Judith and Giles had their engagement shoot last Friday morning at Manor Park in Dungannon. Judith had a little surprise guest that I wasn’t expecting. When I say ‘little’ I mean literally! The tiniest dog I have ever seen. One of those wee handbag dogs. I don’t think anyone has told Izzy that she is pocket-sized. The smaller the dog – the bigger the attitude!

Of course, when couples bring their dogs I like to get lots of pictures of all three together We were very lucky to get our shoot on that morning. As soon as we finished it was torrential rain for the rest of the day!

Ready to take on a passing labrador…

This is one of those photos that either happens or doesn’t happen because there is no time. I put the camera near the ground and pointed it at Izzy. Then I barked like a dog. Yes, photographers need to be nuts.

As luck would have it, outside it is gorgeous this week and I’m indoors editing, designing books, ordering prints, invoicing, designing wall hangings… If I ever get cleared up, I might take Niamh for a wee mini-shoot. Haven’t taken pictures of my own kids in ages!

On Sunday I went to Campbell College for an engagement session.  There are only a handful of weddings held here every year for past pupils and I’m delighted that I will be joining Jenny and Graham  for their’s later in the year. I call this my ‘Harry Potter’ wedding Campbell is Belfast’s answer to Hogwarts. You will see more of what I mean in August!

I thought we weren’t going to get our shoot because of the rain and snow. But, like most location photographers working in this little wet part of the world, we hate being beaten by the weather and can be very determined. The same can’t be said for our couples though, and most will do anything to get out of doing their engagement shoots – especially the men. I’ve had sick notes and everything. Seriously! I think its just a case of fear of the unknown. Chances are most of us will only ever do one engagement shoot in our lives and, lets face it, we aren’t very French about displays of public affection in NI are we?

At the end of sessions, couples are really surprised at how easy it actually was. It’s the people that make the photos gorgeous, just by being themselves and trusting their photographer. It definitely helps remove any camera phobias that might be lurking. It makes a huge difference on your big day having already had a shoot with your photographer. And most are pleasantly surprised at how great they look together!

So we went for coffee and a huge scone at Bell’s. The rain stopped. For about 25 minutes. Thats all I needed.

I love how the colours in their scarfs match. Little things

I did not touch Jenny’s skin in photoshop. Or her hair. Or her eyes for that matter. Porcelain perfection.x

Love.x

The snow was melting on the trees and leaving little sparkles of light.

’straight out of camera’ photos make me a very happy girl indeedy…

A little fun.

This was only supposed to be a short post. I might have got a little carried away! Can’t wait for the Wedding now. In fact I can’t wait for my Wedding Season to start but I have to wait until April. Then it is going to go a bit crazybusy for a few months. Anyway, lots more engagements to come before then!

Paula x

I’m finally getting a chance to post Maeve and Johnny’s engagement session from last week.

The plan had been to go right up a mountain, but, as luck would have it, the road was closed for cars. After walking some of the way, (seriously, it looked easy from the bottom!), we quickly decided that was a too ambitious plan. The view from the bottom was fine actually. Anyway, puffing, sweating, knackered red-faces is a not good look!

Turns out the forest below was the perfect setting for J&M.

Also, it was quite hard to be serious with Johnny around. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed as much on a engagement session. I was tempted to post some of Johnny’s own posing ideas but I think its best if they are kept in a ‘filing cabinet’ for future reference. Its always enjoyable to shoot couples that  laugh together easily. I’m looking forward to the wedding now!

BTW: My son has just come up to the screen proclaiming, “I’ll marry that girl!” He is only four but looks like you have competition Johnny

Oooh, I love those boots.

And I love natural unexpected hugs…

Yes, thats a bookie’s docket in the back pocket. Men.

In fact… just for fun, I will post one of Johnny’s poses…

I’m absolutely lovin these dry December days before Christmas.
Saturday evening was particularly sweet with a beautiful sherbet sky providing a backdrop for Mark and Claire’s pre-wedding shoot. Claire and Mark are getting married next year in Lusty Beg so I thought our own local lakes here would be perfect for their practice session. They have been together for years and photographing couples who are just so comfortable and relaxed with each other like this is always wonderful. I could have chatted to them for ages too. Claire and I both understand what its like to live with a Liverpool fan and their mood swings. But then again, Mark has to live with Twilight. I could see his eyes glazing over as we chatted like giddy teenagers about the new film!
Here are some of the photos from the session…

I just love this moment…

Last Sunday afternoon I met with Darren and Donna for an engagement session in the woods. It was cold, REALLY cold, but apart from that, perfect conditions for a shoot. You know, when it isn’t raining, flooding, windy, dark, foggy, or generally miserable, winter afternoons can be a great time of the year  for pictures. But be quick, as the dark sets in fast and then the magic is gone. I do love the little red berries on the trees, the leaves on the ground, the cool mossy greens against the warm browns, the sun low in the sky and peeking through the bare trees – making everything in its path glow golden. Darren and Donna are getting married married next December so we decided it would be nice to have their engagement at this time of year also. They were great, and laugh alot together, which always makes a photographer’s day. I do hope they haven’t caught the cold though! We had a few episodes. I was sliding everywhere (footless as I am), nearly went into the river a few times, and Donna nearly lost her engagement ring! If she had have dropped it in those leaves I don’t think we would ever have found it. When I think about it, that could have been a different engagement shoot altogether.