This weekend saw me get on a plane and fly over to County Mayo in Ireland to photograph Alannah and Tom's beautiful wedding at one of the most beautiful stately homes in Ireland, Mount Falcon.

Here is a sneaky peak for you!

Vintage effect...

Beautiful Mount Falcon, the morning after the night before

We will be exhibiting at the Bluewater Wedding Show at Glow 21st-23rd September.

Come and see us on stand S10 where we will have an exclusive show offer for couples looking to book their wedding photographer.

I have a limited number of tickets to give away. If you would like the chance to win a pair of complimentary tickets for the Wedding Fair at Glow, Bluewater just email me at claire@level11.co.uk with your name, wedding date and venue. That's it, simple eh?!

I look forward to seeing you there.

So, you know i'm a bit rubbish at keeping this blog up to date...I know, poor show but it will change!

Anyway, one year ago today Tonya and Charles got married at the lovely Brandshatch Place and Spa hotel, in Fawkham - near Brandshatch.

They had two ceremony's, one civil and one blessing. Both were equally lovely and full of emotion.

My day started at Tonya and Charles home to capture the bridal details and all the excitement of the girls getting ready. Surprisingly Charles was there, but only quickly as he delivered a beautiful bouquet of flowers for his gorgeous bride.

I left their home and made my way to the hotel to capture the groom's details and capture Charles getting ready with his best man and brother. Gotta say, more nervous-ness in their room than there was at their home!

The bride arrived a little bit late and Tonya looked beautiful in her oyster coloured gown.

Check out her gorgeous pink shoes!

...A couple of weeks ago I met up with Carly and James who's wedding I am shooting in November.

We stayed local for their pre-wedding shoot, which was great as we used an old, derelict mansion house - we weren't supposed too but it was empty, we thought, until we were told we were trespassing! Ooops!
So, we walked around, stopping at a couple of spots and here are a few of the results.

Looking forward to their wedding!!

Last weekend I met up with Emma and Wes for their pre-wedding shoot.

They are getting married later this year and after hearing about their plans, I'm excited!
I love hearing how client's wedding plans are going, it gets me excited about thier day too!

I always find that the pre-wedding shoot is ideal to get to know each other, talk about the wedding and have fun! It's also a great way for me to see how my couple are together, how they interact, body language etc plus it's a good way for me to find out if I have 'blinkers'...those of you with a fast blink rate!

The pictures from the pre-wedding shoot can also be used in a personalised guest book, so that your wedding guests can write little messages in a personalised book....whilst looking at your lovely pictures!

Here are a few of my favourites from the session...

A few weeks ago I met up with Susie and Paul for their pre-wedding shoot.

They decided to have thie shoot at a Priory Park in Reigate, which is local to them. The park was great, with an old mansion house, art deco style cafe, beautiful lake....and more which made for great portrait photos.

I can't wait for their wedding later this year which is taking place at a beautiful hotel in Sussex.

Last weekend I did a pre-wedding shoot for Louise and Chris which involved a hot air balloon!!

Chris is a pilot and together they run hot air balloon flights so we included a balloon in their pre-wedding shoot.
Unfortunately although the weather was great apparently it was the wrong kind of wind....it was quite still and calm which means you wouldn't fly anywhere in the balloon so we tethered - which meant that the balloon was attached to two 4x4 cars and it didn't go as high as it normally would. BUT it was still great fun and once the balloon was packed away in it's little case the sun made an appearance which meant we could do some fun shots of the couple together.

Here is my favourite shot of the day....

The couple wish to keep their photos private so I'll only be adding the one balloon shot.

A quick update about what's been going on.

Spring has finally sprung after a grim winter and it's been lovely seeing the daffodills and tulips in full bloom.
The extra daylight is lovely too for portrait sessions.
I love photographing children in the daffodills so I couldn't resist taking my little girl out to the park...she loved running through the daffodills and investigating them...

Things have been so busy lately and I am working hard to catch up with everything, surviving on less sleep than I usually like whilst running around after a 16mth old during the day.

Anyway, the wedding season has started with the first wedding at Tower Bridge, London. It was such a fantastic day, an intimate ceremony in the Bridgemasters Suite followed by some photographs in the roof of Tower Bridge. Unfortunately the bride and groom wish to keep their wedding photographs private so I can't share them so although you can't see their photographs, you'll just have to take my word for it that they're fantastic!!
Here are a couple of shots taken of the wedding venue, which I think is one of London's best landmarks!

