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 spent last Saturday afternoon with Chelsey and Lee. Beautiful children on a beautiful day. We jumped on the trampoline, played hide and seek in the treehouse, kicked the ball around, blew bubbles, went for a walk down by the lake, fed the ducks…  phew!

Boys will be boys…

And girls will be girls

Planes overhead never cease to amaze…

Everyone should spend some time with kids at this age. You rediscover all the best ways to have fun I get a little hyper too and I’m sure parents think I’m not wise sometimes.

Just in case anyone believes that photos only exist on this blog, I had to post this.

Its wonderful to see images in their rightful place. Enriching our homes and adding life to our walls! I have often felt I would love to do a ‘picture tour’. Just visiting all my past clients and taking pictures of where their photos live now. They could live in a book. They could be a tiny black and white, in a treasured, vintage frame at a mother’s bedside locker. They could be 40 inches across the living room wall! They could be part of a staircase gallery featuring generations of loved ones, spanning many years…  One thing I have learned is, we all live very different lives and there is something for everyone when it comes to lifestyle, choice and presentation.

When the pictures leave me, looking all framed and lovely, I kind of feel a little bit sad. The blog is my only record that I ever met those wonderful people and took those pictures to begin with. All the loved-up couples, the chubby babies, the hard-working families, cosy newly-weds, the ‘full-of-beans’ toddlers, the shy teens,  and last, but not least, the five-day-old newborns, just starting on this wonderful journey we call life. Maybe I’m feeling a little thoughtful – having just watched ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – but I can only hope that those people look at them, smile, and be very glad they always have that moment in time to hold in their hearts forever.

This is why I love my job.

Happy Valentines.x

Throughout the year in nursery, every child has a week on the ‘Special Board’.

Last week was Seanan’s turn. I know this probably doesn’t look like much but, as a mum, this is mega in our world.

Seanan had to list all his favourite things including books, foods and games. He also had to answer questions about members of the family and paint lots of pictures. I was interested to see how this would play out. My son is not one for sharing information freely. In fact, after school I really have to work at finding out what he had for dinner. And, for an easy life, he will often just make stuff up. I was sweating a little at what might actually appear on this board!

So I was helping put together his board at home. There were spaces for photographs to be supplied. Whoohoo!! I think Mummy got a little ‘photo happy’ on this request. Well, I do have pictures of everything! I was born to do this ‘Special Board’ project. Dessie came in from work to find me in the WHZ (workheadzone). Quite scary, I’m sure. If Seanan thinks he is always going to get this amount of enthusiasm over homework he is very mistaken. Just wait until he brings home maths. Ugh! Then maybe Daddy will be in the zone.

Anyway, here are some of his answers:

1.  Seanan doesn’t really know specifically what Mummy does. She works at her computer and emails. All these photos came as a bit of a revelation to his teachers!

2. At least this is better than what Daddy does. He works at his work. Oh, and sometimes works at his work at home. This answer is not surprising. Like Chandler Bing, no one really knows Dessie’s exact job description. Sometimes I don’t think he knows himself.

3. There are crocodiles in Craigavon lakes.

4. Seanan best friend Darragh has grey hair.?? It is spikey.

5. Mum likes to make pasta. Almost every night. In fact all Seanan ever eats is pasta. Daddy loves mum’s pasta.

6. Mum has black hair- True. Dad has black hair also – Untrue!

7. Dad has a pink and black shirt. Hmmmm…. I would like to know if this is true.

8. Seanan loves trains.

This just makes me smile so much. But he didn’t tell them about how scared he is of school at the moment. How shy he is of strangers, but so completely loyal to his friends. How he loves to climb into Mummy’s bed at 7am to play with her hair. How much he loves Cafolla’s ice-cream and chips on Fridays. How very patient he is with his highly-strung, little sister. That ‘The Gruffalo’ and milk in bed just completes his day. That he loves his new bed so much that he can’t wake in the mornings. That bouncing everywhere like a ‘Tiger’ is still the best fun by far. That he is a whizz at Jigsaws. And power-hosing with Dad is the best way to spend Sunday afternoons. That his favourite movie is ‘Jungle Book’ and he sings a mean version of ‘The Bare necessities’… and goodness, a whole lot more that only a mum would think is so very, very special…

BTW: In case anyone is under the illusion that I have a complete angel here there are lots of naughty things I haven’t mentioned. Like stealing my iphone and sending emails to clients! And answering the work phone when mummy is in the loo. I will not go into the details

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…