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Harriet and Alasdair, a Tradition Church Wedding at Burythorpe Hosue. It was a sunny spring day, the skies were blue and filled with cotton wool clouds, the daffodils were in full bloom the trumpets wide and pointing proudly towards Burythorpe House, highlighting its idyllic county house charm. The day that Harriet and Alasdair had poured so much care and attention into was finally here. It was windy, but it wasn’t raining and that was all that they had ever hoped for given their guests were walking to and from the little village church just across the fields from Burythorpe House. Getting to know these two over the last 18 months has been a joy, I love it when people are so happily comfortable in their own skin and when they know what they like and they do what they do. These two do everything together, their partnership is equal and they dote so lovingly on one another, seeing only goodness in each other’s interests and quirks. I love that in these two. They even had engagement photos with their horse Maise, which was the best of fun. Here's a couple from that session last summer, we had such a lovely morning on the Bridleways between Fryton and Terrington, one of my favourite places to ride and run, it's great being able to share places like this with my couples. The Venue: Burythorpe House. I’ve visited Burythorpe House many times since 2016 when I started my photography business, the 18th-century country house offers much historical charm, from the panelled dining room and homely lounge offering up 2 open fires. Burythorpe House holds so much character, it's perfect for weddings, the history is dappled around the building. It also boasts 12 tastefully decorated bedrooms, meaning wedding day guests have somewhere comfortable to stay when they attend a wedding. Fun fact: Burythorpe House is privately owned by rock legend Eric Clapton and has been since 2013. The house is set on 1.4 acres of stunning grounds that look out to the village church, which is where Harriet and Alasdair had decided to be wed. Wedding day choices for my Burythorpe House Couple Alasdair and Harriet wanted a traditional day with tops and tails, but they didn’t stop there, the bridesmaid’s gowns were made by Alasdair’s Mum, Glynis (who makes and designs costumes for a living) Harriet wanted her bridesmaids in the pastel blue of her Harriet Wilde wedding shoes and the spring skies. The cut of the dresses was beautiful; they were very "Bridgerton," with an A-line cut, floaty cap sleeves and matching capes. Harriet wanted her bridesmaids to be comfortable on their day, she knew there was a high chance it could be cold, so the design of their dresses reflected this in a period way. All Saints, Burythorpe Church Wedding The little church on the hill in Burythorpe is where they chose to become Mr and Mrs Hughs, if you live in the area, I’m sure you’ll have noticed it perched perfectly on the hilltop near Burythopre, it’s quite magical. All Saints, Burythorpe Church was built in 1858 on the site of the previous church on an old Roman site. The church is just outside the village on a hilltop with commanding views all around including the Yorkshire Wolds. As Harriet and Alasdair exchanged vows, the winds picked up, had it not been a beautiful sunny day outside it could have been quite eery…You should have heard to wind! I honestly don’t think I can describe the sound it was making as it whistled around the rooftops and bell tower. It sounded like the roof might have been about to lift, it’s little things like this though, that give people something to chat about and share later in the day or the future. The image below is an effect I like to do in camera, whilst my phone's off during the service, I hold it at the bottom of my lens to reflect the window. I love the effect it gives and the stained glass windows are so beautiful, it makes a feature of them. I tend to do this in churches with stained glass windows behind the couple. We had planned to do the "formal’ish photos" outside of the church; however, after a quick discussion, we decided to bypass this idea and head back to the more sheltered ground of Burythopre House where everyone could enjoy and drink with their nibbles first. As a photographer, you have to be good at making snap decisions like this; having everyone wind-swept at this stage in the day didn't seem like a good plan of action. Back at Burythopre House for the Wedding Celebrations As the drinks and canapés flowed, I snapped away to gather the candid images that I so love to put together to show off the atmosphere and then I enjoyed relaxed photos in the gardens with the guests. Following the guest photos, I gathered Alasdair and Harriet for some portraits, before the delicious three-course meal that had been selected by the newlyweds themselves. Everyone enjoyed their meals in the lounge area for a change, usually, I find everyone in the panelled room or a marque setting at Burythorpe House for the meal, they chose the lounge area because there wasn't enough of them to warrant a marquee, but there were still a few too many for the usual area. I had vegan tagine and couscous, which was spot on! After some funny but heartfelt speeches and the meal, we headed on down to the new function room, where the Dark Horse Ceilidh Band was setting up for the dancing to take place. Johnathon, Victoria, Maggie and Ray did such a great job of getting everyone up and involved, they’re a Yorkshire-based band who are clearly passionate about what they do, how Maggie does the calling and helping everyone dance I have no idea, she’s brilliant! I mean I can’t tell my left from my right. No wonder everyone was ready for cheese and cake at half-time, they never stopped. I forgot to mention the fact Harriet made her own wedding cake and all the cupcakes for the day, the cupcakes were delicious by the way! Take a look here to see just how incredible the day was. Golden hour photos on your wedding day I was really excited when Alasdair and Harriet agreed to go for Golden Hour photos. We had to plan carefully and go straight after their desserts, so we wouldn’t miss it. