Saturday 20 November 2010

OUTDOOR. Rebecca + Family.

Struth..!! Rebecca and her fabolous family called me from Brisbane, Australia to say they'd be coming over and wanted a fun filled outdoor photoshoot..With sunshine! I advised her that unless she was bringing it with her, she'd better cross her fingers and everything else for that matter and hope and pray it's a nice day because this is england and sunny day's are a thing of myth and miracle here! :-) Luckily, her (and more so my!) prayers were answered and we had a fantastic and entertaining outdoor lifestyle photoshoot at the gorgeous Elvaston Castle in Derby. Enjoy..









Sunday 17 October 2010

COMMERCIAL. Gym Opening.

After four years of offering fitness classes from bases around the city, Sam Godfrey has launched Splash Fit with fiancĂ©e Sarah Nixon and business partner Ryan Mozley. The stand-out feature is a high-tech swimming pool that can mimic a variety of swimming... conditions – the only one of its kind in the area. It has video recording capabilities to enable clients to have their technique assessed and improved. As well as swimming, Splash Fit offers activities including boxing, mixed martial arts, pole dancing classes, female-only training sessions, body pump classes, disability access classes, circuits and personal training. Visit their website for more details or pop down to have a look round!

http://www.splashfit.co.uk/











Saturday 9 October 2010

WEDDING. Simon + Jane.

What a fab day with Simon & Jane. They got married at Derby Registry Office and you would not have found a happier couple anywhere in the world than these two. They were made for each other. Wishing you all the best - Here's a few SNEAKS for you..









Thursday 23 September 2010

COMMERCIAL. Patty King UK.

Absolutely delicious..! Sorry let me explain..

I received a call from a company from Derby and to be based in London called Patty King UK who wanted photographs taking of their passionately home-cooked, goregeous smelling and lip-smackingly delicious carribean food.. They even wanted me to taste it.. It was rude not too! He he.. I can't reveal alot as they don't open for another month or so but keep your eyes peeled for a Patty King UK coming near you..!



Tuesday 31 August 2010

WEDDING. Ian + Joanne.

The Great British Weather strikes again..! I felt for Ian and Jo as they'd chose a beautiful location in Risley Hall in Derbyshire on the 29th May 2010 to have their special wedding day. Unfortunately the heaven's above opened and rained the whole day through..! However, this didn't stop Jo & Ian having a special and gorgeous wedding days where they exchanged vows and took the magical step to become Husband and Wife.. Congratulations to you both!









Wednesday 11 August 2010

WEDDING. James + Andela.

OMG..! What a beautiful day - From start to finish..! I met Andela and the girls at the hair salon where they all supped away on champagne before shooting back to Andela's house to get ready. They held the ceremony at the gorgeous Woburn Abbey and headed outside for canope's and drinks. It was such beautiful weather, everyone looked amazing and it was so much fun!







Wednesday 14 April 2010

WEDDING. Javvad + Nadifa.

Wow! What a wedding! Javvad contacted me and said he would be having a low key wedding for around 150 guests in the midlands, so I thought that's not too bad, until he told me it was going to be in 2 different cities and spread over 4 days! And what a wedding it was, 4 days of pure tradtition, emotion, entertainment, fun, colour and plenty of food. So in all a lovely, nice and relaxed the venue is beautiful too, thanks guys for being so friendly!











Tuesday 6 April 2010

Look your best on your wedding photographs..

Most people I meet, want to look there best most days, and weddings everyone wants to look there best!

I always think its important to still “look yourself” by this I mean, your partner fell in love with you for the way you look and are, so if you have a makeup artist, have a session before the day so your happy with what they can do for you.

The other big thing is be happy, this may sound silly but you meet a lot of people who are so concious of themselves or if it will rain etc, Just enjoy the day, certain things are of your control!

It doesn't hurt to practise a few poses yourselves if you want certain posed photos, how to hold your flowers etc, I prefer personally to take more natural shots, put people in a nice location, and get them to relax with each other, or just take them as there talking to guests etc. I think we all have a photo of ourselves that someones taken where we were caught unawares, and there the ones that look the best!

Don't always look at the camera, work with the photographer, and he/she will tell you where to look or guide you.

