Wedding Portraits - The Beauty of Natural Light (and the importance of planning)

On Friday I shot the wedding of Adam and Clare, my creative bride competition winners. The wedding took place at East Cliff (the temporary home of Preston Registry Office) which has the good fortune of having the beautiful Avenham Park close by. I had planned a few creative couple portraits in the park for Adam & Clare, however on the day the weather gods decided to give us heavy rain, cold and wind, so shooting in the park had to be abandoned. But we had a back up plan......the reception was held at St Walburges church hall and on my location visit I noticed an archway that would offer great natural light and an interesting background for wet weather photos if needed. So, in-between the family photos (which we also shot under the arch) I set up this shot in less than a minute and am delighted with the result. When shooting a wedding it is so important to scout the locations and plan shots for good weather (and bad) and I am meticulous about my planning before shooting a wedding. On a wedding day everything moves so fast you have to think and move at lightening speed a lot of the time and you can't afford not to be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Even though we missed some shots on the park this...........this image makes my heart melt every time I look at it and makes me almost glad it did rain after all.......x

My New Packaging for Melanie Hart Photography

I just got my new CD packaging and am utterly thrilled. These bespoke printed cases and tags have been designed and made for me by Jacqui at Print for Love of Wood,  a small design business based in East Lancashire. Jacqui uses vintage printing presses to create unique designs on environmentally friendly card using recycled inks. Whilst working on my business ideas recently I knew it was really important to me to work with, and support, independant UK designers and suppliers wherever possible, and the fact Print for Love of Wood is local to me is even better.

http://www.printforloveofwood.com/

Portraits of a Taxidermist Artist

A few weeks ago I took a trip to the studio of artist, jewellery maker and taxidermist Nicola Jayne Hebson to shoot some portraits, just for fun. The studio is a visual feast of interesting work, personal artefacts and found objects. Here a few images x
Does anyone recognise the homage image to a certain musician?

http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/DeadGoodJewellery

Rebellion Punk & Alternative Festival Blackpool 2013

Last weekend I went up to Blackpool to the Rebellion Punk & Alternative Festival, the biggest festival of its kind in the world I am told. Being a huge fan of any music culture with style and personality I was hoping to catch some great photographs. I was not disappointed. Thanks to all the people in the portraits below who took time out for a chat and a photo x

Discover Vintage at Ripley Castle

Last weekend I went to the beautiful Ripley Castle near Harrogate to catch the Discover Vintage event. So glad we made the trip as it was a great day out with plenty of my favourite things (shopping, vintage cars and great outfits). It was so lovely to see how many people turned up in their vintage finery to jive away on the green or enter the Best Dressed Contest. Here's a few shots x