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to get pink fluffy clouds, but we did head back up to the church for the blue hour: this is when the sun has already set and the skies are that intense blue! We had a full moon and I had two incredible people that were happy for me to play with my flashes. I tried first with a backlight here. Then with flashing them on the front here, it was tricky to get my light stands to balance as I was downhill from the bride and groom, but I like the effect and the way the light highlights Harriet’s dress' movement. I'm always experimenting and love doing it, sometimes it doesn't work, but when it does, I can look at using simple set-ups like this, more often. The wind had died down at this point so it didn’t cause any complications like it did during the portraits earlier in the day. It kept wiping up Harriet’s veil unexpectedly and at one point it blew Emily’s (Harriet’s sister) cape over her face as she was watching her arrive at church. Memorable Wedding Moments at Burythorpe House There was an inside family joke about ‘Chickies” I think it had to do with Harriet’s love of them when she was younger, she’d wanted to put them in her bouquet with it being Easter and her mum, Ann had said, “Absolutely not!” Haha, so Harriet, her Dad and her sister had hidden them around the hotel for Ann to come across. It entertained the three of them. I love little quirks like this that are so personal to families, they bring so much fun and laughter to an event. Words from a North Yorkshire Wedding Photographer As a North Yorkshire Wedding Photographer, I always love revisiting Burythorpe House, Alison and her team are so friendly and they always look after me as a photographer making sure I get food and water. It’s always lovely to see the grounds at different times of year, I find it so inspiring to go back and challenge myself to get photos in different parts of them. Thank you to Alasdair and Harriet for allowing me to capture your wedding and choosing me to be your wedding photographer. When you got in touch you said how much you liked my candid style and the way I capture the essence and atmosphere of a wedding. I hope feel I've done your wedding justice. You liked how every wedding was different. The village church and Burythorpe House provided the perfect spring backdrop for this all highlighted perfectly with the dancing daffodils. As I expected Harriet and Alasdair’s traditional Burythorpe Wedding was a delight to capture, the love between them both is so clear and the stories their families shared about the two of you together really made me feel welcome. It was amazing to be part of freezing that for you. Are you planning a wedding yourself? Would you like fun, charismatic photos that show your true selves and the atmosphere of your day, yet you hate the idea of being in front of the camera? I get that, that was me on my wedding day! That’s why I work as I do. To find out more about me and also how I photograph weddings, click the links provided. I also offer relaxed family photos, horsey photo shoots and photography for local businesses and entrepreneurs too so why not take a look? Be sure to sign up for my email list so you can be the first to hear about offers and promotions I’m running. Amazing Yorkshire Wedding suppliers, chosen by Harriet and Alasdair. Flowers - Helen, Rosebud Flowers Makeup - Aimee Long Hair & Makeup Dress - wed2b Horseshoe Decoration - Polished Shoes Venue - Burythorpe House Hotel Suits - Slaters Bride shoes - Harriet Wilde Bridal nails & beauty prep - Katie Dearnley, KCD Beatuy, Kcd_beauty Wedding rings - Bradleys of York Stationary - Vistaprint & DIY Favours - DIY Bridesmaid Dresses - G Hughs & Son Organist - Phillip Sangwine Music (Phillip [organ] & Renate [singing a solo] Sangwine, Philip teaches Harriet the piano). Band - Dark Horse Ceilidh Cheese-cake - Courtyard Dairy Cake - DIY

Betsie and Adam Low Hall, the Lakes a Micro Wedding. The Lake District is well known for its grandeur and beauty, a rich tapestry of lakes, mountains and countryside invites you to explore from the moment you enter. The very chance of capturing a micro wedding within these rugged mountains sent shrills of delight throughout my veins. As a wedding photographer, jaw-dropping backdrops like these are the ultimate dream, especially when Betsie and Adam expressed keen interest when I mentioned a wedding day adventure together. On the run-up to the wedding, I met with Adam and Betsie to chat about where we could head for their wedding day portraits, they were now finally engaged! Did I mention they’d planned their wedding before Adam had actually, asked the question? These two free-spirited love birds had always said they’d get married on their 10th anniversary of being girlfriend and boyfriend, even though Adam hadn’t got around to popping the question, they still were set to do this. Their initial enquiry, “We’re getting married on the 15th of March 2024, but we’re not actually engaged yet.” Right! Hmmm, I’ve never had this before, I loved their style and free-spirits from the get-go. Back to the fact they are now engaged. Adam had asked Betsie to be his wife on the north-western side of Crummock Water, on the Peel (unbeknown to them both), which was quite fitting as their marital name is Peel! Because