Its flattering for ladies if you dont stand square on to the camera, by this I mean, if you face your body about 30 degrees away from the camera then turn your face to the camera, its more flattering, as it gives the picture a bit more of an impact, it will show your bust of more and elongate your neck and helps you look thinner, heres an interesting article I found from about.com

* The secret is in the pose. (That, and the fact that they starve themselves a week before events and get sprayed by professional tanning people and wear gut-sucking Spandex and …). Back to the pose. Here we share five secrets to appearing 10 pounds thinner in photos. You can practice these tips in front of a mirror, but we suggest locking your door first so as not to be caught appearing vain.

* Secret No. 1: Turn partially sideways to the camera, planting one foot in front of the other. Point your toe to the camera and place your weight on your back foot.

* Secret No. 2: Pull head forward slightly to minimize any appearance of a double chin.

* Secret No. 3: Hold arms slightly away from your body. This keeps upper arm flab from flattening out and therefore appearing flabbier (much like thighs do when one sits on a couch).

* Secret No. 4: Pull shoulders back, chest forward and gently suck stomach in. Be careful not to suck stomach so far in that your ribs show, thereby causing those who later see the photo to cluck to themselves in a bemused, sing-song voice, “She’s sucking i-in.”

* Secret No. 5: If you can get away with it without looking like a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Girl wannabe, try the look away trick. To do this, look away from the camera, then turn towards it, breaking into a smile just before the camera clicks. Your smile will appear fresh, not frozen. This trick takes practice behind closed, locked doors.

* When taking a photo it’s also important the photographer does not snap the picture from below. This adds another 20-50 pounds to the 10 pounds automatically and annoying added by the camera. Find out why cameras add 10 pounds in this article by Geek Sugar.

* More tips on looking 10 pounds thinner in photos:

* Use objects you are holding to your advantage by placing them in front of parts of you you’d prefer to hide. A purse or corsage in front of your belly. A jacket slung over the shoulder. (Gwyneth Paltrow used a perfectly placed purse to hide her baby bump before she announced her pregnancy with Apple).

* Check out Spanx hosiery. The very modern version of the corset, Spanx are famous for making women all over the world appear 10 pounds thinner. I own four pairs. (Don’t invest in the panty hose, like most hose, they tend to tear and these are pricey).

* Fake tans will make you look and feel skinnier. Unfortunately, they tend to reek, except for GlowFusion, a spray tanner I swear is not odorous.

* It’s not just black that makes you look thinner. Wearing an entire outfit of just one color will do the trick as well, whether it be white, beige, brown, blue or red. One color tends to elongate your figure. Avoid entire outfits in pink, however, unless you are four years old or younger.

Thursday 25 March 2010

Muslim Weddings

Muslim Weddings

Have taken bookings for a plethora of weddings this year, consisting of English, Sikh, Hindu and Polish to name a few, I thought I would give you an insight into my most recent and upcoming Muslim wedding and the rituals and ceremonies that go with it.

Muslim Weddings are very vibrant and exciting. There are many rituals and ceremonies that mark the traditional Muslim Wedding and pre-wedding celebrations and there are also post wedding celebrations too.

PRE–WEDDING

LEGAN CHIR – Once the date for the NIKAH is set, the Groom’s father sends a cash present to the Bride’s father. This ritual is known as LEGAN CHIR.

DAY 1 & 2 CEREMONIES

* Day 1 – The Bride’s family attend he Groom’s home carrying Mehndi Paste on a plate. The young children bring the candles to be lit before entering the home. Afterwards a meal is served and there is much singing.
* Day 2 – The Groom’s family follow the same routine

MANJHA CEREMONY – On the third day the Bride is seated on a square table and is annointed with Haldi provided by the groom’s family. The Bride will wear yellow clothes and no jewellery. After this ritual a married, female friend must accompany the bride at all times. This friend will also rub haldi over the Bride before the Bride bathes. The family will sing until the night ends.

MEHNDI CEREMONY – The Mehndi ceremony is traditionally held the evening before the wedding and usually takes place at the Bride’s home. A Mehndi artist will apply Mehndi to the Bride’s hands and feet in a brightly decorated pattern. Family and friends, mainly women will sing traditonal wedding songs. The Bride wears plain clothes at this time and it is customary for the Bride to now remain at home until her marriage.

If the Groom has a Mehndi party, it will be very similar with the exception of having a mehndi artist, Instead, a dot of Mehndi will be applied to his palm or on a leaf that is placed in his palm by the Bride’s cousins, his own family, friends and well wishers.

