Yesterday newlyweds Rachel and Jamie came to the Studio to watch their wedding story for the first time; snuggled up together on one of the sofas with bubbles and chocolates! Their wedding day was a wonderful day just four weeks ago at Warwick House in Southam and even though the weather created a number of ‘challenges’ we worked together as a team to ensure that they had the perfect photographs to tell their wedding story to future generations.
We had a great time at the wedding and were thoroughly spoilt! Many of the guests commented on the warm friendship between Rachel and I. I am often asked by guests at weddings if I am a friend of the bride and groom which is down to the pre wedding relationship building we do, however this time Rachel and I are good friends of many years. She told me yesterday that when I arrived at the venue on her wedding day she knew that from that moment on, everything that day was going to be OK as she knew I would make sure of it. What a lovely compliment to receive.
So how did I meet Rachel?
Well for those of you who don’t know; Rachel is my Muse. Dictionary definition: A person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.
As I drove home from their viewing yesterday I thought about the many fashion shoots we have worked on together and thought it would be lovely to share them all in one place so that the family and friends of Rachel and Jamie can see just what we’ve gotten up to over the years. I will of course blog their wedding story over the next couple of weeks as I know everyone is dying to see the photographs!
Rachel and I met way back in 2012 when I was shooting a fashion spread for a magazine in Montpellier. Her first ever photo shoot and a fabulous friendship was born…
We then worked together a little later in the same year on a ‘Best of British‘ promotional piece photographed on location at Eastington Park.
Make up by Anna White.
And then the magazine covers started coming…!
This now iconic shot known as the ‘Sudeley flick‘ was photographed on location at Sudeley Castle and featured on the front cover of ‘Pure Weddings’ and a coverage inside the magazine. This was Rachel’s first bridal fashion shoot and also the first shoot for make up artist Monika Vrublova who was assisting the fabulous Shelley Dawson that day.
My super cute nieces Bella and Ruby also featured in this shoot…
And then came another magazine cover!!!
The Spring/Summer Pure Weddings Magazine featured our shoot at The Victorian Tea Rooms and Rachel in exquisite Ian Stuart bridal dresses from Wedding Days of Cheltenham. What these images don’t tell you is that it was -2c that day. Rachel was an absolute pro; standing on a jetty on the banks of a windy and bitterly cold River Severn for the front cover image. I took three frames, we wrapped her in blankets and got her to jump up and down, and then I took three more frames, and so this continued until I got the perfect shot. It wasn’t much warmer inside either but due to the volume in the dresses Rachel was able to wear thermals underneath – the glamorous world of bridal fashion!
Flowers by Lilyfee Floral Designs / Hair & Make Up by Anna White / Dresses from Wedding Days of Cheltenham / Planned for Perfection
And then came the UK launch of Australian bridal designer Cathleen Jia which we photographed on location at Wyck Hill House and Thornbury Castle.
Make up at Thornbury Castle: Jodi Croft (Jodi also did Rachel’s wedding day make up – more to follow in their wedding blog coming soon…) / Make up at Wyck Hill House: Anna White / Flowers for both shoots: Lilyfee Floral Designs / Planned for Perfection
Another magazine shoot beckoned and we went back to Wyck Hill House for the September Issue bridal fashion shoot…
Flowers by Lilyfee Floral Designs / Hair & Make Up by Anna White / Dresses from Wedding Days of Cheltenham /Planned for Perfection
Beautiful Boudoir
We decided to do something a little different for this. Boudoir photography has been getting a bad reputation over the years for dark and sometimes a little sleazy images. So we decided to get rid of that concept and create boudoir that was light and airy, sexy yet elegant, and most importantly timeless…
Photographed on location at Wyck Hill House
And then came the call to go to Compton Verney Art Gallery. Oh my word this shoot was epic!!!
Dressed in stunning gowns from Wedding Days of Cheltenham, Rachel totally rocked this shoot!
Flowers and styling by Lilyfee Floral Designs, Dresses from Wedding Days of Cheltenham, Make Up Artist: Madeline from Wedding Paint.
This image from the shoot also won a BRONZE BAR from The Guild of Photographers and a HIGHLY COMMENDED from the Societies of Photographers. High accolades indeed in the photography world.
The product shoot for Posy & Pearl’s ‘Downton Collection’ saw Rachel dressed in typically Downton Abbey style evening gowns to show off these exquisite pieces of bespoke jewellery.
Rachel also featured in the 5 page spread that was published about me in the industry magazine ‘Professional Imagemaker’…
And then came the engagement photographs following her engagement to the lovely Jamie…
And a few weeks ago the big day itself at Warwick House in Southam. Their wedding story will follow soon in its own blog post…
Many congratulations Rachel and Jamie…
WATCH THIS SPACE… Rachel and I have a shoot booked in the diary so watch this space…!