of this, we’d agreed to look for somewhere around Crummock Waters to do their portraits and after conveying with Rosie at Low Hall (their venue) she suggested a few places for me to scout out. If you look directly beyond Betsie and Adam, you can see the Peel where they got engaged, the ideal would have been revisiting where Adam asked Betsie, but it was at least a half-hour walk to the point itself, so not do able in the time slot we had. I was unaware the place I'd selected was opposite, so in the end, it worked out more perfectly than I'd imagined. Scouting out the destination for their wedding portraits in the Lake District. When I went to check out the destinations she’d pinned, the rain was lashing down SO hard I could barely see where I was going and the pathway I was walking seemed more like a waterfall than a footpath. As I was walking, I was wondering if their portrait session would ever be possible; even so, it was worth the look to make the most of this incredible opportunity. We only had a small window of time, during their day and were planning to head there at golden hour, so the timing would be crucial. Jaye brought a dry Mac for Betsie to throw over her dress, it kept her super warm in between the locations and it also protected the dress in case of unexcepted rain. What a super idea Jaye from Wild Love Visuals! Waking to the sound of rain in my windows and a very loud, brimming babbling brook, didn’t fill me with much optimism and as I drove to Low Hall last Friday, I could barely see 20 feet in front of me as the thick blanket of fog hovered over the lakes and concealed the tops of the mountains. My window wipers were working hard as I crept along the mountain paths to the venue listening to Taylor Swift. Low Hall in Lakes, Wedding Venue The second I arrived at Low Hall I was greeted by Rosie and Ben who were tentatively preparing the breakfast for the couple and their guests. I was instantly embraced by Betsie, she gives the best hugs and I’m still in awe of her positive mindset and bubbly personality. Betsie had thought of everything, she’d prepared so many surprises for her guests, (including a gift for each of them, left of their pillows the night before) and the decor of the day. Now where do I begin? The thoughtful details of their wedding day details Betsie’s dress was handmade especially for her day by Jennie Palmer, who came out of wedding dress retirement, especially for the occasion, she also named the design “Cockermouth-Lorton” which is where they were getting married. Betsie borrowed her mother’s veil and delicate silk pumps to walk down the aisle to Adam. She’d also sewn a button from her mum’s dress into the lining of her own and also had found a napkin from her grandmother’s wedding day, this was sealed in a bag and sewn into the dress as well. (Her something old). She’d made sea glass earrings for all of her bridesmaids because it was whilst she and Adam were skimming the shorelines for the little treasures that Betsie recalls falling in love with Adam as he found his first ever piece, the sea glass is so significant to Betsie and Adam’s journey so far. Even the decor on the tables was carefully thought out with a selection of different-sized pine cones used to decorate the table (the tiny ones were from their first ever walk together in the lakes, the large ones were from Betsie’s childhood home and then they’d gathered medium-sized ones up just after they got engaged). Adam had crafted the little wooden disks for the place names, from a piece of driftwood they picked up at the Peel the day they got engaged. Each little detail was so carefully considered by them both. When I say she thought of everything, I mean it! Betsie’s bouquet had a lot of thought put into it, the ribbon around my bouquet had Betsie’s dad’s, mum's handwriting on it, Betsie had never met her nana Sheila and was not even one before her grandad Alan passed away, even so, she wanted them to be present somehow on her wedding day. Then there were the flowers, the bouquet was put together by Leoni, All In Bloom Floristry… Wedding bouquet ideas with sentimental meaning Blue thistles (the something blue) for Lucifer, (Adam’s sister, who was nicknamed this as a 12-year-old child by Adam and Betsie) represented courage and bravery. White Lisianthus for Adam’s mum, purity and innocence. Blue Delphinium - dignity and grace for Betsie’s mum. Gypsophila - loving, for Lucy, Betsie’s maid of honour. And Eucalyptus - true and beautiful for Ester, the other bridesmaid. Adam wore a rainbow pin because his Nana is referred to as a rainbow by their family, she sadly passed away the week before Adam and Betsie met, and Adam always said he knew she’d have loved Betsie. He also had little robins on his socks because they say his granddad is a robin, we saw a little robin sitting outside of Low Hall the morning of the wedding too, so he must have been there in spirit. Betsie and Adam chose to have a small micro wedding, they only wanted immediate family and their closest friends there, even though there were just 12 guests the day was rich and full of energy. The vibes were energetic and refreshing. Take a look for yourself here. I’m always inspired by what I have to hand and will use bits of furniture or objects from within the venue to document details. I love window light and showing the atmosphere of what is happening during the day. Adam and Betsie had hoped to have said their vows outside, unfortunately, the weather didn’t allow this, so they said them instead in the library, adapting though the day is such a key part of a wedding photographer’s job, we have to mix things up to fit with the weather or around other suppliers timings of the day. I was branded the hottest