SOMETIMES LESS IS MORE

As a photographer I love being creative.. I love to push myself.  I love photographing a wedding day and when things align perfectly and you hold your breath and click that shutter just at that right moment.  I love when a wedding is so full of occasion and activity, laughter and realness and when our couples are brave and trusting and creative and we drive home in the car and I sit in the passenger seat and download our images, smiling my head off with the wonderful haul of moments and harvest of pretty we've come home with..

But what I don't want to forget is that sometimes, taking everything else away, stripping it right back..

..two peeps that like each other a lot is simply enough to make me fall in love with an image..

ALL CHANGE

Selling our house at the start of the year has made quite an impact on me.  Packing up all our belongings.. the bits and pieces we'd been collecting over the years.. hours at car boots.. wonderful discoveries in charity shops.. all wrapped in bubble wrap and put in boxes.  We did let go of a lot of stuff.  Not just house stuff but also a lot of clothes that I either had bought and not really worn.. or worn to death.  It really felt pretty good and less terrifying than I first thought.. I realised that all our 'stuff' was actually contributing to my anxiety and stress and the more we got rid of, the more the stress started to disappear too.







The other thing that was weighing me down was exactly that.. weight.  I've probably touched on this subject once before but working as wedding photographers.. constantly travelling and being fed at weddings every week, it's near impossible to not pile the pounds on.  Last year I was at my heaviest and it was really starting to effect my confidence.  Meeting people.. being in social situations.. shooting weddings.. I began to hide, mainly behind my camera.  Even Pete commented that our time in NZ, there were lots of photos of him but hardly any of me.  I just didn't feel nice.  I wasn't enjoying me at all.

But over the past few months I've slowly started to see some changes.  Don't get me wrong.. it's still a real struggle trying to consistently eat healthy and exercise but I'm doing it when I can and not beating myself up if I can't.  I don't think I've actually lost much weight as such but I feel more toned and I'm not too sure how to explain it.. but I feel more womanly?!?!  I have got boobs and a bum and I'm never going to be a size 10 and I also enjoy my food.. but I think somewhere over the past few months I've started to just enjoy what I've got.  And because of that I've started to see a change in what I'm wanting to wear.. like, a real change.  Urrrrmmm hello black.. hello simple.. hello natural… even my taste in homeware is shifting hugely.  It feels a little bit like a new me.. like I've grown up a bit.  And I think I've let myself enjoy whatever I'm drawn to.. so what if it's not floral.. or if it's not vintage.. it doesn't mean I can't like lots of different things.  I'm just really enjoying exploring and finding my style but most of all I'm enjoying who I am.. inside and out.. and that feels really good.

All images and links can be found on my Pinterest

AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR COUPLES

We know that you’re hiring us to take photographs on your wedding day.. and we know that because you’re drawn to our work that you’re after relaxed, unfussy, honest and emotional images that show all the fun and all the love..

But.. we’re gonna give you more than that.  We promise that we’ll arrive on your wedding day and it’ll feel like we’ve known you for ages.  We’ll tell you if you have lipstick on your teeth.. we’ll help you with your button hole.. we’ll give you our shoes if you need to get in that field.. Pete will give you his jacket if you need to sit down on that bench (or his shoelaces if you forget yours - true story).

We’ll drive you to the ceremony.. run and get you a jack daniels and coke before your speech.. set up all the hay bales for your guests.. we’ll make having your photo taken easy peasy and normal and kinda fun.. we’ll fall in love with your Nan.. we’ll pull some shapes on the dance floor..

We’ll take your bridal party and make you all stand how you normally stand and look like you normally look.. but, kinda better.. and not awkward and if you’re lucky Pete might even fart in front of you (depending on how comfortable he feels – true story).

We’ll get to know your friends and family.. we’ll watch their mannerisms and their little quirks.  We’ll understand what’s important to you.. and we’ll listen and watch and capture all those moments that will make your heart burst.  Not just because they are moments at your wedding.. but because we understand the moments that are important to you guys.

Basically we’ve got your back… and we want to kinda do what seems impossible and make your wedding day even better.  We know that having a camera in your face on your wedding day is kinda weird.. and we know that you just want to feel normal..

..normal.. but super special..

..so we promise to make you feel both.

RUNNING ON EMPTY

Yesterday I posted this on my Facebook page..

