This year we are trying our best to get around the local area so you do not have to travel. This time we are exhibiting at the KC Stadium, Hull between 1100 - 1500 hrs. Again entry is FREE and there is a fashion show on during the day. Let me know if you have seen our blog and I will offer you a discount. Looking forward to seeing you.

It is that time of the year again when we try and get ourselves out there so you can come and visit us, hopefully a little closer to where you live. On Sunday the 25th of September 2011 we are exhibiting at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 4DL. Entry is free and it takes place between 1100 - 1530 hrs during which there is a fashion show. Hopefully we will see you there.

A big thank you to those who visited our stand at this wedding fayre. I hope you enjoyed the fayre and found some solutions to assist with the planning their wedding. If I can be of any assistance with photograph, then please feel free to get in touch. Thanks again. Paul & Sarah

We have just purchased a new Sony NEX-5 camera for holidays, as the Nikon D3 is just a little too heavy to lug around with you. I therefore decided to test it in Whitby, North Yorkshire and I have to admit I could not have asked for a better day in Whitby, as the weather was fabulous.

Why Whitby, well I have photographed a number of weddings there and I have to admit, I love the place. The good thing about the Sony, even though it is small like a compact camera, it has interchangeable lenses. It came with a 18-55mm and a 16mm lens. So, off I went armed with my camera to test it. Like all blokes, I did not read the instructions, so once I found out where things were on the camera, the rest was easy.

The default setting was auto, that is everything was on automatic, but this caused some shoots to be over exposed in the bright sunlight. So, I reset everything and it was great. The panoramic shoots were good, but do not have anything with a straight line it the photo. I stayed in Whitby all afternoon, stopping for a coffee at Java’s Cafe about half ways through. The camera only came with one battery, but it only lasted the afternoon.

I have attached some of the photographs below; the remainder are on my Face Book page. If you buy a Sony, you will not be disappointed. It is lightweight, has interchangeable lens and although it looks like a point and shoot, it can be used on fully manual.

You will be able to tell by the entries on my blog that the wedding season is in full swing and we are getting ourselves out there. Sarah and myself are exhibiting at a wedding fayre at the Hilton Leeds City Hotel, Neville Street, Leeds on Sunday the 6th March between 11 am and 4 pm. Throughout the day there will be Bridal Fashion Shows and the best thing Admission is FREE. There are numerous other exhibitors at the show from Cake makers to Favours, so everything you need for your wedding should be available under one roof. We will have a selection of our albums on display for you to look at and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you have. If you mention reading this blog, we will be more than happy to offer you a discount. See you there.

Why not come and visit Sarah and myself at our next wedding fayre as we are exhibiting at the KC Stadium, Hull on Sunday the 27th of February 2011 between 11 am and 3 pm, with a Catwalk show at 12 noon and 1.30 pm. The best thing is, Admission is free. We will have a collection of our wedding albums on display for you to look at and you can chat to us if you want. If you mention that you have read this blog, I will be more then happy to provide you with a discount. Looking forward to seeing you.

Paul popped the question and asked me to marry him while we were on a short break in Germany, and so I have spent a lot of time over the summer searching for my wedding dress.  Every bride dreams of finding that perfect dress for their big day, a dress that will make your groom go weak at the knees when he sees you walking up the aisle.  However, with so many designers, dress shops and styles to choose from, where do you start?  It can appear a daunting task.

Here are a few words of advice that worked for me that will make it less of a chore and more of an enjoyable and successful outing!

Research – Before you even step foot into a bridal lounge, look through magazines and the internet at different designers and styles.  So you have some idea of what you like/don’t like and what will suit you.  What style/fit of dress does your fiancée like to see you in? Visit wedding fairs that have a catwalk show so you can view the dresses. One of the shows we exhibit at is the Yorkshire Living Brides Wedding Exhibition which is held at York Race course twice a year. They have some fantastic dresses on show.

Plan – Decide when you want to go on your first expedition.  Try to make it less stressful by avoiding busy times such as Saturdays and School holidays, especially towards the end of the school year, when many dress shops are also busy with the ‘prom season’(I learned this the hard way).

Assistance – Make it a special day, a girlie outing possibly or your mum, if you can stand the tears when she sees you in ‘The one’.  My mum came with me and she was very patient, but she needed a good supply of tissues! Make sure whoever you take that they are honest and know you well!