photographer Betsie’s Dad had ever met too! Oh my goodness, might I tell you why… The library was a little tight for space for 12 guests, a dog, the registrars, a videographer, myself and the bride and groom (usually Low Hall use it for their elopement couples) and somehow, whilst I was attempting to get the best possible angle for a photo of Adam and Ozzie their Cocker-poo, I set my hair on fire. Imagine my horror, when I heard that crackling behind my head and then realised there was a candle arbour. Head in hands moment! Thank goodness there was no lasting damage and no stress caused. Lesson Learnt! Note to self, check out the positions of the candles in future. Even with the small area to move around myself and Jade, the videographer worked well as a team to switch places and to try our best to keep out of each other’s way. It was a pleasure working with Jaye from Wild Love Visuals and I can’t recommend her enough. It’s been an absolute joy working my way through Betsie and Adam’s images, witnessing the fun had throughout their day, from PJs in the morning until PJs at nighttime, this is the first wedding I’ve captured where the bride and groom were in their pyjamas by 7 pm, matching ones! As I ended my time with them, I left them in the snug, enjoying wine by the fire and playing charades, it was so much fun, especially to game of Mr & Mrs! I love putting together these sneak peeks for my couples to see their images come to life for the first time. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be getting them all edited and sent over to Betsie and Adam via their online gallery. I hope you decide to go with a Fine Art Photo Book you two, because these photos will look insane within one of those. So far I’ve had so many incredible comments from Betsie, Adam and their Guests they even sent me home with a pack-up of cake, pick ’n’ mix and a bottle of red wine to enjoy (which was amazing btw!) Thank you so much for your warmness on the day everyone, I loved my time with you. Looking over the photos from Betsie and Adam’s Wedding Day proves you just have to go with it, the one thing you can’t change on the day of your wedding is the weather but generally there is always a little chink of time in the day where the rain stops or at least eases. We still managed to get epic shots of the two of them out in the wilderness by the lake where they got engaged. I’m so pleased they weren’t put off and I’m even more proud of how you both embraced the day with open arms and optimism. You were both a true inspiration to me and the way I work. Thank you for having me! If you’re planning an elopement, micro wedding or even a huge shindig you should definitely check out Low Hall for your day, the venue is so quaint and diverse. If you do, be sure to let me know as I’d love the chance to revisit Low Hall in the future. I promise I’ll not set myself on fire this time. Are you planning a wedding yourself? Would you like fun, charismatic photos that show your true selves and the atmosphere of your day, yet you hate the idea of being in front of the camera? I get it, me too! That’s why I work as I do. To find out more about me and also how I photograph weddings, click the links provided. I also offer relaxed family photos, horsey photo shoots and photography for local businesses and entrepreneurs too so why not take a look? Be sure to sign up for my email list so you can be the first to hear about offers and promotions I’m running. North Yorkshire and UK Wedding Suppliers I recommend VIDEOGRAPHER - Jade - @wildlovevisuals FLOWERS - Leonie - @all.inbloomfloristry DRESS - Jennie - @jennie.palmer_ CAKE - Allie - @alliescakery HAIR - Lucy - @hairby_lucyanna FOOD - Julian - @thecumbrianchef VENUE - Francesca, Ben and Rosie - @lowhallthelakes

How to make the most of your headshot photo session Preparing for your headshot experience: How I know you to feel before, and how I'd like you to feel after. It's rare to find someone who loves being in front of the camera. Having any photo session can be a nerve-racking experience, especially when it comes to having your headshots taken; talk about all the attention on you. It can make people feel vulnerable, and uneasy because all the attention is on you and for many (myself included) that's not a place we enjoy being. If you know how you prepare for the experience, can be a game changer in fact you may leave having actually enjoyed your time with me, my headshot photo sessions are relaxed, fun and easy, they're designed to put you at ease and bring out your best self. It's important to me that you leave feeling like you've accomplished a tricky task and it's even better when my clients leave eager to see their photos. I'd like to help you prepare to get the most and the best out of your session with me, so here are 6 top-tips I'd like to share with you. Choose the right photographer for you What to wear for your headshots Bring along props, if they appropriate Take your time Hydration and rest Simple relaxation techniques Visualise great photos Choose the right photographer for your headshots. Make sure you connect with your photographer, it can instantly put you at ease. Choosing the right photographer can be the making of your headshot photos, I don't mean choosing them because they are great at their job, choose them because you think you'll feel at ease with them. Feeling comfortable with your photographer means you'll steer clear of those awkward and rigid images that won't stand out for the right reasons. If you're worried or uncomfortable in front of the camera ask someone close to you to take a few photos of you to warm you up in the run-up to your session. Move during these photos, look in different directions and then back to