TO OUR PARTNERS

I think I will speak on behalf of the majority of female photographers because this post is gonna be one big massive huge THANK YOU to our partners, husbands and boyfriends. Thank you for supporting us in following our passion that is photography. Thank you for giving us constructive criticism when we get excited about all the things photoshop can do to our photos and start overediting and overthinking. Thank you for listening to something like that: "omg, omg, omg... I've just got another booking and her dress is amazing, and their venue - agh... let me show you... brilliant isin't it?! And her shoes, and her flowers and she is amazing and everything is amazing! Did I tell you half an hour ago how amazing this wedding is going to be?!". And thank you for listening to something like that: "Agh... look at the photos of this photographer... I will never be able to shoot like that! How does he (she) do it?! I'm nothing and I'm not able to do anything! I'm useless...(pillow cry follows)". Thank you for believing in us and encouraging us. Thank you for supporting us in a different way: "Hoooonnnyyy... There's this lens... it's class! 24-70mm IS and it's L series...What? What is L series? Well, it's professional...Yeah, I need it... Like you know, it's so versatile I can use it for like everything! Can I get it? If I get it, I won't need another one for aaaaaaageees! Yeah?! Really?! Can I?! Loooove youuu! In couple of months - Hooonnnyyy... I need...(read above, just substitue 24-70 lens for whatever that is you need). Thank you for putting up with us working during weekends or staying up till 3am because we want to finish editing a recent photoshoot because we are sooo excited about it and we want to blog it straight away and share it with the world because obviously it cannot wait another day! Thank you for carrying our heavy camera bags. Thank you for acting as our models sometimes if we want to try out a new technique or a pose. Thank you for being there for us. We love you.
I don't think it works exactly the same way for male photographers, but I'm sure their partners are very supportive as well! If you think I missed something or you want to say thank you to your hubby, use comment form below. And don't forget to tell them in person ;-)

 Taken in Australia last year. We managed to avoid the sharks and made it safely to the beach )))

PHOTOGRAPHY PARLOUR TUESDAY GET TOGETHER - MODEL PHOTOSHOOT

Omg, where do I even start describing the whole amazingness, fabulousness and greatness of the day?! On tuesday I went to Bristol for a photographers meet up organized by Rosie Parsons from The Photography Parlour which is a great web-resource for aspiring photographers and a place to connect with people from your industry. There were about 30 of us from all over the country. Photographers of different ages, backgrounds and experinces got together for a fun day of shooting, learning from each other and connecting. I felt it before, but this kind of events make me realise even more how great our community is! We don't see each other as competitors, we see each other as friends, that's why if you need help you know that there is always someone there for you. I am very VERY proud to be part of it!
So, on the day we had a venue, models, make-up artists, our cameras and we were in Bristol's floating harbour. What did we do with all that? We mixed it all up, added a bit of great weather and started shooting! We were organised in groups and had a chance to spend time with different models, so at the end of the day we were left with loadz of great images! Below are some of mine from the day:

Special THANK YOU to our models, you were amazing:

Silvi http://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/1216312/0

Clara B http://www.modelmayhem.com/1417038

Miss Cherry Delight (Gemma) http://www.modelmayhem.com/1663173

Make-up artists:

Lilly MUA http://www.modelmayhem.com/1075740

Heather Talbot http://www.modelmayhem.com/1192627

Cat Parnell http://www.catparnell.tk/

Sara Friar http://www.heygorgeous.me.uk/bodypainting.html

Other suppliers:

Venue The Harmony II http://www.harmonyyachtclub.com/

Dresses http://www.vintagedress.co.uk/

China and table styling http://www.vintageteasets.co.uk

Flowers: Floriture http://www.floriture.com

Catering was from McBaile http://www.mcbaile.com/

Cakes: Sheona’s of Cake Matters http://www.cakematters.co.uk/

Just general thank you to everyone who was involved in the day and made it unforgettable!

SOUL IN THE CITY

Last week I photographed an event organized by Soul in the City charity in Islington. I must say they are doing an amazing job. Every year they organise a series of events and activities that are aimed at bringing the community together. Kids do face painting, dancing, reading, assembling mosaics, gardening and so so much more! In our busy world it is so great to see people of different backgrounds getting together and getting to know their neighbours! I've always admired people who volunteer for projects like that and give up their personal time to just give something to others. In exchange they receive love and smiles that are priceless.

NEW PRODUCT IN STORE - SAMPLE ALBUMS!

