong answer and with your help I think we can bring back a feel good vibe to the North East of England.

There's only 1 rule and that is that all shoots must be outdoors, either on the beach, at the park, some woodland or I'm very much open to suggestions

I took my own daughter out this morning, at 7 years old she was only too keen so completely with trainers and a Flamenco Dress we went down to Heaton Park, here's just a couple of the shots we got

This next one below is my favourite -

The last couple of shots below were when she decided that it was coat on time and had an idea about where she wanted her photo taken, I like them, I think she's got a very good eye