the camera, ask them to snap, snap SNAP! That way you'll have some good ones in there. Take a bit of time and look at the photos to familiarise yourself with how you look, that way when you come to your session you should feel a little more relaxed about how they look. Remember your reflection in the mirror is different to how you look in a photo. What to wear when you come for your headshot photos Here's a few tips to help you choose your headshot outfit. Make sure whatever you choose fits well, long sleeves can be flattering but are not essential. Tailored garments that fit well (not too clingy) versa a baggy fit, lots of people will choose baggy, thinking it makes them look slimmer, but sometimes it can do the opposite, you'll know though and if you don't I'll happily help you decide. Dress for the job you want, if you're scouting a formal job in this kind of setting, dress for that, but if you're an artist, an author or the owner of some local business you might want to wear something a little less formal for you headshots, you'll want people to relate to you and if you can create a friendly version of yourself this could really help your audience connect with you. Glam it up, and accessorise your outfit, if you wear glasses and have a funky pair, ear them they'll add character to your images and they could stick in someone's mind, helping them remember you and what you do. Keep hair natural and how you like to wear it, don't go crazy on the morning of your photos and choose something totally different, these images will be here for a little while so if you do this and wish you hadn't you live to regret that choice. Getting a fresh blow-dry or whatever you like to do to make yourself feel good is always a great idea . Consider a makeover before you have your session, but only if it's something you'd do for occasions, what I'm getting at here, is to make yourself feel as fabulous as possible, the more fabulous you feel the better your photos will turn out. Show the best version of yourself, be confident and you. Pick mid-tone plain colours that will keep the focus on you and won't distract the viewer, unless you are well-known for bold and bright colours, that is of course. Matching colours that sit in line with your branding and your website can be a clever way to keep things on theme. Embrace your femininity, and have fun with muted or bold female colours or soft prints with certain clothing items that can be added in and out. Extremely bold patterns can be distracting so try to avoid these, unless this is on brand for you. When it comes to choosing, do be mindful of which colours suit you and your skin tones, I can look ill and washed out in beiges and blacks as I'm pretty pale, a contrasting colour (to your skin tone) will usually work well. I have a whole blog about what you could wear, including outfit ideas! Patsy chose to wear this bold denim dress which complimented her skin tone perfectly along with contrasting with her hair colouring. She wanted her LinkedIn audience to view her as down-to-earth, but professional, choosing denim immediately reduces the formalities, yet the chic cut and neckline add a touch of formality too. Bring props to your headshot session, if they are appropriate. Props can add an instant clue to what you do for your audience, they can make you stand out. Depending on what you do, props can add to your headshot session, they can give the viewer a clue to what you do at first sight and also add character, the items you choose to bring show a lot about you and your profession. My future clients can learn I'm a faithful Canon fanatic, just by looking at my photo here. Professional headshots you know you need them, yet you don't want to look stiff and too formal. You want people to connect with you from the get-go; the times as changing and you're in the right place if you're looking for inviting, relaxed headshots that ooze you. You want friendly, you want approachable and you want fun! It doesn't matter what your job is, everyone will connect with someone who's fun, friendly and approachable. But what to wear, oh my, what a task! When I had my headshots taken, I just dove into my wardrobe and brought out a couple of things I enjoy wearing, that I thought looked smart. I know for some people making these choices can be tough. Take your time during the headshot session There's no rush, I make sure we schedule enough time to relax during your headshot session. This might sound so simple but making sure you're not rushing to your session is really important! I'm a glutton for punishment when it comes to personal stuff and I'm always timing everything to the millisecond, it's the worst feeling isn't when you're running late or when something happens to upskill your perfectly timed plan of action. I do it all the time, landing somewhere to have my photo taken whilst I'm all flustered and bothered would be my idea of hell. I remember arriving at school (I used to be a TA) I'd dropped the kids off late because something had gone wrong and then I couldn't find the keys, when I arrived at work, I was thrown in front of the camera for my 10-second headshot slot. How did the images turn out? Hmmm, let's not talk about that, hey! When clients arrive for their headshots with me, I like to think of it as an experience, I book you in for longer than you need because I hate the idea of being up against the clock. We'll have a cuppa, chat a little and do your photos, working like this gives a variety of relaxed images, that make you look confident, professional and friendly. Hydration and rest. Drinking plenty and getting rest to make you look your best. We all feel better after a good night's sleep, don't we? So make sure you get a good night's