"Wedding season is in full swing right now and although I feel like we're on top of the workload (and have implemented so many helpful tools to keep us on track and efficient).. sometimes running your own business.. it can feel quite overwhelming.  The work.. the emails.. the travelling.. the packing.. the unpacking.. the 'not dropping the ball'.. the organisation.. the way a week just disintegrates and before you know it you're heading off across the country to the next wedding (usually before we've even unpacked our suitcase from the last one).. and it can feel a bit relentless and can just give you a little wobble now and again.

Like today.  A non-stop 7 weeks means that I woke up today feeling like I'd been hit by a train.. not able to engage my brain all and needing a good cry.

So I'm going to listen to my body and got to the beach.. and tomorrow morning I'll get back in that driving seat and put my foot on the gas again."

Well it turns out quite a few of you feel the same way and from the comments, what stood out the most was that a lot of people seemed relieved that it wasn't just them that felt this way.  Thank god someone else felt the same.

Well.. sharing my thoughts and feelings on this blog over the past six years has definitely taught me one thing..

We all feel happy, sad, lost, overwhelmed, out of our depth, scared shitless, exhausted, proud of ourselves, think we haven't got a clue, jealous, fed up, grumpy, not good enough, like a fraud…

..we are all the same..

..and there's definitely some comfort in that.

Ps. The beach was ace.

SPACE

The past six months have been pretty life changing.  We've sold our house.. paid off our debts.. moved back to my Mum's temporarily to save.. and then we're going to go travelling in November for five months.  I'm still pinching myself that we're actually going.

But more than that, right now.. I feel so much more at peace.

This time last year I felt like I was drowning.  I didn't know I was drowning, but anxiety, breathing problems, stress.. they were desperately trying to tell me.  I just couldn't switch off.  Ever.  The 'work' wheel we were on just kept spinning.  But it wasn't just the amount of work we were putting on ourselves it was the expectation that I was putting on myself.  I was petrified of letting people down.. I was petrified of slowing down or missing out.. I was petrified of physically not being sat at my computer.. just in case.. but what happens if.. but I might miss something..

These past 6 months have been bliss.  We've had less weddings and although we've still been shooting other stuff and doing Welcome Home we've had TIME OFF.  Real time off.. days where we go out.. weekends where we stay away in nice cottages with friends.. trips to see family.. walks on the beach.. meals out together.. parties.. we've been guests at weddings.. all the NORMAL stuff that normal people do.. and they do it without guilt.. yep.. you read that right.. NO GUILT.. none whatsoever.. because to normal people.. it makes perfect sense.  You work a bit and then you have a bit of time off.  You work hard and then you relax… and then you work a bit more and then you relax some more.  Simples.

And I tell you what.  It's AWESOME.  I feel like I'm getting to know myself all over again.  What do I like to do to relax?  I'm not sure if I really knew.. away from the computer.. away from Facebook and Pinterest and browsing blogs.. away from editing images?.. well, it's been absolutely wonderful finding out exactly what I like to do.. and now.. time off?  BRING. IT. ON.  There HAS to be a balance.. not just for me, not just for Pete.. but for our business too.  Every time we come back from switching off I feel more inspired, more energised, more positive, more creative.. and most importantly.. so much happier.

chapters...

Through social media we always try and keep in touch with all our couples and now we're in our fourth year of shooting weddings we have quite a few couples all dotted around the country.. all enjoying the first few years of married life.  We watch them move house, new jobs and quite often make two.. three. This is incredible to watch and we somehow feel like proud parents having been with them on their wedding day and now watching the next chapter of their life begin.

Ahhhhhhh looooook at theeeeeeem...

It's amazing to see these little carbon copies of two people we love.. looking so much like both their Mama and their Pappa.  We see our Bride's eyes.. our Groom's smile and we want to tell each and every little one how beautiful their Mum and Dad looked on their wedding day.. how they smiled and laughed all day, how they told a whole room full of people just how much they love each other.. and how they danced like fools on the dance floor.  Then I think about in years to come when all these little ones will look at their Mum and Dad's wedding album.. laugh at the funny outfits and Dad's crazy hair and it makes me feel so proud that we are a part of that.

  

To be honest.. I'm not really sure what this is about...



If any more of our couples have had babies and haven't told us about it.. (you do remember what we said would happen if you didn't tell us).. then please send over some piccies and we'll add them to this post..

I just wish you all lived in Birmingham so I could plant a big squidgy kiss on each of those gorgeous cheeks...

so...