THE WEDDING /NIKAH – Starts at the venue when the Groom and wedding procession known as the BARAAT is welcomed by the Bride’s family. There is music to announce the Groom’s arrival. The Groom and the Bride’s brother share a drink of Sherbert. There is fun and games as the Bride’s sisters playfully slap the guests with wands made of flowers! The Muslim Wedding comprises of the proposal, usually from the Groom’s side which is called the LJAB and acceptance from the Bride’s side known as the QUBUL. The consent of both Bride and Groom is of utmost importance to make the marriage legal.

MEHAR – A compulsory marital gift that both families will have agreed upon that is given from the Groom’s family to the Bride. The QAZI or law officer will ask the Bride if she agrees to the marriage and if she agrees to the amount of MEHAR. Once the Bride agrees, the QAZI will then read the NIKAH contract to the Groom. When the Groom agrees; the Bride, Groom, their fathers, the witnesses and the QAZI must all sign the NIKAH contract. Verses from the Quran called KHUTBA are delivered by the QAZI, these verses emphasise the care and obligations towards the women and the rights and duties that Bride and Groom have toward each other.

DINNER, PRAYERS AND AARSIMASHAF – Dinner is an extremely lavish spread and it is the first time that the newlyweds will sit together. The Bride and Groom’s head is covered with a scarf as they pray and the Quran is paced between the couple.
POST WEDDING

RUKSATTY - This is the Bride’s official departure from their family home. Sometimes this is done from the reception venue. The close relatives of the Bride and Groom will go to her parent’s home where there are some traditional rituals, one of which is the Bride’s throwing of handfuls of rice to the left and right of her and behind her. This is symbolic of her wishes of prosperity for the family she leaves behind. This is a very important and significant this moment as the Bride is now married and a new chapter in her life and her family’s life begins. She left in the morning as a single woman and leaves in the evening as a newlywed.

CHAUTI – The fourth day after the wedding, it is customary for the Bride to visit her parents. The bride is enthusiastically and joyously welcomed.

VALIMA – The Valima is an after party that is to officially welcome the Bride and the union of both families. Valima is not obligatory but it is generally a custom that is usually adhered to.


Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming Muslim Wedding Photography samples!

Monday 22 March 2010

Preparation is the key...

...How many time have you heard the saying.. "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail".

Well, with the start of a new year and the first 3 months having been so inspiring and busy, there's been loads going on in preparing for the exciting and year ahead of us. Having met some really touching and inspirational people over the last year, my first aim was to surround myself with a family of inspirational and fantastic people who will push me to be the best I can be.. And I'm on my way to getting there. Secondly it was to upgrade my equipment, not because I needed to but because it's a way of improving and bettering the quality of my work in order for me to compete at the highest level -And not have any limitations. Photography is my life now and the most beautiful thing about it is that by having the necessary equipment at my peril I can express myself without feeling restricted and in turn, my friends (yes you, the people who I photograph) can feel they have been given a gift and not been part of a business transaction, where if they paid more they would have got a better photographer with a better camera and a better service.

The FOCUS ON IMAGING SHOW is europe's biggest annual imaging show open to the public and photographer's.

Over 200 exhibitors and product launches galore - including all the very latest digital cameras and processing equipment. Feel free to click on the link to find out more information about the show. http://www.focus-on-imaging.co.uk/index.htm

Saturday 9 January 2010

Happy New Year..!

Hey friends and followers..

Firstly, I'd like to start by saying that I wish you all had a very merry christmas and a happy new and prosperous new year!

I offer my apologies for not being a better blogger over the past month but I must say that it's been hectic to say the least..! I think I must've done 3 studio shoots with no less than 10 people in each family, one even consisted of 15..! So editing, colour correcting, printing, delivering as well as celebrating the festivities and enjoying all of the gorgeous food and drink that this time of year brings, I hope you'll excuse my absence..!

I've attached a few photo's on here for you to see some of the work I've been doing...


























Now I know we all try out best to make new year's resolutions for ourselves (or maybe even others!) and I won't bore you with the long list of mine, however one of them will be too definitely alot more regularly so you can know exactly what I'm upto..!

And as they say in Toon Town.. That's all Folks..! I hope you enjoy the start of your 2010 as much as I plan too..!