The shot below is taken on the roof of Tower Bridge and what you see is graffitti....yes, graffitti - at the very top pointy bit of Tower Bridge. Apparently, it has been done by various ex-staff members.

I'm really looking forward to the rest of this years weddings starting in a few weeks and working with all of my couples. I've had lots of enquiries from our recommended venues, and taken a few recent bookings, and it sounds as though there are some fantastic weddings being planned. Before the weddings I always do a pre-wedding shoot which is a nice way of getting to know each other before the big day.

The next wedding for me is the Royal Wedding, Prince William to Kate Middleton. No, I'm not photographing it (unfortunately) however I can't stop thinking about who might have priviledge of shooting the best gig in town!! Will it be Mario Testino, he shot their official engagement photographs.
I wonder what Kate will wear, will she wear a traditional wedding dress from a dress designer such as Jenny Packham or Caroline Castigliano or perhaps she will wear a Vera Wang design. Personally, I think she will wear a slim fitting diamond/crystal encrusted dress with a fishtail skirt with a cathedral length veil (of course). How brilliant, I'm ridiculously excited about it and can't wait to have our tiara party with my little girl dressed up as a little princess.

After the Royal Wedding I have the priviledge of being a guest for the day at my friend, David's, wedding. David sometimes helps me on my weddings. I'm really looking forward to it, I will leave the 'work' camera at home and will use my little point and shoot camera. I can't wait. It'll be my little girl's first wedding, she's got her little outfit sorted and I've got my outfit sorted, can't wait to wear my hat!

At some point soon I will also be adding a new portrait gallery to the website showing all my recent maternity photography, baby and children's portraits plus new wedding photographs. I'm not very 'techy' so it might take a little longer than I'd ideally like but I will do it.

So, the next few weeks are busy, busy, busy for me....just the way I like it!!!

Enjoy the Royal Wedding!!

Claire

A couple of weeks ago I met up with Sarar and Naysam for their pre-wedding shoot in Richmond Park, Surrey.

I love Richmond, especially in the sunshine! we made the most of the late afternoon sunshine and wandered around the park, chatted about their wedding over tea and cake!
I'm really looking forward to their wedding in May.

Here are a few of my favourites.

Would you like the chance to win £1000??
If the answer is yes, read on.

We are looking for beautiful children aged from newborn to 12 years old for a major national competition....the MPA Wedding and Portrait Awards.
One of the worlds leading imaging companies, Fujifilm, and the Master Photographers Association (MPA) are sponsoring this years competition and we are offering you the chance to have a free portrait session worth £75.00!

After your session we will select the best photographs for submission to the competition. If the photograph is chosen you will win £1000! Simples! There are also some great £50.00 runner up prizes.

To show your commitment to this offer we are asking for a booking fee of £20.00 (payable by credit/debit card only) to secure your session. The booking fee will be refunded to you on the day of the session or the fee can be used towards the purchase of any photographs after your session - however there is no obligation to buy.

For every entry made a £1.00 donation will be made by the sponsors to the PACE charity, a fantastic childrens charity which helps children with physical disabilities.

Sessions are strictly limited. To book your free portrait please call Claire on 0845 07 111 78 or email at claire@level11.co.uk

Offer terms and conditions

• One free portrait session per family
• Children aged 0-12years only with a maximum of two children
• Sessions are limited and are by appointment only, subject to availability
• Sessions to be within 15miles of Level 11 HQ
• There are no free prints, or other free products, with this offer
• Sessions can only be re-scheduled once by you otherwise the booking fee will become non-refundable and a seperate booking fee will be charged per booking thereafter
• You agree to sign a model release form which must be signed by the parent/guardian. The release form allows Level 11 Photography and the sponsors of the MPA Awards to use the photographs for marketing, publicity, and promotional purposes
• The booking fee of £20.00 is payable upon booking and will be refunded to you on the day of the session or you may use it towards any purchase
• This offer is not to be used with any other offer or promotions by Level 11 Photography (UK)
• Closing date for this offer is 3rd April 2011