..how's your Monday treat in' ya..?

Oh my.. I adore the colours in this polaroid..

Happy Monday folks!!!!

my secret..

Anna Hardy Photography

I've actually got a secret.

I constantly avoid shooting.

That sounds crazy right?  I'm a photographer.  I love shooting.. I love being creative.. I love creating images.. I love meeting people.. I love giving beautiful images.. I love telling stories.  But... I avoid it.

This probably doesn't make any sense as we shoot over 30 weddings a year.. but you see weddings are different.  Have you ever had to go somewhere and you were kinda nervous (well, bricking it) about going? Worried about performing well and delivering the goods? Maybe even dreaded it slightly?  Then once you got there it was pretty much the most awesome thing you've ever, ever experienced, you love every second, you love everyone you meet and you wondered how on earth you ever felt worried about it in the first place?!? Well.. that's me.

I'm now kinda used to it with weddings and have to remind myself every Saturday morning how amazing I'm gonna feel in approximately two hours when I'm getting emotional watching my Bride get in to her wedding dress.. and then watching her marry her boy.. (maaaaan it really is the BEST thing in the world).. and what I've realised is that it's just fear.. and it's a good thing.. so long as it doesn't stop you from doing things.

But it has stopped me.  Opportunities to shoot outside weddings.. my first reaction is always.. we're too busy.  Yes we are busy.. and yes we're really busy over the Summer (and we're working on that for next year) but deep down I know that what I'm actually saying is "I'm too scared to shoot you".  I immediately have the fear.. I have to deliver.. I have to shoot well, I have to make them feel comfortable, I have to direct, where are we gonna shoot?, what's the light gonna be like? What happens if I freeze?  What happens if the images are no good? It's then all too easy for me to convince myself that I'm too busy.  It makes my life that little bit easier.

But that's shit isn't it.

And you know what.. the times that I have ignored that fear and said yes.. it's been pretty much the most awesome thing I've ever, ever experienced, I've loved every second, I loved everyone I met and I wondered how on earth I felt worried about it in the first place.

So I'm going to stop closing myself off to things.  I'm going to start saying yes.  I'm not going to be scared to shoot.. I'm not going to be 'too busy'.. because when you open yourself up you experience more, you share, you feel and you create the most incredible memories.. not only for the people you are photographing.. but for us too.

love & marriage... 50 years and counting

Hey there,

Its Pete, i'm taking over the blog for a day. Don't worry it won't be me getting over excited about Queens of The Stone Age, or Led Zeppelin or sticks or anything about me at all really.

In the world we live, work, socialise in.... the beautiful all encompassing world of weddings, we are surrounded by the dizzying excitement of the new, the new adventures, the lives ahead of us, the children, the houses, but most of all the new love, the enduring love, the simple heart bursting feeling that two people looked into each others eyes and thought... 'you know what, this person is the best thing that has ever happened to me, I want to wake up and look at you everyday'
After all the noise has died down, the dress is packed away, the flowers wilt, the makeup is wiped off, the shoes are put back in their box. Its just two people with a life of memories to create...

Just over 50 years ago, Diane Blizzard aged 17 from Birmingham was on a girly holiday with two friends, staying for 2 weeks in the English Riviera of Torquay, at the Orchard Park caravan site. They arrived on the Saturday afternoon, unpacked, cooked some dinner and looked forward to the holiday ahead, they asked the owner if there were any other young people on site, He replied, 'yes there's 3 Irish lads stopping' to which Diane said 'Oh we're not interested in Paddys'.....  

On the Sunday morning the girls decided to head for the beach, so went to the nearest bus stop. After waiting for 30 minutes, no buses had been by, then along came the 3 young lads from Belfast, one of them - Des Smyth aged 20 with his blue eyes and thick dark hair started chatting. Of course they had no idea what he was saying, his accent was really strong in them days. BUT, something, somewhere a little spark happened. My Mum tells me now, that she knew almost instantly that he was THE ONE. Whether it was the blue eyed twinkle, the thick dark hair or the charm. My Dad hasn't said much on the subject, he may be a little shy or just felt guilty that his first thought was 'She's a bit of alright!' Turns out the buses didn't run on Sundays, so that day they all walked to the beach and chatted and flirted... 