sleep and drink plenty, it's good for your skin. Set yourself up to be your best self. Simple relaxation techniques to practise before your headshots It sounds crazy but it relaxes you and arriving relaxed is a good start!! Just before your headshot session, spend a couple of minutes in a quiet place away from your desk or day's tasks. Put your hands on hips, and legs apart, take a few deep breaths (in through the nose, out through the mouth) be mindful. Alternatively, put your arms up in the air, reach up as high as you can and hold it for a few seconds. Imagine your body filling up with warm liquid gradually rising from your toes and fingers up to the top of your head. Visualise great headshot photos. Falling in love with your headshot photos, put yourself in the best mindset to receive them. If you enter your headshot session thinking your photos are going to look good, it changes your whole mindset, I'll always let you have a nosey on the back of my camera, so you can leave feeling like you've accomplished what you came to do. It could also help you to take a look at other headshot images you'd like to try out, show me and tell me, I'm always open to trying new ideas. The most important this is to move around, and look away from and back to the camera so you keep a relaxed smile and I'll help you out where possible. NOT READY TO BOOK A SESSION YET? 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What to wear for your headshots, the dos and don'ts. Let's talk about the colours, the fit and how to accessorise your outfit for your headshots. Professional headshots, you know you need them! Yet the idea makes you clam up, you don't want to look stiff and too formal, you want the photos to show you in your best possible light. You want people to connect with you from the get-go; the times are changing and guess what!? Yes, you're in the right place if you're looking for inviting, relaxed headshots that ooze you. You want friendly, you want approachable and you want fun! It doesn't matter what your job is, everyone will connect with someone who's fun, friendly and approachable. But what to wear, oh my, what a task! When I had my headshots taken, I just dove into my wardrobe and brought out a couple of things I enjoy wearing, have a look at what I chose, that's me below. I just made a snap decision but I know for some people making these choices can be tough. What to wear when you come for your headshots Your headshots, let's talk about the colour... Pick mid-tone colour plain colours that will keep the focus on you and won't distract the viewer, unless you are well-known for bold and bright colours, that is of course. Matching colours that sit in line with your branding and your website can be a clever way to keep things in theme for your headshots. Embrace your femininity, and have fun with muted or bold female colours, you could even play with soft prints with certain clothing items if you like. Clothing that can be added in and out, can work well with these statement colours or prints. In an ocean of images, your character could shine through and make an impression on the viewer, you don't want to be too generic. When it comes to choosing, do be mindful of which colours suit you and your skin tones, I can look ill and washed out in beiges and blacks as I'm pretty pale. Jewel tones can work well, they photograph nicely and are universally flattering. Choosing one of these can be a no-brainer. You really can’t go wrong with neutral tones either, including black, white, brown, beige, taupe, and cream, these are classic shades that are universally appealing. Even so black can be harsh and dull in pictures; however, it does lend itself to some professions. In my opinion, navy is a better option for most people, it definitely is the case with me. Be careful with flesh tones, such as creamy, peachy, cafe au lait or mocha are renowned for washing out the wearer as I mentioned above, this is because there often isn't enough contrast between the top and the skin tone, so bear this in mind. Depending on your skin tone, pastel colours can also have the same effect as fleshy tones, so try to stick nearer the mid-tone pallet. Patsy chose to wear this bold denim dress which complimented her skin tone perfectly along with contrasting with her hair colouring. She wanted her LinkedIn audience to view her as down-to-earth, but professional, choosing denim immediately reduces the formalities, yet the chic cut and neckline add a touch of formality too. The fit of your clothing is important for your headshots. Here are a few things to think about, before you pick your outfit for your headshots. Make sure whatever you choose fits well, long sleeves can be flattering but are not essential. Tailored garments versa a baggy fit, lots of people will choose baggy, thinking it makes them look slimmer, but sometimes it can do the opposite, you'll know though and if you don't I'll happily help you decide. Dress for the job you want, if you're scouting a formal job in this kind of setting, dress for that, but if you're an artist, an author or the owner of some local business you might want to wear something a little less formal for your headshots, you'll want people to relate to you and if you can create a friendly version of yourself this could really help your audience connect with you through your headshots. Glam it up, and accessorise your outfit, if you wear glasses and have a funky pair, ear them they'll add character to your images and they could stick in someone's mind, helping them remember you and what you do. Keep hair natural for your headshots, how you like to wear it, don't go crazy on the morning of your photos and choose something totally different, these images will be