Where to go? – Word of mouth is a good place to start, ask friends and family, wedding fairs, but also the research you did earlier will have given you ideas.  But most importantly, go to shops where you feel comfortable and the atmosphere feels right.  There is nothing worse than trying on wedding dresses when you are not at ease with the staff and surroundings.

Be open minded – Yes, we all have likes and dislikes when it comes to style, but trying something on that you would not normally have, can help.  It can reassure you and your assistants that you were correct and the style is not right for you, or it may surprise you.

Choosing – People say you know when you find ‘THE’ dress, and they are right to a degree.  However, after trying on countless dresses it is always best to be sure.  When you think you have found the one that is right for you, don’t rush or be pressured in to making a decision.  Have a cooling off period of a couple of weeks and then return and try it on again to see if it feels just as right with a clear frame of mind.  It is also useful to go dress hunting with a camera, as it is quite easy to forget details of the dresses you like after the first fifteen or so!

I found two dresses that I liked in the same shop. The staff were fantastic but I didn’t make my decision there and then, I returned two weeks later to try on the dresses again to make sure I had picked the right dress. Finally, I made the decision and picked the one I had liked right from the start, but at least I am confident that I have made the right decision and it is exactly what I was after (can’t give too much away as no doubt Paul will be reading this). I know what Paul likes and I know he will love the dress and I can’t wait for our big day!

I hope you find your ideal dress that will make you feel so special on your wedding day. If you have any questions about looking for a dress why not drop me a line via the contact page.  

Happy shopping! 

Sarah

(Photos that Paul took at the Yorkshire Living Brides Wedding Exhibition, York Race course)

 

I am happy to say that I was asked to do the shoot for this edition of the Yorkshire Livings Brides magazine which is published by The Press newspaper in York. The location for this shoot was Scampston Hall near Malton, North Yorkshire which is a fantastic Regency period stately home with fantastic open and enclosed gardens. It was an early start at Scampston Hall with over 40 wedding dresses to shoot provided by local dress shops. Buzzy Bees of Skipwith near York were providing the flower arrangements.

 We arrived at Scampston Hall at 8.30 am on a Monday morning and set up. There was a constant stream of people entering the Hall with arms full of dresses. We had a number of ladies that were modelling the dresses, so whilst Sarah and I set up, there was a flurry of activity in one of the rooms as the ladies got their hair and makeup done by Revive Hair Design of Heworth, York .

Once the first model was ready we were off. Everyone there was brilliant and very helpful. The models were very tolerant considering that they had to change dresses a number of times and have their hair done in various ways on a number of occasions throughout the day. It was a long day and I think the results were worth it.

I have attached a couple of photos of the shoot here, but if you would like to see all the photographs of the day, why not go to the Client login area of Moon Photography and enter the password ‘Scampston’. Enjoy the photos. If you would like to see the magazine on line, why not visit http://clients.thisisyork.co.uk/yorkshire_living_brides

As you probably have guessed from the web site I am a wedding photographer, but I also do portrait photography. I think most peoples impression of a portrait photograph is sitting still in front of the camera in a sterile environment whilst the photographer tells you what to do.

This probably does happen in places, but not where I am concerned. I make the experience as fun and as enjoyable as possible. Why sit in front of a camera on an uncomfortable chair, in an unfamiliar building when you could be getting your photograph taken doing something that you really enjoy, like mountain biking, with your car that you have rebuilt, with your pet, playing your musical instrument, doing what you do as a career. I can go on forever, but I hope you get the idea.

Why not get some boudoir photographs taken for your partner and you do not have to be a female to look sexy for your partner. I hope this comment gets you thinking!!

If you would like your photographs taken in a Studio, don’t worry, I have the use of a studio. This is fitted with a waiting area, dressing room, shower, make-up area and kitchen.

If you would much prefer the comfort of your home, I can travel to you with my portable studio lighting.

But the most natural way is to have your portrait taken out doors. Again whether it is with someone or something you cherish, or with both!! I find my clients are more relaxed. I also find this better when photographing children, as they are not restricted to a studio or house.

If you have an idea where you would like your photograph taken, why not get in touch. It will be fun.