Diane and Des spent the rest of the holiday hanging out, going for dinner, laughing on the beach and really just falling in love. There was no agenda, they didn't care what they did, so long as they could be together thats all that mattered. At the end of the week, they went their separate ways, Diane to Birmingham, Des to Belfast. They couldn't stop thinking about each other, heartbroken, they pined to be together. They wrote to each other and after only one month, Des moved to Birmingham to begin the age old process known as 'courting' - (ask your parents) Essentially a vetting process by Dianes' family to see if he was ok. There was a lot of anti-Irish attitude in this country back then, so it wasn't an easy thing for him to do. He was a plumber by trade and at the time work was easy to come by especially in the construction industry, he lived in lodgings with fellow workers, at the time all guest houses had signs reading 'NO BLACKS, NO IRISH, NO DOGS' So it was a big chance this young lad from Belfast was taking, all for the sake of a girl.... equally, this sweet young Brummie girl was taking a gamble on a rough Irish boy she had only spent a week with. But you know what, they knew how real their feelings were for each other and they decided to make a go of it...

Last night, our whole family gathered for a massive party to celebrate my Mum and Dads Golden Wedding Anniversary! 50 years of marriage. In this very cynical, disposable and pretty selfish world, they are a shining beacon of love and commitment for life. I am so so proud of them both, the strength and determination they have shown in a pretty tough life together has been phenomenal, a solid team who are each others world. Maybe its a generational thing? but thats exactly the life I want, I hope we see our Golden Wedding Anniversary one day.

As any newly weds or newly engaged young couples start your journeys together wandering about your lives ahead, just remember Diane & Des, and maybe one day you'll make it to 50 years married.

Mum and Dad, we love you so so much.

xxxxxxx

your road...

"Hold the phone! You mean I can do any job I want!?!?"

I sometimes get emails from people who read my blog and although most of them are photography related.. some are a bit more general and are maybe about bigger things.  I received an email last month that got me thinking and I thought it might be nice to actually share it on the blog this time..

I really hope you don't mind me sending you this email.  This is going to sound odd but I am at a bit of a crossroads at the moment and something keeps telling me it's your advice I should be asking?!

Since the husband to be and I first got together we have been steadily building our business.  I am currently working 20 hrs in a part time job I hate and we're considering the possibility of going 'shit or bust' and throwing everything we've got at the self employed work.

My husband to be has been a self employed teacher for over 20 years but the idea of not having a 'wage' or knowing what's coming in each month scares the pants off me.  See everyone in my life has a 'job' and so can't really help me break out of the fear of working for myself.  How did you feel?  Is it as scary as it feels?  Is it worth it?  I feel like I'm holding myself back by playing it safe and it's making me miserable.  I know it's a different field (although still creative) but do you have any advice about starting out and how to give myself the confidence to back myself? Maybe just hearing your 'starting out' story could inspire me..

Funnily enough we tend to get asked this question quite a lot as there seems to be quite a few people in a similar situation.. with a career they don't love, a path they didn't really choose and now too much security to risk...

I'm not sure I can tell you exactly what the answer is as I don't know the ins and outs of your financial situation but for our situation, I'll be honest.. it wasn't too much of a sacrifice in the first place,  Pete was in full time work (not really a career) and I was Acting.. so was self employed already, in and out of Acting work, used to finding in-between jobs and used to not having much money.  So when the photography started.. yes it was extremely hard to start with nothing but at the same time I wasn't giving up a safety net.. I had nothing to lose.  

Having said that.. the reason I had nothing to lose was because since the very beginning I have chosen my passion over that security.  A job that I love over that decently paid, steady job.  I just knew from the start that I couldn't just make do.  I've had brief periods in my life where I have been employed.. 6 months, a year.. but it's just not in my make up.  I had to take my own road.

So I can't really give advice on giving up a successful, safe career/job to do the thing you love.. BUT what I will say is that if you're unhappy now.. I am pretty sure that this will get worse not better.  Realistically you could spend the next 6 months.. or even the next 3 years deliberating this decision and in that time you could have focused on saving a little to give yourself a buffer for when you both decide to take the leap.  When you do you'll probably find yourself with too much work and wonder how you ever fitted any other job in ever.  And when you work for yourself opportunities present themselves if you let them.. you network.. word of mouth.. social media.. all these things help to keep the work coming in.. 

As far as other people go.. it really doesn't matter if everyone around you has a 'job'.. actually what you'll probably find is that everyone will be really interested in the fact you work for yourself doing something creative and can often be quite envious that you're following your dream and making it work.  