here for a little while so if you do this and wish you hadn't you may live to regret that choice. Getting a fresh blow-dry or whatever you like to do to make yourself feel good is always a great idea . Consider a makeover before you have your session, but only if it's something you'd do for occasions, what I'm getting at here, is to make yourself feel as fabulous as possible, the more fabulous you feel the better your photos will turn out. Show the best version of yourself, be confident and be you. 8 Outfit ideas for your inviting and friendly headshots. How to put the perfect outfit together for your headshots even with limited garments, you don't need 100s of clothes just a vision. This casual but smart outfit will give you a friendly, down-to-earth feel, the earthy, neutral colours blend seamlessly and the jacket adds a touch of country personality. A soft pattern that might stick in someone's mind can be helpful too. A more summery version of the above collection, the vest adds a daytime vibe to this relaxed outfit. I love this casual mix, the tan belt and heels tie everything together nicely, especially with the brass buttons on the shoulder of the shirt body suit which add a touch of glamour and the neckline is a great choice. The glasses will make a fun prop during the session, a touch of personality. Imagine seeing Prue Leith without her show-stopping glasses and jewellery, it would be wrong. The pink, large-scaled pink houndstooth trousers, definitely add a bold statement here, this is what I make when I say embrace your feminity. Teaming these funky trousers with the white turtle neck gives a classy but inviting feel to your images. A simple summer ensemble, the earth tones of the dress are matched with the tortoiseshell glasses and the funny gold sandals. The hat doesn't have to be worn, it could simply be held or be something you use to bring across your personality if you're known for hat-wearing. A white shirt or blazer of some kind could be added to this outfit to cover your shoulders and add another dynamic to your headshots. Feminine pastel colours can be a great way to put your girly touch to your headshots, if it suits your skin tone, if not try a jewel colour to give you a pop. This boyfriend fit brazer will look fabulous teamed with the Broderie Lace Shirt for a more formal look. Beach vibes for chilled-out entrepreneurs or the more artsy type. A pop of colour can bring the attation back to you, bringing a selection of outfits that can easily in mixed up is always a great idea when it comes to having your headshots taken. I'm not sure if you noticed but there are only two pairs of trousers in this mix and 2 pairs of shoes if you change it up with tops and blouses you can get a great variety of images without too much hassle. What neckline is best for your headshots? Who'd have thought your neckline could be so important in your headshots? It may seem an inferior thing, yet your neckline choice can make a real difference to your headshot photos. You want to go for simple lines: crew, Peter Pan, collared and turtle-necked tops could all work well for your headshots. You want to consider the type of job you are applying for and then choose the most appropriate, something with clean lines is less distracting. Where possible keep your shoulders and armpits covered, unless this is something you should be showing for the type of profession you are in of-course, if it is then you'll know. Layering other items of clothing for your headshots, such as a blazer or a cardigan over the top can work well and add interest to the neckline without being distracting Another thing that's worth mentioning, make sure you wear the correct undergarments to ensure your underwear is concealed, peeking bra straps not only look unsightly, but they are also considered to be unprofessional if they're making a show in your headshot photos. Check out my top tips below in my YouTube video. NOT READY TO BOOK A SESSION YET? SIGN UP TO MY EMAIL LIST AND ALWAYS BE THE FIRST TO BE INFORMED WHEN I RELEASE OFFERS AND NEW PROMOTIONS. CLICK THIS LINK AND SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO JOIN MY LIST. 6 Tips for the perfect headshots My top tips for getting the most relaxed, still professional headshot photos. Choose the right photographer for you. Bring along props, if they appropriate Take your time Hydration and rest Simple relaxation techniques Visualize great photos Let me expand and explain more here. If you need somewhere local to shop for great clothing for your headshots, check out the following businesses for these local towns: Shopping Inspiration for your Headshots in Malton, North Yorkshire Smash of Malton The Rusty Fox Shopping Inspiration for your Headshots in Helmsley, North Yorkshire Crowberry Wood Fairfax & Favour

It's your wedding day and it's your story so that's what your photos should represent, they will make you shine, document what an incredible time you had whilst showing off the characters you've invited and they will embrace the atmosphere you create. Lots of my couples tell me they don't enjoy having their photo taken and that they're not confident in front of the camera, I'm here to tell you that's absolutely fine, just be yourself, you are you and you should embrace that, whatever that may be. My best advice to you -it's what I tell everyone- ignore me. Yes, that's right, ignore me, pretend I'm not there and just carry on with the day as you would. Be in the moment, absorb yourself in what's happening and I'll do the rest. So there you have it, it's simple. When I photograph a wedding I like to treat it like a story, it has a beginning and an ending with all the magic in the middle. That's why I really love to be there from the