I'm quite excited to share this. I've been waiting for my sample albums for a while and here they are! What can I tell you about them? Well, they are handcrafted in Italy and available in loadz of differents sizes, shapes, covers and colours! Square, landscape, leather, eco-leather, seude, satin, plexiglass, photocover, even Swarovski crystals if you wish! Black, red, yellow, white, orange, blue, red, green, brown, cherry etc. Contemporary, traditional, retro, classic collections. You will definitely be spoiled for choice! The combinations of styles, covers and colours are pretty much endless. Contact me to arrange the viewing as albums are better appreciated when viewed in person!

PHOTOGRAPHING A PHOTOGRAPHER

So, this is the full post after the sneek peek I gave you last Friday. I must say I never thought that I would ever photograph a photographer. I thought only cool kids do this kinda stuff! I met Antonina through twitter and when she suggested to arrange a day of shooting in Bushy Park I got very excited about the whole idea! I was a bit nervous at the beginning, because I've never been in the role of a model on the other side of the camera before (now I understand how you people feel!). But when we met on the day Antonina made me feel at ease, we were chatting about everything and anything and the day just flew by. I enjoyed the whole experience so much and ended up with hundreds of photos! Both of Antonina and of myself. You can see the pictures she took of me throughout my blog ;-). Now, Antonina is a London family and children's photographer. Check out her work. She has an amazing gift to bring out kids' personalities and reflect them in her photographs. She just cracks them! When you look through the images she takes, even if you don't know a child on a picture, you can just say what an individual he or she is. Her newborn photos just melt my heart, seriously. Have a look yourself here. And here she is herself, meet Antonina:

I love the way she smiles with her eyes:

Happy happy person!

I will be back soon with a post about my experience of "modelling" in front of the camera and tips! Talk soon!

PHOTOGRAPHING A PHOTOGRAPHER - SNEAK PEEK

I haven't posted on my blog for a while, but I've been busy working on a few ideas, so, please, forgive me! Below is a sneek peek of my recent photoshoot. I've teamed up with London based family photographer Antonina Mamzenko for a day of shooting and I've had so much fun! Got to try some of my ideas, so keep an eye on the blog, a few changes coming soon! ;-) Now, make sure you check out Antonina's work on her web-site! She is an amazing photographer and a great person! She takes very cute newborn photographs and gets on very well with kids. Her pictures are very genuine and when you look through them they just warm up your heart.

P.S. More coming soon! Enjoy your weekend! :-)

EXHIBIT EMOTIONS PHOTOGRAPHY FEATURED ON THE PHOTOGRAPHY PARLOUR!

My experience of photographing a wedding was featured on The Photography Parlour! Read what it was like! And if you are into photography check out the tips that I've shared there! ;-)
Talk soon and enjoy your weekend!

AMAZING LONDON WEDDING VENUE - WILTON'S MUSIC HALL

Last sunday when the whole London was seized with "marathonomania" I went on a tour around Wilton's Music Hall. I've heard about it before but never actually been there, so what a better chance to go then on a day of London marathon when the streets are packed and everyone is somewhat sporty! On my way to Wilton's I crossed the Tower Bridge and got into the whole spirit of running for a good cause, support and cheering and decided to run it myself next year! Yeap, my friends laughed as well... Anyway, back to Wilton's! It is the oldest surviving Grand Music Hall in the world. It belongs to the first generation of public house music halls that appeared in London during the 1850s and which, only fifty years later, had all but disappeared. Nowadays it's more general-purpose performance space and is used for both opera and theatrical productions and can be hired for photoshoots, filming, private events and weddings. You can read more about Wilton's and its unique history HERE and HERE. I must say what an amazing place! It's very quiet inside if there are no performances, but if you take a moment and listen, you can hear the music... then you hear applauds and public shouting bravo, cheers and the sound of champagne. It's an intriguing journey back in time to the Hall's glorious days! Go there and experience it yourself, it's well worth it! 

So, as I've already mentioned Wilton's can be hired as a wedding venue. If I had my wedding still coming, that's where I would want it to take place. Because it's primarily a theater, it has everything your gorgeous wedding needs: a stage, a piano, beatiful settings, amazing accoustic and outstanding lighting! You can use the lights very creatively to highlight the special touches to your wedding and decor. Have a look:

 by Mitzi de Margary

Great pillars for flower decorations:

Apart from reception you can have your ceremony there as well. Because your wedding must not interfere with artistic productions, make sure you book it well in advance!
Talk soon!