I'm not going to lie.. you'll work harder than you've ever worked.  You'll care more than you've ever cared.. and some of the time you'll be making it up as you go along.... BUT what I can tell you is that this road we're on is an incredible one and worth it a million times over.

dave and jenn...

So about 5 years ago.. before I picked up a camera I spent a year working for a Teacher Recruitment Agency in-between acting jobs. Two Canadian teachers came over, Jenn and Dave (aka The Starks) and I would be the one to have to call them in the morning and send them trekking across the delights of Birmingham to their day of supply teaching.  After about a year their time came to an end in England and they returned to Canada and I got an acting job and started to learn Sign Language.

Fast forward a few months.. I picked up a camera.. Jenn did too. After a little while we both started to shoot weddings.. both our businesses grew.. Dave joined Jenn and they became a husband and wife team.. me and Pete did the same.  Over the past 5 years our individual journeys have evolved and blossomed but have beautifully synced and followed a wonderful parallel path.  Along the way we have both discovered similar things about ourselves and our relationships.. been drawn to the same people.. been led by our hearts.. have fallen in love with our couples and have furociously cheered each other on from the sidelines.

So when they said they were coming over to England this Summer to visit Jenn's Grandparents we jumped at the chance to be reunited after 5 years and to actually just hang out.  We laughed, we climbed to the top of a hill,  we cooked (well, Dave cooked), we talked non-stop about what is important to us as people... and I know that for us the internet has been incredible and has made this world a much smaller place.. it's built our business, it's connected us to so many wonderful and talented souls.. but sometimes you have to log out, shut down and just go look at their faces for real.

Dave and Jenn.. thank you for making the effort to come and see us and thank you so much for taking some photos of us yesterday.. it was such a lovely experience to step away from everything and be given the opportunity to reflect on all the things we've achieved together as a couple and just to give us a moment to stop looking ahead for a second and to turn and look at each other.

We love you guys very much.

the insignificants..

To a lot of people this is a photograph of just some doors.. an insignificant detail on a day full of so many significant details.  What's the point of including this in a couple's wedding photos?  It has nothing to do with a wedding..

It has everything to do with a wedding.

When you read a story.. or watch a play you are given so much detail but there is also so much that we ourselves create.. we fill, we imagine, we decide, we see.. for us that story is so much bigger than just the lines spoken or the words on the page.

I love this image. Behind these doors is the boy you're about to marry. Behind these doors are the friends and family that all root for you.  Behind these doors is your commitment.. your decisions.. your beginning.. your team.. your future..

Behind these doors is your story..

Now tell me this photograph is insignificant.

sneak peek and falling in love..

Saturday morning I'm going to be totally honest.. I had the fear. We hadn't shot a wedding for quite a while and we were about to jump in to a double wedding weekend.. and I knew that the next time we would be coming up for air would be around.. well.. October time.  It felt slightly overwhelming.. and you 100% feel the anticipation and the weight of the amount of responsibility that you're carrying.. I definitely felt it that morning..

48 hours, two weddings and 5000 images later and I am star shaped on my hotel bed.. totally exhausted and indescribably happy.  After Saturday's wedding me and Pete walked back to the car with all our gear and I turned to Pete and said 'I was made to shoot weddings'... coming away from this weekend I can't stop smiling.. we watched two couples so excited about getting married, so excited to have everyone they love around them and all their guests literally giddy to be a part of it.. every single person made us feel so welcome.. we laughed and cried and danced and captured everything.. we didn't want to miss a thing.. and that's the best part.. looking back over the images I can't help but feel so incredibly lucky, blessed.. (whatever the right word is).. to be able to be a part of it.

We hadn't actually met Tamara and Jonno in person before Saturday but looking through their images I can see Tamara.. the way she uses her hands, her mannerisms.. I can see Jonno.. the way he talks and smiles.. I know them.. and in just one day, it might sound silly but we totally fall in love with them... and I know why.. because each and every one of our couples have the most incredible sweet hearts that we just can't help it..

The fear has now been completely replaced with pure giddy excitement and now I just cannot wait to get to know more sweet couples and fall in love with them too...

team work..

At this time of year we always seem to be meeting and skyping with a lot of lovely couples, chatting about their plans and giving them lots of advice from having shot quite a few weddings and knowing how the day works.. I think it's easy to forget how much wedding planning is a bit like diving in to the unknown.. how long do things actually take? How much time do we need to allocate for stuff? What is expected of us when it comes to photography???  These are all questions that couples want to know.. and we like to give them as much support and advice beforehand.  This is not only going to help our couples plan their day, but they're going to feel less nervous about it.. and from our point of view.. it makes sure that there is enough time given for things and that they are really going to get the best out of us...