start of the day until a good few hours after the dancing has begun. Sometimes I have couples telling me that they're not bothered about photos of them getting ready, it's not them or they wouldn't use them and that's fine, but even so, I always recommend that I'm there at least two hours before the ceremony. The reason for this is it gives you a chance to get used to me being there. Even if you don't think you are bothered about these photos now, you never know what gems will happen as the morning unfolds and as the years go by you'll never look back on these and think I wish I'd never had the photographer there whilst we got ready. Don't worry, when I'm there in the morning I blend into the background, I'll work with the conditions and the space you have so don't worry at all. If possible, I always like to try to get to both of you on the morning of the wedding, so you both have a chance to get into the swing of me being around and I also can gauge what you're comfortable with. This way, when it comes to the ceremony you won't even notice me, so that's why the getting ready photos are important. When it comes to the ceremony, I always aim to capture as much action as I can as discreetly as possible. My main focus is both of you, but I'll also keep an eye on your guests' reactions, especially key people on your day, which we will have discussed and potentially I'll have met whilst you were getting ready too. I work alongside the registrars, vicar, celebrant or whoever might be conducting the ceremony to make sure we don't get in each other's way. At the end of the day, we're both working for you and we both want to do our best for you. After the ceremony, I always tell my couples to go with it, enjoy meeting and greeting your guests and letting them congratulate you both, this is absolute gold for me to document, it's all-natural and unscripted which is perfect for my style of photography. We'll have discussed your timeline of events before your wedding day, so you'll just need to immerse yourself in what's happening and leave the time slots to me and the other suppliers to work with, we'll keep you on track. We'll have put a plan together and chosen a time to suit you for doing the formal'ish photos and of course your portraits too. Whilst you eat I'll leave you to it and grab a break myself, no one likes having the photo taken whilst they're eating and the last thing I want to do is make people feel awkward, everyone should be able to enjoy their grub and have a relaxed chat. I'll be ready and waiting to capture the speeches whether you choose them before, after or between courses that's fine, I'll make sure my base is nearby so I can be prepared. From this point again I'll just be there in the background, I'm not always using my camera, but it will always be ready to use if the opportunity presents itself, capturing the impromptu moment is exactly what I'm there for. Please let people know that I'm happy to be asked to take photos of them with anyone they like. Just ask, I love being asked to take a snap for you and your guests, often it's a rare opportunity for people to grab a group photo with loved ones, whilst everyone is present. The day will continue with the flow and I'll be there to photograph the first dance along with some funky dancing later too. Generally, I stay an hour or so after the first dance, I have an idea of how much footage I need to gather to complete your story and if it takes a little longer that's fine. I'll always come and catch you before I go to make sure you're happy and then offer you a final portrait session as well, not everyone goes ahead with this if they're in the moment and that's fine, it's your day, and I won't be offended. As the day goes by, I'll give you prompts if the light is looking good at any point for portraits and it's up to you both whether or not you'd like to go ahead, like I say I won't be offended if you decline, I'd rather offer your the opportunity and you say no rather than you getting your photos and wishing I'd suggested something. FAQ's How long do you stay? I stay around 1-2 hours after the first dance to make sure we get some good photos of your guests enjoying the night entertainment, plus this gives the night guests a chance to feature in the photos too. What time do you start? Generally, I like to be with you for a minimum of two hours before the ceremony, we will discuss this before the day and work out a timeline for the morning. Can you photograph us both getting ready? Of course, I usually can do this on my tod but if you're getting ready further than 20 minutes away from one another I may require a second shooter, which is an additional charge. Can we have family photos? Yes, of course, these are what I refer to as the formal'ish photos, please hop over the my blog on these to find out more. How many photos do we get? Every wedding day is different, but usually, around 800 images will be uploaded to your gallery. When will we get the photos after the wedding? You will receive a preview of images on social media (unless you opt out of this) the day after your wedding, I then aim to present you with a sneaky peek blog 7-10 days after your wedding, which you can share with your guests, on social media and wherever you like really. The rest of your images will be with you in around 4-6 weeks after your wedding date unless I've advised you it will be longer. How do we get our images? You'll get an email with a secure link to your gallery from here you can view your photos and then share them via a link with everyone you'd like to. Do we need to pay a deposit to book in? Yes, a 25% deposit is required to book and secure your date, the rest of the balance is due 4-8 weeks before your wedding day.