Christmas Ideas

With Christmas coming up, finding special gifts for loved ones can by tricky.  So why not give grandparents delightful pictures of their grandchildren, or surprise your teenager with a stunning professional portrait in the style of their choice, let them be a model for the day. You could even spoil yourself with the perfect photograph to treasure. 

Rather than expect you to trek to a studio, I will come to you and can take pictures in your home, garden or at a favourite location, maybe the woods, park or a striking urban setting.  My aim is to make it as fun as possible.

I’m happy to provide vouchers so you can give the gift of photo as a surprise.

Alfie’s first lifestyle portrait shoot

I have just carried out a lifestyle photoshoot of the lovely Alfie, Alfie is only four months old but made a wonderful model, he really is a cuite.

A lifestyle portrait is a simply a portrait session that is outside of a studio, I much prefer to do my portraits this way as I think its more relaxing for the client, plus you can get some really nice arty shorts that make a great addition to your wall.

Prefect Days wedding fayre, The Randolph Hotel, Oxford

I cant believe its that time again, the Autum wedding fayres are up and running and so on Sunday 19^th I’m back at the Randolph to showcase my work to potential clients at the wedding fayre.  The fayre is arranged by Amanda at Perfect Days and is a good one to go to as they have fashions shows at 12:30 and 14:30.

So if you’re in Oxford or near Oxford pop along.

The Royal Berkshire Show

About two months ago I was called and asked if I would like to exhibit in the Elegant Weddings Marquee at the Royal Berkshire Show, to which I agreed. 

So a couple of weekends ago that’s exactly what I did, well what a waste of time, the organisation was a disaster as half of the exhibitors didn’t turn up and then there where no brides and grooms either so clearly there had been no advertising, so a waste of time for me. I think the people at the show where simply there to enjoy the live stock shows and go on the fair rides.

However there was an exhibitor who I feel compelled to share as I think it’s such a fabulous idea and the company in question is Get Ahead Hats, they have a wonderful selection of hats in all shapes, sizes and colours for hire, so prefect for guests and Mum’s of the bride.  Hats are so expensive and normally only get worn once so to me this is a perfect solution leaving more spare money for that fabulous pair of shoes!!

Ryan & Emma’s wedding, The Oxford Thames Hotel

So a couple of weeks ago I had a wedding I was looking forward to as I got the booking from a referral which I am still very flattered about.

Ryan and Emma got married at the charmingly English church in Ducklington followed by a superb wedding breakfast at The Oxford Thames hotel.

Emma had a superb dress with the longest train of the year for me I think, they had a lovely vintage car to take Emma to the church and then the happy couple onto the reception, it was a lovely service with some great courses from all the guests throughout.

After the ceremony I kept Ryan and Emma back while the guests made their way onto the reception and we did some portraits of the two of them by the lovely little duck pond outside the church.

I saw them off in the vintage car and made my way to the venue; however when I got there I was told the bride and groom had broken down, turns out they made it about a mile before spluttering to a halt, I couldn’t believe I missed such a jovial photo opportunity, note to self always follow the wedding car!

Paul & Kath’s liftstyle portrait shoot

With Autum arriving but it still being quite warm it’s a perfect time for a lifestyle shoot.  The colours are simply amazing at the moment, which makes all that summer rain seem a little bit more worth while… well kind of!

Paul wanted some shots done of himself and with his girlfriend Kath so we wrapped up and headed out into the beautiful autumnal colours.

A day off!

I’m very excited for this weekend as I will actually be attending a wedding as a guest, I shall be leaving my heavy camera bag at home and replacing it with a clutch bag to match my outfit.  My husband is home too so I can’t wait to go and be on the other side of the lens and drink some of the fizz rather than photographing it!

Mark & Diane’s 10th Anniversary, The Vinyard, Stockcross

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to photograph a wonderful event at The Vinyeard, Stockcross.

Mark and Diane where celebrating their 10^th Wedding Anniversary, however Diane had no idea what was in store, she thought she was just off to the Vinyard for some Spa treatments and good food, how wrong she was.

As a surprise Mark had arranged for a celebration and a blessing, he had all their friends and relatives brought to the Vinyard on an old London bus and they all waited while Diane was pampered and prepared to walk down the isle for the second time.

The sun shone all day which was fantastic because the Vinyard has a lovely water feature at the front of it which makes a lovely place to hold the drinks reception while the string quartet played.

