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February 2, 2013
We’ve have been neglecting this blog recently & instead have been busy on a well known social networking site called Facebook. So find out what we’ve been up to recently by having a look at our page there!
As well as information about us & what we’re up to (along with great photographs—like yesterday’s post about our session with the lovely Izzie’s on the right!) we post snippets of news & other stuff that we trust you’ll find interesting. Unlike some others we do promise not to bombard you with fake offers!
You don’t have to sign up to Facebook to see our page & many photographs. So, as much as Facebook would like you to join, just cancel their requests. Just bookmark our page so you can stop by every now & again.
If you are already on Facebook we’d love you to ‘like’ us so we can keep you up to date with what is happening here at the studio.
Click on Izzie’s picture to have look now!
Familiar face
May 25, 2011
Our favourite album manufacturers, GF Smith held an “Inspirational Day” recently with renowned photographers Kevin Wilson and Mark Lawrence at the wonderful Custard Factory in the middle of Birmingham.
Helping Mark was a model called Holly who was very professional & patient while each photographer took their turn to shoot. At one point, having moved to a new location, I took a picture with the camera on totally the wrong exposure setting. However, once the amazing Adobe Lightroom photo processing software had worked its magic I was able to produce an artistic picture from a file that would otherwise be only fit for deletion!While I am familiar shooting ‘on the streets’ with my own Urban Confidence, the locations provided in the middle of Birmingham were rather different to the familiar, genteel, rural town of Ross-on-Wye. We used some of the great open space locations in the Custard Factory, some nearby railway arches and, most spectacularly, a wall of crushed cars in the industrial Heath Mill Lane.
We finished the shoot back at The Custard Factory. As the rest of the delegates were leaving Holly spotted a striking hanging sculpture called The Deluge & asked for a picture of her underneath and I was happy to oblige! There are many other sculptures as well as interesting artisan shops so The Custard Factory, just a few yards from Birmingham’s Bull Ring, is well worth a visit. GF Smith really had provided an inspiring day!
When I got back to the studio I realised I had seen Holly a couple of weeks before when reading on the BBC news web site about the BP Portrait Award shortlist. She was the model for a superb 12 foot high painting by Louis Smith naturally called ‘Holly’. We had remembered the painting due to its beautiful classic lighting so she was a familiar face!
Ziggy receives his prize & £10 off for Crufts
February 18, 2011
Ziggy is brilliant!
We were delighted to support the Ross Gazette’s ‘Pet Factor’ competition. Ziggy, the worthy winner, was given his star prize of a 16 inch canvas. Ziggy is an American Bulldog, he was rescued by his owner after being abandoned. Being only 6 months old he has the energy of a puppy but with a lovely character.

Pet Factor winner Ziggy in the Gazette
And, of course, Crufts is coming up soon. To celebrate we are offering £10 off any pet portrait until the end of Crufts 2011, which is the 13th March 2011. You’ll be pleased to know that any pet qualifies for this offer, not just dogs! See our Pets page for details and give us a ring.
Opera can be fun!
June 30, 2010
Had an excellent time at Fran & Martin's lovely, informal wedding. During the ceremony at Walford church they had a lady sing a couple of classical pieces during the signing of the register. I noticed she sang rather better than usually done by the usual ‘friend of the couple’.
But reception in a marquee at their home the talents of the wonderful opera singer, the amazing soprano Fabienne Borget were revealed. She didn’t just sing, she entertained us with several opera female love standards using the gentlemen guests as surprised participants in her show.
To be honest, opera is not on my favourites list, but the Fabienne’s show was wonderful as she gave a quick amusing resume of each piece before ‘acting it out’.
If you’d like to enjoy a true entertainer you can find out more about Fabienne here. Opera can be fun!
Weddings help families bond
February 11, 2010

Not one of my pictures!
Linda Geddes and Nic Fleming on their wedding day (courtesy of the Daily Mail who annoyingly don't credit the photographer)
The Daily Telegraph headline of “Weddings help families bond so they will assist in raising the children” contrasts with the Daily Mail’s more mercenary “Weddings are a way of providing baby-sitters for the future”.
New Scientist has the unusual picture of a Bride donating blood on her wedding day captioned “Get any blood on my dress, mister, and this experiment is finished”
The great thing is that weddings do bring families together. And the big range of emotions you will experience is mirrored by swings in hormone levels. And not just for the Bride & Groom but the whole family and even friends. Well done for everyone who took part!
One thing I did notice is that the Bride’s male friend James has more of the ‘jealousy’ hormone after the ceremony than before. Would I want the world to know that?
3000 and counting!
February 6, 2010
What a milestone! We’ve now photographed over 3000 lovely babies under the amazing Cherubs scheme. The smashing Lucas from Coleford was no. 3000.
Cherubs is a national scheme run by the Master Photographers Association that records a baby’s first year with wonderful professional photography.
Each baby that gets invited to join Cherubs has three photo sessions. From each shoot the parents choose a picture that sums their baby up best at that age. They then receive the luxury folio complete with pictures after the last sitting – for free!
I offer Cherubs to the parents of new babies who live in south Herefordshire, the Forest of Dean & north Monmouthshire. A lot of parents don’t believe it could really be free. If you’re a new parent watch out for my invitation letter coming through the door!All Cherubs sessions take place in my elegant High Street studio. Part of a grade II listed Georgian building, the airy studio has a lovely atmosphere with it’s high ceiling & large windows. Having a well equipped, comfortable studio allows us to provide our customers with the highest quality pictures.
Lucas was an excellent model, a delight to photograph! He smiled brilliantly & made my job seem easy.
His mum, Laura said, “I’m really pleased with my folio. We love the pictures & it’s amazing to see how Lucas changed as he was growing up.”
When you come to see us you’ll notice all our display albums are complete weddings usually as provided to the couple, not just a collection of our favourite shots. And you’ll see our reception table is covered in thank you cards from grateful couples.
We are proud that a lot of our weddings come by recommendation and we do repeat business, mostly for siblings, but occaisionally second time around!