A portfolio shoot with some very friendly models and MUA’s
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Baby Max
Leanne and Mark brought baby Max into the studio along with bib brother Louis, who thoroughly enjoyed his 1st birthday cake smash.
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The Wheelers
The Wheeler Family came in just before Christmas for some passport photographs and stopped for a portrait session.
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Associate Qualification Award
What a weekend!!
This weekend John and I travelled to London for the annual SWPP (Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers) convention.
We were both looking forward to attending a superclass with the lovely Tom Lee and the many masterclasses that were on offer; with the weekend culminating in the Awards Dinner on Sunday evening where I had been nominated for the Science and Nature Photographer of the Year for the second year running and the results of the 20×16 print competition which I had also entered. It was also a good excuse to catch up with some old friends and meet new acquaintances.
Sadly I was pipped at the post once again for the Science and Nature Award but was really pleased that the 3 prints I had entered into the print competition all received Merit Awards.
The highlight of the weekend took place on Thursday evening. I had entered a panel of 20 reptiles and insects images to be considered for the next step in my photographic journey, my Associate Qualification. The judging session was delayed for 1/2 an hour due to all the judges being needed for the final deliberation for the overall winner of the 20×16 print competition, adding to the nerves, but when it did start my panel was 3rd out of the 4 to be judged.
After 1 fail and 1 pass it was finally it was my turn.
The judging panel consists of 5 Society Fellows from around the world and the room was packed with friends and well wishers who all seemed to know I had a panel being judged … hmm?
The judges have to award points for composition, technique, lighting skill, photographer input etc and after 15 minutes deliberation the Master of Ceremonies announced, to great applause, that I had passed.
Needless to say that despite the disappointment at the Awards night, I’m still grinning like a Cheshire Cat and am already planning my Fellowship Panel.
Once again many thanks to my supporters and well wishers on the day and also to John for just being there xx
Colour Trends for 2012
One of the very first wedding planning decisions is that of your colour theme. Without it you won’t know where to start with bridesmaid dresses, flowers, invitations and entire Reception look.
According to wedding magazine UK Wedding Belles here are the 12 hot choices for 2012.
1. Sage Green
Also grouped in with Olive or Khaki Green. This colour adds a touch of finesse to a wedding colour scheme. An easily sourced colour that is classy enough to last the test of wedding album time. A brown or beige or ivory accent a must have with this colour combination.
2. Orange Pink and Green
This may seem an odd mixture when you first read these colours, and although it is a bold statement, when these colours are combined right they create a striking impact on any wedding reception.
3.Baby Blue and silver
The dainty colour of baby blue is a light and refreshing pastel colour perfect for a spring or summer wedding, and when teamed together with silver the whole look will have that extra shine and dazzle.
4.Yellow
Yellow continues to wow as a popular wedding colour. Nature gives a helping hand by supplying so many british flowers as that colour so they won’t be hard to source. 2012 will see yellow being mixed with orange or blue.
5.Black and White
Delightfully sophisticated, the black and white wedding theme is easy to achieve whilst giving dramatic results. Add some extra bling with silver accents if you wish to complete the spectacular look.
6. Burgundy
Previously out of favour to the brighter colour of Red,Burgundyis back with a vengance, and why not? It’s timeless, classic and refined. It is a colour that works well on its own or indeed a dark purple.
7. Hot Pink
The colour that just keeps growing in popularity. There is no denying that Hot Pink brings the wow factor to any wedding. Often teamed with Black or indeed other bold colours, this shade is still going to be big in 2012.
8. Neutral tones
Due to certain celebrity weddings of 2011. Neutral tones are set to be big in 2012. Beiges, Ivory, the palest of pinks and peaches are all set to be a big hit with anyone planning a romantic or vintage feel to their wedding day.
9. Tiffany Blue
This particular shade of blue is still hot to trot in 2012. Cornfield Blue and Duck Egg Blue which are similar in shade are also set to be a top tip too.
10. White
Pure, crisp, cool. The white wedding scheme is going to be big news for 2012. Some will be having literally everything in white, while others will be adding some deep gem colours into the mix, but not so much that it distracts from the purity of the main look.
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11. Purple
Dramatic and Vibrant. Purple can arrive in two specific shades, Red Purple, and Blue Purple. The Purple wedding theme continues to grow. Mix the different shades of Purple right or even add in some pink as your accent colour for a truly stunning wedding look.
12. Pale Pink and Silver
Pinks will always be a classic wedding colour. The charm of the pale pink look is dreamy and romantic and when accented with silver it will look charming yet stunning.
For more ideas for each of these colour themes click on the link below and the click on each of the colour schemes.
http://www.ukweddingbelles.com/weddingmagazine/themes/254-wedding-colour-schemes-2012
Published at last.
What better way to end 2011 than to pick up a magazine and find you’re in it 
In October I was approached by Kelly from Photography Monthly to see if I would be interesting in submitting an image for a section the magazine was running on achieving a particular colour palette within different genres of photography; she was specifically looking at a macro image of a butterfly I had taken at the Living Rainforest near Newbury.
I happily agreed and also completed a short questionnaire about the image, the settings I used and the way I processed the final image.
My advice for photographing wildlife in their own environment.
1. Try to use a tripod where possible.
2. Try to predict where the subject might settle; chasing after a subject will only frighten it away.
3. Have lots of time and patience. Many species are nervous of sudden movements or the appearance of a strange body in its habitat.
4. Be aware of your surroundings and try not to be an obstacle to others, particularly if you are shooting in a public place.
5. When processing nature and wildlife images try to be sympathetic to the natural colours of the species of their environment.
Autumn Wedding Flowers
Choosing your flowers by their season is a wonderful way to theme your day. Be inspired by the seasonal countryside for your Autumn Wedding Flowers and find a sensational choice of colours, scents and styles. By choosing flowers that are in season you can create a truly timeless and connected feel for your celebration with flowers that evoke the romance of the season.
Beautiful fragrant garden flowers combined with herbs and foliage can create the most fabulous scented and sensual autumn bouquets. Scented garden roses can be are complemented with Mint, Rosemary, Cotinus, Ivy, Senecio, Rubus, Rose Hips, Eucalyptus, Sages and Scented Geranium. Pretty rose buds add an extra delicate feminine touch to the overall effect. this
Many flowers are now imported so are available all year round but if you’d like to include seasonal blooms in your wedding flowers you may like to consider our choice for Autumn below:
Amaranthus, Arum Lily, Astrantia, Cleomes, Cosmos, Dahlia, Dendrobium Orchid, Euphorbia, Gladioli, Helenium, Hydrangea, Hypercom, Narcissus, Nicotiana, Rudbeckias, Scabious, Sedum, Skimmia, Snapdragons, Sunflower, Tulip, Zantedeschia, Zinnia
Science & Nature Award Nomination – 2011
Nominated for the second year running!!
Michelle is a qualified member of the SINWP Society of International Nature & Wildlife Photographers.
Each month members may submit one image in each photographic category that is then judged by some of the world’s top qualified judges. Images that receive a Gold Award go forward to the annual judging with the winners announced at The Awards evening takes place in London at the annual Convention in January.
In August this year, Michelle achieved a Gold Award with an image of a Water Dragon in the Science & Nature Category.
Earlier today we received an email from Head Office informing us that the image has been nominated by the panel of judges for the award of Science & Nature Photographer of the Year.
Needless to say, Michelle is very pleased to have been nominated for the 2nd year running and is excited at the prospect of winning such an award and can’t wait for January to get here .
We will publish the results as soon as they are known.