The whole day was fabulous and everyone young and old enjoyed themselves, so congratulations Mark and Diane for making it to 10 years I hope there are many more to come

Aruna & Claire’s wedding, Pembroke College and the Randolph Hotel

Anyone who is a Harry Potter fan may or may not know that The Great Hall in the film with the magical ceiling was actually filmed at Christ Church College in Oxford, Oxford university is made up of several Colleges one of which is Pembroke College which is where I found myself for Aruna and Claries wedding earlier this month.

Pembroke has its own chapel which is just stunning, the architecture inside is jaw dropping… as was the light, photographers are forever chasing light as knowing how to read light is what makes great photograph.  So when I stood in the chapel and realised there was a few stained glass windows and a couple of reading lights and that was it I knew it would be a challenge.

This challenge was not aided by a vicar who tells me not to use flash, vicars often tell the professional photographer not to use flash which is understandable so I wasn’t too fazed.  Luckily for me I use a Canon 5D which has a fantastic ISO which means less grain on low light pictures.  So after a few practice shots before the bride arrived I was happy.

The reception was at the Randolph Hotel which they travelled to in Inspector Morse’s car which made some cracking photo’s.  

The best form of flattery

Most couples arrange their photographer very early in the proceedings and then don’t think anymore about it as us photographers do get booked up especially in the summer months.

Luckily for Ryan and Emma however I had a Saturday free in September, Emma had been a guest at Brian and Helen’s wedding at Friars Court earlier this year and had seen me work and had look at the finished photographs which go up on-line as I do for all my clients. 

I was very flattered to receive the email from Emma asking if I was free for her wedding day as she has seen the pictures, seen me at work and asked Helens option of me which lead her to decide her and Ryan simply had to have me to do their photos.

I have to say I’m extremely honoured when anyone asks me to join them on their wedding day and document it for them, so to receive such a compliment of being referred by someone really does flatter me immensely.

Emma and Ryan are a great couple so I can’t wait for photograph their wedding day at The Oxford Thames Hotel in a couple of weeks time.  

Aruna & Claire’s pre-wedding shoot

Last weekend so me take the trip down to London once again, for two reasons the first being to photograph Aruna and Claire who will be married at Pembroke College in oxford on 16^th August, and the second reason, my 30^th birthday!!!

My husband was away unfortunately but that is one of the pit falls of being married to a F1 technician so while he was working hard at the Hungarian grand Prix, I went to celebrate in style with my girl friends.  The champagne corks popped as the train pulled out of Newbury, so thanks girls for I had a fabulous time although my recollection of it is somewhat hazy, can’t think why!! ;o)

So yes the other reason was to photography Aruna & Claire, they live down there and having two children it was a good idea for me to go to them rather than the other way around.  Rain threatened but never materialised so I was able to get some great shots, the cloud was quite low and menacing which for me made the shots all the more interesting.

So here they are the soon to be Mr & Mrs….

Kerry & Tammy’s wedding, Witney Lakes, Oxfordshire

It was Kerry & Tammy’s wedding a couple of weeks ago at The Witney Lakes Resort in Oxfordshire, it was a lovely days for a wedding lots of blue skies which is begging to be a bit unusual this summer.

It was a fantastic day, luckily for Tammy their house was very near the church so when she forgot her bouquet Dad could run home and get it!!

So brides before the day give your bridesmaids jobs for the day and make sure one of them is to remember the bouquet and a needle and cotton (always comes in handy!), everything is so exciting on the day its easy for the little things to be overlooked!!

Here are some images of Mr & Mrs Judd….

Viva Italia!

Two weekends ago I took some time off and my husband and I headed off to Venice.  Wow what a place!!

We had not been to Venice before so found it all quite amazing, the architecture is superb and the fact its all on water takes some getting sued to.  The weather was amazing hotter than I thought it would be which was lovely after being in cold wet England, still when it got all a bit hot there where plenty of bars and restaurants to park ourselves in.

We did the obligator gondola ride which was really relaxing and romantic, a little more expensive than we would have liked but hey you can’t go to Venice and not go on a gondola can you!!

There was so much to take pictures of to it would have been easy to only see it through my camera lens!

