A Birthday Present For Grandma

A couple of months ago now Karen contacted me because she wanted to get her mum some great photos of her kids and also her nieces. We arranged the time, the place and then the kids were ill, the weather was against us and so it came to pass that grandma actually had her birthday before the session, just as well really as due to more inclement weather we moved yesterdays shoot to Grandmas house!!

I photographed 4 very different girls yesterday who all had one thing in common, they were all gorgeous!!




this little beauty was the youngest, one of Karens nieces and a more delightful and smiley baby you couldn't hope to meet!!




The second of my wee models, well I could have photographed all afternoon because she was simply delightful!




In this photo she had successfully stroked quite a large frog who hopped back into grandmas pond, she chuckled with delight as he leapt off!




My next model, a quiet and thoughtful girl lucky enough to have 2 horses who she was telling me all about, this girl is a deep thinker and smiley and well behaved, you couldn't wish for anything more!




My final model, Karens 16 year old daughter, bound to be an actual model in my opinion, how gorgeous?




Look at those eyes!!

Karen, I know you love the photos and I'm so delighted because you and your whole family welcomed me in with open arms, I was so privileged to spend time with you all and I can't wait for next time!

Heather and Joels Wedding - St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne

Yesterday I had the absolute delight and pleasure of photographing Heather and Joels wedding, these two people are a match made in the heavens and a most amazing and inspiring couple.




Heather chose to marry in a simple dress and a shetland wedding shawl, I think she looked simply beautiful.





Heather chose a bouquet of crocuses and daffodils


Looking out over the city from the Hilton hotel from where we departed. We walked to the cathedral passing many of the citys great landmarks along the way.





I'd never photographed a wedding where everything was done on foot and I have to say that I loved the walking.




Crossing the millenium bridge.




The beautful bridesmaids.




Joel receiving some last minute words from best man Lucy.



I love this one with Heather and her bridesmaids as the service was commencing.



Getting down to the serious business of marraige with Robert the wonderful Canon of the cathedral.




Did I mention they had a choir?

At one point the head of the choir sang in Hebrew, it was an amazing moment and Joel clearly felt the emotion, I think this next photograph is beautiful.








Married!!!

So up until now you may not have grasped the size of the cathedral, well here's a shot I got from the back just before the end of the service.



At the end Joel and Heather lead everyone into the East Chapel for champagne and canapes



This was followed by the speeches which were introduced as a 3 minute concept.



Here's another of my favourite moments from yesterday.




OOh Confetti and kisses



at the end of the afternoon we all walked from the Cathedral up to the Northern Stage for the meal.

On the way we stopped for lots of photographs, my favourite were when Joel who had donned a sparkly purple cap danced with Heather spontaneously




This kind of thing doesn't happen often




We also stopped at Starbucks





and then off we went to the university gardens for some portraits.






I love this one




Oh and this one too!!




Joel and Heather, you are an extraordinary couple, I can't thank you enough for letting me part of your special day. Enjoy the Dominican Republic and I'll see you for your viewing in a couple of weeks.

New Phone Problems and Dental Surgery

I had to have emergency dental surgery this morning, I'v had so many problems since my wisdom tooth came through sideways several years ago, the problem is that it's so compacted that if they removed it I would have to have actual surgery and be knocked out and also there's a chance they could damage a nerve and I could lose all the feeling in my tongue, gums and lips! So being as I have Heather and Joels wedding tommorrow and haven't slept due to pain I wasn't in the mood for an operation. Today they took out my back tooth so that the wisdom tooth can now grow in sideways and become a strange new back tooth!! I've never had a tooth out and it wasn't pleasant, especially as I am dentist phobic!!

So as all that was occuring my new phone is now malfunctioning and can't make or receive calls so if you're trying to reach me on my mobile can you until further notice try 07931 889574. Hopefully my broadband anywhere phone should be back up and running by Tuesday at the latest!

I'm off to relax now before the big wedding tommorrow and hopefully I'll be back with gorgeous photos from Heather and Joels wedding and from my portrait shoot on Sunday early next week!

Schools on Strike

Can't beleive for the first time in 21 years the schools are on strike, I remembering it happening a lot when I was at school in the eighties, no rights or wrong in this really, I completely understand the points of view from all concerned. It has though caused slight chaos here as Abigail and Looby are off and so Iain (who for anyone who doesn't know has asbergers) refused to go to school and no amounts of persuasion, bribes or threats could make him move from his bed to even get dressed. In the end I rang school and let them know the situation but what's a mum to do, It's unlikely that I could carry him down 3 flights of stairs let alone all the way to school! Enough said!

