Showing posts with label destination wedding photographer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label destination wedding photographer. Show all posts

Wednesday, 4 February 2009

Things like this make my day....


"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

We've just received our wedding photographs and DVD and once again I can't say how over the moon I am.


I will definitely be recommending you to anyone and everyone we know getting married and look forward to seeing you for the 'Trash the dress....with a difference' when it's warmer in the spring. I am so glad you agreed to be our wedding photographer and so happy with my wedding photographs....they bring back so many great memories.

I also want to say how fantastic you were, you fitted in with everyone and felt more like our guests than our photographer/s.

Speak soon,

Leanne & Martin Dixon (and brood) xxx"


Ah, thank you Leanne...it was a total pleasure to travel to Cyprus to be your wedding photographer....I loved every minute of your day! Venetia x


Thursday, 1 January 2009

Happy New Year....!

Well as the first evening of 2009 draws to a close I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

2008 was a fantastic (hectic!) year for me especially as a wedding photographer. I had the pleaure to work with some fantastic clients and photograph some beautiful weddings at some gorgeous locations. I've photographed weddings around Bristol, the South West and as far afield as London, Manchester and even Cyprus! I had the pleasure to photograph at some of the countries finest venues; The Matara Centre, Cadbury House Hotel, Mere Golf & Country Club, St Mary Redcliffe, Priston Mill, The Celtic Manor Hotel, Guyers House, Belton Woods Golf Club and also some lovely intimate venues such as Coed-y-Mwstwr and the beautiful Glassboat in Bristol....to name a few. I've also had the pleasure to work with some superb suppliers and been featured in some great magazines, web-sites and venues.

On the portrait front I've photographed a record number and the end of the year ended excitingly with the launch of my new portrait studio near Taunton, Somerset. The new studio is attracting a lot of attention and I've already welcomed several new and long-standing clients there already. Gift vouchers were flying out the door before Christmas and I look forward to welcoming clients new and old in 2009.

As a wedding photographer 2009 is looking to be a very exciting year too. I have been booked by some lovely wedding photography clients and I am looking forward to seeing them again and photographing their big day. I have also being approached by a number of well-known wedding venues to work with them as a recommended supplier and also a number of high-profile magazines and web-sites to work with them on wedding related features....more about that soon!

Anyway enough from me.....I hope everyone had a fun filled Christmas with their loved ones and that 2009 is one of fulfilled dreams for everyone. I love every minute of my work and look forward to the exciting year in store.

Venetia xx

Tuesday, 28 October 2008

Destination wedding - Martin & Leanne in Cyprus

As you may remember I did a gorgeous studio portrait for Martin & Leanne and their four beautiful children back in July this year. Whilst chatting to them Matin & Leanne told me they were getting married in Cyprus and we got round to wedding photography. Having looked at the work of a few wedding photographers in Cyprus they were keen to find someone who not only had a more contemporary style but also who could offer a more comprehensive service from Leanne & the girls getting ready right through to their first dance. The benefits of having a UK based wedding photographer was also paramount in their mind and before long my bags were packed and I was off!

With so many lovely historical buildings & churches in Paphos, you can be over-whelmed with choice but having seen the beautiful Town Hall on the internet Leanne was certain that was where she wanted to be married. Once they said their vows and were showered in confetti, the wedding party headed off to The Avanti Hotel for an intimate wedding reception. I had worked closely with Martin & Leanne & their wedding coordinator on the timings for their wedding day and we left enough time for some beautiful photography of the two of them. Going down to the waterfront promenade gave them some time together and us some great opportunities for some wonderful wedding photography of the two of them.


Obviously the good weather was a big attraction for both of them and we all hoped that we would be blessed with a sunset. We arranged for us to dissapear to the beach between courses at dinner and although the sun didn't set in a spectacular fashion they still got some intimate moments to themselves and we got some amazing pictures.

Wedding abroad often tend to be quite initmate affairs and even though you try to be unobtrusive you can't help but be a part of the day and this is why it is so important you feel realy comfortable and happy with your choice of wedding photographer. I had some fantastic feedback from both Leanne, Martin and their guests and we were even invited to stay into the evening. Everyone was wonderfully warm and welcoming and the children were, as always, gorgeous (we had lots of fun playing with them when we had finished!).


I hope you both have a very happy life together and wish you both all the happiness in the world.

Venetia xx

P.S. Leanne, I hope this keeps you going...!





Of course having three girls.....everything came in three's...three pairs of shoes, three tiaras, three little bags and three bouquets....



The gorgeous shoes.......



The beautiful Leanne getting prepared....


Martin looking handsome........


They had a really funky & brightly coloured old Bedford van to take the guests to the ceremony........


Three gorgeous girls waiting for their beautiful mum......


Leanne arrived realy early and we had some time before the ceremony to capture some beautiful portraits of her......this was a fantastic opportunity and one I never get normally!!



The stunning Town Hall........



I captured this beautiful casual moment between Leanne and her eldest daughter Jade....


In even the most croweded tourist hotel, if you have the eye, you can find some lovely places for photographs....a few feet away behind me where lots of bikini-clan holiday-makers!



Our walk to the beach.....




An initmate moment.....



But where was the sunset....?!



Friday, 15 August 2008

Beautiful chidren....beautiful words.....

I had the pleasure a month ago to photograph a family portrait in Bristol for Martin & Leanne & their four gorgeous children, Jade, Kayleigh, Jasmine & Max. As Max was 6 months old Leanne & Martin wanted to document this important stage in his development & I suggested to her that it was a perfect opportunity to capture the whole family.