Most of our couples mention three things when they come to us.. one, how they like the way we capture the moments, the story, the emotion, the love... two, how we appreciate the little things, the everyday beautifuls, the little things others might miss... and then three, how we capture our couples.. how they all seem comfortable in front of the camera and how we always are creative with these portraits.  These three things are most definitely what is the heart and soul of us and what we do but we'll be honest.. to give every single one of our couples all of this.. we always ask for team work.

Working as a team is one of our biggest pieces of advice.  I think some people look at our work, our storytelling, our documentary style and will often say how much they want someone to blend in to the background.. they give us the freedom to 'do our thing'.. and this is AMAZING.  For about 80% of the day.. that is what we do.. we 'do our thing'.. we shoot the story.. as it's happening.. super stealth.. immersing ourselves in the day... but, there are also parts of the day where we ask our couples for a little help..

But I guess you're thinking.. but what do you mean by team work? Well the biggest thing that we ask for is time.  This is always a tricky one as traditionally.. a wedding day isn't really set up to give a lot of this.  Often for the couple portraits a quick 10 minutes is snatched as things might have overrun.. or it isn't thought of as important as, say the ceremony (obvs).  We TOTALLY get this and will always work with however long we have got.. BUT.. our couples have booked us for us.. for OUR work.. for OUR creativity.. they want us to push it.. they want us to give them those creative portraits.. they want us to use all our cameras.. our Polaroids.. our Lomo cameras.. they want to have photos in that field up the road.. or in the gritty cafe round the corner.. that's what we do.  But we can only do it if we have time.  We always ask couples for 40 dedicated minutes minimum.. this could be in one go or in two 20 minute slots.. but we feel that this is the minimum amount of time we need to do our job.. the way we all want it done.. :)

I often see a lot of inspiration out there when it comes to weddings and a lot of this inspiration comes from America.. weddings can sometimes have a completely different structure with a strong focus on giving time for photographs.  For example there might be a first look (where the couple see each other before the ceremony).. they will then have some photos with the Bridal Party and then their couple portraits ALL before the ceremony.. this could be a dedicated hour.. or even two hours given before the wedding which then means that after the ceremony there is more time to spend with their guests.. I'm not saying this is how all weddings should be but I feel it is definitely our responsibility to make sure we explain this and manage our couple's expectations.. to make sure they understand what we need to do our job.. to produce what they see on the website.. what they booked us for.. and when we are working together.. when we are that team... that is definitely when the magic happens.. ;)

So if you're getting married.. talk with your Photographer.. ask them honestly what they need to give you the photographs that you want.. think about your timings.. think about logistics (if you want those photos in that field.. make sure there's time to get there, shoot and get back).. if you're thinking "ohhh there's a really amazing barn/cafe/block of flats/poppy field/beach up the road then bloody go for it! This day only happens once and I promise you.. on the day you'll only regret the stuff you didn't do..

And Photographers.. don't be afraid to tell your couples what you need.. they're not mind readers! You need to see this relationship as a team too.. inform your couples, offer them advice, manage their expectations and work together.. and it'll be amazing I promise...

our couples

When it comes to emails.. I always find January so exciting. Couples are either newly engaged or are back on the planning bus so getting to chat with new couples who all have exciting and creative plans always gives me butterflies for the year ahead.

Some of these couples will end up being 'our couples' and whenever this happens I always think it's a bit like being a teacher.. (stay with me here).. a teacher has a new class every year and on that first day she will be presented with a register.. a list of unfamiliar names on a piece of paper.. but over the year she gets to know each boy and girl.. their personalities.. who likes what.. she watches them grow and by the end of the year they are like her own.. she knows them so well.. she then watches them move on with their lives but always likes to know what they're up to now and again and always feels so proud to have been a part of their lives somehow.  It might sound stupid but I feel the same with our couples.. the journey starts now with newly engaged emails from unfamiliar names... we then start getting to know each other.. we get to experience the most important day of their lives with them and by the end of their wedding we know them so well.. we then watch them move on.. new houses.. new careers.. babies.. and as silly as it might sound.. we also like to know what they're up to now and again and we always feel so proud to have been a part of their lives somehow..  :)

So here's to the new class of 2013.  I have a feeling it's gonna be a goodun'....