I took these photos of Abigail and Looby last night in the golden hour, no one seemed to notice that I had my pyjamas on! The light last night was awesome though!!




Lovely Laura



Adorable Abigail.

Happy Thursday to all those parents wondering what to do with an unexpected day off today!

Pumpkin and Looby

Pumpkin is growing by the day and I can't quite beleive how big he's getting.





Looby just happened to look my way when I was testing out a new lens I've just bought for my arsenal! It's the Canon 50mm f1.4 and I've wanted it since the day I bought my very first lens, it's only now that I've managed to have the funds for one, I also bought a new flash, I love new toys!!

I went to the cathedral today and was overwhelmed by how beautiful it is and how lucky I am to shoot a cathedral wedding at this time in my career, I'm so thankful for the things I've achieved and the wonderful people I've met, long may it continue.

Fresh Air At Last

We finally got to the beach last night for the very first time this year, sadly it was freezing so we didn't stay for long on account of the fact that Paul thought it was summer and had gone out in short sleeves and cropped pants!!

I did get some new cool photographs of him though!




Someone tell me why my hubby is just too cool for school!!



and with lovely Looby



I also loved this last one




OOh more exciting news, my new Broadband Anywhere phone arrived today from the lovely folk at BT, I had been on Fusion for a while but it really wasn't suiting my business needs so they sent me a wonderful new phone which is basically a Blackberry by any other name, it's so cool and it means I'll be able to check emails on the move and surf etc!

Bits and Pieces from a busy week

Wow, can't believe how busy I've been this week, the only sad point was no photography which always makes me feel sad, not to worry though my diary is now bursting until October, first big wedding of the season next weekend at the Cathedral and I am so excited, lots of cool time spent walking around Newcastle for the wedding portraits as well do should be brilliant, Heather I hope your nerves are calm, don't worry it will all be fine :)

The children all went to stay at their grandparents on Friday so Paul and I had some precious us time, great because we celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on the 14th! We went to Houghton Hall Garden Centre and bought loads of scrummy food from the farm shop and most of the bits and pieces we needed to finish landscaping the garden. It surely is great when your hubby is a gardener and yesterday he finished the new back garden complete with Koi pond which uses a Hydroponic filter to keep the water clean and circulating, it's a really nifty green idea! I'm hoping that the pond will draw wildlife into our small city garden and the first step will be rehoming Arthur koi in his new pond as soon as the water is clear enough, joining him will be his two large goldfish friends Fred and Bob!!

Last weekend Hubby and I went to the movies to see Pathology, I felt completely tense the whole way through but hubby enjoyed it! Hubby and I rarely agree on movies so we make concessions for each other although I'm not even sure whether I'll get him to take me to see "Sex in the city" when it opens!

One business thingy, August 2009 bookings have really started to heat up so if you're marrying then and are thinking about having me as your wedding photographer call me quickly to secure your date or click through to my contact page!

We've had some great meals out this week but one of our favourites remains The Badger in Ponteland plus Dobbies the garden centre is just next door! Can you tell we visit a lot of garden centres. My favourite is probably Heighley Gate up in Northumberland because there's just so much to see and do there.

Paul is off gardening for clients today and then he's seeing an allotment at lunchtime, I'm crossing my fingers that he gets one because he would love it so much and he could grow his own plants, probably the next step for his landscaping/gardening business to go, have you heard of Meandering Gardens yet?

I have decided that I am going to be rebranding as Mandy Charlton Photography but it's going to take a while to do this and will be done step by step, stay tuned for more news!!

I'm having a pyjama day today seeing as all my weekends work was called off, conserving all my energy for Heather and Joels wedding next weekend ;)

2 Portrait Sessions to give away

It's Saturday morning and I've just received the bad news that both of this weekends scheduled photoshoots have been cancelled so I'm twiddling my thumbs badly! So..........

If you want to fill a session and you can make it this weekend give me a call, you can use the session for either Family, Kids, Pets, Engagement or even Anniversary sessions or what about a Trash the Dress?

If any of those tickle your fancy and you've an hour over the weekend then give me a call on the numbers on the banner.