They decided to purchase a hi resolution DVD from me so that they were able to print off pictures for themselves and their family and this was her recent e-mail to me:

"Venetia,
Just to let you know I received my disc this morning........they are absolutely FANTASTIC, I could cry. I can't stop looking at them. You really captured all of thier personalities......I am so pleased I chose you to do the photos and if the wedding ones turn out like them, well let's say I will be more than over the moon.
Thank you so much again,
Leanne"


She was so pleased with the results of the family portrait that she has asked me to photograph Martin & her destination wedding in Cyprus later this year...I can't wait to get some more pictures of their beautiful children in natural light!

Here are a few pictures from the family portrait:

The girls hanging out.....





It's important when children to make them feel at ease & let them have some fun....this makes their personalities shine through.....we had such fun this afternoon.



A beautiful baby portrait of the main man......





Whilst we were there I suggest we do some individual portraits of each of the girls too.....







All the children together will make a lovely present for their grandparents.....



Martin & Leanne looking proud......



The whole family....



It was a wondeful, fun afternoon guys & I can't wait do your destination wedding photography in Cyprus!!


Venetia x

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Adam & Claire's destination wedding

I had the pleasure last month to fly to North Cyprus to photograph the wedding of Adam & Claire. Adam & Claire chose a destination wedding as they wanted a beautiful, relaxed wedding in a goregous setting and that's exactly what they got.

They took their vows in a gorgeous ceremony in the grounds of the boutique style hotel the Bella View, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Five Finger Mountains and overlooking the beautiful mediterranean sea.

After a relazing drinks reception, complete with Mojito's and canapes, we took Adam & Claire to the historic Bellapais Abbey for their photographs. The beautiful ruined monastery was a perfect location for some goregous pictures of the two of them and a part of the day that Claire particularly loved.

After a champagne reception and a delicious 8 course hot & cold mezze they boogied the night away to a local jazz band in the grounds of the floodlit Abbey which provided a stunning backdrop. Here are a few pictures...more to follow.

It was a fantastic day.....thank you for inviting us to be part of it. Here are a few pictures.....more to follow.

Venetia xx

P.S Adam & Claire's wedding was organised by Zeckye Yucel from The Discovery Collection who specialise in tailor-made weddings, honeymoons & holidays. Thank you to her and her team on the day for certainly making our jobs easier!







Monday, 2 June 2008

Destination wedding photography

Each year many Bride & Groom's are attracted by the idea of a destination wedding. Whether on the beach in a hot & exotic country or a stunning hotel set in beautiful countryside it can be for a variety of reasons. It might be for personal or family reasons, the thought of the mammoth organisational task ahead or simply the lure of guaranteed sunshine.

Years ago 'running away' abroad to get married was frowned upon but more and more people are discovering the appeal of a destination wedding. There are a number of companies out there offering either hassle-free 'packages' including the basics like the venue, flowers, photography, transport etc or a totally bespoke service where couples can tailor a beautiful, lavish wedding to their individual requirements with all the gorgeous details and thought that would go into any English wedding.

A few times a year I'm lucky enough to be asked to photograph one of these gorgeous destination weddings and have been to France, Spain, Italy, Greece, South Cyprus, North Cyprus and am currently talking to a couple about their wedding in the Maldives. Location weddings tend to be quite intimate affairs and it's always a great honour to be asked to accompany the wedding party as a destination wedding photographer.

Although I have known some brides fly out their own hairdresser most of the other 'suppliers' like florists etc, tend to be local. However, for many, photography is a different 'ball-game' and something they place far too much importance on to be left to someone else to choose and organise and I think there are many reasons for this.

Firstly, style and service. The majority of local photographers have a very formal style focusing heavily on set up shots of individuals and groups and not really much in the way of reportage style photography. However, many clients are looking for more than this and a mixture of photography; informal, candid shots, pictures capturing the details of the day such as flowers, the wedding dress etc, a few groups & some beautiful, semi-directed portraits of the two of them.

Also there is the level and breadth of service. On a recent trip to Cyprus the wedding coordinator was amazed at the coverage provided on the day and the planning and detail that went into the photography. Her local photographers tend to meet the couple on the day and simply cover the ceremony and an hour afterwards. She was amazed to hear about pre-wedding meetings, location visits the day before and the fact we were shooting from the bridal preparations right through to the fireworks capturing the story of the day and the essence of the location.

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, as a wedding photographer I invest a lot of time building up relationships with my clients and I always tell people to choose their wedding photographer not only because of the beautiful pictures they take in the style they like but also because they like and feel comfortable with that person. If your using an overseas supplier you might not get to do that or even meet them before the day.

Lastly and very basically, distance and language. The actual photography on the day is only a relatively small part of the whole process and once the photographs have been processed then comes the fun part of choosing & producing albums, DVD, frames etc. The process tends to work over the Internet and by e-mail when using a local photographer but many couples prefer a face to face meeting to view their photographs and choose which ones are beautifully presented in the products of their choice.

It sounds like a perfect option but surely it's too expensive and only for the rich & famous?! Actually, no. If possible I combine my destination wedding photography with a holiday & therefore you do not pay the full travel cost. It obviously works out slightly more expensive than a English wedding but many couples feel that the benefits and the standard of photography that they get makes this a worthwhile investment.

To view my full portfolio of destination wedding photography, discuss your requirements and for a quotation please do not hesitate to contact me. It is within your reach.

Venetia x