A very woofy couples portrait session in Jesmond Dene

It's no secret that I love shooting outdoors and even though this summer hasn't really been the sunniest I've tried my hardest to get out and about as much as possible so when Debbie and Matt asked me to photograph them and their 2 lovely Rhodesian Ridgebacks I of course jumped at the chance.

Being a Portrait photographer in Newcastle means I am surrounded by beautiful areas and Jesmond Dene is probably my absolute favourite place to do a couples photoshoot.

I met up with Debbie, Matt and the dogs next to the visitor centre and we went on a long walk much to the dogs delight.

Here's what happened on our wander in photographs -

If you would like to book an outdoor family portrait session/couples session/kids session then either click through to Mandy Charlton Photography or give me a call on 07918 121838

The Wedding of Sonia and Richard, Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Sonia and Richard first came to see me last year when they were searching for a Sunderland wedding photographer for their Stadium of Light wedding.  Now I have to admit that I'm not the biggest football fan in the world so when they told me that they didn't want football themed photos I have to say I was delighted, the thing is about the Stadium of Light is that it's a great venue, the food is superb, the rooms have a contemporary feel without even a hint of football and the staff are wonderful, they really can't do enough for their couples.

I've shot at the Stadium of Light a few times in the past and it's always been lovely.  Richard and Sonia chose to go to nearby Roker for their romantic portraits and I have to say that with a little photographic magic it looks positively mediterranean!


Here's the story of Sonia and Richards wedding at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland in photographs

Oh yeah, something I forgot to mention, Richard and Sonia have had a special surprise, Sonia was 20 weeks pregnant at the time of the wedding, you've got to love a surprise package, I have one myself in the shape of Looby!

Congratulations Richard and Sonia, I hope you have a wonderful long and happy marriage together and I can't wait to meet your new arrival.

If you are in the process of planning your wedding please do get in touch, 2013 is looking like a very busy year and I only take on a limited quantity of weddings to ensure that I can give the very best.  2014 enquiries are also starting to come in so it's never too early to get in touch, just click through to my website or if you're on an iphone or ipad there's a non flash version here

Alton Towers and Thorp Perrow, a bank holiday adventure

They're a funny thing Bank Holidays, even though hubby and I are self employed we always try and take bank holidays off unless it so happens that I'm photographing someones lovely wedding.  So this weekend early on Sunday morning we raced down the M1 (clearly observing the speed limits of course) to go to our favourite theme park Drayton Manor, we got 2 miles away, stood in a traffic queue for an hour and a half, turned around and went to a hotel in Derby, it would seem the theme park was full!!  Not to worry though we had a lovely afternoon in Derby and we decided that the best plan of action was to go really early to our other favourite theme park Alton Towers for it opening on Monday morning.

Here's the story of our weekend in photographs

This fountain is in the main square in Derby, I've photographed the girls here before, it's going to be interesting to compare the photos and see just how much they've grown.

The eggs from the new Ice Age 4D ride at Alton Towers

Looby and I found a chicken and other fabulous animals at Old Macdonalds farm at Alton Towers

On Tuesday we decided to go to Thorp Perrow on the way home, a beautiful wonderful family day out complete with animals.  You may notice Loobys dog, Dorito who has been with her since she was about 2 years old and found him in a charity shop, he barks too, he's apparently had a lovely weekend away with us.

I hope you all had a wonderful bank holiday weekend, it's now the last week of the summer school holidays and we're making the most of it, normal business resumes next week and in as much as I can't wait to get back to it, I'm really going to miss having so much family time, it's been the best summer holidays ever in my opinion, make sure you enjoy every last minute of yours because in a breath it will be all over