So apologies to all for my late replies this week. Long story short - my computer charger literally started smoking and then no surprise...died. Is that a sign that I've been on my computer too much recently? :P It's been really annoying because I haven't been able to see the photos from the bridal shoot I did last Sunday - the anticipation is killin' me! Thankfully, the new charger is in the mail and hopefully it will show up tomorrow and I'll be back in action. Until then, I'm here sitting in a dark university computer lab that I only have access to thanks to my wonderful husband. Thanks Miggy :D
On a slightly more upbeat note....the bridal shoot went really well. I had a lot of fun with people I've never worked with before and Julie Dutton's dresses were absolutely stunning on the models! They were pretty on the hangers but I had no idea they were going to be so gorgeous when they were swishing around. We also had designer jewellery and bouquets made up by the local florist. I'm so excited to see the photos big (the little LCD screen just DOESN't cut it!)
I also re-listened to Zach & Jody Gray's super duper useful No-Cost Marketing workshop published by Sarah Petty's Joy of Marketing. It was again..amazing and this time I was inspired to buy their resource packet. It waas $99 and purchasing in dollars always makes me happy since it ends up looking like less in pounsd (£59). Migs freaked out momentarily when I told him I paid £60 for a pack of paper but it's been so useful. I've been struggling so much these last couple weeks with pricing structure and figuring out how I'm going to be dealing with clients who can't afford my prices. Zach & Jody (and my mom, dad & one of my best girlie friends) have helped so much!
I've also been stressing majorly about my branding. When I look at other businesses that have become really successful, their branding seems so strong and clear and when I look at my own it all seems so messy and not clear at all :( boo! I find myself dreaming about it and the only time this pre-occupation goes away fully is when I'm teaching a yoga class. I always feels so refreshed afterwards. I really want to work with a professional branding and marketing designer who can tell me what to do. At first I wanted to do it all myself but I've had enough. It's time I started putting all of my attention towards improving my photography rather than fiddling around with my website.
Annie & Luke met when they were students at Stirling University. Friends first, it was a few years before romance jumped on to the scene. Now that it's here, it couldn't be more clear that beneath their relationship is a strong foundation of friendship—they seemed to gravitate towards one another, laughing and finding comfort in each other's company. It was so lovely to watch them chatting away and playfully teasing each other while I snapped photo after photo.
When we first spoke (last summer), Annie had warned me that they were slightly camera shy and possibly the least photogenic couple in the world. Now that I've seen them in front of my camera I can confidently say that I completely disagree!
They were so cute together and despite the biting cold that made them want to keep their hands in their pockets they kept big happy grins on their faces the whole time. They were troopers in the -5 degree Edinburgh morning. I'm still impressed that they were willing to sit on a bench covered in thick frost!
I brought along chalk to draw hearts for them to blow to each other! I was afraid a security camera would catch me drawing on the Archive of Scottish History's front pillars but we made it out alive and undetected!
After about an hour and half we couldn't take the cold anymore so we ran into the Princes Street Starbucks. Turns out Annie & Luke are coffee fans too so everybody else was as excited as I was for a trip to the world's best coffee house (yes I know I'm biased because I'm from Seattle).
I also had the chance to work with a second shooter - Dave of Photography by Dave. I'd never actually worked with a second shooter before so that was quite exciting. It was really nice to be able to stop and chat with Annie & Luke knowing that somebody was still catching all the special moments during the conversation. It also meant I was able to change my lenses around without having to make my wonderful models wait for me.
Annie & Luke's wedding will be on the 8th September 2012 at the Royal Scots Club in Edinburgh. I'm very sad that I won't be able to join them because I'm already booked on that day shooting Louise & Mike's wedding in St. Andrews. Thankfully they've found another photographer to work with and they'll get to take photos in the Queen Street Gardens — which should be lovely! So even though I can't be there at their wedding, I'm so super glad that I got to spend a freezing January morning with them in Edinburgh because they are two very lovely people. Did I mention they like dogs and they have a cat named Izzy (sp?) — that means I get to like them even more!! When it came to sorting through their photos I found myself wanting to turn every single one black & white. I haven't figured out why that is but something about these two looks so good to me in when they're in B&W. I love it! I especially love Annie's chequered coat in B&W!
Can't get enough of Annie & Luke's smiley faces? Please feel free to watch their slideshow below!
Congratulations Annie & Luke!
I loved working with you both :) I can't wait to see your wedding day photos!
Earlier this week I was talking to a friend who said they were going to go visit their neighbor who was sick in bed suffering from cancer. He said it was really hard to see this older man in this feeble state because all his life he'd been a very active member of the community. Apparently, he was the kind of guy that would be out oiling his front gate so he walked over to oil yours as well. He drove the van for after school clubs and stroke recovery groups and was never too busy to help. The story that stuck with me the most was this one: for as long as my friend could remember this man had wheeled every single rubbish bin in the neighborhood (20 or so houses) in & out each week. He just wanted to make everyone else's lives easier.
"We can do no great things--only small things with great love." -- Mother Teresa
In a society where everybody is so concerned with rushing around getting jobs done, buying new things and advancing their own status I found the story of this humble man's caring efforts so moving. I've never met him but I know that he is lying in a bed now not more than a twenty minute walk away from where I'm sitting right now in my house. What an inspiration! I want to be more like him.
Here's a sneak peak of yesterday's (freezing cold) engagement session in Edinburgh with Annie & Luke. We were in the New Town and it was soo cold so cold so cold! We only managed to stay out for a couple hours before retreated to Starbucks (a very happy warm place) :) Annie & Luke were amazing. They ran up stairs, rode the little bouncy creatures at the Princes St. Garden playground and didn't complain once when I asked them to sit on a bench covered in frost.
After the shoot I spent the afternoon photographing my sister-in-law's shoes and then caught the late night bus back up to St. Andrews. Miggy surprised me by meeting me at the bus station when I arrived and then I walked into the house to find a candlelit dinner waiting for me. He even had jazzy music playing in the background and he was wearing my favourite outfit! He's so lovely — I love him! :D
Today I have to head into town to teach a yoga class at noon and then I'm writing an article for Scottish Woman about wedding photography. Once I've done all that I'll finally get to sit down and sort through the rest of the photos I've taken featuring Annie & Luke's gorgeous faces :D