I'm giving 2 sessions away and all you'll pay for is any prints, canvases or mini-albums. I don't have another weekend free until Mid May so this really is a great opportunity!

Hope to hear from you soon :)

New Logo

Came up with a logo for myself, it's only taken me 2 years, now I just have to come up with how to integrate it in my website, LOL. Sometimes I think it could have been easier if I had just got someone to brand me when I started out, actually perhaps if someone literally had of branded me with a hot iron it might have been better!!! LOL!

So I would love to hear what you think, I think it's quite chic and simple and thats really what I'm looking for!

Oh and the adorable little one is Karens youngest from her shoot on Sunday!

This, That and The Other

I have a few things which I haven't been able to pop in posts due to being so busy so here's a brief roundup of all thats going on :-

July 12the 2008 - Due to a cancellation I am now available on this date, please do enquire if you still need a wedding photographer for this date.

Boudoir shoots are booking up to 6 months in advance, introductory pricing will end on the 31/5/08 so book before then to secure yourself a great deal.

Weddings - 2009 prices start on 1/6/08 so book now and secure your 2009 date at 2008 prices, next year due to the demand on my portraiture business I will only be doing a limited number of weddings so please book early to avoid disappointment.

A great Venue - I was up with Paul and the children at the Bowes Incline hotel for lunch, we spent around £60 and had the most amazing food (try the duck with orange and ginger sauce, oh and the Eton Mess is amazing) while we were there I think I noticed that they did wedding receptions so brides if you're looking for an intimate venue with the most amazing chef then why not check out the Bowes Incline, the best bit is you can even see the Angel of the North from the window!

Family Portraits - Due to demands I am booking up to 6 months in advance if you're wanting a family portrait session please do book early to avoid disappointment, plus if you book now you'll avoid my yearly cost of living increase which is planned for 01/06/09, book early and save!

Bookings for weddings, portraits, boudoir can as always be made by calling either of the numbers on the banner or clicking through to my contact page which is HERE

Wedding Albums - Plans are afoot to become exclusively Graphistudio by 2010, in the meantime I also supply Spicer Hallfield.

Wendys Family Portrait Photoshoot in Jesmond Dene

It was a busy day in Jesmond Dene for me yesterday and just after I had said goodbye to Karen and her family, Wendy arrived with her 3 girls and her parents for their family photoshoot.



What a lovely family they all are and I must say that Wendy has such beautiful and well behaved girls, they really are a credit to her.



All the girls together!


Wendys Eldest, I love her hair, I wish I could braid mine like that!! LOL


Wendys middle daughter who is a delight, she's in the same class as Abigail at school, Abigail was gutted that she missed out on seeing two of her friends yesterday!!


Wendys' youngest who of course I had a soft spot for as I adore toddlers, there's just something about that cheeky look that 2 year olds have! This was when she picked a flower, by it's roots!


Finally this one, because it was my favourite of the session!

Wendy, I had so much fun with you and your family and I'm so glad that you love your photos!

Karen and her Family - Jesmond Dene

I met up with Karen and her family in Jesmond Dene yesterday morning to get some photographs of all the family. Karen and Neil have 4 children and kudos to them because all of their children are completely adorable and really well behaved.



This is Karens oldest daughter who I think looks very sophisticated for 8!


Karens middle daughter who is just lovely!




Karens youngest daughter who is a total cutie, she's the youngest of the family and a happy little bean!


Karens only boy who can only be described as a real live wire with the most amazing blue eyes.



This family portrait really embodies the feel of my photography as a whole, it's spontaneous, it's relaxed and theres something going on on everyones faces.

Karen, I had a great photoshoot with you all and I hope that you love all your photos as much as I do.

Emma and Marks Pre-Wedding Photoshoot - Headlam Hall

Headlam Hall is an amazing country house hotel up in Darlington and I am delighted to be shooting the wedding of Emma and Mark there in August.

Emma and Mark are both Teachers so it being spring break we met up there today for their pre-wedding shoot.


I adore this photograph!



The adoreable couple!



Close up!! There are so many wonderful places you can shoot at Headlam hall it's going to be a photographic feast. I really thoroughly recommend it to any other brides who may be stuck for a venue.


They're definetly a wonderful couple to spend time with and we had a lot of fun, I saved my favourite photograph until last though - wanna see?



OOh Emma and Mark, I really can't wait to shoot your wedding in August and I'll look forward to catching up with you both next Friday!!