Brian & Helen’s wedding, Friars Court, Oxfordshrie

It was Brian and Helen’s wedding a couple of weeks ago at Friars Court in Oxfordshire.  Well what a venue they have a licence to marry outside so the wedding ceremony was to be held outside under a beautiful rose arch in the beautiful gardens of Friars Court.

It was touch and go for a while Brian and Helen desperately wanted to get married outside but in the morning it looked like that may not be possible as the cloud closed in, but luckily the rain held off and the ceremony took place outside as they had hoped.

They had asked for something slightly different in my brief as they where having a seven course meal they asked if it was possible for me to photograph the food, I haven’t photographed food before but was more than happy to take on the challenge which as it happened I really enjoyed.  I thank Saddlers caters who didn’t mind me under their feet in a very busy kitchen while I stuck a camera under their arms and over their heads to get the shots I needed.

I did it!

Well yesterday was not a nice day, in the weather stakes I mean which did not bode well for me in the Race for Life.

I pulled up at Newbury Showgound in the middle of a near storm, the wind was howling and the rain was coming down in droves, I satin my car for several minutes why on earth I had thought it was a good idea to do this in the bleak English summer. 

Never the less I hauled myself out of the car and plugged myself into my ipod and got going, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought the rain and wind in fact kept me from overheating, I managed to get round in 31 minutes and ran or jogged I shold say the whole way, so I felt pleased with myself and can tick that off and can safely say I don’t think I will ever be doing a run again, its really not for me!

I have a new found respect for anyone who runs the London Maraton I did 5km and couldn’t have gone any further I can imagine running 26 miles.

So thanks to everyone who sponsored me.

Brian & Helen’s pre-wedding shoot

I will be shooting Brian & Helen’s wedding at Friars Court, Oxfordshire on Saturday so we got together a couple of days ago to do some pre-wedding shots.

It was a great idea as neither Brian nor Helen like having their photo taken so hopefully after this they will have relaxed a little for the special day.

Aaron & Harriett’s wedding, The Holt Hotel, Oxfordshire

So yes on the 31^st May instead of moving house I was shooting Aaron & Harriett’s wedding at The Holt Hotel, Oxfordshire.  It was a lovely day and both Aaron, Harriett, their bridesmaids and ushers where all in fantastic spirits for the big day.

Aaron and his best man Nick run a disco company which I can highly recommend, they are called Lets Go Disco and for me are a class above the usual DJ’s out there, there is no talking and they are even happy to don a tux should your wedding require it.

Luckily for me they had set up the light rig for the disco they day before which gave me an opportunity to add more light to the wedding ceremony which was fab, not sure the registrar agreed as she was staring into a huge spotlight!!!

Here are some images from the day with the first dance shot being my particular favourite, they had a huge confetti cannon which they set off in the middle of the dance, which to me was a dream come true as it really made the shot.

Time to dust off my running shoes

I am not a fan of running and never have been to be honest…. from the first time I had to put on my trainers, airtex and gym shorts and run the cross country course in sub-zero temperatures while my games teacher told us all to run faster from the warms of her full ski suit, bobble hat, scarf and gloves!

None the less I have often thought of taking part in a charity run but have never actually done it, so this year I thought it was about time, plus having a run that is just for women on my door step gave me the inspiration I need.

So on Sunday 06 July I am taking part in Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life in Newbury to raise money to help beat cancer.

Please visit my sponsorship page at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/lesleypattinson/ and sponsor me today! Thanks!

I will post my time after I have done it so you can all judge just how fit I really am!!!

Moving day!

Well today is the big move my husband and I have brought a house in Newbury we are both very excited as we have been in apartments until now so we are very much looking forward to having a garden and more space.

Not sure I’m looking forward to stair I think I will be exhausted for the first few weeks until I get used to them. 

I have to be honest I have left the move to the care of my husband and some very kind friends as I’m off to The Holt Hotel to shoot Aaron and Harriett’s wedding… I do hope they look after my shoes!

Aaron & Harriett's pre-wedding shoot

Here a few images from my latest pre-wedding shoot, some couples like to arrange a shoot before their big day to get them used to the camera and then they use the mount around one of the pictures as their guest book.

Arron and Harriet are getting married on 31st May so we went to their wedding venue to so a walk round and the shoot, however I clearly jinxed things with my last shoot because the weather was horrendous so we had to do them inside, fingers crossed the sun comes out next week!

Blue skies...