Oh and as it's a new year I thought my Pricing Brochure could do with a re-design.. so here are a few pages.. I must admit.. graphic design is kinda fun.. :)

shouting and hiding..

I'm not really sure where to start with this post.. you know when you get an idea, or something you really want to write about and then you don't really know what to say.. or how to say it.  If we were sat opposite each other right this second I could explain it in two seconds flat.. but writing it is always harder.

For the past couple of weeks I've been reading (like normal) all my favourite blogs.. keeping in the loop, seeing what they're up to and the same themes seem to keep popping up.. shouting and hiding.  The new year always seems to create a surge of renewing.. we get bigger and better.. we get new ideas being launched.. we get projects set.. ambitions declared.. all this amazing stuff happening and we all shout about it.. fighting to be heard.. fighting to stay ahead of the game.  But it is exhausting.. keeping up.. keeping your toe in.. always being heard.  Even the ones that you look up to and always seem to so effortlessly do it are admitting the struggle.. that feeling that everything is kinda going in a direction and actually I couldn't even tell you if it is the right direction because I CAN'T HEAR MYSELF THINK!?!?

I was asked some questions for a book about business recently and one of the questions was 'What are my goals for this year?'  I suddenly felt under pressure.. urrrmmm shoot more weddings.. streamline the business a bit more.. maybe go on holiday?!? What's wrong with just wanting to keep doing what I'm doing.. and doing it well?  I felt like it wasn't enough.. shouldn't I should be setting that bar even higher.. have 10 projects that I'm secretly working on ready to launch.. be reinventing something.. announcing something.. actually, I have got something to announce.. I've started jogging.  It was bloody hard at first and I could run for about 3 minutes and had to stop but the other day I ran for 22 minutes.. 22!  And I'm SO glad I'm doing it because it gives me space.. I get 40 minutes of clarity.. no email.. no tweets.. no facebook comments.. no trying to keep up.. no elbowing, no 'like' checking.. it's absolute bliss.  Sometimes I like hiding.

Chris Barber Photography

There are always other ways to shut out the noise...

* I want to add to this post as I've had lots of comments and tweets from peeps that seem to be having a lot of these feelings themselves.  My friend Lauren tweeted me with a link to a TED talk by Dr Brene Brown entitled 'Wholeheartedness'... I urge you to give yourself some time and to have a watch.. it's pretty interesting...

let go...

Another wedding weekend bites the dust.  We photographed three gorgeous couples this past week.  All wonderfully warm, funny, genuine people.. such happy, relaxed in love boys and girls.  That's when I really love this job.. when the stiffness, the tension, the regiment is replaced with laughter, eyes filled with twinkles, connections, lots of fun but most of all.. when couples let go.

The best weddings for me by far are when couples let go.  They've spent months and months planning every last detail, what goes where, what happens when, when this is going to happen, what they're going to wear, what they're going to say.. a never ending spreadsheet of timings and instructions for the day to be perfect. It has to be perfect. The week before the wedding there seems to be a million and one jobs to do.. everyone wants to lend a hand, everyone has an opinion.. you have no idea if it's all going to work..

..but it will work.  And on the day you guys are no longer the wedding planners.  You're no longer the Event organiser.  You're the gig goer.. the participant.. the guest.  For this day to truly be perfect.. you have to enjoy it which means letting go.

When a Bride and Groom let go.. everyone else let's go too.  I hear laughter, I see smiles, I see emotion.. words may be fumbled over in the ceremony but with it brings laughter, tension disappears.. allowing us to feel more..

When a Bride and Groom let go.. they'll really hug their guests, they'll really hug each other, she'll not worry about the bottom of her dress, they'll throw some crazy shapes on the dance floor, they'll have guests who don't know each other making friends, they won't worry about the speeches, they won't worry about their hair, they won't worry about the weather...... they won't worry about anything.

When a Bride and Groom let go they see everything.  They see smiley faces as they walk down the aisle.. they see the person they're about to marry, they see the importance of saying their vows in front of everyone they love, they see all their friends and family having fun, they see how much love everyone has for them, they see how perfect their day is.

Allow yourselves to let go and your day will be perfect.  Promise.

Had to illustrate this post with a sneak from my dear friend Jemima's wedding to her gorgeous soul mate Phil. I blubbed like a total baby as she walked down the aisle..