Mandy Charlton is an award winning photographer {award winning wedding photographer, Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham}

I always wanted to say that, I see it on so many websites and always wonder what the various people have won and now I am actually award winning, thanks to wedding photo of the year 2010 where I came second and got the Silver Medal, second from 700 is no mean feat and when I tell you that this photographer used to be agoraphobic and not even let her husband go out to work only around 5 or 6 years ago you'll realise just how very proud I am of myself.

It's been such a long road and although it's been a rollercoaster at times, it's been a fun one, I can't thank people enough for all their support, my friends, my family and all you lovely people who hire me and then become my friends too!

So whats in store for the future, well hopefully I'll enter the competition again this year and win!  This was my very first competition entry ever so to do so well is remarkable and now I have something to aim for.  You know at times it's been unbearable, the public vote is always the hardest to achieve, especially if like me you're not really into the whole self promotion thing and I'm not, it's taken me so long to even rate myself in the professional world.

I reckon my daughters are the most pleased about this, they bounded in from school and said that from 700 to come 2nd is a win and they're proud of me so thats quite enough for me.

So, this photo was taken in March 2010 and this photo below was taken in March 2011, a possible entry for next year?

well you'll just have to stay tuned to find out!

The wedding of Li and Phil and Wedding Photo of the Year 2010 news - [photographer newcastle, mandycharlton.com]

Wedding Photo of the year closes at Midnight tonight and I'm still in second place and yes I know that it would be amazing to have the second favourite wedding photo of the year but to me it feels like I should still be trying to win so please if you have 2 seconds and you haven't voted yet could you please vote for number 7 :)

http://www.ukweddingbelles.com/wedding-photo-of-the-year

and while we are on the subject of gorgeous wedding photos, last weekend I shot my friends Li and Phils wedding which was so romantic and lovely that I cried behind my camera.

How gorgeous is Li, you know if you meet her for lunch she looks just as good as this during the week!!

The dashing groom, first time i'd ever seen Phil in a suit, I think he looks quite dapper

Li and Phil were mobbed shall we say by a very enthusiastic Busker, it was hilarious though I'm quite glad he didn't come anywhere near me as he was a tad eccentric and thats me saying that!

I know Li and Phil love their photos and thanks also to Tommy Jackson who second shot for me and generally helped when cars didn't arrive etc.

Li and Phil, my dear friends, I hope we'll be friends for a very long time to come and I hope you all have the happiest of marraiges and a wonderful life together and always remember "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return"

Also more news about the new website, so can you please update your browsers to point at http://mandycharlton.com

The Latest and Greatest News, and OMG it's mandycharlton.com

Yes People of the blogosphere update your web-browsing thingamajigs and surf on over to my lovely, spangly website mandycharlton.com I know that this now means I have 1 too many websites but my other one was looking dated and they'll be merging over time.  Believe me though mandycharlton.com is where it's at!

So much to tell you lovely people, firstly I had a big old blog post on uber fabulous wedding blog Brides Up North, go see what I got up to with chief bridal blogger Julia on Bamburgh beach, not so much Trash your Dress as Rock The Dress

My dear friend Christine is due to have a baby at any moment and I realised that I didn't share some of her gorgeous maternity images so here's a couple for your delectation and delight.

I think we'd all agree that Christines bump is nicer than Mikes!

This graffiti wall has been repainted since we were there so Christine and Michael have a unique piece of art.

I love being able to visit more than 1 location and you can do that if you spend a little more time than usual, maternity shoots don't have time limits, it's your last chance to be glamorous before the little one comes along and that should be celebrated!

I really have been photographing every single day of late and I need to have a serious look at what I've got and blog as much as possible but for now, here's a few more highlights.

Love these ladies who brought back the 1940's for me!

This is Christian, I do still shoot weddings you know, although not quite so many as I used to, this wedding though was a dream, a lovely couple and a great day up at Longhirst Hall considering that it was February, we managed to shoot all of the groups outside even though it was a little chilly.

Vicky really was a beautiful bride and as this was my first wedding of the year Christian and Vicky got it off to a great start.

aww they're just so happy, I love Love!

This lady goes by the name of Daisy Chainsaw and she's all seven flavours of awesomesauce

and this lady is also called Daisy but this is the fabulous Miss Daisy Stays, Daisy does Costumes, Corsets and also puts on a little show called Gullys Emporium and I happened to bump into the lady herself today, I have it on good authority that Cath Kidston handbags are coming soon!

Don't mess with her though or she might just hit you with that frying pan!

and so my lovelies, that just leaves one thing and last but not least Wedding Photo of the year 2010 closes at Midnight on March 13th, if you haven't voted yet please, please, please could you do it now because I'm second and I'd really truly love to win!!

http://www.ukweddingbelles.com/wedding-photo-of-the-year