Well I don’t want to tempt fate announcing my joy at summer being on the way, but isn’t it glorious out there!!!

I don’t get much time to photograph for fun but when the weather is like this I love to get out and take some shots of stuff I wouldn’t normally do, i.e. not people!

So I’m jumped on a train to London for a bit of R & R or should I say shoe shopping and snapping, as there are two things in life I don’t think you can have too many of the first is photos and the second is shoes!!

Randolph Hotel, Oxford, Wedding Fayre

On Sunday I did a wedding fair at The Randolph Hotel in Oxford, arranged by Amada at Prefect Days who is also a wedding planner should you be looking for one… Amanda arranges a very good wedding fayre with lots of suppliers and two fashion shows so I am always happy to attend.

 I find wedding fayre are a really good way of showcasing my work to a wider audience, it’s a hard days work from setting up my standing to talking to potential couples but it is always worth it to me to show off my work.

The Randolph Hotel is also a lovely venue for your wedding the team there are outstanding and the inside of the hotel is very traditional and welcoming, plus if your and Inspector Morse fan the bar is named after him!

There are always several photographers at fairs, which some photographers don’t like as they would like to have the sole attention of the potential couples. I however don’t mind as a little friendly competition has never bothered me.

Fashionmeets wedding

One thing I love about my job is the chance I get to be creative every day and one thing that is very important to me is to try something different, to get a shot that I haven’t before and a shot that is different to the norm.

With this in mind I spent Monday this weekend in Harrogate in the company of an outstanding fashion photographer Steve Howdle, Steve really is one of the experts in his field and luckily for me is happy to run a workshop giving out some of his secrets to fellow photographers.

There are a lot of workshops out there for wedding photographers so why did I pick to do a fashion workshop, well I revert back to my former statement I am always looking for a new angle, I am always looking to add more strings to my bow to enable me to get something different for my clients.  So for me the workshop was fantastic I have come away buzzing with ideas how I can transpose what I have learnt into my work, I can’t wait to put it all in to practice.

Here are some shots of the day of the beautiful model Lucy.

Easter in Germany

I decided to take Easter off this and visit a very good friend of mine in Germany who is looking forward to soon being a proud mum for the first time.

 It was lovely to see her and of course I couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a few snaps of her in her preggers bloom.

 

Andy & Emma's wedding, Thame

Well I’m sure you all know the age old saying ‘break a leg’, I’m sure if anyone had said it to the groom, Andy, who’s wedding I covered last weekend would have actually meant him to do it, but sure enough a week before the wedding Andy broke his foot.

Emma his bride took it all in good spirits and neither of them let it ruin their day, I first thought Andy must have broken it on the Rugby field however a dance off was responsible it seems, which made it all the more humorous for both Andy and Emma and their guest’s.

Thanks guys for being such a relaxed and fun couple you where a pleasure to shoots and here are a few of my faves from the day:

Leo & Rebecca’s Blenheim Palace Wedding

I was lucky enough to cover a wedding earlier this year at Blenheim Palace, a stunning venue! Leo and Rebecca where the bride and groom and where as fab as the venue, I thank them for making so much time to ensure we got some great shots.

Blenhiem Palace is certainly a stunning venue and in January it seemed all the more magical with the low light.   It’s the place Bec held in her heart as a wedding venue from an early age and its easy to see why; The Orangery is a fantastic place to hold a sumptuous wedding buffet and being January it was dark earlier which added to the romance of it all, with dimmed chandeliers and candles providing the light for the wedding breakfast it really was a very memorable day.

Leo and Bec jumped in the golf cart with me and Bec was even happy to don a blanket to stop the shivers after all 5th January was a pretty cold day (still gave them a chance for some quiet cuddles to keep warm!).

Thanks guys I got some fantastic images and you where a brilliant couple to work with, I hope your as happy with the images as I am.

Here are a few of my own faves from the day:

To blog or not to blog....

So being as this is my first post in my brand new blog I guess the subject should be why I am blogging in the first place!!

I have toyed with starting a blog for some time, and have decided it would certainly be a good idea, mainly so you as a bride and groom, groom and groom or bride and bride can learn a little bit more about me, after all choosing a wedding photographer isn’t something that should be taken lightly, the end result will not just record your fabulous day but it will become and air loom (well the album at least!).

So that’s it really hopefully you will enjoy my posts and it will give you more of an idea of who I am.